Exodus 24:1-11 The Covenant Confirmed Summary: Today we're going to look at what might be one of the most important chapters in all of the Old Testament. It is a moment when God allows himself to be seen by his people. Can you imagine? It is what we hope for, that one day we'll be in heaven and get to see him face to face! God invited the elders of Israel to some up his mountain to renew his promises, and to see him. Let's listen in: Outline: 1. The book of the covenant 2. The blood of the covenant 3. The hope of the covenant: to see God Verse: Exodus 24:8

Exodus 23:20-33 Bound for Promised Land Summary: Today we get back to the history of God's people in Exodus, where God tells them about the journey to the promised land. He promises his angel, warns them of the temptations to sin, commands them to obey, and promises to give them blessing and victory. Let's see how this all applies to us: What does life on the way to the promised land look like? 1. God promises his guardian 2. God promises victory 3. God warns of the dangers 4. God tells of a lifelong struggle on the way to glory Verse: Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Who might this angel be that God promised to Israel? What divine attributes does he possess and why might that be important in helping us understand his role? 2. What promises are given to Israel in this passage? How might those promises also apply to us who have believed in Jesus? 3. Israel was warned about the danger of compromise with the world and the temptation to follow after the gods of these other nations. What temptations and allurements might also be a danger for you? How does this passage help us and teach us about the fight against idolatry and compromise with the world?

Text: Philippians 2:5-8 Title: Our Humble Savior Outline: 1. He Came as a Man 2. He Obeyed Whatever it Cost 3. He Died on a Cross Memory Verse: Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (Philippians 2:6)

Luke 2:9-10 Good News of Great Joy Summary: Merry Christmas! Today we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. On that night so long ago, shepherds were visited by angels in the dark of night. Can you imagine their fear at seeing glorious angels appear in the darkness? But they brought

Matthew 2:13-23 Raging Against the Messiah 1. A life of suffering 2. A mission of redemption 3. A path of humility Verse: Matthew 2:15 This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. According to this passage, how did Jesus' sufferings begin when he was a baby? Take a moment and think about all of the various moments of suffering in Jesus' life. How might this give you comfort in your own suffering? 2. How does Jesus fulfill the word to Israel,

Matthew 2:1-12 Fall on Your Knees Summary: Today let's keep listening to the amazing history of Jesus' birth. Matthew tells us of wise men who come from far away to worship Jesus. But others who heard about Jesus' being born either felt threatened by him, or didn't seem to care at all. What is your attitude toward Jesus today? Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Unlikely worshippers of Jesus 2. Unexpected enemies of Jesus 3. Important gifts for Jesus Verse: Matthew 2:2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

Isaiah 42:1-9 NRSV

Matthew 1:18-25 God With Us Summary: It is finally December, and we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus all month! Today, let's listen to Matthew's Gospel as he tells us of Jesus' birth: Outline: 1. Jesus is the long-expected king 2. Jesus is the Holy one of God 3. Jesus is the Savior we need 4. Jesus is God with us Verse: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why does Matthew give a long genealogy of Jesus' ancestors before telling us of His birth? Why is it important for us? 2. Do you struggle to believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, without a human father? Why is that truth so important for our salvation? 3. What does the news of God with us - the

Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 3:17-19 NRSV

Isaiah 2:1-4 NRSV

Exodus 23:1-9 Justice for All Summary: Sometimes we get into an argument with a friend, brother or sister, or our parents. We live in a world full of sin and conflict, and God wants to guide us into godliness, even through the messes of life. Let's think about how we should treat others in conflict: Outline: How do we speak about our enemy in a conflict? How do we love our enemy in a conflict? How do we seek to be godly in a conflict? Verse: Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What does God mean in Ex. 23:1 when he commands us not to spread a

God our Guardian Exodus 22:16-31 God guards family life God guards true worship God guards the vulnerable Verse: Psalm 121:1–2 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. These laws in Exodus 22 might seem like they are unrelated at first. What might be a common thread that ties them together? What do they show us about God's character, and his desires for his people? 2. Although we do not live in the Old Testament nation of Israel, how might the principles in these laws help us reflect God's care and compassion toward others? 3. How might these laws be reflected in the heart and ministry of Jesus? 4. How might God be calling you to change and reflect his character in one of the areas?

Psalm 60; Rejection: Rejection (vv 1-5) Reminder (vv 6-8) Confidence (vv 9-12) Memory verse Psalm 60:11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!

Exodus 22:1-15 Restitution Summary: While we might all agree that stealing is wrong, the question is, how do we make things right when someone steals? Let's look at Exodus today to hear about the laws of

2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27, 12:1-9 NRSV

Joshua 24:1-26

Exodus 21:12-36 Framing a Just Society Intro: Sometimes when someone commits a crime, we wonder what will happen to them. Will they be punished? Will there be justice? God helps us understand how we should seek justice in a world that is often unjust. Let's listen to God speak to us in Exodus 21: 1. Crimes that deserve death 2. Outbursts that lead to harm 3. Negligence that brings loss 4. How to live justly in an unjust world Verse: Romans 7:12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does this passage help us understand what a just society could look like? What parts of these laws make you uncomfortable? Why? 2. How does this help us see that

Exodus 21:1-11 Free at Last Summary: Sometimes we read things in the Bible that are hard to understand. Today's passage talks about slavery, but not in the way we might think. Let's think about God's heart for justice among his people, and what it means to be servants of Jesus. Outline: 1. God's heart to protect the weak 2. God's path to true freedom Verse: John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What aspects of this passage sound odd to our ears? How does slavery in this passage differ from the view of chattel slavery, for example in America's history? 2. How do these verses give specific application of any of God's Ten Commandments? 3. How does this passage reveal God's heart to protect the vulnerable? How should it apply to us today? 4. How might this passage help us understand what it means to be lifelong servants of Jesus?

Exodus 19:3-7 NRSV

God Sees You (and that’s good news) Genesis 16:1-14