ADULT BIBLE STUDY

The Book of Exodus Part One: Let Go of Slavery, Plagues and Fear
​A Four Week In Person Bible Study
Taught by Aggie Burke our Bible Study Teacher

From July 8/9 to July 29/30
Thursdays 7:15pm to 9:00 pm
Fridays 9:15 am (after 8:30 am Mass) to 11:00 am 

St. Augustine Parish Hall rooms 16 & 17

The Book of Exodus has resonated with people for millennia because we have all been chained, suffered under the abuse of someone more powerful than us and cried out in our pain. In these unforeseen, unprecedented, terrifying times, the Book of Exodus assures us that God hears us, God responds to our pain and God saves us. Wow do we need this reassurance again! 

Please join us! All are welcome! No previous Bible Study experience necessary!

Recommended reading:
https://www.amazon.com/Exodus-Part-One-Stephen-Binz/dp/0814664520
IN PERSON BIBLE STUDY FORMAT
 
Per Diocesan Rules
  • No shared food or drinks permitted
  • Face masks are required for any unvaccinated persons 
  • Face masks are optional for any other persons
 
Welcome!
  • Please sign-in before each session
  • Notes are available before each session on-line
  • Feel free to take any notes during the session
  • Questions may be asked during the lecture but are preferred at the end of the lecture  

Weekly Format
  • Gathering Prayer  
  • Lecture
  • Questions
  • Small Group Discussions
  • Return to Large Group
  • Closing Prayer
BIBLE STUDY SMALL GROUP GUIDELINES
Welcome, Respect, Trust
  • Get to know each other! Introduce yourselves
  • Welcome any new participants each week
  • Pray together – nothing forms community better than shared prayer!
  • Do not discuss what is shared in groups outside the groups. Trust is essential to God’s work in the groups
  • Select a group leader to help the group keep on track during discussions
  • Be respectful of one another! These times are very divisive, but here we are church!
  • No demeaning, dismissive or insulting arguments, no personal insults or prejudicial language of any kind will be tolerated.
  • The Spirit calls us to different insights. No one is completely wrong or completely right!
  • Small groups are safe places for people to discuss and explore their faith. Let it remain so.

week 1

Study Questions
Chapters 1 – 2
 
NOTE! These discussion questions can lead into controversial topics. Avoid them, if you prefer, or speak gently if you choose to open up these issues in your group.
  • Think of one person in history (besides Jesus!) who you consider a heroic person who fought against the powerful people who opposed God’s plan of salvation. Share what they have done with your group.
  • Think of one not-so-famous person you know or know of who opposed or opposes the powerful who harm or enslave or commit injustice. Share what they did with your group.  
  • What are the forces today that oppose God’s plan of salvation for everyone? List ways we can oppose these forces.  
Lecture Notes
Chapters 1 – 2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE NOTES

WEEK 2

Study Questions
Chapters 3 – 6
 
NOTE! These discussion questions can lead into controversial topics. Avoid them, if you prefer, or speak gently if you choose to open up these issues in your group.
  • How might God go about getting our attention today? It probably isn’t actually a burning bush anymore. So how might God call each of us?
  • Have we “argued” with God when we have been called to act on God’s behalf for the sake of life and salvation? What caused our reluctance? Did we even realize we were arguing with God or was it more subtle than that?
  • The issue of disability rights has become more prominent in the news currently. How might the example of God’s acceptance of Moses’ disability influence our thoughts and our treatment of people with disabilities? How might it influence our attitudes toward the issue of conservatorship – the concern facing Britney Spears?
  • Where do we see God finding a way to achieve salvation despite human reluctance and avoidance of God’s plan? Where have we noticed God “bringing bad out of good” in response to oppression, injustice and death?
Lecture Notes
Chapters 3 – 6

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE NOTES

week 3

Study Questions
Chapters 7 – 11
 
NOTE! These discussion questions can lead into controversial topics. Avoid them, if you prefer, or speak gently if you choose to open up these issues in your group.
  • What is the importance of YHWH defeating the pagan Egyptian god Ra? What pagan gods of today would it be important for God to defeat? How could God accomplish a victory in this day and age?
  • Even though our government is not run by one absolute ruler, we might still feel that we cannot change a policy or law by ourselves. What can we do to stand against injustice and make a meaningful change in our country?
  • No matter what the cause, climate change exists. What can we as children of God do about it? 
Lecture Notes
Chapters 7 – 11

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE NOTES
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Bible Study Teacher Aggie Burke
Bible Study is taught by Aggie Burke, who has been teaching Bible Study since 2006. Aggie has a Master's Degree in Biblical Languages from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She reads and writes Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek, the original languages of the Bible. She and her husband have been parishioners at CCOP for 24 years. They have a 23 year old son and a 21 year old daughter.