This small group discussion guide draws directly from Wayne Church's sermon “Follow-Up Materials - Initial Analysis” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
"Rescued from Empire: Choosing God's Kingdom" - Exodus 2
OVERVIEW
This sermon continues the "Rescued from Empire" series, examining Moses' early life and how it illustrates the conflict between God's kingdom and Pharaoh's kingdom. The message explores how faithfulness to God may require disobedience to earthly powers, how God provides for our growth even in rejection, and how God notices our suffering when no one else does.
ICEBREAKER (5-10 minutes)
Kingdom Choices: Think about a time when you had to choose between doing what was popular or expected versus doing what you believed was right. What made that decision difficult, and how did you handle it?
SCRIPTURE READING (5 minutes)
Exodus 2:23-25 (CSB) "After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of the difficult labor ascended to God. And God heard their groaning. And God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God saw the Israelites, and God knew."
Psalm 56:8 "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (30-45 minutes)
Two Kingdoms in Conflict (10-15 minutes)
In the sermon, we heard about two kingdoms in conflict: God's kingdom and Pharaoh's kingdom. What characteristics define each of these kingdoms based on the sermon and Exodus 2?
The pastor mentioned that "faithfulness to God's kingdom may involve disobedience to Pharaoh's kingdom." What examples of this do we see in Exodus 2?
[Leader Tip: Point out the various women who disobeyed Pharaoh's orders - the midwives from chapter 1, Moses' mother, his sister, and even Pharaoh's daughter. This could lead to discussion about when civil disobedience might be appropriate for believers.]
In what areas of modern life might Christians face tension between obeying earthly authorities and being faithful to God's kingdom? How do we discern when to take a stand?
God's Growth Process (10-15 minutes)
Moses spent 40 years in the desert before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. What was God teaching Moses during this time, and why was this preparation necessary?
The pastor suggested that "God's kingdom provides for our growth even when we get rejected by the kingdom of Pharaoh." When have you experienced a season of waiting or rejection that later proved to be valuable preparation for something God had planned?
[Leader Tip: Share briefly from your own experience to model vulnerability. This question might bring up painful experiences, so be prepared to acknowledge that God's timing isn't always clear to us in the moment.]
Moses tried to bring justice through his own strength when he killed the Egyptian, but it didn't work out as planned. What does this teach us about trying to accomplish God's purposes through our own power and timing?
God Notices Our Suffering (10-15 minutes)
Read Exodus 2:23-25 again. What do these verses reveal about God's character and His response to suffering?
The sermon quoted Walter Brueggemann saying, "God is like a magnet for the cries of the abused." How does this perspective change how we might view our own suffering or the suffering of others?
[Leader Tip: This is a good opportunity to discuss both the theological question of suffering and the practical ways we can respond to others who are hurting. Keep the focus balanced between understanding God's care and our responsibility to care for others.]
Revelation 21:4 promises an end to all tears and suffering. How does this future hope influence how we live in the present reality where suffering still exists?
PERSONAL APPLICATION (10-15 minutes)
Which kingdom are you most tempted to invest in – God's kingdom or the kingdoms of this world? What specific area of your life might God be asking you to realign with His kingdom values?
Is there a situation in your life where you feel like Moses in the desert – in a season of waiting or preparation that doesn't make sense? How might God be using this time to grow you?
Where do you need to be reminded that God notices your suffering? Take a moment to write down a brief prayer expressing your honest feelings to God about this situation.
[Leader Tip: Consider having people write these privately, then invite voluntary sharing. Remind the group this is a safe space where we don't need to offer solutions to each other's pain, just listening and support.]
PRAYER FOCUS (5-10 minutes)
- Pray for discernment to recognize where we might be investing in the wrong kingdom
- Pray for patience during seasons of preparation and waiting
- Pray for those in the group who are suffering and need to be reminded of God's care
- Pray for our church to be an embassy of God's kingdom in our community
OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
The sermon mentioned several women who disobeyed Pharaoh to protect life. How does their example challenge our understanding of biblical submission to authority? Consider Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-7, and 1 Peter 2:13-17 in your discussion.
Moses had a privileged upbringing in Pharaoh's household but chose to identify with the enslaved Israelites. Read Hebrews 11:24-26. What does this passage add to our understanding of Moses' choices and motivations?
The Israelites were enslaved for generations before God acted to deliver them. How do we reconcile God's timing with human suffering? What biblical principles help us understand and trust God during extended periods of hardship?
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one specific way you will prioritize God's kingdom over worldly kingdoms this week. This might mean:
- Setting aside time daily to read Scripture and pray
- Making a decision based on biblical values rather than cultural expectations
- Looking for opportunities to serve someone who is suffering
- Examining your use of resources (time, money, talents) to see if they reflect kingdom priorities
Come prepared next week to share how this intentional kingdom focus affected your perspective and actions.