Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. God Promises an Awesome Thing Lesson 4

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Truly “Awesome”! What do most people today mean when they use the word awesome? The word really means full of “awe,” that dumbstruck feeling you get when something is so amazing your mouth drops open or you gasp “Ah!”

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Truly “Awesome”! Tell of some awesome—truly awesome—things you have seen or heard about. God was promising to do an awesome thing as early as the time of Moses, as today’s lesson reveals.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline Introduction A. Our Father in Heaven B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline I. Moses ’ Preparation (Exodus 34:1-4) A. Getting Two Tablets (v. 1) B. Going Alone (vv. 2, 3) C. Giving Obedience (v. 4)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? When should we wait for God to fix what we have broken in our lives as opposed to going ahead with our own fix? Talking Points for Your Discussion Issues involving other people (Matthew 5:23, 24; Luke 19:8) Issues of personal behavior (Colossians 3:5-10) Issues that can’t be fixed in this life (Revelation 21:4)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? Do you feel closer to God in times of solitude or when worshipping with others? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion Matthew 4:25; 6:6; Luke 5:16; 22:41; John 4:20, 21; Hebrews 10:25 The value of “stretching” yourself to appreciate the one that is less preferred Individual personality

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline II. Lord ’ s Proclamation (Exodus 34:5-7) A. Sight of a Cloud (v. 5) B. Sound of a Voice (vv. 6, 7)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? What could be some reasons why God does not grant a visible manifestation of His presence to everyone? Talking Points for Your Discussion Issues of faith (John 20:29; 1 Peter 1:8; etc.) Issues of purpose (Acts 10:41; 1 Corinthians 9:1; etc.)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? Why is it important to see grace as characteristic of God in the Old Testament? Talking Points for Your Discussion Old Testament as preparation for the Messiah Old Testament records of catastrophic judgment and punishment Galatians 3:23-25

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline III. Moses ’ Prayer (Exodus 34:8, 9) A. His Posture (v. 8) B. His Plea (v. 9)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline IV. Lord ’ s Promise (Exodus 34:10) A. Action (v. 10a) B. Outcome (v. 10b)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

What Do You Think? Is it legitimate to compare God’s “marvels” of the exodus with the “awesome” things we think He is doing in our church? Why or why not? Talking Points for Your Discussion Outreach ministries (evangelism, benevolence) Inreach ministries (spiritual nurture) Upreach ministries (worship)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Inescapable Evidence B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. “It Was Awesome!” How does each of the following elements in today’s text reveal the awesome nature of God? The fact that God spoke directly to a man, Moses. (verse 1)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. “It Was Awesome!” The sanctification of the mountain itself. (verse 3) The Lord’s coming to meet Moses in a cloud. (verse 5) God’s proclaiming His name and His attributes. (verses 5-7)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. “It Was Awesome!” The nature of God’s grace, love, and forgiveness. (verses 6, 7) The fact that God will not leave sin unpunished. (verse 7) Moses’ reaction to God’s presence and pronouncements. (verse 8)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. “It Was Awesome!” Moses’ boldness in asking God for forgiveness and adoption. (verse 9) God’s promises to make a covenant with sinful men and to reveal Himself in wondrous ways. (verse 10)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. “It Was Awesome!” What is it about God and His wondrous acts that leaves you awestruck? Ponder His character and His redemptive acts.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Just Between You and Me One must be struck by the intimacy Moses shared with God and God with Moses. See Exodus 33:11a. That’s the intimacy we all want. How does each of the following principles apply, first to Moses’ intimate relationship with God, and then your own?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Just Between You and Me Such occasions must be earnestly sought. (See Exodus 33.) Such occasions involve the presence of the written Word. Such occasions may necessitate isolation.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Just Between You and Me Such occasions center on the marvelous names of God. Such occasions come only to the obedient. Such occasions must concede personal and corporate/national sin.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Just Between You and Me Such occasions demand humility and prostration. Such occasions encourage supplication on behalf of all God’s people.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Just Between You and Me Such occasions must include consideration of the marvelous acts of God, especially the redemptive ones. How are you doing in your journey toward intimacy with God?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Struck by His Knowledge of Me Exodus 33:12 says God knew Moses by name and had found grace (favor) with him. Do you sense that God knows you by name? Do you sense that God is pleased with you?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Struck by His Knowledge of Me Consider singing this verse to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me”: Jesus knows me, this I love; The Good Shepherd from above, Knows my name and knows my need; He will, with grace and mercy, lead. Yes, Jesus knows me (3X); The Bible tells me so.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Struck by His Knowledge of Me In Exodus 33:13, Moses prays that God would teach him God’s ways so he could know God and find continued favor with Him. Is that your prayer? Is that your commitment?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Thought to Remember All that the Lord revealed himself to be to Moses is seen in Jesus.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. GOD’S MAJESTY AND HUMAN DIGNITY Next Week’s Lesson