Sweeping out Some Sacred Space

Deuteronomy 12

What is your favorite place in the whole world and why?

Describe what God wants Israel to do to the religious institutions of the Promised Land when they enter there. What was there about Canaanite religion that God was so intolerant about? Why would those things upset him so much? What needs to change in your spiritual attitudes, values, and beliefs because they are displeasing to God?

What was to happen at the place that God selected for the Israelites? Why do you think there was only going to be one place like this? What are some special worship times and places God has selected for you in your life? How can we ensure our worship times have a deeper impact on our everyday lives?

Describe the different kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the chapter. Why are sacrifices given such a prominent place in worship in the Old Testament? What kinds of offerings does God desire from us today?

What is the process necessary for eating non-sacrificial meat? Why does God give such specific instructions concerning their menu? Obviously, Jesus frees us from the dietary restrictions of the law, but based on these principles how might God want your menu to change?

Justice in Ancient Israel

Deuteronomy 19: 1 – 21

Why are shows like Law & Order so popular?

Read verses 1 – 14. Describe the city of refuge system.
Why is God so specific concerning their accessibility and the expansion of the system?
What would the existence of this system do for the average Israelite?
What would be some contemporary examples of the case describe in verse 5?
Imagine that you were in a family that suffered a loss, how would the existence of these towns change your perspective?
Imagine that you were one accused of manslaughter. How would it feel to arrive at the city of refuge? How would it feel to live there until the high priest died?
What process is the city to go through if someone who actually committed intentional murder arrives at the city? Why is it so important that they are extradited?
What systems could we create in our lives that would limit our tendency to revenge?
How does the grace and forgiveness God gives us in the New Testament supersede the cities of refuge?
What is something you need God’s forgiveness for tonight?

Why in the world is verse 14 included in this passage?

Read verses 15 – 21. Why is it necessary to have a plurality of witnesses in a case?
Describe the process taken to determine if perjury has occurred. What does this tell us about the legal machinery in Ancient Israel? Why are they reminded that they are in God’s presence?
Why is breaking the 10^th commandment considered a capital crime?
Why is the lex talonis applied to cases of false testimony even though no actual harm is done to the accused?
How is the law of retribution actually a limit on revenge?
Who is someone you feel like you need to exact revenge upon?
How can you go about forgiving this person this week

Dust the Screen for Better Viewing

Deuteronomy Chapter 13

When was your worst experience of hindered viewing (static, dust, obstacles)?

Read verses 1 – 5
What about the prophet or dreamer mentioned here would make his claims believable?
What would clearly demonstrate that the prophet was not to be followed?
Why would that be something that invalidate his claims?
Why would such behavior be so serious that it would be considered a capital crime?
[Note- capital crimes in the Bible were rarely enforced by execution, rather they were a statement of the seriousness of the crime]
How are you going to get to know God’s word better this year to ensure you can discern good spiritual messages from bad spiritual messages?
What are some things that you need to radically change in your life to ensure the false messages in the world today do not affect your spirituality?
How can you make sure the advice you give to others is spiritually sound?

Read verses 6 – 11
What about a close relative tempting you to disloyalty God would make it particularly tempting?
Why is the observer expected to spark the enactment of the punishment?
Why is this considered serious enough to be a capital crime?
What effect is the enactment of the punishment expected to have on society?
What are some examples of this problem happening in the history of Israel?
What are some ways that close family members can create spiritual problems for disciples today?
Obviously, execution is not how to deal with this situation today (that was even rarely done in the ancient world). How can we best deal with this problem when we are faced with it in our lives?

Read verses 12 – 18

What is to happen to an Israelite city if the whole city leaves God?
Why would this be a problem to the remaining Israelites?
Why is such an intense investigation expected?
Describe the punishment that is to be enacted if a whole town is disloyal?
Why is such a severe punishment given?
Why are people not to even keep any of the plunder or livestock from the city?
What does this say about our spiritual impact on other people?
How can we make sure we are avoiding negative spiritual impact on those around us?

Read All Posted Warnings

Deuteronomy 8:1-20

What was the most difficult exam you ever had to take in school?
Why do teachers give students difficult exams?

Describe in detail the wilderness in which the Israelites spent forty years?
How would you categorize the experiences they had while in the wilderness?
In what ways does God provide for his people while they are out in the desert?
Why does God put his people through that kind of difficult struggle?
How can we better cope with times of personal testing?
Based on this passage, how can we better help others who are going through difficult times?

In what ways will the experience of the Israelites once they gain the Promised Land contrast from what they have been through during the forty years in the desert?
What different kinds of testing do they face the prospect of a more prosperous and comfortable future?
Why do people sometimes loose their focus on God when things seem to be going better in their lives?
What are some strategies we can develop from this passage to help us retain our loyalty to God even when things go better than we had expected?
Why is an attitude of self-sufficiency in reality extremely ridiculous?
How does a person take more care to follow God’s instructions without becoming legalistic in attitude?

Preparing the Next Generation

Deuteronomy 6: 1 – 9

If you were to get a new tattoo what would you have it say and why?

In verses 1 – 3 what are some of Moses’ main concerns for his people. Why is it so important that the people obey the commands of the LORD? Why is it so important that they share these commands with their descendants? What can you do this next week to help raise up the next generation of disciples?

What do we find out about God in verses 4 – 5? What are some of the possible ways to interpret God as being one? How can you square this statement with the central Christian doctrine of the Trinity? What kind of response should the reality of God elicit from our lives? Why does the command list these three separate areas of life? How can you show your love for God with your heart this week? How can you show your love for God with your self this week? How can you show your love for God with your abilities this week?

Describe the kinds of places you should write or talk about the Word of God according to verses 6 – 9. Why in the world does Moses encourage them to do this? How does a person make sure God’s commands are on their hearts? How do you teach these commands to children without becoming Jesus Camp? When is an opportunity you have each day to talk about God’s word at home? How could you make sure you think on God’s word when you are commuting or on the train? How often is God the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about at night? What are some creative ways you could carry God’s word on your person? What are some ways you could decorate with God’s word around your house? What are some ways you could post God’s word around the neighborhood?

Living Life God’s Way

Deuteronomy 5: 1 - 22

Into what groupings would you split the commandments?

What is similar between the first four and the last six?

What are the grounds for God’s right to declare what is right and wrong in our lives?

What are some other gods that people tend to have in our society?

What are some other gods you tend to struggle with in your life?

What practical steps can you take to lay down false gods?

Why are people told not to make idols? How is artistic expression different than idol worship?

What boxes to we tend to place God into in our lives?

How can we free our vision of God from our own misconceptions of him?

How does it make sense that the punishment for idolatry goes into the future generations?

Why is it that loving God has a longer effect than disobeying him?

Why is misusing God’s name something that is a cursed action?

What are some ways that people misuse God’s name today?

How can we avoid doing that in our lives?

Why does God list all the people and animals he does in discussing the topic of the Sabbath?

How can we live this principle in our lives today? When is your time of rest during the week?

Why is there a specific blessing tied to honoring our parents?

How do you show honor to your parents in your life?

What does it show us about God’s values that he specifically outlaws murder?

What are some ways that we struggle with these values other than direct personal violence?

What does it show us about God’s values that he outlaws adultery?

What are ways people struggle with idolatry other than direct marital unfaithfulness?

Why does God outlaw stealing? What are ways people steal besides direct theft?

What does it mean to give false testimony about something? Why would that be illegal?

What are ways people break the principle of honesty besides basic perjury?

Why is it wrong to covet what your neighbor has? What does it mean to covet something?

What value does this list have for Christians who live under God’s grace? Do these principles ever change?

Of which do you need to specifically repent to better reflect the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life?

Who do you have who can help to hold you accountable in these areas?

Living Life God’s Way

Deuteronomy 5: 1 - 22

Into what groupings would you split the commandments?

What is similar between the first four and the last six?

What are the grounds for God’s right to declare what is right and wrong in our lives?

What are some other gods that people tend to have in our society?

What are some other gods you tend to struggle with in your life?

What practical steps can you take to lay down false gods?

Why are people told not to make idols? How is artistic expression different than idol worship?

What boxes to we tend to place God into in our lives?

How can we free our vision of God from our own misconceptions of him?

How does it make sense that the punishment for idolatry goes into the future generations?

Why is it that loving God has a longer effect than disobeying him?

Why is misusing God’s name something that is a cursed action?

What are some ways that people misuse God’s name today?

How can we avoid doing that in our lives?

Why does God list all the people and animals he does in discussing the topic of the Sabbath?

How can we live this principle in our lives today? When is your time of rest during the week?

Why is there a specific blessing tied to honoring our parents?

How do you show honor to your parents in your life?

What does it show us about God’s values that he specifically outlaws murder?

What are some ways that we struggle with these values other than direct personal violence?

What does it show us about God’s values that he outlaws adultery?

What are ways people struggle with idolatry other than direct marital unfaithfulness?

Why does God outlaw stealing? What are ways people steal besides direct theft?

What does it mean to give false testimony about something? Why would that be illegal?

What are ways people break the principle of honesty besides basic perjury?

Why is it wrong to covet what your neighbor has? What does it mean to covet something?

What value does this list have for Christians who live under God’s grace? Do these principles ever change?

Of which do you need to specifically repent to better reflect the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life?

Who do you have who can help to hold you accountable in these areas?

An Absolutely Unique Relationship

Deut 4: 1 – 40

Who was your best friend when you were growing up? What makes a best friend best?

Describe God’s role in making Israel a nation. Why is Moses recounting the story of God’s action in their lives? What are ways that you have experienced God’s grace in your life? What are some things that we learn about God in this passage? What is the unique relationship that God wants to have with Israel? What are some of the benefits of that relationship? Why does God show this kind of favor to them? What are some examples of ways God has shown you undeserved regard?

What are the primary expectations that God details for his people in his commands? Why is worshiping idols such a dangerous thing spiritually? Why is worshiping natural phenomenon particularly tempting? What are some false objects of worship we are drawn towards in our lives today? What warnings does Moses repeat throughout the passage? Why does he continue to remind them to pay attention? What are some forms of spiritual laziness that seep into our lives? What are some things of which you need to be mindful to help ensure your spiritual help?

Why does Moses include a description of the process of repentance in verses 25ff? Trace that process from its beginning to its conclusion? For what do you need to experience repentance in your lives today? What impact will the present generation have on the coming generations? Why does God entrust this responsibility to that generation? How can we better instruct our children in the ways of the Lord?