Opening Discussion

• What hobby or leisure activity do you spend a lot of money on?

Read and Discuss

The Israelites were in slavery under the Egyptians. They had cried out to God to rescue them, and God sent Moses and Aaron to talk to Pharaoh. Instead of listening to them, Pharaoh made it even harder for the Israelites. So God sent plagues to convince Pharaoh to listen. The first nine plagues devastated the Egyptians and their livelihood, yet Pharaoh still wouldn’t let the Israelites go. Moses even told Pharaoh that the final plague would wipe out all the firstborn males of all the people and animals in Egypt. The Lord gave the Israelites special instructions to be protected from the upcoming devastation.

Exodus 12:3-6 CSB

3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they must each select an animal of the flock according to their fathers’ families, one animal per family. 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.

• What were some of the regulations that God was establishing for the feast that would become known as Passover?
• Why did God want the Israelites to keep the animal with them for four days before they slaughtered it?
• Why did God want this to be done with families and neighbors?
• What are some ways you can live out your faith in community with other Jesus followers?
• What are some barriers to having a faith community?
• What step can you take this week to live out your faith in community with others?

Exodus 12:7-13

7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over fire—its head as well as its legs and inner organs. 10 You must not leave any of it until morning; any part of it left until morning you must burn. 11 Here is how you must eat it: You must be dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover.

12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

• What was the significance of putting blood on the doorposts and doorframe?
• Why did the blood of the lamb or goat protect the Israelites?
• Why did this particular meal become an ongoing tradition for the Israelites?

Matthew 26:26-28

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

• How did Jesus bring a new perspective to the unleavened bread, wine, and the blood that was associated with Passover?
• Why was Jesus’ blood able to forgive sins permanently when the animal sacrifices were only able to forgive temporarily?

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• How was Jesus able to pay the price of sin?
• What are ways people try to earn that eternal life?
• Why are human efforts unable to pay the price of sin?
• Why do people have trouble receiving this gift?

Apply it!

• What things are you doing in your own life to try to earn your forgiveness instead of just receiving the gift God has given us through Jesus?
• What can you do this week to let others know of the freedom that comes through the blood of Jesus?

Memorize it!

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for being the sacrificial lamb that paid the price for our sin

Adoration- Worship the Lord for creating a way for us to be in His presence

Confess to the times you have tried to earn your forgiveness through other means than the blood of Jesus

Others- Pray for those who need to find forgiveness in Christ. Ask the Lord to give you boldness to talk to someone this week about the freedom Christ has given you.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to rest in Him and His salvation