Long Story Short | The Law
Continuing the Conversation from Sunday
Message Recap
This week’s message explored Exodus 19–20 and the giving of the Law at Sinai—not as a list of rigid rules, but as God’s way of forming a people who reflect His justice, mercy, and love. We considered the difference between freedom from and freedom for, and how Jesus fulfills the Law by moving it from behavior management to heart transformation.
Key Passage: Exodus 19–20
Key Idea: God doesn’t just want to rescue us from something—God wants to form us into someone.
Go a Little Deeper
Read Exodus 19:3–6 and 20:1–17
What strikes you about the setting where the Law is given?
How do the first four commandments differ from the last six in their focus?
Reflect on This:
God calls His people a kingdom of priests.
→ What would it look like for the Church—or for you—to live that out today?
A Thought from Dr. Esau McCaulley:
Dr. McCaulley is a New Testament scholar, and Anglican priest. He writes:
“The commands of God are not burdensome when we remember who gave them and why. They are a path to life, not a prison.”
→ How does that reframe the way you view the Ten Commandments and the Law as a whole?
Let’s Talk
What part of the message or text stood out to you?
The message asked: “Are we really being something different?” Where are you being formed right now—and where are you resisting formation?
How do you relate to the idea of “freedom from” vs. “freedom for”?
How does Jesus' way of interpreting and fulfilling the Law challenge or clarify your understanding of it?
What might it look like to live as a “kingdom of priests” in your workplace, family, or neighborhood?
Is there an area in your life where you’re dangerously close to the edge? What kind of fence might wisdom invite you to build?
A Prayer to Pray
God of freedom and formation, thank You for not just rescuing us from the mess, but inviting us into something better. Help us live in Your way—with hearts shaped by mercy, truth, and love. Amen.
A Practice to Try
Fence Check:
Take 10 minutes this week to name one area of your life that may need a boundary or new rhythm—something that helps you walk in deeper freedom. Share it with someone you trust, and take one small step toward building that “fence.”