Lesson 4: Moses - Hebrews 11:23-28Related Media
Questions for Group Discussion
Reflection: What aspect or lesson from last week’s study or lecture most encouraged or challenged you? Why?
Moses demonstrated his faith by making a decision that changed the entire course of his life. By choosing to follow God and to reject the pleasures of sin, Moses was dramatically involved in a series of incredible miracles of God. Begin your study in prayer by asking the Lord to open your eyes to any entanglement of sin in your life and to enable you to choose God and reject sin.
To sin [Gk hamartia—“to miss the mark” – variations of this word are used in Hebrews 29 times] is to fall short of God’s standard. Sin is an inner nature, inherited by every person from Adam, which produces specific acts through the physical body. Sin is evidenced by opposition against God, against Christ, against other individuals, against the Law, against one’s own body (1 Cor. 6:18), and against authority.
Sin initially appears to be attractive, offering an enticing allurement to those who choose its path, yet the end of sin is invariably bondage, misery, unanswered prayer, separation from God, and death. Believers should choose instead to be perfecting holiness in the fear of God in order to be found blameless at His coming (1 Thess. 3:13).
Flee sin, and pursue holiness!
Read Hebrews 11:23–29 and Exodus 1 and 2.
1. Hebrews 11:23 describes Moses’ parents and what they did by faith.
A. What did this act of faith make it possible for them to do? (Ex. 2:7–9)
B. What influence did these few years have on Moses?
2. Study Moses’ value system.
A. What does Moses value?
B. Is there a connection between Heb. 11:27 and Heb. 10:35–36? If so, what is it?
C. Write one sentence explaining why Moses’ life could encourage you to persevere through difficult times.
3. Read Acts 7:20–27. How old was Moses when he made the choice mentioned in Heb. 11:24?
A. Why did he make that choice? (Heb. 11:26b, 27b)
B. What was he leaving behind realistically?
C. What was he getting?
D. What additional insights do you gain from any of the cross-references on choosing God, rejecting sin, and being delivered from bondage in the Optional Studies for Personal Enrichment?
4. When you realize that the Egyptian empire was the mightiest kingdom on the earth at that time, it will give you perspective on what it meant not to be afraid (Heb. 11:23, 27). What is the alternative to fear for us? (Ps. 56:3–4; John 14:1, 27)
5. Why did it take faith to keep the Passover?
A. Read Ex. 12:1–13 and write down briefly what they had to do.
B. What would have happened if they had done everything except apply the blood to the doorposts?
C. In what way is the Passover lamb a picture of Jesus Christ? Organize your observations on the following chart. Consult 1 Cor. 5:7 and your concordance.
6. Hebrews 11:29 says that the people passed through the sea, but read Ex. 14:10–31 and comment on Moses’ influence and example.
Application Questions for Class Discussion
1. Have you adopted the world’s value system or the Lord’s? (See 1 John 2:15–17)
A. What choices do you need to make to get on track with God’s values regarding morals, relationships, money, activities, etc.?
B. What will your first step be?
2. If you have young children, what responsibility do you take for their spiritual instruction?
A. What age do you think they should be when you start? (Deut. 6:4-7, Eph. 6:4)
B. Do you need help with material or ideas?
3. Does your faith have an impact on anyone else? Moses’ parents’ faith influenced him. Moses’ faith influenced 3 million frightened slaves and welded them into a nation. What can you do to visibly demonstrate your faith to someone?
4. What one insight or lesson do you hope to remember from your study of Moses? Write it below to share in class, and then write it on the journal page entitled “Lessons Along the Way” at the back of your study guide.
Choose one verse from this week’s lesson to memorize. Write it here and meditate on it.
Optional Studies for Personal Enrichment
Moses’ faith demonstrates that personal decisions determine temporal and eternal destiny. Utilize your word-study tools to examine the meaning of the following words, and list the insights you learn from the related scriptural cross-references. How do these insights enhance your understanding of the response of faith in choosing God and rejecting the pleasures of sin, and the reward of being delivered from bondage to sin?
Response of Faith: Choose God and Reject Sin
Sin [Heb. 11:25]
1 John 1:8–9
Reward of Faith: Delivered From Bondage to Sin
Deliver [Heb. 2:15]
1 Thess. 1:10
2 Thess. 3:2
2 Tim. 3:11
2 Tim. 4:18
Moses was 40 years old when he chose to reject the pleasures of sin and follow God. It is not too late to make the same choice. Choose freedom from bondage today!