Author: Kathryn Turner

When we hear the word “exodus”,
we immediately think
of the origins of the amazing love story
between God and his people,
a history which passes through
the dramatic period of slavery in Egypt,
the calling of Moses,
the experience of liberation
and the journey toward the Promised Land.
The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, which recounts these events
is a parable of the entire history of salvation,
but also of the inner workings of Christian faith. Passing from the slavery of the old Adam
to new life in Christ
is a event of redemption
which takes place through faith (Eph 4:22-24).
This passover is a genuine “exodus”;
it is the journey of each Christian soul
and the entire Church,
the decisive turning of our lives
towards the Father.
Pope Francis
Letter for Vocations Sunday 2015

Exodus
A People Moving
Forward Together in Hope -
From the familiar…
Through a wilderness...
Through discovery...
Through challenge...
Through personal encounters with God...
To a Promised Land:
A heritage to pass on to future generations.

Exodus

A People Moving
Forward Together in Hope

Department for Spirituality
St Cuthbert’s House
West Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 7PY
Tel: 0191 243 3302
Email: spirituality@diocesehn.org.uk

© Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle—May 2015
Also available in other formats

Why use Exodus?

In some ways, it seems odd to use a book written thousands of years ago to inspire our thoughts and reflections about Forward Together in Hope. But it is a story that has lasted so long because it is full of truth. It has many echoes with the Journey we are embarked on.
It is a story of a people who already had a long history and who had lived many years in Egypt—but things had changed. They had a choice—to stay where they were or to listen to the voice of God through Moses to move on.
The people were led into a place with no clear signposts and no firmly defined destination… only the assurance that God would be their guide.
There were challenges along the way. Natural hazards—lack of water and food—and human ones—people who became disheartened and, even, rebellious.
There were times when the people were powerfully aware of God at work in their midst.
And more!

What are the Stages on the Journey

Forming God’s People for the Future
God prepares his People for the Promised Land.
How are we formed for the future?
Linking with Education and Continuing Formation, Outreach and Young People

Challenges along the Way
Some of the challenges facing the Israelites on the way. The challenges that face us. Linking with Finances, Facilities and Geographic Distance

Food for the Journey
The Journey begins—with a meal.
We too are nourished on the way.
Linking with Active Participation of People and Worship and Spiritual Life.

Drawn from the Waters Moses is saved from the water.
We are saved through the waters of baptism.
Linking with The Christian Faithful and Leadership

START HERE!

How could we use it?

The material is designed to be flexible—so the first thing to remember is that you are free to adapt it. Here are some ideas—but you may have more!
It could form the basis of a series of meetings. There is material for four.
You might look through the sessions and find one that appeals to you—use this for a one-off meeting (perhaps to look at the Reflective Questions in the main pack).
You could take extracts from the four sessions to build up a Day of Reflection for a group—or your parish.
You might think about a parish Awayday—going to a “wilderness” away from the busy-ness and the familiar and take bits and pieces from the material to help people to reflect on the Journey we are on together.
You might ask parish “Anchors” to pray part of the material at the same time as your meeting or Day of Reflection.

The Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt is one of the defining moments in the history of the People of God. Contrary to what is often depicted in films, the Hebrews were not involved in building the pyramids – it is thought that they were a thousand or more years old by this time. They were known to specialise in brick-making and, though they were indispensable to the economy of Egypt, they were also becoming a strong minority and beginning to alarm the powers-that-be – specifically the Pharaoh.
Egypt at the time was hugely wealthy. It had thriving agriculture and lively trade links. Even the poorest would have had enough to eat most of the time. It was a place where, even if you were not altogether “free” – and most Egyptians were not either – you could be pretty sure of work and the ability to make a living. If it was slavery and bondage, it was probably fairly comfortable…. But it was not what God wanted for his People!
Many centuries before God had called Abraham out into the desert to find his promised land in Canaan. Years later, Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave but his astonishing power of interpreting dreams drew him to the attention of the Pharaoh who gave him responsibility for managing the grain supplies during times of plenty and of famine. We are told that his father, Jacob, and his brothers and their households left the Promised Land, came into Egypt and, it seems, settled there. Generations later, a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph came to the throne – and the problems began…
God wanted his People to be free – to build a nation based on a way of life that he would give them. He needed them to be free – not just of the bondage of the Pharaoh but of the bondage that tied them to a way of life that was comfortable (most of the time) and to a mind-set that did not always have God at the centre. It was time to change – to leave behind a lot that was actually pretty good and to move to a future that God had waiting for them.
In some ways, our diocesan “journey” echoes much of what we find in Exodus. We are planning to use Exodus as a basis for parish/ cluster/ deanery – or even individual – reflection. As we draw on the themes in the Book they will, hopefully, help us to see how our journey – our story – is part of the much, much greater one of the People of God which will only end with the coming of the Kingdom.: