18/01 Journey to the Promised Land: Faith and Choice

1)      Today, we look at possibly the most famous story in Israel’s history. Are there any stories in your family or friendship circle that you like to retell and remember? What principles or values do these stories convey?

Read Exodus 12:21-36

2)      Last week, Moses was grappling with his calling in Exodus 4:1-17. What has happened in the story since then?  (flick through chapters 4-12 if you need to)

3)      What do you think Moses learnt through these experiences? What impresses you about his leadership in our passage today?

4)      How patient had God been with Pharaoh? Why was this final plague necessary? Did Egypt deserve to be punished? (see Exodus 1:11-16)

5)      What was the choice facing the Israelites in our passage? What impresses you about their response?

6)      The Passover became arguably Israel’s dominant festival, at God’s command (see Exodus 12:14-16). Why did God want it to be remembered?

7)      What are the parallels between the Passover story and The Last Supper (Lk 22:1-20)? How does Jesus fulfil the purpose of the Passover and the later Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16)?

8)      What function does Communion have within the Christian community? What does it teach us theologically?  

9)      How does 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 urge us to respond to it? What does 2 Peter 3:8-9 add to this?

10)  What should you pray for, in the light of this study?  Pray for these things.