Edgewood Bible Church

Main idea: Resurrection morning gives us a new relationship of peace with God through belief in Jesus Christ. A New Morning vv. 1-10 A New Relationship vv. 11-18 A New Peace vv. 19-23 A New Belief vv. 24-31 Discussion questions: 1.How would you explain the significance of the resurrection to someone who has never heard the story before? 2. What does it mean to you personally that you can call God your Father in the same way Jesus does? 3. What does this say about how Jesus pursues us in our fear or doubt? 4. What comfort does it bring to know that Jesus sees and understands us even in our doubts and questions?

Main idea: The king has come! Hope in Him for salvation, peace, and victory. I. The palms and sure salvation (v. 12-14) II. The donkey and a kingdom of peace (v. 14-15) III. The followers and Christ’s complete victory Discussion Questions: 1. Read Zechariah 9:9. What does this prophecy teach us about the nature of Jesus’ kingship? 2. What “kings” (or ruling desires) compete with Jesus for authority in your life? 3. How is Jesus’ idea of victory different from the world’s? How does this challenge your expectations of what God “should” do in your life? 4. Many in the crowd followed Jesus because of the miracle with Lazarus (v.17–18). What’s the danger in having a faith based only on signs and experiences? 5. Are there areas in your life where you’ve waved a palm branch but not surrendered the throne?

Main idea: God’s sovereignty is not without God’s mercy Habakkuk’s reverence in humility Habakkuk’s rest in the power of God Habakkuk’s rejoicing in God’s sovereignty Discussion Questions: -How does focusing on God's character rather than our circumstances help reshape our response to suffering or injustice? -Are you more troubled by the sins of the world or the sins of the church—and why? -Why is it important for faith to be rooted in God’s historical acts rather than our feelings or current circumstances? -What specific ways can you practice remembering God’s faithfulness this week?

Main idea: God’s lateness is not God’s negligence. 1. Habakkuk’s response 2. God’s answer Discussion Questions 1. Habakkuk initially questions God’s justice, assuming Judah is more righteous than Babylon. How does Romans 3:10–12 challenge this assumption? 2. Why is it important to bring our questions and doubts to God rather than relying solely on friends, social media, or our own reasoning? 3. What does it mean to “live by faith” as stated in Habakkuk 2:4? How is this relevant to our lives today? 4. Habakkuk chose to stand as a watchman and wait for God’s response. How can we position ourselves to hear from God in seasons of waiting?

Main idea: God’s silence is not God’s absence 1. Habakkuk’s urgent complaint 2. God’s unique answer Discussion Questions: 1. What are some examples of oppression and injustice in our world today that might provoke a similar lament? 2. Why do you think God chose to use the Babylonians, a wicked nation, as His instrument of judgment? 3. How does the story of Joseph relate to Habakkuk’s struggle with God's justice? 4. What might change in your prayers this week after reflecting on Habakkuk’s prayer?

Text: Hebrews 12:18-29 Big Idea: The blood of Jesus grants us the opportunity to gratefully worship our God. 1. Mount Sinai will kill you: the blood of Jesus moves you to Mount Zion (v.18-24) 2. Listen to God’s voice: the things of this earth will pass away (v.25-27) 3. You have received a kingdom by grace: offer grateful service (v.28-29) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. How does the imagery of Mount Sinai (fear, judgment, distance) compare to that of Mount Zion (grace, joy, access to God)? 2. Hebrews 12:25 warns, “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.” What are some ways that you might be refusing to listen to God’s voice? 3. What are some “shakable” things in our lives that we are tempted to cling to(vv. 26-27)? 4. Verse 28 calls us to grateful worship because we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. How does gratitude shape the way we approach worship, obedience, and daily life? 5. Verse 24 says that Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. What does this mean? How does Christ’s sacrifice change our standing before God?

Big idea: Endure the race by faith. 1. Look to Jesus as you run the race (v.1-3) 2. Endure God’s Discipline for your good (v. 4-11) 3. Strive for peace with others and for holiness (v.12-17)

Audio does not come in till 6:00 Main idea: The law won’t save you, only faith in God saves. The law won’t save you (13-15) Only faith in God saves (16-17) Abraham as an example (18-25) Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it significant that the law was given long after the promise to Abraham? 2. What does it mean for salvation to “rest on grace,” and why is this important in Paul’s argument? 3. What does it mean to be spiritually dead, and how does one receive spiritual life? 4. How did Abraham’s deep reflection on God’s nature strengthen his faith? How can we do the same in our own lives?

Main idea: Righteousness only comes to us through faith. (1) Righteousness is received apart from circumcision (2) Righteousness has a sign and seal in circumcision (3) Righteousness is given with or without circumcision Discussion Questions: 1. What does the delay between Abraham’s justification and his circumcision teach us about the role of works in salvation? 2. In what ways do modern believers sometimes fall into the same mindset as those who thought circumcision contributed to salvation? 3. How do sacraments like baptism and communion function as signs and seals today? In what ways are they similar to and different from circumcision in the Old Testament? 4. What are some ways that faith is like walking? How does this metaphor help us understand the Christian life?

Main idea: We are made right with God through faith. 1. Was Abraham good enough to be saved by his works? 2. Was David too bad not to be saved because of his works? Discussion Questions 1. What does it mean that faith was "credited" to Abraham as righteousness? How does this apply to believers today? 2. Why do some people struggle with the idea of justification by faith alone? What are some common misconceptions? 3. How does Psalm 32 describe the experience of unconfessed sin? Have you ever felt the weight of sin in your own life? 4. Why is confession necessary for experiencing the blessing of forgiveness?

Main idea: God is faithful to his promises and he will dwell with his people in glory through a cloud. The Arriving Cloud The Forbidding Cloud The Guiding & Faithful Cloud Discussion Questions: 1. What does it mean for God to "move in" with His people? How does this passage deepen our understanding of God’s desire to be near His people? 2. What does this passage teach us about the holiness of God and human limitations? 3. How does God’s leading of Israel through the cloud demonstrate both His immanence (nearness) and transcendence (greatness)? 4. How should our awareness of God’s overwhelming glory impact the way we worship Him today?

Big idea: Through His intercessor, God reveals His glory as he renews His covenant with His idolatrous people. 1. The Idolatry of God’s people and their need for an Intercessor (ch.32) 2. The commission to Canaan and a repentant people (33:1-16) 3. The Glory of God and His Covenant renewal (33:17-34:35) Discussion Questions: 1. What does the golden calf incident teach us about the nature of idolatry, and how do we see similar patterns of idolatry in our own lives today? 2. Why do you think God took idolatry so seriously in Exodus 32? How does this reflect His justice and mercy, and how should that shape our understanding of God today? 3. Moses interceded for the people despite their rebellion. How does this point us to Jesus as our ultimate intercessor, and how does His intercession impact our relationship with God? 4. Moses pleaded for God’s presence to go with Israel (Exodus 33:15). What does this reveal about Moses’ understanding of God’s presence, and how should it shape our dependence on God in our daily lives? 5. When Moses asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18), God revealed His character instead. What does this teach us about God’s glory, and how does beholding His glory transform us as believers (2 Corinthians 3:18)?

Main idea: God’s desire is for a holy place, a holy people and, a holy process as we enter into worship of Him. 1. God desires a holy place (25-27) 2. God desires a holy people (28:1-29:37; 31) 3. God desires a holy process (29:38-30:38) Discussion questions: 1. The people were asked to give only if their hearts moved them. Why do you think God emphasized willingness to give rather than obligation? 2. How does understanding the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14) help us address feelings of guilt or inadequacy in our spiritual lives? 3. What are practical ways to reflect the "glory and beauty" of Christ in our worship and daily lives? 4. What obstacles or excuses tend to keep people from gathering weekly for worship? How can we prioritize worship in our lives without letting other commitments interfere?

Exodus 20:22-24:18 Main idea: God’s people seek to glorify God and love others through the obedience of the law. 1. God’s people glorify God through right worship 2. God’s people love others through relating justly 3. God’s people are safe to obey God’s law and receive blessing. Discussion Questions: 1. How does the command to avoid worshiping like the pagans challenge us to examine modern worship practices? 2. How does the treatment of slaves outlined in Exodus 21 contrast with the chattel slavery practiced in other parts of history, such as in America? 3. In what ways can the church today care for marginalized groups, such as immigrants, orphans, and widows? 4. How does knowing that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law impact the way you view your own relationship with God's commands? 5. For those struggling with shame over sin, how does the gospel message of Christ’s blood and righteousness provide hope and freedom?

Main idea: A Holy God establishes his relationship with his treasured people to prepare them to worship Him. 1. God’s treasured possession—19:1-6 2. God’s Transcendence and Immanence—19:7-25; 20:18-21 3. God’s words to live by—20:1-17 Discussion Questions: 1. The imagery of being borne on eagles’ wings suggests care and protection. How have you experienced God’s care and guidance in your own walk with Christ? 2. Why do you think it is important to hold both truths—God’s transcendence and immanence—together in our understanding of who God is? 3. In what ways does Jesus’ mediating work in the New Covenant surpass the mediation seen at Mount Sinai? 4. What does it mean to have no other gods before God? What modern "gods" or idols might compete for our attention today?

Text: Exodus 17:8-18:27 Big Idea: An unlimited God uses limited leaders so that all His people share in His redemptive work. 1. God uses weak shoulders to distribute his might (17:8-16) 2. God brings in an outsider to lead His leaders in worship. (18:1-12) 3. God relieves a weary judge to establish justice throughout His people. (18:13-27) Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think God tied Israel’s victory to Moses’ raised hands? What was He teaching His people about dependence on Him and shared responsibility? 2. How did Jethro, an outsider, play a significant role in leading God’s people in worship? What does this teach us about how God uses unlikely people for His purposes? Who in your life might seem like an “outsider” but might have a role in God’s work? 3. Why was Moses’ leadership approach described as “not good” by Jethro? What happens when leaders fail to delegate responsibility to others? How does Christ show us a better way? 4. God’s redemptive work involves every believer, not just a select few. Are there areas in your life where you need to step up, share responsibility, or empower others? What’s one step you can take this week to better align with God’s design for shared responsibility? 5. If you are feeling discouraged in your discipleship relationships, what are some resources God has given you to help? How can you use those resources and find your rest in Christ?

Big Idea: God teaches us to trust through the testing of our faith. 1. The test of Bitter Water: Do you listen to God? 2. The test of daily provision: Do you need God? 3. The test of the impossible: Do you believe in God? Discussion Questions: 1. Read Exodus 15:24–26. How did the Israelites respond to the bitter water and how did God instruct Moses to solve the problem? In verse 26, God promises healing if the people “diligently listen” to Him. What does it mean to listen to God diligently? 2. Read Exodus 16:4–5. God promises daily manna and instructs the Israelites to gather only what they need each day. What areas of your life demonstrate your reliance on God’s daily provision? How can you grow in remembering his provision and trusting in it? 3. The Israelites quarreled with Moses about the lack of water. What does their complaint reveal about their trust in God? 4. Looking at Exodus 15:22–17:7 as a whole, what patterns do you see in how the Israelites responded to each test? What do you think God is teaching them? How might you respond in faith and trust God more fully in your life?

Main idea: God triumphantly rescues his people so they will see and rejoice in his Glory. God’s people see and love the glory of God God’s people stand speechless before the glory of God God’s people sing of the glory of God Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways does God’s glory challenge or reframe the way we perceive human authority or power, such as Pharaoh’s? 2. Reflect on a time in your life when you felt “backed into a corner.” How did you experience God’s presence or learn to trust Him through it? 3. How does the Red Sea crossing reveal both God’s glory and His justice? 4. How does this story challenge us to reflect on the urgency of sharing the gospel with others?

Main idea: God passes over his people in judgment because of their faith and obedience to Him. Deliverance through substitution - v.1-27 Obedience through faith - v.28-51 Consecration through remembrance - v.1-16 Guidance through protection - v.17-22 Discussion questions: 1. How does the Passover remind us of the importance of worshiping God in a way that sets us apart from the world? 2. What does the phrase "obedience of faith" mean in Romans 1:5, and how does it apply to the Israelites’ actions during the Passover? 3. What does the Passover narrative teach us about God’s grace and justice? 4. How can we apply the lesson of trusting God’s provision for deliverance to challenges we face today?

Main idea: Through the plagues in Egypt, the LORD shows Himself as the true God, mighty Creator, Holy Judge, and gracious Savior The LORD is the True God The LORD is the Mighty Creator The LORD is the Holy Judge The LORD is the Gracious Savior Discussion questions: 1. How does the story of Pharaoh challenge our understanding of religious pluralism in today’s culture? 2. Despite witnessing the plagues, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. What does this teach us about human pride and resistance to God? 3. What are some modern “idols” (e.g., work, relationships, personal autonomy) that can lead to a similar “disintegration” of life if placed above God? 4. How does God’s Word act as both a guide and a safeguard against the natural progression of sin in our lives?