Through the Bible | Week 13 | Followship and Leadership

Exodus 17:8-16 shows both the power and protection of God and the power of collaboration Matthew 18:20. What are some ways you can help to move the gospel, your local church forward?

Matthew 18:20 NKJV

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Origins of Amalek

Descendants of Esau

Killed for sport

Ancient day land pirates

2. Joshua come on the scene in chapter 17:9. What valuable lessons is he learning while he is fighting? What valuable lessons are we learning while we are working in ministry? How will those things benefit us in the future?

3. Exodus 17:10-13 Aaron and Hur help Israel by helping Moses. What are some direct benefits of assisting our leaders?

4. Read Hebrews 13:17-18. What is it saying? How is this relevant to believers today?

Hebrews 13:17–18 NKJV

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

5. What kind of power and results come from submission?

Mission

Sub

To come under the mission in a cooperative fashion

See Exodus 18:11

6. Jethro’s faith was built by Moses’ testimony. What are some ways we can use our personal testimony to lead others to God?

Exodus 18:11 NKJV

11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”

7. See Exodus 18:13-14

Why is Jethro bothered? What is Moses doing wrong?

Exodus 18:13–14 NKJV

13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

Read Acts 6:1-7

8. What does this tell us about shared responsibility and its benefits? On a scale of 1-10 (can’t be 7), how much ownership have I taken in my local ministry responsibilities?

Acts 6:1–7 NKJV

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Read Exodus 18:15-16

9. What do you see in Moses’ statement? What unhealthy behavior is revealed in his statement? What has God called us to do?

10. Compare Exodus 18:17-27 and Acts 6:1-7

What are the similarities? What principles seem universal in both cases?

Exodus 18:17–27 NKJV

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.