Lessons from The Revelation of Deliverance

# Small Group Guide: The Revelation of Deliverance

## Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
**Icebreaker Question:** Share about a time when you felt "stuck between a rock and a hard place" - what was in front of you and what was behind you?

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## Key Scripture References
- Exodus 14:19-31 (Parting of the Red Sea)
- Exodus 17:11 (Moses' hands raised)
- Luke 6:27-31 (Love your enemies)
- John 8:36 (Whom the Son sets free)
- Psalm 134:2, 1 Timothy 2:8 (Lifting holy hands)

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## Main Themes & Teaching Points

### 1. **Leadership and Self-Examination**
The pastor's story about managing the goats revealed an important truth: when we're frustrated with those around us, we need to look in the mirror first.

**Discussion Questions:**
- Have you ever blamed others for problems that were actually about your own management or approach?
- What areas of your life (family, work, ministry) might need a change in your leadership style rather than changing the people around you?

### 2. **Types of Bondage**
The sermon identified two categories of tyrants: spiritual and physical. These include sin, sickness, past failures, addictions, divorce, accidents, money, offense, and toxic relationships.

**Discussion Questions:**
- Which of the bondages mentioned resonated most with you personally?
- Are you currently facing an "Egypt behind you and a Red Sea in front of you" situation? Describe it.
- What would it look like to move forward in faith in your current situation?

### 3. **True Deliverance Requires Mental Transformation**
Being physically delivered isn't enough - we must be mentally and spiritually transformed. Many people are delivered but keep submitting themselves back to their old bondage.

**Discussion Questions:**
- Have you experienced being "set free" from something but still struggling with it mentally?
- What's the difference between being tempted by an old sin and being in bondage to it?
- How does Romans 12:2 ("be transformed by the renewing of your mind") apply to staying free from past bondage?

### 4. **Destroying Your Enemies**
Moses didn't just cross the Red Sea - he turned around and watched the waters destroy his enemies. We need to see our past bondages "dead on the seashore."

**Discussion Questions:**
- What does it mean practically to "stretch your hand back over the waters" and destroy your past?
- Is there something in your past you need to declare "dead and gone" once and for all?
- How do you respond when someone tries to define you by your past?

### 5. **Choosing Your Companions Wisely**
The sermon emphasized being equally yoked and not casting pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).

**Discussion Questions:**
- Are there relationships in your life that are pulling you back toward Egypt?
- How do you balance loving everyone with protecting yourself from toxic influences?
- What does it mean to pray for someone from a distance rather than staying entangled with them?

### 6. **The Evidence of True Deliverance**
According to Luke 6:27-31, the evidence that you're truly delivered is that you can love, bless, and pray for those who hurt you.

**Discussion Questions:**
- Who in your life do you struggle to pray for genuinely?
- What's the difference between praying "Lord, take them out" versus truly blessing someone who hurt you?
- Why is forgiveness essential to maintaining your own freedom?

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## Key Takeaways

1. **Deliverance is complete** - When God delivers you, it's total. You walk on dry ground, not through muddy water.

2. **You cannot go backward** - Once delivered from Egypt, the only direction is forward through faith.

3. **Mental bondage is a choice** - If you're on the other side of the Red Sea but still struggling, it's a mental/spiritual issue, not a lack of deliverance.

4. **Authority is in your hands** - Lifting holy hands in prayer is a symbol of the authority we have in Christ over our past, our enemies, and demonic forces.

5. **True freedom includes forgiving your oppressors** - You know you're free when you can genuinely pray for those who hurt you.

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## Practical Applications

### This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following action steps to practice this week:

**Option 1: Declaration Exercise**
- Write down specific bondages you've been delivered from
- Each morning this week, stand with hands raised and declare: "I've been delivered from [specific thing]. Egypt is behind me. My enemy is dead on the seashore. I am a new creation in Christ."

**Option 2: Prayer List**
- Make a list of people who have hurt, abused, or wronged you
- Commit to praying a genuine blessing over one person each day this week
- Notice how this affects your own sense of freedom

**Option 3: Relationship Audit**
- Evaluate your closest relationships: Are they equally yoked? Do they encourage your faith or pull you backward?
- Have an honest conversation with God about any relationships that may need boundaries or distance
- Identify 1-2 people who could be genuine spiritual companions and reach out to them

**Option 4: Accountability Partnership**
- If you're struggling with returning to an old sin/addiction, confess it to a trusted believer this week
- Ask them to check in with you regularly
- Remember: you're not possessed, you're tempted - and you have the Holy Spirit's power to resist

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## Reflection Questions for Personal Journaling

1. What area of my life am I still mentally in bondage to, even though I've been physically/spiritually delivered?

2. What would it look like for me to "turn around and stretch my hand over the waters" to finally destroy this enemy?

3. Am I truly walking in the identity of a "blood-bought, blood-washed, Holy Ghost, tongue-talking, water-walking, devil-slaying Christian," or am I still identifying as "just an old sinner saved by grace"?

4. Who do I need to forgive completely to prove to myself that I'm truly free?

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## Closing Prayer Focus

Pray together as a group:
- For revelation of complete deliverance in Christ
- For the courage to turn around and destroy past bondages once and for all
- For transformation of the mind through God's Word
- For boldness to walk in freedom and preach the gospel
- For the ability to genuinely bless and pray for those who have hurt us

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## Scripture Memory Verse
**John 8:36** - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

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## Recommended Follow-Up
- Re-read Exodus 14 during your personal devotions this week
- Study Romans 12:1-2 on the transformation of the mind
- Consider fasting one meal this week and using that time to pray for complete deliverance from mental bondage