We have witnessed God’s power to create and recreate through word and Spirit – discovering the Bible as a reliable source of the promises God makes (and keeps!) and a reliable witness to the God revealed in Scripture. This week we turn attention to God’s word and God’s Spirit as a reliable source of freedom from the powers that enslave us in this world.

Welcome

Can you remember a time that a piece of good news made a big difference in your life?

Worship

Does anyone have an experience from your own walk with God in the past week of the God working through the Bible to bring order or light, purpose or capacity, dignity or rest?

Our story today is about the power of God at work in a word that brings freedom. In 2 Corinthians 3:17 the Apostle Paul wrote: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

As you share prayer requests this week and pray for one another try naming the specific way you are asking God’s Spirit to bring freedom – and then pray for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in that situation.

For example, if you want prayer about the very stressful situation your child is facing in school perhaps you are asking for freedom from anxiety/fear and praying for the Spirit of God to surround your child during school to free them from anxiety/fear.

Word: Exodus 6:28-7:7 and Luke 4:16-21

Read Exodus 6:28-7:7.
What stands out to you in this passage? What questions do you have?

There is more to God’s activity in this passage than simply sending the message. What else does the LORD say that he will do or accomplish?

According to verses 4-5, what is the divine task of the signs and wonders together with the word of the LORD?

In your faith journey, is the Bible reliable in word only without any evidence of God’s Spirit acting in tangible ways together with the word?

Read Luke 4:16-21.
What are the signs or tasks empowered by the Spirit of the Lord in the reading from the scroll of Isaiah?

What is the ‘sign’ that this passage from Isaiah is fulfilled in Jesus? (See also Luke 7:20-23)

How do you feel when you hear Jesus announce that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him to bring good news in these areas?

If there is time, and you feel comfortable sharing at a more deeply personal level, talk together about ways that your heart is hard to God’s word and resistant to the work of the Spirit. Pray for each other – for the grace of heart and will receptive to the Spirit.

Witness

Does anyone have a story to share that witnesses to the power of God’s word together with God’s Spirit to bring freedom from sin and the powers of this world? Is there someone in your life with whom you can share your story this week?

Daily Readings

As you read the Bible each day, ask, “Am I resisting God’s voice in this word?”

Sunday, Oct. 29: Exodus 6:28-7:7 and Luke 4:16-30
Monday, Oct. 30: Exodus 7:8-8:32 and Luke 4:31-41
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Exodus 9:1-10:29 and Luke 4:42-5:11
Wednesday, Nov. 1: Exodus 11:1-12:51 and Luke 5:12-26
Thursday, Nov. 2: Exodus 13:17-14:31 and Luke 5:27-39
Friday, Nov. 3: Exodus 15:1-27 and Luke 6:1-16
Saturday, Nov. 4: Exodus 19:1-9; 20:1-21 and Luke 6:17-49