Explore and respond

Explore & respond

Ideas for a sermon or interactive talk

See also ‘Thought for the week’ to read out in place of a sermon; and 'The week in focus', linking the readings to the news.

• Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland c.1819. She escaped aged 30, travelling to Ontario, but returned on numerous occasions, helping hundreds of slaves escape to freedom. Harriet became known as ‘Moses’ because she, too, had returned to the land of bondage to set her people free. Those escaping had to carefully follow Harriet’s instructions so as not to compromise the network of liberators. Just as the Israelites had God with them and Moses to guide them, those fleeing slavery knew they must go with Harriet and that they were not alone.
  
  
• When learning to drive in a big city, navigating roundabouts can be tricky. When judging when it was safe to move out onto a roundabout in the middle or left-hand lane (when driving on the left), one driving instructor told new learners to ‘go with’ the vehicle to their right. Although it would block their vision, this vehicle acted as a shield to the oncoming traffic and should only be pulling out if it was clear. In Exodus, God went as a pillar of cloud or fire, both guiding the Israelites and shielding them from the approaching Egyptian army. What might it look like for us to take our cues from God and be shielded by him in our lives?
  
  
• Living in slavery isn’t something any of us would choose to do, so we can imagine how desperate the Israelites were to escape from Egypt. Despite this desperation, being chased by the Egyptians must have been terrifying and reaching the sea must have felt like an impossible barrier. Television programmes showing the RNLI and similar services rescuing people in trouble often depict how people struggle to allow rescuers to help them. Stepping from a sinking ship into a lifeboat can feel terrifying. The Israelites had to trust and go where God said. Where might we need to take a step of faith to go with God in our lives?
  
  
• The parable of the merciless slave has sometimes been misused to pressurise people into forgiving those who have abused them; so how do we understand it? Forgiveness is not separated from the release of debt and accountability. The master who writes off slave-debts is releasing them from a bond they can probably never pay; the slave is also held accountable for his refusal to be equally merciful. Jesus challenges us to show mercy to those who are indebted to us, but without ignoring accountability; God’s way means being fair and kind to people worse off than us while seeking the same fairness from others.

Thought for the week

Courageous faith

Read out in place of a sermon if you wish

Living in slavery isn’t something any of us would choose, and it’s not just an issue of the ancient world – nearly 50 million people are living in modern slavery today. Trafficking, debt bondage, child labour, forced marriage, violence and abuse – the harms of slavery haven’t changed. So perhaps we can imagine how desperate the Israelites were to escape from Egypt, even though it was a risky thing to do. Leaving in a hurry, carrying a few possessions, being chased by armed Egyptians with horses and chariots must have been terrifying. Indeed, we are told that the Israelites were so afraid they told Moses it would be better to be back in slavery in Egypt than to die in the desert. Even when reassured that God went with them, facing the Red Sea must have felt like an impossible barrier. But Moses told them to stand firm and to trust and go where God said.

Have you ever seen the sea when a strong wind is blowing? The waves build up and can lead to floods and coastal damage. Even in good weather, natural causeways such as the one to Holy Island in the UK can quickly strand people in life-threatening situations if they misjudge the tide. Perhaps you’ve seen the TV programmes about coastal rescues and the RNLI. Often the people being rescued must put their trust in their rescuers, even when it feels scary and dangerous to do so. It takes courage to step off a sinking ship, or a rock when you’re trapped by the tide, or into a lifeboat tossing about in rough water. Being rescued often doesn’t just mean sitting doing nothing. It demands our strength, courage and hope. We must grasp the outstretched hand.

Mike’s boat was being driven onto the rocks in a wild storm. His engine wasn’t powerful enough to get him out of the harbour into safer open water. The boat was his home, containing everything he owned. But as the waves pushed it onto the rocks, it was clear that he and the boat would be smashed to pieces if he stayed on board. Friends on shore rushed round to the rocky breakwater and formed a human chain. Mike had to take a giant leap off his boat onto the slippery rock and grab a hand before a wave washed him off. It seems almost impossible to do this and not end up hurt on the rocks or drowned. Miraculously, he managed it, losing his boat and all his possessions, but saving his life.

It’s unlikely the Israelites expected the sea to part for them, and often it isn’t obvious to us how to get out of difficult or dangerous situations. Maybe you’ve experienced God ‘parting the waters’ and leading you into safety, or maybe the barriers still facing you seem impossible to get past. This passage encourages us to have trust and faith and step out with God even when the way ahead is unclear or frightening. Going with God can mean taking that giant leap of faith, and grasping God’s outstretched hand.