Opening Questions and Prayer
What is something in your life you would like to improve?
What is something in your life that you have seen God transform to make that area more like Him? (anger, addiction, unkind words, patience, etc.)
What is difficult about transforming from areas of hard-heartedness to soft-heartedness?
Pray that the Lord would help you to see those areas in your life that are still closed off to Him. Ask Him to give you insight in how to live as you study His Word today.
Read Exodus 9:8-9
Exodus 9:8-9 (All verses are from the NLT unless otherwise noted)
8 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches. 9 The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing festering boils to break out on people and animals throughout the land.”
What significance did the brick kiln have in this struggle between Pharaoh and the Israelites?
See Exodus 5:15-18: 15 So the Israelite foremen went to Pharaoh and pleaded with him. “Please don’t treat your servants like this,” they begged. 16 “We are given no straw, but the slave drivers still demand, ‘Make bricks!’ We are being beaten, but it isn’t our fault! Your own people are to blame!”17 But Pharaoh shouted, “You’re just lazy! Lazy! That’s why you’re saying, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’ 18 Now get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still produce the full quota of bricks.”
What was the Lord showing Pharaoh with this plague?
What hopeful message was the Lord sending to the Israelites with this plague?
When you go through hardship, what are some ways the Lord reminds you of His goodness?
What’s one thing you can do this week to turn to the Lord when stress, anxiety, or frustration hits?
Read Ephesians 6:10-12
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
What was Paul helping the Ephesians to understand about their struggle with sin and problems they had with other people?
How was the Lord telling his people to be strong in Him and His mighty power even under the oppression of the Egyptian nation?
What are some ways this verse is a hopeful reminder to us during this time of pandemic, political unrest, and racial tensions?
What do you need to do this week to remind yourself that your fight isn’t against other people, but it is spiritual warfare?
Read Exodus 9:10-11
Exodus 9:10-11
10 So they took soot from a brick kiln and went and stood before Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses threw the soot into the air, and boils broke out on people and animals alike. 11 Even the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and all the Egyptians.
How did this plague affect the Egyptians differently than the previous plagues?
How did Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness hurt those around him?
When we refuse to confess our sin, repent, and pursue Jesus with our life, how does that affect others around us?
What is one way your sin hurt someone else this past week?
What do you need to do to make the situation right in the eyes of that person(s) and God?
Read Exodus 9:12
Exodus 9:12
12 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and just as the Lord had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen.
Why does Pharaoh continue to refuse to listen to the Word of the Lord in His life even after he has seen His power?
What are some ways we see the Lord work, but refuse to give Him leadership over our life?
See James 2:19-20: 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
Why must there be good deeds that come from our faith?
What good deed can you do for someone in need this week that will help them experience the love of Jesus?
Memorize it!
James 2:10-11
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.