The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: MOSES TODAY
Week's focus: A Salvaged Life- 1st in a series
Scriptures: Exodus 1:1-2:10
Week of: September 10, 2006

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
Note these principles from the Word for later recall, reflection & application

1. Moses is born into a world in which human oppression, slavery, and the slaughter of innocents serves powerful interests. Sound familiar? Exodus 1:8-22

2. Women act in faith and love to thwart the destructive will of Pharaoh--and a salvaged child is adopted into the ruler's own family. Exodus 2:1-10

3. Regardless of uncertain or inhospitable beginnings, our faithful God wills that every child be redeemed, set in His family, and empowered to relieve suffering and release the oppressed. Psalm 139

GUIDED JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
Explore these questions in personal devotions or group discussion

1. Read Exodus 1:1-14. Can you recall what events brought the Israelites into Egypt in the first place? What triggered the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt (v. 8)? What reason is given for oppressing them (vv. 9-10)? What forms did the Israelite oppression take (vv. 11-14)? What forms--and rationalizations for--human oppression do you see at work in our world? Pray for those who are oppressed-and for their oppressors. CHILD LABOR. HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ASIA & AFRICA.

2. Read Exodus 1:14-22. What are the midwives instructed to do when a boy is being delivered to a Hebrew woman? Why do the midwives NOT follow their instructions? What does God do for the midwives in response? What is the ultimate solution for Hebrew boys given by Pharaoh? When do you think it is legitimate to NOT cooperate or comply with the policies or directives of those in authority? What should be important considerations in non-compliance? How have you seen such non-compliance initiate liberation for others? ROSA PARKS

3. Read Exodus 2:1-4. What Hebrew tribe is Moses born into? How is he described by his mother? What does she do with him for the first three months of his life? What does she do after that? Who watches him from a distance? What do you think motivates Moses' mothers' actions? Do you see such motivations at work in people today?

4. Read Exodus 2:5-10. What motivates the Pharaoh's daughter to care for Moses (v. 6)? What does Moses' sister offer to do? Who nursed Moses? What did Moses' mother do when he was older? How did Moses get his Egyptian name? Do you think God was at work in these strange events? How? Do you think God works in such ways today? How?

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Consider what other believers have shared about this Scripture

YOUR LIFE IS A GIFT. "While we may marvel at the drama of Moses' rescue and how it must have transformed his sense of destiny and calling, what about our own? First the Bible says clearly that God has given believers a gift of new life (John 3:3). Second, like Moses' gift, our gift comes in the form of a rescue. Instead of being rescued from a river, we were rescued from a regime-that of the kingdom of darkness rule over by Satan himself (Colossians 3:1:13). And third, unlike Moses' rescue, our rescue is accompanied by an instruction manual that explains everything. Christians should not be confused about who saved us, why we were saved, and where we are headed. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the written Word of God, we have everything necessary to keep our focus on eternal things." -- Dr. Kenneth Boa in Destiny and Deliverance

ARK & BASKET. "The Hebrew term used for the basket in which Moses is saved is teba, a word that appears in the Bible only once--to describe the mighty vessel Noah crafted to save animal and human life in the great flood. Something momentous was now at stake: the survival of an enslaved people and the destiny of humankind would depend on the little ark that now floated in the shallows of the Nile and the goodly child who was sheltered inside." - Jonathan Kirsch in Moses: A Life

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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