Exodus 2.2

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BIBLE PASSAGE – Exodus 2.11-15

This is the second in a series of 3 small group studies looking at Exodus 2. There’s so much in Exodus 2. Take time to read it for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Bible truth to you, and help you apply it to your life.

Moses tries to help 

This is the heading in the Youth Bible for this part of Exodus 2. It tells us a little of the early life of Moses as he grew to be a man. As a student using these notes, your life is in a transition from childhood to adulthood. Life is always a bit confusing at any age, but as you grow up, you will have many pressures and challenges. Know that God is on hand, his character is that he will never leave you or forget about you, even if you mess up. 

Turn to Luke 2.40 and Luke 2.52. Write down what these Bible verses say:

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Let’s take time out to consider the very early life of Jesus, and let’s compare it to our own lives..

1. He grew and became strong.
2. He was filled with wisdom and became wiser.
3. God’s goodness was on him.
4. People liked him.
5. He pleased God.

Although we are not called to please people (but to please God), how does your life compare? OK, so you’re not Jesus, but the same factors at work in his life should be at work in your life.

Question – Do you know what the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ are? They are the evidences of God at work in your life by his Holy Spirit. Can you list them? Do you even know where to find them in the Bible?

Turn to Galatians 5.22-23 and list the fruit of the Spirit. Again, think about whether you are growing in these areas. If you are not, it’s time to consider how to make changes, with God’s help..

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OK, let’s head back to Exodus 2.11-15:

The Bible says that Moses grew and became a man. 

Question – what does it mean to become a man? What does the Bible say? (This question is suitable for lads and girls, as we can look at what it is to be a man of God, or to help find the right kind of man of God if you’re female!)

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Now have a look in Genesis 1.28 and Genesis 2.15 and write down what God commanded.

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There are 3 roles appointed to man in the Bible – the roles of prophet, priest and father. What do these mean in practice and can you find any Bible verses or examples to back this up?

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John 5:19 – Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Malachi 4.5-6 – “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Next – Moses saw the suffering of the people and wanted to do something about it. In verses 11 and 12 we see that an Israelite was being beaten by an Egyptian. Moses took the law into his own hands, anger clouding his judgement, and killed the Egyptian. 

Question – How do you react when you see injustice? What does it mean to let God sort things out and not try to sort them out in your own way? 

(Read Malachi 1.1-4).

Romans 12:19-21 – Friends, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

There are 2 other lessons to learn here. Firstly, not only did Moses kill this man, it undermined his authority. Look what happened in verses 13 and 14 of Exodus 2 – people had seen him and when 2 Israelites were fighting, they said ‘what gives you the right to judge, you killed a man..’ Sin always has consequences. Secondly, Moses thought he hadn’t been seen. But people do see you. And even if they don’t, God does. 

Read Psalm 139.1-10 

However, there is another lesson here. Despite sin, God works things for the good of those that he loves. Moses messed up, I’ve messed and mess up – so do you. Your mess may be different. It may be real serious. But it’s not beyond God to reach out to you and change your life for the better. 

Read and write down Hebrews 12.6 – Romans 8.28 – Romans 8.37

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In the next session we’ll see how God turned around things for Moses in an incredible way, blessing him in all sorts of areas. But Moses also had to go back to where he had run away from and confront what he had done. 

Prayer – Dear God, I recognise I have sinned and messed up. Please forgive me. I want to turn away from the wrong things I’ve done and be made new by your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I ask you to come into my life and change me. I want to live as a disciple of Jesus, to turn away from the past, and to live for you. Thank you that you died on the Cross for me. Change me by and fill me with your Holy Spirit I pray. Thank you Jesus. I receive this by faith. Amen. 

Now quietly thank Jesus for what he’s done and allow God to speak to you. Don’t be afraid, God is very gentle and knows your personality. If you’ve prayed this prayer, please tell someone in your group what you have done.