Session 2

September 13, 2020

Not Just Rules

Unit 1: The Ten Commandments

The Word

Exodus 19:14-25

Connect to My Experience

Musician and Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan released the song Gotta Serve Somebody in 1979. The message of the song focused on the premise that regardless of who you are, we all serve somebody (or something) in one way or another.

· In what ways does the message of Dylan’s song—we all serve somebody—ring true? Are we really all servants of something or someone? If so, how? If not, why?

· What does it look like for us to serve someone or something? What impact does this have on our lives and those around us?

· In our world today, to what, or to whom, do we give ourselves in service? Do we find our lives enriched by what we serve? Why or why not?

Connect to the Word

Read Exodus 19:14-22.

It had only been three months since the Israelites had left Egypt, where their daily lives consisted of serving Pharaoh.

· From what you know of the Israelites, what are some ways of thinking and living that had shaped the Israelites while living in Egypt? What kind of “baggage” would they have brought with them from their time in Egypt?

· How might this help us understand why Moses was instructed to consecrate the people? Why was it important for the people to prepare themselves (see v. 15) for what was about to occur?

· How might consecration and preparation help the people transition from life in Egypt to life with God?

· In what ways do we prepare ourselves for an encounter with God? In what ways does God prepare us for an encounter with Him?

Most people don’t mind the occasional thunderstorm.

· What effect, besides trembling, do you think the thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a very loud trumpet blast had on the people? If you had been present, how would you have reacted to these events?

· How would this begin to shape their understanding of who God is?

It seems obvious who was ordering this encounter between God, Moses, and the people. God, holy and transcendent, initiated this meeting and set the course for how everything would transpire.

· Remembering that it is God who initiates and orders, how does this correct any common misperceptions of worship today?

· In what ways do we attempt to control and regulate God’s movement among us? What does Exodus want us to understand about the proper way to approach worship?

· What connections do you see between the Sinai experience and Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)?

· Verse 22 says, “Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves.” What does this say to you?

Read Exodus 19:23-25.

Having just been warned by God for the second time about the people approaching the mountain, and the need for the priests to consecrate themselves, Moses told God that the people knew the rules and would abide by them.

· Why would God repeat the warning about coming up Mount Sinai when Moses had already assured God that the people would follow God's rules?

· Knowing the central role these commandments would have in the life of God’s people, how might this highlight the importance of the people not ascending Mount Sinai?

Connect to My Life and the World

God’s character is revealed to us.

· Share how God has been revealed to you. What did you learn about God’s character in those experiences?

· How do we ensure that we are correctly interpreting God’s revelation in our lives?

We all serve someone or something in some way.

· In what ways can we prepare ourselves for God’s presence and leading this week?

· How can we consecrate ourselves to God this week?