There’s probably no book in the Bible that is more difficult to read and understand than Leviticus. With its endless rules about blood sacrifices, skin diseases, and strange rituals, Leviticus seems so primitive, outdated, and irrelevant to our lives today. Barbaric is an apt description. It’s why most people start reading the Bible and then say, “You lost me at Leviticus.” 

Discussion Questions for You Lost Me at Leviticus Pt7 | October 11, 2020

Main Passages: Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9-10

Discussion Questions

  1. What part of the Day of Atonement ceremony was most interesting to you?
  2. Why are the bath and special clothes for Aaron (Leviticus 16:4) so important?
  3. The Day of Atonement happened once a year. Why do you think this ritual was included when there were already rituals for dealing with failures throughout the year?
  4. Read Leviticus 16:10. Why is this goat called a scapegoat? How is the practice of sending a live goat into the wilderness different from the goat that was sacrificed?
  5. Read Leviticus 16:29-31. What do you notice about these additional instructions that might be important?
  6. Discuss the ways that Jesus fulfills the Day of Atonement.
  7. Instead of just discarding this ritual as unnecessary for Christians now, what might be the benefit of a communal ritual like this in our culture today (minus the blood of course)?
  8. What does Leviticus 16 say about forgiveness with God? And perhaps with others?

Moving Forward

  • Carry around a weight each day this week until an appointed time when you let it go. Be reminded of Jesus carrying away the weight of your failures.
  • Make a sign or write a note somewhere that says “Jesus is the GOAT.” Use it to help you remember his sacrifice.
  • Listen to the supplemental New Denver Church Message podcast to go deeper this week.