Strength Teacher Guide Strength for the Journey
Teacher's Facilitation Guide • Exodus 7–17
Adult Sunday School
The Divine Pattern
"And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me..." (Moses 6:63)
Part 1
The Choice to Soften
"But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart..." (Exodus 8:15)
Pharaoh resisted nine plagues. It was only the death of the firstborn that broke his pride.
Turn & Talk
"How can we choose to soften our heart BEFORE the Lord has to humble us?"
Significance
The final plague struck the heart of Pharaoh's pride. Why do we wait until our "firstborn" is at risk before we follow promptings?
Part 2
The Passover Institution
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1–13
Invite students to read:
• Vs 1–4: New beginning/Selecting lamb.
• Vs 5–7: Quality/Application of blood.
• Vs 8–13: Manner of eating/Protection.
1. The New Beginning
New birth in Christ. Our calendar restarts when we are delivered.
2. The Unblemished Lamb
Christ's perfect purity and His role as the Lamb of God.
3. The Blood
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb..."
4. Bitter Herbs & Haste
The bitterness of sin and the urgency to leave its influence.
Part 3
Deliverance Remembered
Finding the Passover
Class open to Hymn 190 . Read the words closely. Look for phrases tied to the Passover story.
Keywords: broken bread, life's blood, memory, set spirits free.
The Sacrament as our Passover
Discussion
"Just as the Israelites applied blood to their doorposts, what specific action does partaking of the Sacrament require of us?"
Part 4
The Refining Wait
The Divine Delay
The Lord could have saved Israel on day one . He didn't need ten plagues to defeat Pharaoh.
The delay was for the hearts of others . He worked through the plagues so that everyone would know Him. The waiting period was the operating room for their hearts.
Ponder and Discuss
Think of a time in your life when you had to wait on the Lord. How did the Lord specifically reshape your heart during that period?
Part 5
Daily Bread
In Exodus 16, the Lord rained bread from heaven every morning. They had to gather it daily . It sustained them for forty years.
Object Lesson: The Daily Spiritual Household
"What are some things you do on a daily basis? What would happen if it wasn't done daily?"
We cannot survive on yesterday's spiritual meal. We need fresh nourishment every morning.
Part 6
Bitter to Sweet
The Waters of Marah
"And when they came to Marah, they could not drink... for they were bitter." (Exodus 15:23)
The Lord showed Moses a tree , which made the waters sweet. He led them to Elim —a place of twelve wells and seventy palm trees.
Discussion
"In what ways has the Lord 'sweetened' the bitter waters of a trial in your life?"
Teacher reflection
Reflection Prompts
How did the class respond to the comparison between the Passover and the Sacrament?
What personal experiences shared during the 'Refining Wait' discussion resonated most?
Lesson Notes & Spiritual Impressions
The journey through the wilderness is not meant to be traveled alone. He provides exactly what we need for each step.
"What is one specific 'small work' you will commit to doing tomorrow?"
Strength Lesson Slides Strength for the Journey
Exodus 7–17
"All things are created and made to bear record of me." — Moses 6:63
Choosing to Soften
"But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart..."
— Exodus 8:15
Pharaoh resisted nine plagues. It took the death of the firstborn to finally break his pride.
Turn & Talk
How can we choose to soften our hearts before the Lord has to humble us with a crisis?
The First Passover
Exodus 12:1–13
Verses 1–4
The New Year and the Selection of the Lamb.
Verses 5–7
The Unblemished Sacrifice and the Blood on Doorposts.
Verses 8–13
Eating in Haste and the Promise of the Lord's Protection.
"And when I see the blood, I will pass over you..." (Exodus 12:13)
Likenesses of Christ
New Beginning
Our "spiritual calendar" restarts when we are delivered through Him.
Unblemished Lamb
The Savior was perfectly pure, the Lamb without blemish.
The Blood
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." (Rev. 12:11)
Bitter Herbs
A reminder of the bitterness of sin we leave behind in Egypt.
Eating in Haste
Leaving the influence of sin immediately, without delay.
"All things bear record of Me."
Finding the Passover
Hymn 190: "In Memory of the Crucified"
Study the words closely. Discuss with your neighbor:
What phrases or words tie back to the Passover?
Look for: broken bread, life's blood, memory, and setting spirits free.
Our Blood on the Door
The Sacrament is our "Saving Ordinance"
Just as the Israelites' deliverance required them to apply blood to their doorposts, what specific action does the Sacrament require of us to access its power?
"How does it help you remember your personal rescue from a trial or bondage?"
The Refining Wait
The Divine Delay
The Lord could have saved Israel on day one .
The waiting was for the hearts of others . He worked through the plagues to change every soul involved.
Discussion
How did the Lord specifically reshape your heart or priorities during a period of waiting?
Daily Manna Handout STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY
Personal Reflection Handout • Exodus 7–17
Name: ____________________
1. SOFTENING MY HEART
Choosing Humility
How can I soften my heart before the Lord has to humble me with a crisis?
Promptings
What am I "waiting" on? What promptings can I act on right now?
2. THE PASSOVER
Read Exodus 12:1–13 before reflecting below.
The Blood (Ex. 12:7)
How does His blood protect my home today?
Bitter Herbs & Haste
What "Egypt" do I need to leave immediately?
3. DELIVERANCE REMEMBERED
Hymn 190: Which phrases link to the Passover story?
Sacrament Reflection:
"How does partaking of the Sacrament symbolically apply 'blood' to your doorposts?"
4. THE REFINING WAIT
The Lord could have saved Israel on day one , but He worked through the plagues to change the hearts of everyone involved.
How did a period of waiting reshape your heart?
5. BITTER TO SWEET
Exodus 15:23–27: In what ways has the Lord "sweetened" the bitter waters of a trial in your life?
6. DAILY MANNA
What happens if your daily tasks (physical or spiritual) aren't done daily?
My Tomorrow Morning Goal
"He will provide for your needs day by day..."