Sunday School: Gospel Doctrine
Lesson 13: Bondage, Passover, and Exodus

“Lesson 13: Bondage, Passover, and Exodus,” Old Testament Class Member Study Guide (2001), 9

“Lesson 13,” Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 9

Lesson 13

Bondage, Passover, and Exodus

Exodus 1–3; 5–6; 11–14

Study the following scriptures:

  1. Exodus 1–3. The Israelites are made slaves by the Egyptians (1:1–14). Pharaoh orders that all sons born to the Israelites be killed (1:15–22). Moses is born and is raised by Pharaoh’s daughter (2:1–10). The Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush and calls him to deliver Israel from bondage (3:1–22).

  2. Exodus 5–6. Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to free Israel, but Pharaoh refuses and places greater burdens on the people (5:1–23). The Lord promises to fulfill the covenant he made with Abraham (6:1–8).

  3. Exodus 11–13. After sending many plagues on Egypt, the Lord promises to send one more plague on them, in which the firstborn in every home will die (11:1–10). The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover, which will protect Israel from the plague (12:1–20). The firstborn in Egypt are killed (12:29–30). Pharaoh tells Moses to take his people from Egypt, and the Israelites leave (12:31–42). Moses tells the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the future as a memorial of their deliverance (13:1–16). The Lord goes before the camp of Israel in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (13:17–22).

  4. Exodus 14. Pharaoh and his army pursue the Israelites (14:1–9). The people are afraid, and Moses appeals to the Lord for help (14:10–18). The Israelites cross the Red Sea on dry ground; Pharaoh’s men pursue them and are drowned (14:19–31).

  • At the Last Supper, the Savior instituted the sacrament in place of the Passover (Matthew 26:19, 26–28). What similarities are there between the Passover and the sacrament? (See Exodus 12:14; 13:9–10; D&C 20:75–79.)

  • What did Moses tell the children of Israel when they saw Pharaoh’s army and their faith faltered? (See Exodus 14:13–14.) How can we develop faith strong enough to sustain us when we are filled with fear?

  • How did the Lord save the children of Israel from the advancing Egyptian army? (See Exodus 14:21–31.) How can this story help us in times of trial?

Additional reading: Exodus 4; 7–10; 15.