Well, we are finally in chapter 13, we are looking at verses 1–16, and I've entitled this, and you'll understand why, “The Strong Hand of the LORD.”
The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both man and beast, is mine.” Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten...”
And the passage goes on, it's a lengthy passage; I won't read all of it. This passage is held together and organized by a phrase that is repeated four times, “By a Strong hand of the LORD!” Why should Israel remember the Passover? Because they were brought out of Egypt “By the strong hand of the LORD!” Why should they consecrate the firstborn to the LORD? Because they were redeemed from slavery “By the strong hand of the LORD!” Why should the law of God be like a birthmark on their hand? Because they were brought out of Egypt “By the strong hand of the LORD!” The presence and power of God with them and for them was to be the foundation of Israel's identity, spirituality, and morality. God had rescued them and they now belong to him. Their lives are no longer their own because he paid a price for them. No longer slaves of Egypt; they were now servants of the Most-High God.
And you probably don't need me to say this to you, but I'm going to because it's kind of my job. This is true of us also. Paul says this of all of us who have been redeemed by God's grace, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” That's 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. Everything will change in your life when you begin believing and you begin living like your life doesn't belong to you. Your gifts don't belong to you. Your physical body doesn't belong to you. Your relationships don't belong to you. Your money doesn't belong to you because “we are not our own; we have been bought with a price.” The way you live in your marriage, the way you parent your children, the way you respond to sex and money, the way you live with your neighbor, the way you live as a citizen–everything changes when you really do believe that you are not your own. Here's what that grace of redemption does:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)
Our lives don't belong to us; they belong to the one who saved us by his grace!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Up until now, what would you say has been the foundation of your identity, spirituality, and morality? How have those foundations formed themselves in your life? What specific environments, circumstances, or existing belief-systems shaped those foundations for you?
2. How has the presence and power of God in your life shaped the foundation of your identity, spirituality, and morality? Knowing that you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and that you now belong to God in Christ, how does that truth proactively shape your identity, actions, thoughts, words, motivations, etc.?
3. Before today, what would you say was “off-limits” for God when it came to your life and who was in charge? What needs to change in order for you to live day-by-day as if you truly believe that your life doesn’t belong to you? What would it practically mean for you to begin living like nothing in your life belongs to you, but to God?
4. Take some time right now to re-read through Titus 2:11-14, and write down how your life would be different if your heart was aligned with what these verses talk about. Share what you’ve written down with a trusted family member or friend.
For Younger Children:
1. What do you think inspires and motivates you (and me) to make the decisions we do every day? How do you think God should inspire and motivate us to live every day?
2. If someone invents something or makes something, who owns what is invented or made? Who is in charge of our lives? Who should be in charge of our lives? Why do you think it’s so hard to trust God with being in charge of our lives?
3. If we belong to God because he made us, why do you think it’s so easy for us to act like God doesn’t really own us?
For Older Children:
1. Up until now, what would you say has been the deepest level of how you view yourself, your spirituality, and your moral sense of right and wrong? How have those deepest levels formed themselves in your life? What specific places, events, or existing belief-systems shaped those foundational levels for you?
2. If someone invents something or makes something, who owns what is invented or made? Who owns you? Why is it so important to know that answer in your brain, but also live it out day-by-day?
3. As you look at your life, what areas would you say are currently “off-limits” to God? Why? What needs to change in order for you to live day-by-day as if you truly believe that your life doesn’t belong to you? What would it practically mean for you to begin living like nothing in your life belongs to you, but to God? How can I help you apply those practices to your life? How can you help me apply any changes I need to make?
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