Hello, My Name Is Yahweh

1. LEAN IN

We all carry ideas about what God is like. Those ideas can come from Scripture, family, church, culture, or our experiences.

What is one experience or influence that has shaped the way you view God?

• What is one characteristic of God that is easy for you to believe?
• What is one characteristic that is harder for you to trust?

Transition: Our experiences can shape our picture of God, but Scripture allows God to introduce Himself. We don’t have to invent God—we can listen to what He says about Himself.

2. LOOK UP — OIA

Read Exodus 34:6–9

OBSERVATION — What does the text say?

• What words or phrases stand out to you?
• What characteristics of God does He proclaim?
• What do you notice about the relationship between God’s mercy and His justice?
• Why is the context significant? Israel has just worshiped the golden calf.

INTERPRETATION — What does the passage mean?

What do we learn about God?

God describes Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving, and just.

• Why is it significant that God Himself defines His character?
• What does God’s response to Israel’s rebellion teach us about grace?
• How can God’s mercy and justice both be true?

What do we learn about ourselves?

We often create a picture of God based on our experiences, fears, or desires.

• Where are people tempted to create God in their own image?
• What idols compete for our trust today?
• What unhealthy patterns can be passed from one generation to another?

APPLICATION — What’s my response?

• Which characteristic of God do you most need to remember right now?
• Is there a false belief about God that you need to surrender to what Scripture says about Him?
• Where are you trying to earn God’s love instead of living from the love He has already given you in Christ?

What would change this week if you truly believed, “He is compassionate. He is faithful. He is gracious. He is just”?

SCRIPTURE

• Exodus 3:1–15 — God reveals Himself as “I AM WHO I AM.”
• Exodus 34:6–9 — God proclaims His character.

PRAYER

Pray through these movements together:

PRAISE:
“YHWH, You are compassionate, gracious, faithful, forgiving, and just. Thank You for revealing who You are.”

CONFESSION:
“God, reveal the idols and false ideas about You that compete for our trust.”

BREAKING PATTERNS:
“Give us courage to confront unhealthy patterns we have inherited or developed. Help us begin new patterns of faithfulness.”

TRUST:
“When circumstances change, You remain the same. Teach us to trust who You are more than what we can see.”

RESPONSE:
“Jesus, form Your character in us so that others can see something of who You are through our lives. Amen.”

PRACTICE — STEP OUT

1. REMEMBER WHO HE IS

Choose one characteristic from Exodus 34:6–7 and meditate on it throughout the week.

“When I __________, I will remember: HE IS __________.”

2. IDENTIFY AN IDOL

Ask: “What am I trusting to give me what only God can give?”

Name it, confess it, and bring it to God.

3. START A NEW PATTERN

Choose one Christ-centered pattern to begin this week:

Confess instead of conceal
Forgive instead of retaliate
Pray instead of worry
Seek help instead of pretend