Stories of Faith

Exodus 15:19-21

Connecting Questions

Share an early musical memory.

Do you have a favorite hymn or praise song? What is it? Why?

Prayer for Illumination

Let us pray, Loving God, we pause today grateful for this next breath. We are grateful for the chance to connect with others today for we all carry such hurts and hope. Open your Word to us. Open our hearts to let your word speak to us and change our lives. We pray in the name of the Jesus, Amen.

Context

This Sunday, we continue our worship series, Stories of Faith. These stories focus on Biblical characters who exemplify the Easter values of worship, care, learn, give, and connect and encourage us to share our own stories. The Church began with the gift of the Holy Spirit to a community of vastly different people, but all connected by faith in Jesus.

Don’t miss Deacon Hans Vigesaa’s latest sermon in the Stories of Faith series. Sermons can be found at Easter.org/worship.

From Pastor Richard Nysse at EntertheBible.org:

Exodus begins with a depiction of Israel’s servitude in Egypt and God’s selection of Moses to move Israel out of that servitude. Pharaoh contests this intention of God, and God responds by sending plagues on Egypt that culminate with the death of the firstborn and deliverance at the sea. Israel prepares for this deliverance by founding the Passover and responds with triumphant singing after the deliverance. Israel journeys to Sinai, murmuring along the way. At Sinai, Israel receives the Ten Commandments, and the covenant relationship is established. While Moses is receiving additional instructions from God on Sinai-notably the designs for the tabernacle-Israel rebels by building the golden calf. Moses intercedes successfully for Israel, and God relents and recommits to the covenant. Israel then builds the tabernacle as instructed.

Look at the Book

Open Exodus 15. Many of the main episodes in Exodus end with a song. The deliverance of God’s people through the sea also ends with a song.
Who is the main character and worship leader?
What a dramatic scene! What does God do? Why?
What is Miriam’s response? Why?
Find Psalm 145:8-9 and underline it. As we read the Bible, we are given promises by God. Why does this promise in Psalm 145 matter? How does it connect to this scene from Exodus?
Have you ever experienced walking “through the sea on dry ground?” Unexpected blessing? What did that look like?
Worship is our response to what God has done. Miriam—who is named in this story—means a “small drop of water.” What might that mean given the story she is in?
The Israelites were fleeing their oppressor. Why did they have timbrels?
Miriam begins a call and response song with “Sing to the Lord.” Why is this song part of worship?
Lutheran Christian worship gathers around God’s Word and the Sacraments. Why do you think those two pillars are important? What would add?
What does it mean to exalt something? What would you want to celebrate and thank God for like Miriam? If you’re not feeling joyful, why is worship still important?
What other songs do you know about in the Bible? Notice, this episode is before the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. Look up the first commandment. What is it? Martin Luther said, we are to ______, _____ and _____ God above all else. What does that mean to you?
What do you want to talk about that has not been brought up yet?

Taking it Home

If you were to write a song to God, what would it’s theme be today?

Find a new song of faith this week and share it with a friend.

Grow Guide | July 23, 2023