In today's lesson, we use Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) as a tool to review the book of Exodus.
 
The parable of the Ten Bridesmaids is about redemption and reflects the story of Exodus and the common Rabbinic interpretations of Exodus found in the first century.

As with Jesus' other parables, we must pay close attention to the symbols and what they represent. 

Understanding these symbols is the key that unlocks the meaning that not only applies to that first-century context but to our own lives.

Class Handout:

​In this week's lesson, we look at the Golden Calf incident found in Exodus 32. 
 
The sin of idol worship - placing an idol or false god ahead of God - is the most common sin for humanity to commit and the sin that Israel will struggle with throughout the Old Testament. 

What can we learn about this type of sin? What can we learn about ourselves and why false idols still plague us today? 

We attempt to answer these questions and more, as well as the Biblical solution to overcoming the inherent suffering we experience in the world.

Class Handout:

Exodus 34:6-7 - the divine attributes of God - includes three different words for the types of sin God is willing to forgive.

The Hebrew language has numerous words that denote different aspects of sin - whereas, in English, we tend to use one word - sin - that covers all violations of God's will.

In this lesson, we explore these words for sin and how the Hebrew mind conceptualizes the nature of sin.

How does sin interact with a human being, and what are the ramifications often felt beyond the individual that committed them?

All of these questions and more are addressed in these two verses.

​Understanding the underlying Hebrew words - and their implication for the human soul - helps us understand our own walk with God and why we must seek his voice to avoid the many pitfalls that surround us in the world.

Class Handout:

​In Exodus 34:6-7, God reveals his character to Moses. 

These two verses are foundational for understanding the nature of the God we follow and the basis for our continued relationship with him. 

In this lesson, we will see that our English words do not convey the depth of meaning that the original Hebrew words carry. 

So today's lesson and the next (Exodus pt. 27) will explore these attributes and see how they can give us the confidence to walk forthrightly in the world in our covenant relationship with God through Jesus.

​Today's lesson examines the concept of an ancient Near Eastern Covenant. In Biblical times covenants were everywhere.  

God uses the idea of a covenant to help the Israelites understand the type of God he is and the nature of the relationship they are entering. 

Simply put, God is a god who covenants and wants to covenant with us. 

But what does that mean? What is the nature of an ancient Covenant that can help us understand our relationship with God? 

To begin, our Bible is comprised of a series of covenants. From Adam to Noah, Abraham to Moses, to David, and finally, the latest covenant through Jesus.  

Even though we refer to the two sections of the Bible as "Testaments," they are, in fact, Covenants - the Old Covenant (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David) and the New Covenant (Jesus). 

When we understand the nature of a covenant relationship and the significance of Jesus' death, we begin to see deeper into our amazing relationship with God.

This week's lesson has two handouts! Be sure to download both!