Come Follow Me 17: Exodus 18-20

Come Follow Me Lesson 17: Exodus 18-20

Introduction:

Are you noticing the abundance of miracles in your own life? These are “undeniable manifestations of the Lord’s matchless power, love, and mercy” for you!

The Lord wants to give us greater treasures than providing for our daily physical needs. He want everyone to be blessed through entering into the covenant with Him. He wants us to be blessed with Priesthood power and to become His “peculiar treasure,” and a “holy nation”. Exodus 19:5–6

In our day, the invitation to cooffme unto Christ and enter into the covenant is extended to all people, first through baptism, and later through further endowments in the temple. We become His covenant people when weobey His voice indeed, and keep His covenant” Exodus 19:5. He extends His mercy to all those that love Him and keep his commandments. Exodus 20:6

Personal Study: Exodus 18

How Do I Help Carry the Burden?

The Lord has entrusted me with certain responsibilities. How am I becoming a trustworthy servant of the Lord? (See verse 21)

Do you help those above you shoulder the load? Do you follow the Spirit and do many things of your own freewill, and/or do you murmur? Do you help those whose hands hang down? Do you strengthen the feeble knees?

We can support one another by doing our part. (See verse 22)

Do you sometimes do too much yourself? Do you delegate and give others the opportunity to serve?

Follow the Spirit. Do all things in wisdom and order. Mosiah 4:27

Ministering is the Lord’s work.

Family Study and Reading: Exodus 18

Jethro gave thanks to God from bringing Moses back again. He went out to meet him. He was overcome with joy to see the manifestation of God’s deliverance of so great a people. They kissed each other. Jethro offered sacrifice with the Israulelites.

Jethro was a man of wisdom. He told Moses that he couldn’t governg the people themselves. They needed to learn to turn to the Lord and make decisions and govern themselves.

Also, Moses needed to choose other people to help govern and judge Israel. An order in the church and kingdom needed to be established. This was not only Jethro’s counsel, but the will of the Lord. Moses hearkened to Jethro and set up able bodied man to help carry the load.

Personal Study: Exodus 19

We are the Lord’s Treasure

How do we become a peculiar treasure to the Lord? Exodus 19:5

1. Obey His voice

2. Keep His covenant

President Russell M. Nelson said, “In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means ‘valued property,’ or ‘treasure.’ … For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order.”

How will knowing what makes you a peculiar treasure to the Lord influence your choices in the future?

Prepare for Sacred Things

What thoughts do you give towards preparation for the Sacrament and for temple worship?

What will you do to prepare for sacred occasions in the future?

How are you preparing to meet God?

Are you working on inner and outer cleanliness? Exodus 19:10–11, 17

Are you remembering and living by the covenant He’s made with you and you with Him? Exodus 19:5

How does the preparation you choose affect your experience?

Reading: Exodus 19

Contemplate what it means to sanctify yourself.

What do I need to do? Rid my heart of malice, pride, contention, envy. Learn to understand the ways of the Lord and choose not to murmur. Recognize the deity in others.

Remember what great things the Lord has done for your fathers (and mothers).

Remember what great things the Lord has done for you and your family.

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.

Am I willing to do all that the Lord has asked? When will I be ready to do so more completely? Can I give my whole soul as an offering to Him?

Vs 9: The Lord made an appointment with Moses to meet with all the people.

Are you ready to meet with the Lord?

10 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Warning found in vs. 12-13

Do I reverence the Lord and do I keep at a safe distance? Do I make sure I don’t look beyond the mark and try to gain things that I am not yet ready to receive?

Remember the brother of Jared shrank back when he saw the finger of the Lord. Let the Lord reveal Himself it you in His own time and way. But be preparing for it and have faith that it will happen.

14 ¶ And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Moses was invited up into the mount; the people were to remain on level ground.

Aaron was also invited.

There are currently bounds set. We come unto the Lord by invitation.

Personal Study: Exodus 20

God is Merciful to Me

As you read the Ten Commandments pay attention to where your current strengths and weaknesses are. Determine to keep one of the commandments more fully.

How will you do that?

What blessings will you receive for your efforts?

The Lord Should Be First in My Life

Evaluate the priorities in your own life?

Do you have false gods or graven images that you should dispose of?
How will you be freed from shackles by putting the Lord first in your life and trusting what He asks you to do?

As you put Him first, how will he bless you and help you to accomplish His plan for you?

Family Section

How Can the 10 Commandments Be Separated into Two Categories?

Exodus 20:3–17: Which ones are about loving God; which ones are about loving others?

How are we strengthened by keeping the commandments?

Can you remember experiences from the Lord’s life that show He kept the commandments?

Exodus 20:12 How have you tried to honor your parents throughout your life? What can you still do now to honor them?

How is honoring our parents akin to honoring God?

Reading: Exodus 20

Why should we worship the Lord? Because He is the one that keeps delivering us from bondage and giving us freedom.

Why is it important to worship the Lord the way He requires?

How is our sacrifice sanctified for our gain when we do what the Lord asks?