Opening Discussion

• Do you feel a closer sense of community around Christmas time? Why or why not?

Read and Discuss

Read Exodus 14:9-14

9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army—chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

• Even though the Israelites had seen God do incredible miracles, why were they still afraid of the Egyptian army?
• What are some ways our circumstances may hinder us from trusting in God?
• When life seems like it’s falling apart around us, why is it hard to be quiet and let the Lord fight the battle?
• Moses tells the Israelites not to be afraid. How had they let fear dictate their response?
• Who is someone in your life who brings you back to reality when fear, or other emotions, may have gotten the better of you?
• Why is Christ-centered community so important in times of trials in your life?
• Sometimes in our community, we can get in a negative space and start grumbling together. How did Moses lead them in the midst of their negativity?
• When you find yourself being negative, what can you do to combat that?
  • How can you involve your Christ-centered community to help you with that?
• What are some of the ways you can address the concerns and issues you have, while at the same time not souring those around you?
• Who are the Moses’ in your life that give you proper perspective when times are tough?
• Is there anyone in your life who is going through a tough time that needs to be reminded that the Lord is fighting for them?
  • If so, when will you remind them of that?

Read Exodus 35:30-36:1

30 Moses then said to the Israelites, “Look, the Lord has appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft 32 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft. 34 He has also given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.

36:1 Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled people are to work based on everything the Lord has commanded. The Lord has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”

• What does this passage teach us about the character of God?
• Why does the Bible give an account of these people and their skills?
• How is the community of God supposed to function together and use their skills to glorify God?
• What are some things you are good at?
  • How can you use those things in your Christ-centered community to glorify God?
• Why is it important for all of us to use our gifts and talents to work together?
• How does working in our gifting to glorify God help us to get out of the negative space we may be in?
• How can serving on a team or being part of a group help us?

Apply it!

• What can you do this week to use your spiritual gifts to build up the community God has placed you in? (This can be both inside and outside of the church)
• If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, there is a spiritual gifts assessment on the One Life app.

Memorize it!

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for the people in your life that strengthen you in tough times

Adoration- Worship the Lord for fighting for you

Confess those times when you have let negativity determine your steps instead of the Lord

Others- Pray for someone who is going through a tough time. Ask the Lord how you can help them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you ways that you can step up in your gifting to help build up the Body of Christ

Closing Thoughts

In the church world it can become easy to start complaining about how the church you attend does things.

“It’s the same 3 songs every week.”

“I just don’t get anything out of the sermons.”

“No one talks to me.”

“They just don’t have a good ______ (insert name of area you don’t like).”

Now, some of these things may be legit concerns and every church has areas of improvement. But many times what I’ve observed is those complaining the loudest are doing the least. They can see all the ways people within the church are failing to meet their needs, but not doing anything to meet the needs of others.

Our journey through Exodus has been a good reminder for me that if I’m frustrated with something in the community of my church, then I need to help work for a solution by listening to the Lord and His leading. Maybe I need to encourage others to step up in certain areas, or maybe, just maybe, the Lord is calling me to step up in some areas. Spend time in prayer this week figuring out where the Lord is wanting you to step up.