Come Follow Me: Exodus 14–18 — When You Feel Trapped, God Makes a Way

Have you ever felt pinned in place, with no good options and no clear exit? Come Follow Me this week, April 13–19, brings us to that exact moment in Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18, when Israel stands at the Red Sea with an army closing in.

The miracle in these chapters is not only that water parts. The Lord also reshapes a people who still carry Egypt in their fears, habits, and expectations.

What Is Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18 About?

Israel’s story moves fast: deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14), worship and then wilderness disappointment (Exodus 15–17), and finally wiser leadership and shared burdens (Exodus 18). If you are looking for an Exodus 14–18 study guide, keep this simple thread in mind: the Lord rescues, then He trains.

Under pressure, Moses speaks the words many of us need when anxiety takes over:

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” (Exodus 14:13) “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)

That promise does not remove the journey. It changes who carries it.

As you prepare your Come Follow Me lesson, watch for the repeating rhythm in Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18:

• Crisis, then a command from the Lord (often to trust).
• Provision, followed by a test of daily obedience.
• Community, where God’s work moves forward through shared strength.

Key Themes in Exodus 14–18

These chapters hold several themes that fit right into real life. Read them slowly, and let the Lord name your Red Sea, your manna, and your heavy hands.

1) “Stand still” faith when you cannot see a way

Israel reaches the shoreline in panic, and the people tell Moses they would rather return to slavery than face uncertainty (see Exodus 14:10–12). Moses answers with a command that feels backward to a fearful mind: stand still (see Exodus 14:13).

The Lord’s rescue becomes visible after that surrender. The record later says:

“Thus the Lord saved Israel that day.” (Exodus 14:30)

Where do you keep scanning for a solution when the Lord is asking for trust first? Sometimes “stand still” looks like praying before you problem-solve, or choosing calm obedience while you wait for the next step.

2) Remembered deliverance becomes present courage

The Red Sea does not stay in Exodus. Later disciples reach for that memory when they feel trapped again.

Nephi uses it to steady his brothers:

“Let us be strong like unto Moses… our fathers came through… on dry ground.” (1 Nephi 4:2)

That is a pattern worth copying. When fear rises, we can borrow courage from what God has already done.

Try building a “deliverance record” the way scripture does:

• Write one line about a time the Lord made a way.
• Add the date and a short phrase of gratitude.
• Re-read it when your faith feels thin.

3) Bitter water, daily manna, and the test of trust

After the singing in Exodus 15:1–19, the next scenes feel ordinary and uncomfortable. The people find bitter water at Marah (see Exodus 15:23). They grumble about food (see Exodus 16:2–3). They argue over water again (see Exodus 17:2–3).

The Lord provides anyway. He shows Moses how to make the water drinkable (see Exodus 15:25). He sends manna with a daily rule: gather what you need for the day (see Exodus 16:4).

Do you want a dramatic rescue, or do you want the steadier miracle of daily bread? Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18 teaches that discipleship often looks like trusting God on Tuesday, not only at the shoreline.

4) The Lord’s work moves forward through shared strength and wise help

One of the most tender images in these chapters comes during battle. Moses cannot keep his hands raised, so Aaron and Hur support him:

“Moses hands were heavy… and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands.” (Exodus 17:12)

Then in Exodus 18, Jethro sees Moses collapsing under the weight of judging and leading alone. He counsels delegation and shared responsibility (see Exodus 18:17–23).

This is covenant living in practice:

• Some days you hold up someone else’s hands.
• Some days you admit your own hands are heavy.
• The Lord often answers prayers through organized, steady help.

Discussion Questions for Exodus 14–18

These questions work for Sunday School, youth, or family scripture time. Keep answers short, and let kids and teens respond in their own words.

1. Where do you feel “trapped” right now, like Israel in Exodus 14:10–12?
2. What does “stand still” look like in a real decision or conflict, according to Exodus 14:13–14?
3. When have you seen the Lord provide “daily manna,” meaning help that came one day at a time (see Exodus 16:4)?
4. Why do you think the Lord allowed the wilderness tests right after the Red Sea miracle (see Exodus 15–17)?
5. Who needs their hands supported in your home, quorum, class, or ward right now (see Exodus 17:12)?
6. What is one responsibility you could share or simplify, following Jethro’s counsel in Exodus 18:21–22?

How to Teach Exodus 14–18

Kids understand being scared, being hungry, and needing help. Start with those feelings, then connect them to the Lord’s care.

• Use a simple object lesson: a bowl of crackers for “manna,” and talk about daily prayer and scripture (see Exodus 16:4).
• Invite children to act out Exodus 17:12 with safe, gentle “helping hands,” then ask, Who helps you when you feel tired?
• Keep the Red Sea message short and memorable. Have everyone repeat: “The Lord shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:14).

For families, consider one practice for the week: each person shares one “Red Sea memory,” a time the Lord helped them when they could not see a way.

Explore This Week's Full Study Guide

If you want help turning these chapters into a consistent week of worship, open the Gospel Study App and study Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18 with guided questions, verse links, and reminders that keep you steady day by day.

Use the app to:

1. Mark key phrases like “stand still” (Exodus 14:13) and “The Lord shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:14).
2. Track your “daily manna” habits with simple study plans.
3. Gather discussion questions and notes in one place for Sunday teaching.

Keep going with Come Follow Me Exodus 14–18 this week, and let the Lord turn your shoreline moments into faith that lasts. This is part of Come Follow Me 2026, and the Gospel Study App can help you stay with the story long enough for it to shape your week.