Calling someone by their nickname indicates something special about that person, doesn't it? It indicates a type of closeness that you have with them that goes beyond simply calling them by their given name. A nickname is personal. It demonstrates a unique bond that others do not have with that person. In Exodus chapter three, God revealed to Moses His personal name, which is far more than a nickname. It is here in Scripture that God gives us His personal name, Yahweh, which is translated in English as "I AM." Today, we are going to study this personal name for God and discover how we can best honor His name.
What was your nickname growing up?
1. Why is God's name so important for us? What's at risk if we don't take His name seriously?
2. Read Exodus 3:10-15. What is the significance of God having a personal name to share with Moses?
Exodus 3:10-15 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.
Exodus 3:10-15
Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.
This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.
3. According to Louie Giglio, God's personal name, Yahweh, or "I AM," should lead each of us to say, "I am not." Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. Why is it critical for us to understand that we are not on equal footing with God?
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
4. In Exodus 3:15, God tells Moses that His personal name, I AM, should be a reminder of His faithfulness. What area of your life are you waiting to see evidence of God's faithfulness? How does God's personal name remind you of His faithfulness?
Exodus 3:15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.
Exodus 3:15
God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.
5. Read Psalm 111:6-10. In your own words, define holy. What does it mean that God's name is holy?
Psalm 111:6-10 He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
Psalm 111:6-10
He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever!
6. What is at stake if we do not regard God as holy when we pray?
7. How can we live in a way that honors God's name as holy?
Just like Paul recognized that God's name, "I AM," meant that his name was "I am not," we too must have the same understanding. Part of understanding this is recognizing our weaknesses, much like Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. As a group, consider the areas of your life that you are depending on God, The Great I AM, to work where you are weak or lacking. Maybe you are waiting on a spouse. Maybe you are waiting to see a friend or family member come to Christ. Maybe you are waiting for healing. Whatever you are depending on God for, tell your group members and, when everyone has shared, pray as a group for God to show His power and strength in your lives.
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Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
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