This week in our study on Exodus, we focus on the birth of Moses. Interestingly, the story is less about Moses, and more about the women in his life, who defy the edict of the empire (in their own unique ways) and collectively fight for his life. As Cheryl Exum notes, in the opening chapter of Exodus, "the courage of women is the beginning of liberation." Josh attempts to weave these themes together, while also challenging us to become allies with unlikely people for the sake of the Gospel.
the restoration project. Joshua James. 5 February 2017
Small Group Questions
(1) Josh opened the sermon by talking about good and bad storytelling (apologies to his Dad). Have you ever thought about the Bible as literature or do your other categories (e.g., the Bible as the "Word of God," the Bible as "inspired," the Bible as "infallible") steer you away from focusing on the story itself? Other than the opening chapters of Exodus, do you have any examples of great storytelling in the Bible?
(2) After listening to the sermon, what strikes you the most about the storytelling surrounding (and including) the birth of Moses?
(3) Josh highlighted the connections with Genesis in Exodus 2, most notably, the language describing Moses as a "fine/good child" (and a similar phrase in Genesis 1 referring to God's creative activity) and the construction of an "ark" for Moses. Do you find it frustrating that these connections are not easier to see on your own? Does it encourage you when you hear about them or is it depressing? How much work do you think *should go into reading the Bible?
(4) It is always dangerous to "psychologize" the text (that means to read in emotions or thoughts that are not stated in the text), but let's do it anyway. :) Put yourself in Moses' mom's place. What do you imagine was going on in her mind as she prepared Moses' "ark" and as she floated him down the river? What about Pharaoh's daughter?
(5) Josh talked about the unlikely nature of the relationship between Moses' (very Hebrew) mother and sister and Pharaoh's (very Egyptian) daughter. One scholar said that they defied their societal roles to become allies for the sake of Moses' life. Who are we, as TRP or as the larger Church, "allies" with? For what purposes? Who *should we become allies with? How could our "unlikely" partnerships speak a better word to the surrounding community for the sake of Jesus?
