God’s Name Revealed
September 27, 2026
Primary Reading:
Exodus 2:23–25; 3:1–15; 4:10–17
Gospel Connection:
John 8:58
THE STORY
God hears Israel’s groaning under slavery and calls a reluctant Moses from a burning bush, revealing the divine name: ‘I AM WHO I AM.’
BACKGROUND
The call of Moses turns on two revelations: God’s compassion (‘I have observed the misery of my people,’ 3:7) and God’s name. Notice the order — God’s saving action begins with God hearing, remembering, and coming down, before Moses does anything. When Moses asks who is sending him, God gives the mysterious ‘I AM’ (YHWH), tied to the verb ‘to be’ — less a definition than a promise of presence: ‘I will be with you.’ Moses’ string of objections (‘I am not eloquent,’ 4:10) shows that God’s call rarely waits for the confident or qualified. God calls, then equips — and calls people into their vocations right where they are.
MAKING THE CONNECTION
In John 8:58 Jesus says, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM,’ deliberately taking the divine name onto his own lips. His hearers reach for stones, understanding exactly what he claims. The God who spoke from the bush now speaks in flesh, and the same ‘I AM’ who freed Israel comes to free the world. Deliverance is God’s work; we are its recipients and then its messengers.
OUR STORY | GOD'S STORY
Our Story: We often feel unqualified, afraid or convinced that someone else would do a better job.
God’s Story: God doesn’t call the qualified; God promises to be with those God calls. Our confidence rests in God’s presence, not our ability.
DIGGING DEEPER
- God’s rescue begins with hearing and remembering Israel’s suffering (2:24–25). What does that say about how God relates to human suffering — before we even ask?
- Moses gives excuse after excuse. Which of his ‘I am not...’ statements sounds most like your own?
- God answers with presence (‘I will be with you’) rather than explanation. Why might that be exactly what Moses — and we — most need?
- Luther spoke of vocation: God calling us to serve right where we are. Where is God calling you in your ordinary life, and how does ‘I AM with you’ change how you hear it?
GOING FURTHER — CROSS-REFERENCES
- Exodus 6:2–8 — the name expanded into promise
- John 8:12; 10:11; 11:25 — Jesus’ ‘I AM’ sayings
- Isaiah 43:1–3 — ‘I have called you by name’
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 — God chooses the weak
THIS WEEK’S PRACTICE
Where do you say ‘I am not...’ (not qualified, not ready, not enough)? Write one such statement down, and set beside it God’s answer: ‘I AM... with you.’ Let that free you to take one small, ordinary step this week.
PRAYER
I AM, you hear the groaning of the oppressed and call the unwilling to freedom’s work. Quiet our excuses with your presence, name us as your own, and send us where you are already at work. Amen.
FOR ALL AGES
Take this week deeper at home and in ministry — for children, middle school, and high school
CHILDREN
younger kids · read-aloud
Read together: Spark Story Bible:The Burning Bush on pg 73. . To read the full passage, use the Spark Bible (NRSV): Exodus 3.
The Story for Kids: Moses saw a bush on fire that didn’t burn up, and God spoke to him! God picked Moses to help set his people free. Moses felt too small and scared, but God promised, ‘I will be with you.’ God didn’t need Moses to be perfect — just willing.
I Wonder...
- I wonder what Moses thought when he saw the burning bush.
- I wonder why Moses felt like he couldn’t do it.
- I wonder about a time you felt too small for something big.
Try This: Make a burning bush with red, orange, and yellow tissue paper. Talk about a job you could do knowing ‘God is with me.’
Remember: “God says, ‘I will be with you.’ — from Exodus 3:12”
MIDDLE SCHOOL
grades 6–8 · discuss & apply
Read: Exodus 3:1–15 (Spark Bible NRSV); connect with John 8:58.
Talk About It:
- Moses made a lot of excuses. What excuses do you make when something feels too big?
- God’s name means ‘I will be with you.’ How would that promise help you do something hard?
- God rescued the people because he heard their suffering — before they earned anything. What does that say about God?
Live It Out: Notice one ‘I can’t’ this week. Swap it for ‘God is with me,’ and take one small step.
HIGH SCHOOL
grades 9–12 · wrestle & respond
Read: Exodus 2:23–25; 3:1–15; 4:10–17; John 8:58.
Go Deeper:
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God’s saving action starts with God hearing and coming down — before Moses does any- thing. How does grace-first change the story?
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God answers Moses’ excuses with presence (‘I AM with you’), not a motivational speech. Why is that a better answer?
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Luther talked about vocation — God calling us to serve right where we are. Where might God be calling you in ordinary life?
Live It Out: Where do you feel unqualified for something that matters? Write the honest fear under the excuse, and set ‘I AM with you’ beside it.
Word of the Week: HOLY
God met Moses in an ordinary place - a hillside with sheep - and transformed it into holy ground. This week, watch for moments when ordinary places become holy through God’s presence, love, beauty, or the care of another person.
Where did you discover holy ground this week? Take a photo, tag St. Andrew Lutheran Church and use #GreatestStory to share what you found.
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