Adventist Podcast Network

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Plagues of Egypt," pp. 257-265 in Patriarchs and Prophets.

Look at how badly things started off for Moses and his people after Moses first approached Pharaoh.

"The king, thoroughly roused, suspected the Israelites of a design to revolt from his service. Disaffection was the result of idleness; he would see that no time was left them for dangerous scheming. And he at once adopted measures to tighten their bonds and crush out their independent spirit. The same day orders were issued that rendered their labor still more cruel and oppressive. The most common building material of that country was Sun-dried brick; the walls of the finest edifices were made of this, and then faced with stone; and the manufacture of brick employed great numbers of the bondmen. Cut straw being intermixed with the clay, to hold it together, large quantities of straw were required for the work; the king now directed that no more straw be furnished; the laborers must find it for themselves, while the same amount of brick should be exacted.

"This order produced great distress among the Israelites throughout the land. The Egyptian taskmasters had appointed Hebrew officers to oversee the work of the people, and these officers were responsible for the labor performed by those under their charge. When the requirement of the king was put in force, the people scattered themselves throughout the land, to gather stubble instead of straw; but they found it impossible to accomplish the usual amount of labor. For this failure the Hebrew officers were cruelly beaten."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 258.

1. Think of a time when, as you heeded God’s call in your life, things did not go well, or certainly did not start off well. What lessons have you learned over time from that experience?
2. Tell others how God intervened in your life when you prayed for His help or when you did not expect it. How can we believe in God’s goodness when bad things happen, even to those who trust the Lord?
3. What would you say to someone who declares, "I do not know the Lord"? However, suppose the person said it, not in a way of defiance, but as a simple fact about his or her life? What could you do to help him or her "know the Lord" and explain to the person why it’s important that he or she do so?

Discussion Questions:

Pastor Glenn Townend has just been re-elected as president of the South Pacific Division. In this candid conversation from the General Conference in St. Louis, he chats with Jarrod Stackelroth about leadership, mission, and where he believes God is leading next.

We dream of exploits that ensure our fame—of fortunes gained or mountains climbed or roles where we control the lives of other, lesser mortals. We gather things—disposables—to fill the hole made urgent by our angry greed.

But we would gladly trade them all to be two modest, undramatic things at once: both deeply loved and finally forgiven.

No accolades or billions earned will ever soothe a heart that can’t be reconciled. No power can heal the wound within unless it offers what no human skill can offer.

For these we need a Father’s “Welcome Home” embrace. For these we need the Sun of Righteousness to rise with healing in His wings (Mal 4:2). For these we need the Spirit’s gentle, unrelenting voice, reminding us of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:8-9).

When boasting wanes; when posing fades, there is no finer thing we do than give each other grace we have been given.

It’s time to reimagine your success. Be known for love.

And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

We dream of exploits that ensure our fame—of fortunes gained or mountains climbed or roles where we control the lives of other, lesser mortals. We gather things—disposables—to fill the hole made urgent by our angry greed.

But we would gladly trade them all to be two modest, undramatic things at once: both deeply loved and finally forgiven.

No accolades or billions earned will ever soothe a heart that can’t be reconciled. No power can heal the wound within unless it offers what no human skill can offer.

For these we need a Father’s “Welcome Home” embrace. For these we need the Sun of Righteousness to rise with healing in His wings (Mal 4:2). For these we need the Spirit’s gentle, unrelenting voice, reminding us of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:8-9).

When boasting wanes; when posing fades, there is no finer thing we do than give each other grace we have been given.

It’s time to reimagine your success. Be known for love.

And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

Exodus — Rough Start — Like God to Pharaoh

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the third quarter of 2025 called Exodus. We are studying the lesson for week 3 called Rough Start.    

Text your prayer request to 979-575-2035.

Support us: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=a7a8a06e-85ab-4da7-ab62-0020abcd4211

https://www.facebook.com/aLifeSDAC

Subscribe to our YouTube channel http://tinyurl.com/aLifeSDAC

#RoughStart #LikeGodToPharaoh #17July2025 #Exodus  #SabbathSchool #Week3 #AbundantLife #ThirdQuarter2025