As teenagers, it is crucial to grow our faith and build a solid foundation rooted in God’s Word. The book of Exodus and the Psalms provide powerful insights and lessons that are relevant to our lives today. In Exodus 12:1-14, we learn about the Passover, which commemorates God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This story reminds us of God’s faithfulness, his power to save, and his desire to set us free. In Psalm 149, we are called to praise God with joy and enthusiasm, recognizing that he fights for us and blesses us with victory. These passages teach us about the power of God’s presence, his deliverance, and our response of praise.
Bible Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
In Exodus 12:1-14, God gives Moses instructions for the first Passover. Let’s read this passage together:
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs, and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.’”
Explanation
- In this passage, God establishes the first Passover as a yearly commemoration of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
- Each household was to take a year-old lamb without defect and slaughter it at twilight.
- The blood of the lamb was to be placed on the doorframes of their houses as a sign of protection.
- The Israelites were to eat the roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread with haste, prepared to leave Egypt.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why do you think God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood on their doorframes?
- How does the Passover event foreshadow Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
- What can we learn about obedience and trust from the Israelites’ response to God’s instructions?
- How does understanding the Passover deepen your appreciation for God’s deliverance in your own life?
Bible Reading: Psalm 149
Now, let’s turn our attention to Psalm 149, where we find a call to joyful praise and the reminder that God fights for his people:
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the Lord.”
Explanation
- Psalm 149 calls us to praise the Lord with new songs and instruments, celebrating his faithfulness and recognizing his power.
- God takes delight in his people and blesses them with victory.
- The psalmist speaks of the role of God’s people in executing justice and carrying out the sentence against oppressors.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- How does praise and worship play a role in our relationship with God? How does it impact our faith?
- In what ways can we express our praise and worship to God today?
- What does it mean for God to fight for us? How have you personally experienced God’s protection and deliverance in your life?
- As followers of Christ, how can we apply the concept of praising God with joy and enthusiasm in our daily lives?
Youth Group Game: Praise Dance-Off
Incorporating the theme of praising God with joy and enthusiasm, let’s engage in a fun and energetic game called “Praise Dance-Off.” Divide into teams and give each team a designated dance style or song genre (e.g., hip-hop, contemporary, reggae, etc.). Each team will have a few minutes to create a short dance routine that reflects their assigned style while expressing praise and worship to God. Afterward, each team will perform their dance, and the group can cheer and celebrate together.
Closing Prayer
Let’s close our time together in prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the valuable lessons we’ve learned from Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149. Help us to understand the significance of the Passover and how it points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Teach us to trust in your deliverance and to respond with joy and praise. Fill our hearts with a renewed passion for worship, and may our lives be a reflection of your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Remember, as we continue to grow in our faith, let’s seek opportunities to apply these teachings in our daily lives and share them with others. May God bless you abundantly as you journey with Him.