One of the key identity markers for God’s people is the Ten Commandments. When God called His people, the Hebrews, out of slavery from Egypt and into a new land of promise, God established a new covenant with them. This covenant was an agreement outlining God’s relationship with the people. It was a covenant of grace characterized by a new way of life as a community and as individuals. While there were many parts of this, the Ten Commandments—or Decalogue—are a good summary of this covenant. In this series, we will continue our exploration of what Exodus means to us as 21st century followers of Jesus.
How might we be shaped by the Ten Commandments, and how might they be chiseled upon our hearts, minds and lives?
(Exodus 3:19; Matthew 5:17-20)
SERMON OUTLINE
“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.’” (Exodus 20:1-2)
The Backstory (Exodus 1-19)
- Slavery and need (Exodus 1:11-14)
- The faithful God who sends a deliverer (Exodus 3:6-8)
- The powerful God who brings an exodus to freedom (Exodus 14:30-31)
New Beginnings (Exodus 19:3-6, 16-22)
- Set free for freedom (Exodus 19:4)
- Treasured by God (Exodus 19:5)
- A representative kingdom (Exodus 19:6)
- Approaching with the fear of The Lord (Exodus 19:16-22)
Living with Jesus and the Ten Commandments (Matthew 5:17-20; 19:17-19; Romans 7:12-14; Galatians 3:10-14)
- Jesus affirms the Ten (Matthew 19:17-19)
- Jesus came not to abolish but fulfill the Ten (Matthew 5:17-20)
- The Ten reveals God’s character and our sin (Romans 7:12-14)
- The Ten prepares us for Jesus and the Good News (Galatians 3:10-14)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When you hear the phrase “Ten Commandments” what do you think of? Why?
- This weekend at Eastbrook, we begin a new series entitled “Chiseled” on the Ten Commandments. This series accompanies the season of Lent, which is a season of drawing near to God and renewing our hope in Jesus by turning from sin and clinging to the Gospel. This mirrors the journey of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt to a new land guided by God’s deliverance. In preparation for this study, read Exodus 19:1-20:21. (If you haven’t read the entire book of Exodus before, make it a goal to do so during this series.) Then, ask God to speak to you through your study of the Scripture.
- The story of Exodus moves from slavery in Egypt to the clash between God and Pharaoh in the plagues on to deliverance from slavery and movement toward the land of promise. The Ten Commandments are an identity marker for God and for the Hebrew people as they become the nation of Israel. Read Exodus 19:3-6. What do these brief words tell you about who God is, what He is doing, and what it means to be His people?
- Leading up to God speaking the Ten Commandments, He reveals Himself powerfully to Moses and the people in Exodus 19:9-25. What do you find surprising about these verses? What do they tell you about what God is like?
- Many times, the Bible talks about “the fear of The Lord” (see examples in Joshua 4:24; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Psalm 19:9; Proverbs 19:23; Acts 9:31; 2 Corinthians 5:11). The fear of The Lord means living our daily lives with reverent awe in relation to God. How does Exodus 19: 9-25 shed light on what it means to have an appropriate fear of The Lord?
- Would you say you live with appropriate fear of The Lord? Why or why not?
- In Hebrews 1:1-2, we read: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” Read the following verses and reflect on how Jesus relates to, affirms, or changes our understanding of the Ten Commandments: (Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 19:17-19; Romans 7:12-14; Galatians 3:10-14)
- Read through Ephesians 2:11-22. How can you live in the Gospel of peace more strongly these days in your relationships?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you are alone, write it down somewhere so you can think about it further this week. If you are with a small group, take some time to discuss these things with one another. Close in prayer.