Be prepared ahead of time to, compared to most studies, cover a lot of ground Biblically. You may want to assign multiple passages at a time in order to keep the momentum of discovery going. You may also feel that some of the discussions that are generated merit another set of passages as well (the Passover in Exodus 12 isn't even brought up in the following study, but someone in your group might want to wrestle with it.) The study has an obvious academic flare to it, but as always- remember that as the leader, you're trying to create some space where God can take people a couple more steps down the road and change them. Change you, too! Be sure and draw out the lives of people, and refuse to let your time be no more than a study. What does God want to do with these ancient scriptures with regard to guilt, shame, forgiveness and life fully redeemed in the blood of Christ? Go after that!
Thaw
- Who has a blood story worth telling? Injuries, procedures, accidents...do tell.
- Do you think that blood disturbs us in some measure based on cultural influence, or something more on the level of instinct? Explain.
- What thoughts most stuck with you from the message Sunday?
Read
- Leviticus 17:10-14
- Thoughts?
Leader note: The word atonement in Hebrew is כפר ("kafar"), and means "to cover". it' the same word used in instructing Noah to cover the Ark with pitch to make it water proof.
Read
- Genesis 3:7
- Genesis 3:21
- Thoughts?
- Where do the skins come from?
- What's the picture being painted about Adam and Eve trying to cover themselves, and God's response?
- Why does sin always need "covered"?
Read
- Leviticus 16:6-10
- Leviticus 16:21-22
- Thoughts?
- Why is it important for people to have their sins visually taken away?
- Why is it necessary for people to have to do this every year?
- Hebrews 10:1-4
- Hebrews 10:11-12
Leader note: It's key to point out that all these sacrifices and rituals were a foreshadowing of what was ultimately needed: something (Someone) final, rather than something required annually. It may also be helpful for your group, especially in light of the predominantly individualistic culture that we live in, to point out that this was communal for Israel. This was about Israel's sins, verses specific Israelite's sin. People didn't have to get a scapegoat per family; God is holding sin in judgement in a cumulative sense, and deals with it in the same way. This doesn't discount the value of individuals confessing and dealing with their own sins. But it does help us understand that there is always a higher value of being shaped in the context of a community. This may be a unique opportunity to invite the group to be more honest, in the context of the LifeGroup, with what's really going on in life so that God can deal with your group the way He prefers: as a group.
Read
- 1 Peter 1:18-19
- Thoughts?
Leader note: See if your group members notice what we're redeemed from. The canned answer for most Church goers would be that we're redeemed from "hell", or perhaps even the Devil. But for Peter, theirs an empty life being lived (could there be a greater offense to the creator of life?) outside of the way of Jesus, but Jesus blood draws us out of that. His blood eradicates the way of life that never developed past sin and foreshadowing of Christ in the sacrifices. It wouldn't do anything more than temporarily cover us. Christ's blood doesn't just cover, but fully redeems.
Apply
- What are the ways we try and manage our own guilt?
- What's at risk in letting the permanence of Christ's blood redeem, verses the ways we have grown used to coping with a sense of shame and guilt?
- What does it look like to accept the finality of Christ's redemption as a reality?
- How can this group help you take a step right now in being absolutely cleansed from your guilt, and washed in the blood of Christ?
Leader note: You may want to have communion at the end of your time. While you eat and drink the elements, consider reading the lyrics to the Steve Fee song, "Beautiful the Blood". You may also want to close with 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Beautiful the Blood, by Steve Fee
I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me
And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me
How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now
Never knew through these nails would love unfold
And never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I've never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me
And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me
How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love showThe King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now
Now I'll sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me
How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now
How beautiful you are
How merciful you are
How glorious you are
Christ the Savior
How beautiful you are
How merciful you are
How glorious you are
Christ the Savior
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