Connect Is there anything in your life that causes you to doubt God’s acceptance of you? Bring them before the Lord, and spend time meditating on the good news that Jesus has made us permanently holy, in him. 

Read Leviticus 16:1-10

1. What do the detailed instructions in Leviticus 16 reveal about God’s holiness? 
2. Why do you think God set such strict boundaries for approaching his presence?
3. What does Aaron’s need to make atonement for himself before the people tell us about the human condition?
4. Why is sin not just a bad habit but an offence against God’s holiness?
5. In our world today, how do people often treat sin casually — and what’s lost when we do that?
6. When was a time you became aware of the gap between God’s holiness and your own life? How did that awareness change you?

Read Leviticus 16:11-28

7. What do the two goats in Leviticus 16 symbolise?
8. Why was blood sprinkled in the Most Holy Place? What does that say about the cost of forgiveness?
9. Imagine being an Israelite watching this ceremony — what emotions or thoughts might you have felt?
10. The word atonement means “to cover” or “to make reconciliation.” How does this ceremony help bridge the separation between God and his people?
11. Why do you think God chose a visible act (the scapegoat sent into the wilderness) to deal with sin?
12. How would the Day of Atonement have reminded Israel both of God’s justice and mercy?
13. What does this chapter teach us about how sin affects not just individuals but the whole community?

Read Hebrews 9:11-15

14. How is Jesus’ priesthood different from Aaron’s?
15. Jesus entered the “greater and more perfect tabernacle.” What does that mean for us today?
16. Why is Jesus’ blood described as doing what animal sacrifices could never do?
17. Jesus’ blood “cleanses our conscience.” What’s the difference between being forgiven & being cleansed?
18. How does knowing that Jesus made “once for all” atonement change the way we relate to God?

Apply How can you live boldly yet reverently before our holy God this week?

‍

On Your Frontline this Week

Join us for the Prayer Night (Wednesday 5:30pm - 7:30pm) to pray for the church, your frontlines, and the world.

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “Atonement: Forgiveness from God” by Pete Wilkinson:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/atonement-forgiveness-from-god/#sermons 
• Listen (sermon): “A Scapegoat: The Day of Atonement” by Chris Wright:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=49985&show_file=57761 
• Listen (sermon): “Leviticus 16:1-34” by Andrew Sach:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/52394/ 
• Listen (sermon): “The Day of Atonement” by Des Smith:
  https://www.trinity.org.au/lockleys/sermons/4-the-day-of-atonement/ 
• Listen (talk): “Atonement Culture” by Rory Shiner:
  https://ridleycollege.transistor.fm/episodes/atonement-culture-by-dr-rory-shiner 
• Watch (Video): “Sacrifice & Atonement” by the Bible Project:
  https://bibleproject.com/videos/sacrifice-and-atonement/ 

Series Resources

• Read (book): “Leviticus: A 12-Week Study” by Michael LeFebvre. 
• Read (book): “Rediscovering Holiness” by J I Packer.
• Read (book): “Holiness” by J C Ryle. 📚
• Read (commentary): “Leviticus” by Katy Davis.
• Watch (website): “The Book of Leviticus” by the BibleProject:
  https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-leviticus/  

‍

📚 Available to borrow in the Church library

‍