Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 77

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

1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me.

2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

3 I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints.

4 You hold my eyelids from closing;

5 I consider the days of old, I remember the years long ago.

6 I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit:

7 "Will the Lord spurn for ever, and never again be favorable?

8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"

10 And I say, "It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

11 I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12 I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders, who has manifested your might among the peoples.

15 With your arm you redeem your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid, yes, the deep trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.

18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron .

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 3:13-4:23

1.       God reveals his proper name to Moses, “I am who I am.”  How does this both conceal and reveal the identity of God?  What might be some meanings of this name?  How does Jesus apply this name to himself?

2.       God reveals that the king of Egypt “will not let you go unless compelled.” Why does God send Moses on a mission that will be resisted?  How is God’s glory greater because of overcome obstacles?  How does this apply to the mission of a Patriarch?  How does God’s example reveal how a Patriarch can mission his child toward a goal with obstacles?

3.       Moses answers God, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice.” When might a Patriarch be tempted to use a similar excuse?  How does a Patriarch persevere in the face of a lack of trust?  How does a Patriarch raise children to act boldly, even in the face of disbelief, opposition, or ridicule?

4.       What excuse about public speaking does God hear from Moses?  How does God answer it?  What is your experience of public speaking?  How have you grown in it?  How do you help your children to face and overcome their fears of public speaking?

5.       Why is God’s anger kindled against Moses? How do you deal with your children when they stubbornly refuse to try something that frightens them? What can a Patriarch learn from how God deals with Moses’ stubborn hesitancy?

6.       Finally, God provides Aaron as a support to Moses.  In what other biblical stories does God provide a man with friendship in his mission?  When have friends been essential to your mission?  How do you foster edifying friendships in your own children?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will model vocally praising the name of the Lord to my children by reading one of the Psalms of praise before bed each night (ps. 9, 34, 68, 93, 96-100, 104, 108, 111, 146-150).
2.    I will share with my wife and children the different meanings of the name that the Lord reveals to Moses.
3.    I will plan an activity for my children that we will train for together (5K, 10K, triathlon, bike ride, etc.) and will use it to teach my children how to accomplish a large goal by preparing in stages.
4.    I will encourage my children to try something new that they are afraid of by trying something new that I am afraid of. 
5.    I will speak about the Lord with someone close to me who I do not believe will listen.
6.    I will offer a fast this week for the grace for my children to overcome fear.
7.    I will stop what I am doing and give my full attention to my children when they want to speak to me.
8.    I will explain to my children how my friends have been instrumental in my faith journey.
9.    I will have a conversation with my wife about whether or not our children’s friends are leading them closer to or farther away from the Lord.
10.    I will schedule a time to get together with a friend who has been helpful in my faith.

Previous Resolutions - Exodus 3

Prayer Partners

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