“God works sovereignly to save a special people for his glory.” (Mark Dever)
Exodus is about two major events: Exodus and Sinai.
Exodus establishes Israel’s identity.
- Exodus 1 spans centuries
- Exodus 2 spans about 80 years
- Exodus 3-40 transpires over a little more than a year
The first half of the book is about why God deserves worship. The second half of the book is about how Israel should worship.
The Big Idea of Exodus
S: What is God determined to do despite the opposition of the world and the sinfulness of his people?
C: To save a people for himself.
BI: Despite all obstacles, God is determined to save a people for himself.
Oppression in Egypt (1-11)
1:1-14
S: Why did Israel become enslaved?
C: Because we’re part of a larger conflict.
BI: Sometimes the world turns against God’s people.
1:15-2:10
S: Why should we fear God rather than man?
C: Because only God is worthy of obedience.
BI: Fear God more than humans, because God always gets his way.
2:11-25
S: How does God work?
C: Slowly, invisibly, and with people we don’t expect.
BI: God often works slowly, invisibly, and with people we don’t expect.
3:1-4:17
S: How does God prepare Moses?
C: He reveals himself and his will, and overcomes his inadequacy.
BI: When God calls, God equips.
4:18-31
S: Why did God almost kill Moses?
C: Because Moses had unfinished business with God.
BI: The Lord requires holiness from those who serve him.
5
S: What happens when God begins to save his people?
C: God works, but sometimes situations get worse.
BI: When God begins to move, sometimes things get worse before they get better.
6:1-13
S: What does God promise to do for his people?
C: To deliver, redeem, and adopt them.
BI: God promises to deliver, redeem, and adopt his people.
6:13-7:7
S: Who were Moses and Aaron?
C: Ordinary people whom God chose to use.
BI: God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary plans.
7:8-11:10
S: How does God show his glory and power?
C: Through acts of judgment and mercy.
BI: God shows his glory and power through judgment and mercy.
Deliverance from Egypt (12-14)
12:1-30, 43-51
S: How should we remember our salvation?
C: By using the remembrances God has given to his people.
BI: Remember your deliverance.
Alternate:
S: How can we be saved from judgment?
C: By the blood of the Passover lamb.
BI: We’re saved from judgment by the blood of the Passover lamb.
12:29-14:31
S: How does God save his people?
C: By keeping his promise and decisively delivering them from their enemy.
BI: God keeps his promise to save his people by delivering them decisively from their enemies.
Wilderness (15-18)
15:1-21
S: How should we respond to our salvation?
C: By giving God the glory that’s due to him.
BI: God has saved us, so respond by worshiping him.
15:22-17:7
S: Why does God test us?
C: To teach us to rely on him.
BI: Tests teach us to rely on God.
17:8-18:27
S: What do we learn about Moses?
C: Even Moses needed help from God and others.
BI: Even the greatest among us needs help from God and others.
Sinai (19-24)
19
S: Who is the God who makes a covenant with us?
C: He is holy and gracious.
BI: The God who makes a covenant with us is both terrifyingly holy and gracious.
20:1-21
S: How does God expect us to live in response to who he is and what he’s done?
C: Love him and his children.
BI: In response to who God is and what he’s done, love God and his people.
20:22-23:19
S: What does it look like to love God and people?
C: It means acting differently in the details of life.
BI: God expects his people to act differently.
23:20-33
S: How does God fulfill his promises to his people?
C: By giving us his presence, bringing gradual change, and requiring our obedience.
BI: God keeps his promises and calls us to obedience.
24:1-18
S: How is the covenant ratified?
C: With a meal.
BI: God’s made a covenant with his people that’s ratified with a meal.
Tabernacle (25-40)
25
S: What is God’s plan for us?
C: God plans to live among his sinful people, recreating Eden.
BI: God plans to dwell among his people again.
25:10-27:21, 31
S: What do the details of the tabernacle represent?
C: God’s holy presence among his sinful people.
BI: God is holy, but he’s found a way to live among his sinful people.
27:1-8
S: What has to happen before we can approach God?
C: Sacrifice must be made to atone for our sin.
BI: Before we approach God, sacrifice must be made to atone for our sin.
28:1-30:10
S: Who will represent us before God?
C: Somebody holy who is set apart and prepared for the task.
BI: We need someone holy to represent us before God.
30:11-38
S: What do we need before God?
C: Redemption and cleansing.
BI: We need redemption and cleansing before God.
31:1-11
S: Who does God use to make the Tabernacle?
C: People with God-given skills.
BI: God appoints and gifts people for his service.
31:18-32:35
S: What are people like?
C: Even after seeing God’s glory, we’re quick to turn to idols.
BI: We’re quick to forget God and turn to destructive idols.
33-34
S: What’s our hope in the midst of sin?
C: We have an intercessor, and God is merciful and gracious.
BI: Our hope as sinners is that we have an intercessor, and God is gracious.
34:29-35
S: What effect does God’s glory have on people?
C: It transforms us.
BI: God’s glory transforms people.
35-40
S: How did Israel, under Moses, complete the Tabernacle?
C: By completing the work to God’s specifications.
BI: The right response to God’s grace is obedience.
40:34-38
S: What is our ultimate hope?
C: To live again in the presence of our glorious God.
BI: Our ultimate hope is to live again in the presence of our glorious God.
