LOOK:

I realize that not everyone considers themselves as a “leader,” but in God’s Kingdom, you are leader because you have the power to influence others through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can be married, single, widowed, and you still have people in your lives who are taking their cues from you, which makes you a “leader” whether you own that or not!

Q: As we conclude today’s lesson, what leadership traits did you observe in Moses that you would like to cultivate more?

Download Full Lesson: 8.24.14 Class Notes – Ex 17-18

LOOK:
After today’s lesson, we should all be convinced that the Lord gives us daily provisions to sustain us and take care of our basic needs. However, I don’t want us to miss an important spiritual truth about Jesus. Let’s look at John 6:25-35 first. As quick background, Jesus just performed the feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, and now they are trying to keep up with Him:

1. Read John 6:25-35

2. Read John 6:41-51

Q: Look at John 6:29. What is the one and only requirement Jesus has of us? [Believe in Him!] He said “I AM THE BREAD that came down from heaven.” (v.41)

Q: What does it mean to you when Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry?” [Let class wrestle this. Matt 4:4 “Man does not live by bread along, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.]

Dry Erase Board [Two Column Headings: “Seek Him First” and “When…”]
Invite the class to give knee-jerk reactions to “Seek Him First when….. and record on the DEB. Bottom Line: Always seek Him FIRST.]

X-Ref (Matt 6:31-33) Focal verse “Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The Lord gave us this sequence for a reason! He says in v.32 that “your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” If you will come to Him FIRST, you will never go “hungry” physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or financially. [Look at this from the other direction: Are you “hungry?” Self-evaluate: Have you sought the Lord FIRST?]

Q: Did the Spirit of God illumine the areas of your life in which you are just like the Israelites?

Q: More importantly, has the Spirit shown you how you can live day by day with your trust firmly placed in the Lord to provide for your needs? Let’s thank Him for showing up today through our closing prayer.

Download Full Lesson: 8.17.14 Class Notes – Ex 16

LOOK:
The most expensive purchase God ever made was when He bought YOU. He redeemed YOU. Do you realize that He has a vested interest in you?! Look at examples of His attributes and ways He’s delivered us (See DEB). Can you see how:

1. He treasures you

2. He enjoys you

3. He protects you

4. He insures you

5. He maintains you

6. He remodels you

Call to Action: Identify a recent difficult circumstance you were in that has resolved. Compose a “song” by reflecting on the variety of ways God worked in the situation to deliver you, His most expensive purchase. God is worthy of our praise, and He will relish whatever time you and I are willing to spend to show Him the love!

Download lesson: 8.10.14 Class Notes – Ex 15

LOOK:

[Dry Erase Board] – Ask class to summarize the strategies God used to defeat the enemy and list on the DEB.

Some of you may be in a spiritual battle right now, and you feel drained. Perhaps you’re wondering where God is in the midst of your battle. As you look at the list on the board, imagine the ways the Lord might choose to defeat your enemy and deliver you in a supernatural way:

• He might harden your enemy’s heart to bait them to come against you (not to harm you, but as part of the plan to deliver you).
• He might through your enemy into confusion.
• He might disable them in some way to hinder their pursuit of you.
• He may supernaturally take care of the enemy.

Download: 8.3.14 Class Notes – Ex 14

LOOK:

So here’s how Elizabeth Browning’s Sonnet might be re-written by a faithful Israelite:

• I keep a vigil at night to honor you, Lord, and for the generations to come. (12:42)
• I consecrate every firstborn male to you. (13:2)
• I commemorate every Passover to recognize that you delivered me from slavery with a mighty hand. (13:3)
• I tell my children at Passover why we celebrate, so they understand that you brought me out of Egypt out of slavery. (13:8)
• I keep your ordinance of Passover at the appointed time every year. (13:10)
• I give over to you, Lord, the first offspring of every womb. (13:12)
• I redeem every firstborn of my sons for you, Lord. (13:13)

We don’t live in OT times, so how do we honor the Lord today? What or who is consecrated? How should we be commemorating God?

• Recognize that we commemorate, honor, consecrate, etc, through the lives we live for Him. Sheila Walsh in Honest to God said, “Our lives are one, long worship service to the Lord.”

Word Picture: Put offering plate on the floor and stand in it to symbolize “I give my life back to the Lord. The Lord redeemed me. He bought me at a great price. My life is not my own.”

Download Lesson: 7.27.14 Class Notes – Ex 12.37-51, 13