Weekly Sermon Discussion Guide January 12, 2020 Midian RESCUED Exodus 2:11

EXPLORING THE SERMON • What did you hear? • What did you think or feel about what you heard? • What is one thing you can take away from the sermon this week?

KEY VERSES 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.” 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. 22 She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, “I have been an alien[a] residing in a foreign land.” Exodus 2:11-12; 15-16; 20-22

DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION In this passage, Moses has been forced to flee to Midian, from Pharoah who wants to kill him. Moses, with a heart of justice, killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was treating a Hebrew unjustly. It is hard for us to grasp that slavery is more alive today in the world than any point in history, and that we benefit from it every day through the products we buy and how we spend our money. As followers of Christ we have a responsibility to educate ourselves about human injustice so we can seek ways to help the greater world. When Moses lived among the courts of Pharoah, he too, benefitted from slave labor. Though our daily decisions often support slavery, they can just as easily help liberate slaves around the world. How might some of your habits contribute to slavery? What are some thoughtful, yet simple decisions you can make that could help reduce slavery around the world?

Each one of us, and those we love, will flee to Midian at different points in our lives. It will look differently to each one of us: a job change, downsize, children growing up, relationships ending, or death. Thomas shared with us his own journey to Midian. What has Midian looked like for you? How did it change all the dependable structures and logic of your life?

As people of faith we need not feel hopeless when we find ourselves in Midian. We can trust that we go there with a God who will not leave our side and will rescue us. It is during these times, or “pivot points” that God’s work in our lives becomes the most evident. The trials endured by Moses, and God’s provision to him while in Midian shaped him into a great leader. How have you seen God redeem your time in Midian? How were you changed when you emerged from Midian?

Heavenly Father, help us to cling to your promise that when we find ourselves in Midian, You will never leave us or forsake us. Let our response to your goodness and mercy be all praise and glory. Empower us to share our stories so that your love and faithfulness is known. Help us to consider our habits in the greater context of the world, in the hopes that one day slavery can be eradicated and all men will be free. Amen.