body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
color: #333;
}
h1, h2, h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
}
h1 {
border-bottom: 2px solid #3498db;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
h2 {
color: #2980b9;
margin-top: 30px;
}
blockquote {
background: #f9f9f9;
border-left: 5px solid #3498db;
margin: 20px 0;
padding: 15px;
font-style: italic;
}
.bible-ref {
font-weight: bold;
color: #8e44ad;
}
.prayer {
background: #eaf7fd;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 5px;
margin: 20px 0;
}
 

Study Guide: “Female Heroines in Exodus – The Women Who Shaped Moses’ Life”

Introduction

This study guide is based on the sermon exploring the courageous women who played pivotal roles in Moses’ early life, as recounted in Exodus 1:1-14 and surrounding passages. The sermon highlights how God used ordinary women in extraordinary ways to preserve the life of Israel’s future deliverer.

Bible Passage: Exodus 1:1-14 (NIV)

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob… Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt… But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread… They made their lives bitter with harsh labor…”

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. Read Exodus 1:1-14. What was Pharaoh’s primary concern about the Israelites? How did he attempt to solve this “problem”?

   “This new pharaoh comes to power and he has a completely different attitude… he decides to send out an order… he’s going to annihilate all the baby boys.”

2. The sermon highlights six women who influenced Moses’ life. Can you name them and their specific roles?

   “Shiphrah and Puah: Brave and honourable, these midwives that chose to be obedient to God’s instructions rather than Pharaohs.” “Jochebed: Faith filled and resourceful… who knew that the best thing to do was to hide him as best she could and trust God with his future.” “Miriam: Obedient and trustworthy… already obedient, already trustworthy as a young girl.” “Pharaoh’s daughter (Bithiah): Kind and compassionate… she gazed on this helpless little baby and felt sorry for him.” “Zipporah: Discerning and humble… did something incredibly wise in circumcising their son.”

Application Questions

1. The midwives feared God more than Pharaoh. Are there areas in your life where you need to choose obedience to God over obedience to human authority?
2. Jochebed demonstrated remarkable faith by placing Moses in the Nile. What “impossible situations” in your life require similar faith and resourcefulness?

   “She was faith filled because she trusted God to keep her baby safe in a very unsafe place.”

3. Miriam, though young, was given significant responsibility. How can we better empower young people in our churches to serve God?
4. Pharaoh’s daughter defied her father’s decree. Have there been times when you’ve had to go against cultural or family expectations to do what’s right?
5. The preacher notes: “There are so many ways in which we can be mothers to the people around us, and that doesn’t have to always be as a birth mother.” How can we expand our understanding of spiritual parenting in the church?
6. The sermon challenges: “Unless we have this rethinking of who we are as men and as women and a new honoring of that of one another… then this fog that is settling upon… our young people… will continue.” How can we better honor and support one another’s God-given roles?

Closing Thought

“Without them, Moses wouldn’t have been who he became to be.” Just as God used these ordinary women to shape a deliverer, He wants to use you to influence others for His kingdom purposes.