Breaking Ground
Identify a time when you got in a lot of trouble at school. What happened? How were you punished? How did that impact you?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Covenantal by exploring God’s Covenant with Moses & Israel at Mount Sinai. Critically, this Covenant is given to Israel after God liberates them from slavery in Egypt.
With this in mind, begin by reading Exodus 19:3-6 & Exodus 20:1-17. Consider the covenantal framework of promise, commitment, & sign that we’ve been exploring (NOTE: the sign of this Covenant, which is circumcision & the Sabbath, is only mentioned later in Exodus).
What promise does God make to Israel in this Covenant? What commitment does God ask of them in return? How do these two components relate to each other?
What stands out to you about the Ten Commandments? How do they relate to & build off each other?
What role do these commandments play in fulfilling the promise & commitment of this Covenant (as well as the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12)? What do they seek to do to & through Israel as God advances His redemptive story?
Close by reflecting on how this Covenant might challenge us in this season.
What happens when Christians forget that all Christian ethics begin with grace? What impact does this have on both how we understand God & treat others?
What happens when Christians forget that God’s Covenant primarily seeks to transform His People, not the rest of the world? What impact does this seem to have on both how they understand their calling & treat others?
Where have you forgotten that grace precedes & empowers all life change? Where have you forgotten that God wants to use you as a conduit of His character & blessing in the world? How has this negatively impacted you & your witness in the world?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Covenant explored in the Sunday sermon.
- Read Exodus 19:3-6 & 20:1-17. What stands out to you about God’s Covenant with Israel at Sinai?
- What does God state is the foundation of this Covenant? How should this impact our understanding of the Laws that follow?
- Which of the Ten Commandments stand out to you the most? Which principles within them do you tend to struggle with?
- How might God be calling you to experience transformation in the area you’ve identified? How would that help you better reflect God’s character to those around you?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
October 19th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Covenantal!* Please see mye3.org for details.