Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 90

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3  You turn man back to the dust, and say, “Turn back, O children of men!”

4  For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

5  You sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:

6  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

7  For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.

8  You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9  For all our days pass away under your wrath, our years come to an end like a sigh.

10  The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11  Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13  Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!

14  Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15  Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil.

16  Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

17  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us, yes, establish the work of our hands.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Call of Moses

Exodus 3:1-12

1.       Where does God appear to Moses? Who else is around? How does this parallel the appearance of God to Abraham (Gen 15) and to Jacob (Gen 28 & 32)? Where does a Patriarch go to experience openness to God?

2.       God introduces himself, “I am the God of your father.”  What is the significance of this title?  What role did your father play in the revelation of God to his children?  What role do you play in the revelation of God to your children?  How is a father’s role distinct from a mother’s role in religious upbringing?

3.       How is Moses’ first reaction to God (Ex 3:6) parallel to any previous reaction to God appearing in the Bible?  Why might a Patriarch initially react to God like this?

4.       Who are God’s people?  What is God about to do for them?  What about God’s relationship to the Egyptians?  What about the Canaanites, Hittites, etc.?  What do you make of God’s favor toward the sons of Israel?  Who are God’s people now?  Do you expect God to favor His “own people” over “other peoples” now?

5.       Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh...?”  What do you make of this response?  Who are you, Patriarch, to fulfill God’s mission?  Who is the “Pharaoh” you are called to oppose on behalf of God’s people?

6.       God’s first answer to Moses (3:12) parallels his assurance to two other Patriarchs (Gen 26:3 and 31:3 and 46:4).  What circumstances were they facing?  Why did they need God’s assurance?  What circumstances are you facing, and how are you consoled by this assurance of God?

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.