24 Oct Sermon Recap | Exodus | Jethro’s Wise Advice
In Exodus 18, we find Moses trying to care for his people alone. Jethro, his father-in-law, steps in to provide wisdom and advice on how to best take responsibility and care for others in the way that God calls us to.
Scripture References
I See the Lord | Vertical Worship | iTunes
Great and Mighty King | Elevation Worship | iTunes
Psalm 47:6-8 • Revelation 5:11-14 • Isaiah 6:1-3 • Daniel 11:3
Come Thou Fount | Grace Church Worship
Ephesians 2:7-8 • 1 Peter 2:9-10 • Colossians 1:21-22 • 1 Corinthians 1:22
Christ Our Savior | Grace Church Worship
Song of Moses | Aaron Keyes | iTunes
Revelation 15:3 • Exodus 15:1-3, 18 • Psalm 28:7
This We Know | Vertical Worship | iTunes
1. Although all leaders are limited in what they can do, most leaders want to live above the line of what they have the capacity for. The validation and affirmation that comes from living above that line can be addictive and lead to a fracture of the soul and letting sin encroach. How have you seen yourself or someone else function above the line and become addicted to the affirmation? What were the consequences of that? How can plurality of leadership help tame our selfish ambitions in those circumstances?
2. Jethro was bold in providing Moses with advice and warning. God cares for His people enough to send them the resources they need at the right time. Who has God sent to you in your life to care for you? In what ways did they care for you? How have you been that person to someone else?
3. Moses exhibits the humility to be receptive in heeding Jethro’s advice. What factors make it difficult for you to receive instruction, advice, constructive criticism, and loving correction from those close to you? When have you been defensive or arrogant with someone who was trying to help you? Looking back, what could you have gained from humbling yourself and listening to them?
4. Matt speaks about the importance and need for accountability. What does accountability look like in different areas of your life (marriage, work, friendships, parenting, etc.) and why it is necessary?
5. When you are carrying weight and responsibility only for yourself, everything turns inward, and your life is all about you. When you are carrying weight for other people (leading others), it forces you to look outside of yourself. How have you seen this play out in your own life? Where are you now on this scale between being inwardly focused or outwardly focused? How closely is that related to who you are responsible for, or who you are serving or leading?
Thoughts to Consider
– As believers, Exodus 18 makes it clear that each and every one of us needs to be in the flow of a local church.
– Jethro argues for different forms of plurality of leadership—laying the groundwork to care for people through a teaching ministry joined together with an effective structure for a relational ministry.
“Our motivation to lead well should come from caring for those Jesus brought together by His sacrifice, not from the desire for affirmation.”
“God cares enough to send the right resources to His people at the right time.”
“Resistance to respond to a challenge from God’s Word reveals a calloused heart.”
“Leaders should be humble enough to learn from anyone and confident enough to avoid simply jumping on a bandwagon.”
“All truth is God’s truth.”
