THE EXODUS
Lesson 1: The Call of Moses (Exodus 3:1-22)
- Introduction: Begin by introducing the historical context of the Exodus – the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt and God’s plan to deliver them.
- Reading Exodus 3:1-22: Guide learners to read Exodus chapter 3 carefully.
- Dramatization: Divide the class into groups and assign roles (Moses, the burning bush/God, perhaps some background Israelites). Instruct them to role-play the call of Moses based on the scripture. Encourage them to pay attention to:
- The unusual sight of the burning bush that was not consumed.
- God’s initiative in calling Moses by name.
- God’s self-identification (“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”).
- God’s awareness of the Israelites’ suffering.
- God’s plan to bring them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.
- Moses’ initial reluctance and excuses.
Peer Critique: After each group’s performance, facilitate a peer critique session focusing on how accurately they portrayed the biblical account and the emotions of the characters.
Lesson 2: The Discourse Between God and Moses (Exodus 4:1-19)
- Review: Briefly recap the call of Moses from Exodus 3.
- Reading Exodus 4:1-19: Guide learners to read Exodus 4:1-19. Alternatively, they can watch a relevant video depicting these events.
- Analyzing the Discourse: Discuss the continued conversation between God and Moses, focusing on:
- Moses’ Doubt and Objections: His concern about the Israelites not believing him and his lack of eloquence.
- God’s Responses and Reassurance:
- The signs given to Moses: the staff turning into a snake and back, his hand becoming leprous and then healed. Discuss the significance of these signs as demonstrations of God’s power and confirmation of Moses’ mission.
- God’s promise to be with Moses’ mouth and teach him what to say.
The provision of Aaron as his spokesman.
Lessons Learnt: Guide learners to outline the lessons they can learn from this discourse about:
- God’s patience and understanding of human weakness.
- God’s provision and equipping those He calls.
- The importance of obedience despite fear and doubt.
- God’s sovereignty and ability to work through imperfect people.
- Using Bible Commentary: Encourage learners to consult reputable Bible commentaries to gain deeper insights into the meaning and significance of this dialogue.
- God’s provision and equipping those He calls.
Lesson 3 & 4: The Ten Plagues (Exodus 7:14 – 11:10)
- Introduction: Explain that when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, God sent a series of ten plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and compel Pharaoh to obey.
- Brainstorming the Meaning of “Plague”: Discuss the meaning of the word “plague” – a widespread affliction, calamity, or contagious disease.
- Reading and Summarizing: Divide the class into ten groups, assigning each group one of the ten plagues to research by reading the corresponding sections in Exodus (Exodus 7:14 – 11:10). Each group should summarize the details of their assigned plague.
- Sketching/Drawing the Plagues: In their groups, learners sketch or draw a visual representation of their assigned plague.
- Showcasing and Describing: Each group presents their sketch/drawing to the class and briefly describes the plague they researched.
- Listing the Ten Plagues: As a class, create a comprehensive list of the ten plagues in order:
- Water turned to blood
- Frogs
- Gnats (or lice)
- Flies
- Death of livestock
- Boils
- Hail
- Locusts
- Darkness
- Death of the firstborn
- Brainstorming the Meaning of “Plague”: Discuss the meaning of the word “plague” – a widespread affliction, calamity, or contagious disease.
Lesson 5: Attributes of God from the Ten Plagues
Review: Briefly list the ten plagues.
- Identifying God’s Attributes: Guide learners to analyze each plague and identify the attributes of God that are revealed through them. Use charts or PowerPoint slides to record these attributes:
- Power/Omnipotence: God’s ability to control nature and bring about extraordinary events (evident in all plagues).
- Justice: God’s judgment on the oppression of the Israelites and the idolatry of Egypt.
- Sovereignty: God’s ultimate control over Pharaoh and the events that unfolded.
- Faithfulness: God’s commitment to His promise to deliver the Israelites.
- Knowledge/Omniscience: God’s awareness of the suffering of His people and His precise plan for deliverance.
- Holiness: God’s separation from and opposition to sin and injustice.
- Mercy (towards Israel): God’s protection of the Israelites from some of the plagues.
- Discussion: Discuss how each plague specifically demonstrates these attributes. For example, the severity and scope of each plague showcased God’s immense power. The targeting of Egyptian gods through some plagues (e.g., the Nile god) demonstrated His sovereignty and judgment against false worship.
- Identifying God’s Attributes: Guide learners to analyze each plague and identify the attributes of God that are revealed through them. Use charts or PowerPoint slides to record these attributes:
Lesson 6: The Passover and Foreshadowing of Christ’s Atonement (Exodus 12:1-31)
- Reading Exodus 12:1-31: Guide learners to read the account of the institution of the Passover.
- Making Notes on the Passover: Learners make notes on the key elements of the Passover:
- The instructions for each household to take a lamb.
- The lamb had to be without blemish, a year old, male.
- The lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight.
- Its blood was to be applied to the doorframes of each house.
- The Israelites were to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
- This was to be a lasting ordinance, a memorial feast.
- Defining Atonement: Use a Bible dictionary to define “atonement” – the reconciliation between God and humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Discuss the idea of making amends for sin.
- Relating the Passover Lamb to Jesus Christ: Guide learners to see the parallels between the Passover lamb and Jesus Christ:
- The Lamb without Blemish (Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19): Symbolizes Jesus’ sinless nature.
- The Sacrifice of the Lamb (Exodus 12:6, John 1:29): Foreshadows Jesus’ sacrificial death for the sins of the world. John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
- The Blood for Protection (Exodus 12:7, 13): The blood of the lamb brought deliverance from death; similarly, Jesus’ blood brings salvation and protection from God’s judgment on sin.
- The Lamb Not Having Its Bones Broken (Exodus 12:46, John 19:36): A specific detail that was also fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion.
- The Passover Meal (Exodus 12:8, Luke 22:15): Jesus’ Last Supper was a Passover meal, where He instituted the new covenant in His blood.
- Reflection Journal: Learners write a reflection journal entry on how the Passover foreshadows Christ’s atonement and its significance for Christians today.
- Making Notes on the Passover: Learners make notes on the key elements of the Passover:
Lesson 7: God’s Care for the Israelites During the Exodus
- Introduction: Emphasize that God’s deliverance of the Israelites was not just about bringing them out of Egypt but also about sustaining and caring for them on their journey.
- Using a Bible Map: Use a Bible map to locate the Red Sea and the general route of the Exodus.
- Group Research and Presentation: Divide the class into four groups, assigning each group one of the following ways God cared for the Israelites:
- The Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:5-31): God’s miraculous parting of the waters to provide a way of escape and His destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army.
- Provision of Water (Exodus 15:22-27; 17:1-7): God’s provision of drinkable water at Marah (making bitter water sweet) and striking the rock at Horeb.
- Provision of Manna and Quails (Exodus 16:1-36): God’s daily provision of food in the wilderness, demonstrating His sustenance.
- Defeat of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16): God’s help in battle through Moses’ lifted hands and Joshua’s leadership.
- Group Work: Each group reads the assigned passage, brainstorms the details of God’s care, and makes notes for a presentation.
- Presentations: Each group presents their findings to the class.
- Watching a Movie (Optional): If resources allow, watching a reputable movie depicting the Exodus can help visualize God’s care and power.
- Provision of Manna and Quails (Exodus 16:1-36): God’s daily provision of food in the wilderness, demonstrating His sustenance.
Lesson 8: Recognizing God’s Power and Deliverance
- Review: Briefly summarize the key events of the Exodus – the plagues, the Passover, and God’s provision in the wilderness.
- Drawing/Sketching Miraculous Acts: In groups, learners create drawings or sketches depicting God’s miraculous acts during the Exodus (e.g., the burning bush, a plague, the parting of the Red Sea, manna falling from heaven).
- Discussion: Facilitate a discussion focusing on:
- How the Exodus demonstrates God’s immense power over nature and human rulers.
- How God’s actions reveal His love, faithfulness, and commitment to His people.
- The significance of God’s deliverance for the Israelites and its parallels to God’s saving acts in the present day.
- How the Exodus serves as a reminder of God’s ability to bring freedom and hope in difficult circumstances.
- Personal Application: Encourage learners to reflect on times in their own lives or in the world where they can see God’s power and desire for deliverance.
- Conclusion: Emphasize that the Exodus is a foundational story in the Old Testament that reveals God’s character as a powerful deliverer who cares deeply for His people. It serves as a testament to His ability to overcome any obstacle and bring about salvation.
