About the series We will be spending the coming year covering the whole Bible in our worship at East Falls Presbyterian Church–not reading every chapter, but considering key ideas of every book. The primary goal of this worship series is to help us see overarching themes of the Bible and how each book contributes to the larger story of God and God’s people. We’ll also get to explore parts of the Bible we might not otherwise (when’s the last time you heard a sermon on Nahum?). The goal isn’t to finish the Bible; the goal is to know the Bible better. View the reading guide here
About the series We will be spending the coming year covering the whole Bible in our worship at East Falls Presbyterian Church–not reading every chapter, but considering key ideas of every book. The primary goal of this worship series is to help us see overarching themes of the Bible and how each book contributes to the larger story of God and God’s people. We’ll also get to explore parts of the Bible we might not otherwise (when’s the last time you heard a sermon on Nahum?). The goal isn’t to finish the Bible; the goal is to know the Bible better. Exodus - September 14-20 Overview The Exodus story is one of the most important stories in the Bible, centered on two pivotal events. First, God rescues the people from slavery in Egypt. This rescue becomes foundational to who God and God’s people are together. God often says, “I am the God who brought you up out of slavery in Egypt.” Second, God establishes a covenant with the people at Sinai. A covenant is a commitment to being in relationship with the people. At Sinai, God sets up terms of that relationship. Taken together, these two key events set up a theme of identity–the people coming to understand who they are as God’s people and what it means to be “God’s people.” As you read in Exodus, pay attention to God’s concern for the oppressed, how God is present with the people, and how God provides for the people. Notice also how many women play an important role in God’s liberation of the people from slavery. The last half of Exodus includes many detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was the way God would dwell with the people–in a tent that could move with the people. God would not be confined to a single location. Who/When: As with Genesis, most scholars believe Exodus is compiled from multiple ancient sources. It likely came together in its present form around 600-500BCE. Key Passages Exodus 1:8-2:10 The people are oppressed as slaves in Egypt. Resistance begins with midwives Shiphrah and Puah and continues with Moses’ mother, Moses’ sister Miriam, and Pharaoh’s own daughter. Exodus 3:1-15; 4:1-5, 10-12 Moses encounters God in a burning bush. God sends Moses to rescue the people from slavery in Egypt and responds to each of Moses’ objections to this call. Exodus 15:1-21 Moses and Miriam lead the people in joyful song celebrating God’s rescue. This chapter is likely one of the oldest passages in Scripture. Exodus 16:2-15 The people complain in the wilderness and God provides daily food (manna). Exodus 20:1-21 God gives Moses the Ten Commandments. Because God has rescued the people from slavery in Egypt, God asks the people to live in particular ways that honor their relationships with God and one another. Exodus 32:1-14 The people get nervous that Moses has been on the mountain too long, so they ask Aaron to make them gods who can lead them. Aaron obliges and makes them a golden calf, which they worship. Moses intercedes with God on behalf of the people and God has mercy on them. Discussion Questions Who do you see as leaders helping to set people free today? Why might God free a group of people, and then give them new rules and directions? A large part of Exodus contains boring, but specific directions for the tabernacle. Do you have any guesses as to why this would have been important and included in the bible?