Moses: An Unlikely Hero: 2025 Summer Worship Series

Moses is the single most important figure in the Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament). He was a Hebrew adopted into Pharaoh’s family. He was a murderer and fugitive from the law. He was an elderly sheepherder in the desert with a speech impediment. He was imperfect, afraid, reluctant, and often frustrated. And yet, he became God’s greatest spokesperson, leading an entire people out of slavery and to the edge of the promised land. This Summer we will get to know Moses: his remarkable birth, his strong willed character, and his relationship with God. What does his story teach us about God, humanity, and ourselves?

June 15

Five Courageous Women and a Baby

Exodus 1:8-2:10

Moses’ birth was truly remarkable. It took the courage, creativity, and compassion of five separate women to save his life from a fearful king. They scheme, defy orders, lie, and put their lives on the line for this baby. We will look at the role these women play in Moses’ birth and how it uniquely prepared him for God’s call upon his life.

Reflection Questions: How is fear used today to turn people against each other? How would you react if you had to choose between God’s law and the law of the land? In what ways has God prepared you through your life’s circumstances for God’s call upon your life?

June 22

Murder, Marriage, and a Miracle

Exodus 2:11-21, 3:1-14, 4:1, 10-13

Though we wonder if his grandfather ever resented him for being a Hebrew, Moses grew up in the lap of royal luxury. One moment changed all that when he lost his temper, thinking no one was watching. At the age of 40, he lost everything and had to start all over again in Midian. As a poor sheepherder for his father-in-law, Moses lived a very different kind of life for the next 40 years. That is, until a burning miracle completely changed the course of his life once again.

Reflection Questions: What has served as “burning bushes” in your life? What excuses have you made when God asked you to do something? Have you ever wanted God to “send someone else”? If so, why?

June 29

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Exodus 5:1-9; 5:22-6:1, 12:29-33, 14:6-14

Although Moses delivers God’s message to Pharaoh, life for the Israelites didn’t get better. In fact, it got much worse. Their suffering intensified. Moses demonstrates God’s power through plagues until the last one filled the Egyptians with such great sorrow that they begged the Israelites to go. Although these two parted ways, Pharaoh comes to his senses and goes after his former slaves. That’s when the next parting resulted in a permanent split.

Reflection Questions: When have you allowed pride to “harden your heart” toward God? Describe a time when you have seen God at work on your behalf. How did it make you feel? What has God set you free from?

July 6

Spiritual Amnesia

Exodus 16:1-7, 13-15; Exodus 17:1-7

What have you done for me lately? That’s what the Israelites effectively ask God and Moses multiple times throughout the Exodus journey. Their memory of God’s faithfulness quickly evaporates in the midst of any hardship. Too often humans have based God’s faithfulness, trustworthiness, and goodness on whether or not their personal needs are met. The measuring stick of God’s character has been the circumstances of our lives. Yet even in the midst of our spiritual amnesia, God provides.

Reflection Question: When have you doubted God’s faithfulness in the midst of a difficult situation? What is the difference between complaining against God and praying for what you need? What antidote have you found for spiritual amnesia?

July 13

VBS Sunday

July 20

How Do We Know God Is With Us?

Exodus 19:1-3, 32:1-10, 40:33-38

While Moses was up on Mount Sinai with God, the people were yearning for a tangible symbol of God’s presence. So they created a calf from gold. Humans have long needed earthly items represent the Divine. God gave the Israelites a cloud, fire, tablets, and instructions to build an Ark and Tent of Meeting. These became tangible signs of God’s presence. Churches still have tangible signs and symbols for God, from the architecture, to the sacraments, to the ultimate symbol: the cross.

Reflection Questions: What are you tempted to make an idol out of? What has served as a tangible sign or symbol of God’s presence with you? Why?

July 27

Leadership Lessons in the Wilderness

Numbers 11:4-8, 13:27-14:4; Exodus 18:13-23;

Leaders get a bad rap and Moses was no exception. Over and over again the people grumbled, complained, and even wanted to elect a new leader to take them back to Egypt. We don’t have any food. We want meat. We are thirsty. We’ll die if we try to go into the promised land. Human nature, fear, and group think make leadership challenging, especially in the church. Moses leads these people for 40 years, until he’s 120. He started out working 24/7, but his father-in-law gives him good advice. Delegate!

Reflection Questions: Have you ever received complaints because of your leadership at work, in your family, or at church? How did you handle it and how did it make you feel? Have you ever grumbled because a decision was made you didn’t agree with? Would you handle your grievance a little differently if you had the chance?

August 3

Moses’s Farewell

Deuteronomy 6:4-7, 8:12-14, 17-18; 30:19-20; 34:1-12

Like Jesus in John’s Gospel, Moses gives a farewell discourse that includes most of Deuteronomy. What was on his heart as he said goodbye to a generation of people he watched grow up in the wilderness? Why wasn’t he allowed to go into the promised land? What is the legacy he leaves behind and how can we benefit from it today?

Reflection Questions: Have you ever wished you could take back something you said or regretted something you did? If so, how did you live with the consequences? What would you say in your “final discourse”? In what ways can you let go of “unfinished business” when you are nearing your final days?

August 10

Session Leading Worship Chris on Vacation

August 17

Compassion Sunday Chris on Vacation

August 24

Youth Retreat Sunday

August 31

Mystery Sermon