Date: June 23, 2024
God’s Promise to Make a Holy Nation
The Point: God’s promise to set apart His people was conditioned on obedience.
Get Into the Study
After discussing Question #1, share the following illustration.
Chip and Joanna Gaines are known as social media stars but most of their children don’t follow them online. The Baylor University graduates and “Fixer Upper” stars are parents to five children, ranging from kindergarten to one in college. They revealed in a recent Today Show interview that their house rules specify that each of their children get social media access “the summer you go to college…so 18.” Chip Gaines admitted it was a challenge. “You can tell these kids want it before that. It’s not like it’s this agreed place to where we’ve all decided roughly 18 and they’re like, ‘Oh, thank goodness. I didn’t want it to begin with.’ …They wanted it at 12, 13, 14.”
Since their oldest son is now in college, Joanna said the couple’s four minor children have been “kind of quiet” about wanting to join social media during the past year. “I think they just know the heart behind it, which is hard, I think because all their other friends have it,” she said.
Because of the Gaines family’s success in their businesses, their children have “perks” other kids don’t have. Joanna said, “I feel like for us it’s kind of one of those things where we can say, ‘You have these other things that are really great. Our life is a little different and we care about this specific thing.”
Say: The Gaines have established their social media boundaries for what they believe is best for their children. In the same way, God has set boundaries for his people for what is best for them. What we know as the Ten Commandments are those rules that provide what is best for us. God can say to us that although others may not adhere to this standard, if His people are obedient, they have a special relationship with Him.
Call attention to The Point on page 37 of the PSG and continue to the first section of Study the Bible.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/chip-joanna-gaines-reveal-house-021253821.html
Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip showing family rules. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Before discussing Question #4, share the following information.
On May 18th, while on a youth church outing in Alva, Florida, three young men tragically drowned in the Caloosahatchee River. Apparently one young man, who was not a proficient swimmer, entered the water and immediately began to struggle. Two other young men entered the water to attempt to rescue him, but also began to struggle. All three submerged and didn’t come back up. A fourth young man made it back to shore and was treated at the hospital.
All of this occurred despite the fact that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had marked the Franklin Lock area with signs warning against swimming, wading, snorkeling, or scuba diving due to the inherent dangers. One local resident noted that the area is a boat access point, with boats always coming and going. There were signs that clearly said no swimming. Ignoring these warnings, the young men entered the water, resulting in a tragic end.
Say: I’m sure that for these young men the inviting waters of the Caloosahatchee River made the signs seem unnecessary, but when rules and warnings are ignored, things happen that impact lives. God’s rules are no different. God’s rules are standards that pointed God’s people to holiness..
Ask Question #4.
3 Men Drown in Unsuccessful Rescue | Front Page News Paper
Lynn Riley is retired from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, where he served as a team member in the areas of evangelism and church health. He and his wife Cheryl live in Smyrna, TN, and are active members of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, TN. They are spending their retirement years serving their church and spoiling grandkids.
Study the Bible [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of Moses receiving God’s law on Mt. Sinai to illustrate this important moment in the life of God’s people. Invite the group to give their impressions of this event.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What rules were non-negotiable in your family when you were growing up?
- Why do people tend to complain about various rules in sports?
- What is the most odd law you’ve heard that’s still on the books?
- What was one rule that was unique to your household growing up?
Exodus 19:1-4
- How can God’s past provisions be the basis for our future decisions?
- What does the comparison of God delivering his people and carrying them on eagles’ wings teach you about God’s relationship to His children?
- Why it is good to reflect on what God has done in your life?
- How has the Lord demonstrated His grace in your life?
- How does recalling God’s past blessings encourage you for the future?
- What helps you remember the ways God has blessed you?
- What are some practical ways to remember God’s provision in our lives?
Exodus 19:5-6
- How are we to understand God’s unconditional love and salvation in light of this conditional promise?
- What is the cause and effect of obedience to God?
- What can result from holier-than-thou living? From holy living? What’s the difference?
- What benefits did the Israelites gain for accepting God’s righteous standards of the covenant?
- How does becoming a kingdom of priests impact your prayer life and relationship to God?
- How does our obedience to God help others see our relationship with Him?
- How does God’s attitude toward Israel help you understand your relationship to Him?
Exodus 19:7-8
- What results when followers of Jesus obey and disobey God’s commands?
- How is God demonstrating great grace with this condition on His promise?
- How does God’s promise to make you His special possession both comfort and challenge you?
- What is the relationship between obedience to God and love for God?
- How does God’s grace through Jesus Christ give us hope as we follow His will?
- How does humility factor in when we intend to give God our full obedience?
- What can get in the way of our complete obedience to God?
- How can a community of believers help us remain obedient?
- What happens to our relationship with God when we disobey?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
What do you think about the new commandments that were presented recently on MtSinai?
New commandments?! God’s original Ten Commandments are sufficient.
Are there transcripts of the podcasts? If I missed a link, I apologize.
We do not create transcripts of the podcasts, but there are apps you can use that will generate one for you.
Transcripts would be really helpful.