Week 12 - The Old Testament
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Family Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:
If you the Lord gave you 25 more years of life, what goals or hopes would you have for yourself in the future?
The Old Testament
Numbers 7-21
1. As you see the vast number of people in Israel at the beginning of Numbers, what do you think it would have been like to live in a tent encampment of so many in the middle of the desert for 40 years? Why do details of historical records matter, even if they don’t seem relevant?
2. Why do you think the tribes are arranged around the tabernacle? With the Levites surrounding it? What do you think it would have been like to be a Levite? Privileges? Joys? Difficulties? Temptations? What are the positives and negatives of your upbringing? Dwelling area? Work?
3. The death sentence is assigned to any outside the priesthood who approached the sanctuary (Numbers 3:10,38). Additionally, any of the Kohathites (who took “care of the most holy things” of the Tabernacle, Numbers 4:4) who looked “at the holy things, even for a moment” would die (Numbers 4:20). Does this sound too severe or extreme of a consequence? Why or why not?
4. Numbers 5 speaks of purity and repentance, as well as an extended way of determining if a woman had been adulterous (also to protect her from false accusations). How do these rules serve as a proactive warning? How do they fulfill God’s justice?
5. The Nazirite vow (no haircuts, alcohol, or touching of the dead, Numbers 6) is something you may be familiar with from the stories of Samson (Judges 13-16), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17). Although we may not enter into a lifelong vow like the Nazirites, the call of the Christian is a call to “separate himself to the Lord” (Numbers 6:2). What are some ways in which Christians stand out in your culture? What are the challenges of those commitments? Privileges? Joys?
6. Read Numbers 6:22-27. Are you familiar with this blessing? Where have you heard it? Why do you think it is so widely known and used in many church gatherings? What does it mean to ask for God’s “face shine upon you” and “countenance upon you”? What does it mean for God to be “gracious” to you? What sort of “peace” is ultimate?
7. Numbers 7 is a long list of offerings. Why does our attitude in giving matter? (2 Cor 9:6-7)
8. The cloud over the Tabernacle is describes in Numbers 9:15-23. What stands out to you? What do you think it would have been like to witness it in person? What would have entered into your mind if you heard the trumpets call to gather? Break camp and move? Go to war? Celebrate? (Numbers 10:1-10)
9. Moses is described as “very meek”, humbler than anyone “on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3). Is humility endeared and valued today? Why or why not?
10. Read Numbers 14:18. How does this description of God impact you? How have you seen the consequences and influences of sin pass on between generations in your family? Even though we can be forgiven by God for our sin, why do the consequences sometimes continue?
11. The tassels on the Israelites garments were a reminder of “all the commands of the Lord” (Numbers 15:39) so they might obey. What Scriptural reminders do we use today?
12. What similarities do you see between the sacrifice of the red heifer and Jesus? (Numbers 19)
13. What warnings do we get from Moses & Aaron’s striking of the rock for water? (Numbers 20)
General Discussion Questions
• Context Questions: Who is writing this? Who is it being written to? When? Why? What type of writing is this? How does this matter to my understanding of the meaning of these chapters?
• Application Questions: How do you need to respond to and apply these truths to your life? (Is there a sin to avoid? A command to obey? An example to follow? A prayer to offer? A truth to remember or memorize? An attitude to change? A teaching to share?)