In the book of Numbers the people of God set out to enter the promised land but were derailed repeatedly by their own sin and idolatry. Each instance of the people's sin was followed by a consequence given by God. While the sin and consequences were ever present in the lives of God's people, so was God himself. The generation that left Egypt may have lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land, but God was still faithful to his promise to the nation. In Numbers we can see much of our own hearts reflected, as well as how God graciously allows consequences of our sin for our warning and guidance.


Application Questions:

1. Why might it be a good idea to make reading Numbers a regular part of your Bible reading plan? What is God doing in Numbers that you need to be regularly reminded of?
2. How can you experience consequences of your sin even when there is no condemnation for your sin because of Christ?
3. What are some ways that you have experienced consequences of your own sin?
4. How could God be using those consequences as a warning for you, and pointing you back to God?
5. How have you seen God redeem consequences in your life for his glory and your Christlikeness?

Now that God's people are set free from slavery, God must show them what it's like to have a relationship with Him. But how can a holy and perfect God have a relationship with sinful people? Leviticus shows us what that relationship looks like, both for the people of Israel and for us today: our need for a substitute, our need for forgiveness, and ultimately our need for God Himself.

Application Questions:

1. What the central focus of God in Leviticus (i.e. ​what is God doing?​)? ​
2. What does Leviticus tell us about ​who God is ​and ​who we are? ​
3. What is the difference between the ​feeling of guilt ​and the ​objective reality of guilt?​ ​
4. How does ​Christ incarnate​ the similarities and differences between the Levitical Law and the Law of Grace?
5. ​​What does this all mean ​for how we deal with our guilt and shame?

The book of Exodus continues the story of Genesis, following Abraham’s descendants into Egypt where they are delivered from slavery with God’s own power. God reveals more of himself as he rescues his people. We see God’s ultimate deliverance in Jesus, who brings a new exodus from slavery to sin and death. When Jesus is our deliverer, we find true freedom.


Application Questions:

1. Why is it powerful to think of the gospel as a new exodus? What makes it better and deeper than the first exodus?
2. How have you experienced sin as slavery? How have you experiences Jesus deliver you?
3. What are some ways you experience temptation “presenting the bait but hiding the hook”?
4.What can you do to “behold the lamb of God” more in your daily life to increase your joy and motivate an obedient life?

Genesis is an origin story, explaining where our universe and our species come from. It tells us why we are the way we are, and what we are meant to be. Surveying the book of Genesis shows us what it means to be human, and accounts for how complicated our hearts and our world really are. But more than anything, Genesis shows us the beginning of the plan of God to pursue us through promises that are fulfilled, one day, in Jesus himself.

Application Questions:

1. Do you think of God as your Creator, Judge, and source of joy?? What are some times you are particularly aware of those things? What are some ways your life would change if you remembered God that way throughout your day?
2. How do you explain the problems in our world and in your own life? When you complain, what do you complain about? How does the idea of sin help explain the world more fully than your usual explanations?
3. "To be truly happy is to know that you are loved." How does Jesus' sacrifice for us when we didn't deserve it assure you that you are loved? What makes you doubt that love? How would you be able to live more as God intended if you were assured that God loved you?