Edgewood Bible Church

Habbakkuk 1:1-11 - The First Complaint

Main idea: God’s silence is not God’s absence
1. Habakkuk’s urgent complaint
2. God’s unique answer
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some examples of oppression and injustice in our world today that might provoke a similar lament?
2. Why do you think God chose to use the Babylonians, a wicked nation, as His instrument of judgment?
3. How does the story of Joseph relate to Habakkuk’s struggle with God's justice?
4. What might change in your prayers this week after reflecting on Habakkuk’s prayer?

Hebrews 12:18-29 - The Kingdom of God

Text: Hebrews 12:18-29
Big Idea: The blood of Jesus grants us the opportunity to gratefully worship our God.
1. Mount Sinai will kill you: the blood of Jesus moves you to Mount Zion (v.18-24)
2. Listen to God’s voice: the things of this earth will pass away (v.25-27)
3. You have received a kingdom by grace: offer grateful service (v.28-29)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How does the imagery of Mount Sinai (fear, judgment, distance) compare to that of Mount Zion (grace, joy, access to God)?
2. Hebrews 12:25 warns, “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.” What are some ways that you might be refusing to listen to God’s voice?
3. What are some “shakable” things in our lives that we are tempted to cling to(vv. 26-27)?
4. Verse 28 calls us to grateful worship because we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. How does gratitude shape the way we approach worship, obedience, and daily life?
5. Verse 24 says that Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. What does this mean? How does Christ’s sacrifice change our standing before God?

Hebrews 12:1-17 - The Author, Founder, and Perfecter

Big idea: Endure the race by faith.
1. Look to Jesus as you run the race (v.1-3)  2. Endure God’s Discipline for your good (v. 4-11)3. Strive for peace with others and for holiness (v.12-17)  

Romans 4:13-25 - A Realized Faith

Audio does not come in till 6:00
Main idea: The law won’t save you, only faith in God saves.
The law won’t save you (13-15)
Only faith in God saves (16-17)
Abraham as an example (18-25)
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it significant that the law was given long after the promise to Abraham?
2. What does it mean for salvation to “rest on grace,” and why is this important in Paul’s argument?
3. What does it mean to be spiritually dead, and how does one receive spiritual life?
4. How did Abraham’s deep reflection on God’s nature strengthen his faith? How can we do the same in our own lives?

Romans 4:9-12 - An Obedient Faith

Main idea: Righteousness only comes to us through faith.
(1) Righteousness is received apart from circumcision(2) Righteousness has a sign and seal in circumcision(3) Righteousness is given with or without circumcision
Discussion Questions:1. What does the delay between Abraham’s justification and his circumcision teach us about the role of works in salvation?2. In what ways do modern believers sometimes fall into the same mindset as those who thought circumcision contributed to salvation?3. How do sacraments like baptism and communion function as signs and seals today? In what ways are they similar to and different from circumcision in the Old Testament?4. What are some ways that faith is like walking? How does this metaphor help us understand the Christian life?

Romans 4:1-8 - A Believing Faith

Main idea: We are made right with God through faith.
1. Was Abraham good enough to be saved by his works?
2. Was David too bad not to be saved because of his works?
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean that faith was "credited" to Abraham as righteousness? How does this apply to believers today?
2. Why do some people struggle with the idea of justification by faith alone? What are some common misconceptions?
3. How does Psalm 32 describe the experience of unconfessed sin? Have you ever felt the weight of sin in your own life?
4. Why is confession necessary for experiencing the blessing of forgiveness?

Exodus 35-40 - The Way Forward

Main idea: God is faithful to his promises and he will dwell with his people in glory through a cloud. 
The Arriving CloudThe Forbidding CloudThe Guiding & Faithful Cloud
Discussion Questions:1. What does it mean for God to "move in" with His people? How does this passage deepen our understanding of God’s desire to be near His people?2. What does this passage teach us about the holiness of God and human limitations?3. How does God’s leading of Israel through the cloud demonstrate both His immanence (nearness) and transcendence (greatness)?4. How should our awareness of God’s overwhelming glory impact the way we worship Him today?

Exodus 32-34 - The Glory of God and Failure of Man

Big idea: Through His intercessor, God reveals His glory as he renews His covenant with His idolatrous people.
1. The Idolatry of God’s people and their need for an Intercessor (ch.32)
2. The commission to Canaan and a repentant people (33:1-16)
3. The Glory of God and His Covenant renewal (33:17-34:35)
Discussion Questions:
1. What does the golden calf incident teach us about the nature of idolatry, and how do we see similar patterns of idolatry in our own lives today?
2. Why do you think God took idolatry so seriously in Exodus 32? How does this reflect His justice and mercy, and how should that shape our understanding of God today?
3. Moses interceded for the people despite their rebellion. How does this point us to Jesus as our ultimate intercessor, and how does His intercession impact our relationship with God?
4. Moses pleaded for God’s presence to go with Israel (Exodus 33:15). What does this reveal about Moses’ understanding of God’s presence, and how should it shape our dependence on God in our daily lives?
5. When Moses asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18), God revealed His character instead. What does this teach us about God’s glory, and how does beholding His glory transform us as believers (2 Corinthians 3:18)?

Exodus 25-31 - Heaven on Earth

Main idea: God’s desire is for a holy place, a holy people and, a holy process as we enter into worship of Him.
1. God desires a holy place (25-27)
2. God desires a holy people (28:1-29:37; 31)
3. God desires a holy process (29:38-30:38)
Discussion questions:
1. The people were asked to give only if their hearts moved them. Why do you think God emphasized willingness to give rather than obligation?
2. How does understanding the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14) help us address feelings of guilt or inadequacy in our spiritual lives?
3. What are practical ways to reflect the "glory and beauty" of Christ in our worship and daily lives?
4. What obstacles or excuses tend to keep people from gathering weekly for worship? How can we prioritize worship in our lives without letting other commitments interfere?

Exodus 20:22-24:18 - Laws and the Covenant

Exodus 20:22-24:18
Main idea: God’s people seek to glorify God and love others through the obedience of the law.
1. God’s people glorify God through right worship
2. God’s people love others through relating justly
3. God’s people are safe to obey God’s law and receive blessing.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the command to avoid worshiping like the pagans challenge us to examine modern worship practices?
2. How does the treatment of slaves outlined in Exodus 21 contrast with the chattel slavery practiced in other parts of history, such as in America?
3. In what ways can the church today care for marginalized groups, such as immigrants, orphans, and widows?
4. How does knowing that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law impact the way you view your own relationship with God's commands?
5. For those struggling with shame over sin, how does the gospel message of Christ’s blood and righteousness provide hope and freedom?