Deliverance requires us to trust in God’s plans.
SCRIPTURE | Exodus 5:1-2; 7:4-7; 12:5-7,11-13,30-32
CENTRAL TRUTH
The plagues displayed God’s righteous judgment, but they also displayed His patience. God could’ve freed the Israelites without any plagues at all. But He slowed down the process, extending patience and mercy to anyone who would walk toward Him in faith.
Key question
What parts of this story foreshadow the gospel and what Christ would later do?
Keep in Mind
As students discuss God’s judgment on Egypt, they may question if God was too harsh or ask why He didn’t give the people more time? We can help students adjust their perspective. First, we feel like everything is happening quickly in these passages. But in reality, God gave more time, often allowing hundreds of years of rebellion. If we look deeper, we’ll see God patiently gave people many chances. Look at Pharaoh’s decree in Exodus 1:22: every male Hebrew baby would be put to death. In return, God extended justice, but He still showed mercy. He would only take the firstborn, and He provided a way out! Here’s the part we must remember: God willingly gave His only Son, Jesus. He allowed Him to be broken and bruised for our sin. Jesus suffered our ultimate consequence of death. God is anything but harsh with us; He is patient, kind, and merciful.
APPLICATION
What are some of the “gods” in our culture? What is the danger in trusting in them?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: Our culture worships self, fame, sex, money, success. Students bow to these idols by giving them their time and devotion. They bow to them when they compromise who God has created them to be. But these idols are perishable and unworthy of worship. Submitting to them is submitting to slavery instead of walking in freedom. Students will find real freedom in walking away from the gods of our culture.
FOR THE LEADER: Idolatry often plagues us as leaders too; our idols just take different forms. We may be tempted to worship our jobs, our families, our reputations, and even our ministry. But we must keep everything in the correct place. Only God is worthy of our worship.
