Session 12
Leviticus 16:1-10,29-30
Memory Verse: Leviticus 16:30
The Old Testament, especially Leviticus 16,
shows us that the path to God’s throne is impassable unless He brings us to Himself.
Jews call the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur.
It represents a day of confession and forgiveness.
For ten days, devout Jews spend time in reflection and repentance as they observe Rosh Hashanah.
This leads them into Yom Kippur.
For Christ followers, the Day of Atonement is a picture of what Christ accomplished on the cross.
The sacrifice in the holy place points us
to the Lamb who was slain for our sins on the cross.
It’s a reminder that we can only find forgiveness through Christ.
Remember living rooms?
These were always different and separate from a family room or den.
The living room was used only for special occasions.
It always had the nicest furniture in the house, furniture the kids were not to play on!
It was set off by itself, typically behind closed doors.
You knew if the doors were all opened and the lamps were turned on, someone special was coming over, somebody your parents considered to be a special guest.
And if you were allowed in, you knew to be on your best behavior! (PSG, p. 109)
The tabernacle provided a special meeting place for Israel.
Note that both the priests and the people had a responsibility to approach God properly.
Remind the group of what happened when Nadab and Abihu failed to approach God with the proper respect.
This session continues to examine the primary theme of Leviticus:
holiness.
In particular, it focuses on the most holy day of the Jewish year.
As you reflect on these verses, consider what it means to be “holy” today
and how you can embrace holiness in your life each day.