As a leader, you may benefit deeply from N.T. Wright's discussion on the Exodus theme and how it's central to the New Testament, found here. Wright has been very influential to the staff and to the theology at Crosspointe. Grab a pen and paper and carve out an hour to chew on some really deep, really helpful teaching.
Discuss
- How were you most impacted by hearing from Seth, a Jewish Rabbi that believes in Jesus as Messiah?
- What lights went on for you?
- What questions did it create for you?
- How has it further shaped your view of Jesus?
- How does the Exodus have to do with Jesus and His Kingdom mission?
- How has the theme of Exodus, being enslaved and not living life, followed by rebirth and difficulty leading to new life, played itself out in your journey of faith?
Read
- Romans 7:7-8:39
Leader note: Paul uses the language of slavery, bondage, Exodus and freedom. The language and thoughts Paul shares can get pretty thick, so you may do better as a group reading Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of Paul's letter in The Message Translation. The excerpt can be found here. Enjoy the depths of this, and don't be intimidated by mental fog and the necessity to read some sentences 4 or 5 times. It's not necessary to resolve it all- see if you can learn a few things, and take your questions and other clarity gaps forward.
- Thoughts?
Meditate
- Read (and re-read) Psalm 77 quietly for a few minutes. Note what begins in verse 10 when the author of this poem can no longer see God presently working in his life, and doesn't feel very hopeful about the future. Reflect (meditate) on how this is applicable to your life, or the life of someone close to you. Reflect on how it doesn't seem to bother God when you feel empty or weak in faith. Then spend time and think historically about how you have seen God move and let God encourage you starting there.
Discuss
- Share what you experienced in meditating on Psalm 77.
- Share how you sense the group can be a mutual encouragement to follow Jesus out of slavery and disconnectedness, into life and Kingdom.
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