Text Study for Sunday, October 11, 2026

Series Theme: People and Promise

Reading: Exodus 15:1-3, 20-21

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What is something you celebrated in this past week?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Loving God, by covenant promise and enduring mercy you have joined us to yourself forever. By your Spirit may we join with all your faithful people in trust and hope, through Jesus Christ, our true King, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CONTEXT

Our sermon series, People And Promise will focus on the ways God shows up!

Throughout history, God’s people have celebrated God’s goodness and trusted in God’s mercy. However, God’s people have also fallen short of what God desires, leaving behind suffering and pain. Scripture reminds us that God still loves and claims us! Just as God met people of the Old Testament where they were and worked through them to fulfill God's promise. A promise to be in relationship, to be life affirming, to defend, especially to remain with us even when we stray. God is with us today, in the joys and struggles, praise be to God!

From Dr Cameron Howard at EntertheBible.org:

Exodus begins with a depiction of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt and God’s selection of Moses to move Israel out of that enslavement. Pharaoh contests this intention of God, and God responds by sending plagues on Egypt that culminate with the death of the firstborn and deliverance at the sea. Israel prepares for this deliverance by founding the Passover and responds with triumphant singing after the deliverance. Israel journeys to Sinai, murmuring along the way. At Sinai, Israel receives the Ten Commandments and the covenant relationship is established. While Moses is receiving additional instructions from God on Sinai—notably the designs for the tabernacle—Israel rebels by building the golden calf. Moses intercedes successfully for Israel, and God relents and recommits to the covenant. Israel then builds the tabernacle as instructed.

LOOK AT THE BOOK

How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Our theme is “People and Promise.” God’s promises are deeply woven in relationships we have with one another. What is one relationship that you wish to celebrate? Why?
Open to Exodus 1:8. How does the book of Exodus open. This is key!
Pharaoh enslaves the entire Jewish people. Many societies have legacies of slavery. What do you know about the impact of slavery in this country? How does it still manifest today?
Exodus is a story of liberation; in our baptismal liturgy, we remember that God brought us through the waters “from slavery to freedom.” Those words are grounded here in Exodus. How might baptism—our identity as a child of God—be freeing?
Review Exodus 14. This is the harrowing story of crossing the Red Sea. Find a Bible map that includes where the Red Sea is found. What other details do you find here?
Move to Exodus 15:1. Who is named? What are they doing?
Some scholars believe that these words in Exodus 15 are amongst the oldest in the entire Hebrew Bible. Notice the words on the page, how are they arranged? What clue is it giving you?
The poetry of the song is important to note. The images are poetic. The structure is poetic. How might you read this differently, knowing this is poetry?
What do we know about Miriam?
It was a traditional practice that women would meet returning warriors with song. Yet, who is centered in this story? Her name even appears! Why is that important to note?
What songs of faith speak to you? What about God’s character is important to you to celebrate?
How is Jesus good news for us this week?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Share an important celebratory song with a friend. How does it speak to you?

Sending Prayer

O God, you made us in your image and send us into the world you so love by your Spirit’s power. As you have called all people to you, make us one in your name. Through your grace, let us live in community to the glory of your Son, for we pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

Grow Guide | Oct 11, 2026