*Blue - Questions for the group *Black -Commentary
*Red- Scripture
Opening Questions and Prayer
What does the Book of Exodus reveal to us about the history of God’s people? [It shows how the Children of Israel go from slaves to a free nation.]
What does it teach us about God?
We’ve all had heroes in our lives—people that we admired. Who was your favorite hero and why?
Pray
Introduction
Exodus reveals to us the history of God’s people and their journey from slaves to a free nation. It shows us how bad the children of Israel treated God—but it also teaches us some things about God. What does Exodus teach us about God?
Review
Last week in small group, we discussed the glory of God. What happens when the glory of God is evident in your life? What are signs that we are reflecting the glory of God?
When we reflect the glory of God then it becomes very natural that we bring others along on this journey of pursuing God. Where is Moses at the end of Exodus 24 and as Exodus 25 begins? Where are the people?
Read Exodus 25:1-7
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.3 Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for 5 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.
Describe a moment when you were moved to give a gift to someone.
What type of gifts does God desire from us?
What types of gifts do you appreciate receiving?
What are some of the gifts you have offered to God?
Read 2 Samuel 24:18-24
18 That day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him. 20 When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. 21 “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked. David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.” 22 “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. 23 I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.” 24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.
Why did David want to give a gift to God?
Why did Araunah want to give the land and the oxen to David? [it appeared he loved and respected David as the leader]
David didn’t want to give God something that was gifted to him—Why?[He wanted to give a gift that cost something.]
When was a moment that you gave something to God that was costly?
So God begins this discussion on worship by revealing to man what type of gifts He desires. And just as important, God wants to know the heart behind our giving.
Read Exodus 25:8-9
8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.
God reveals His plans to Moses. Does God lead in generalities or is He specific when He speaks to Moses?
Why does it feel like God does not speak that clear to us? Is God speaking, but we refuse to listen?
How often are we obedient to the direction that we already understand from His Word?
Read Exodus 25:10–16
“Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 13 Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15 These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them. 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
Think of something that you treasure dearly. What gives it value? Is it the actual gift? Is it the giver? Where do you keep this treasure? (if you don’t trust everyone in your small group, then you better not tell them where you store this valuable!)
Why did God instruct them to build an elaborate ark? [This was an earthly copy of a heavenly original. It was designed to reveal the royal and holy nature of God]
Why did God require that they carry the ark with poles?
Why did God instruct Moses to put the stone tablets in the ark?
Read Exodus 25:17-22
17 “Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. 18 Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover. 19 Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 20 The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it. 21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.
The lid to the ark was called the atonement cover. What is the meaning of atonement? [reparation for wrong or injury] What are some other words or phrases for atonement? [making things right, paying the penalty]
Why do we need atonement?
How do you feel when you find out that you’ve hurt a friend?
Is it enough to feel bad when you’ve done wrong?
In the Old Testament, how did they address their sins before God? [sacrifice—the blood of animals]
How do we address our sins before God—in other words, how are we reconciled to God? [through the atoning sacrifice of Christ]
Pray:
Ask God will to help you know Him more—to have a deeper understanding of the character and nature of God. Pray that as God gives you greater insight into who He is, that you will be able to worship in a deeper fashion that will bring glory to God.