PEACE THROUGH CHRIST’S BLOOD (EXODUS 21:33-22:15)

Theft and conflict break peace, but Christ's blood makes us whole.

• Theft & Conflict

• Making Whole

• Christ’s Blood

Discussion Starters

Monday—What is the fundamental attitude of theft or conflict? Why do you want to ‘win’ or be ‘right’?

Tuesday—How do theft and conflict break relationships? Why is justice insufficient to restore a broken relationship?

Wednesday—What is shalom? What other Scripture passages talk about shalom? Can you have shalom today?

Thursday—What is your deepest need? How does the cross address that need?

Friday—How does Christ’s love shape our relationships with each other?

Titus 3:12-15

How do we learn to devote ourselves to good works?

• Learning Self-Control

• Learning to Appreciate the Wisdom that Spans Generations

• Learning to Embrace the Ordinary

• Learning to Rest in God’s Grace

Discussion Starters

Monday—What is self-control? How can you grow to control your emotions, thoughts, and actions?

Tuesday—Why is it hard to accept advice from someone older than you? Why should you?

Wednesday—Does it always feel good or right to do the correct thing? Why or why not?

Thursday—Why should you do good works? Does God care if you obey him or not?

Friday—What does it mean to rest in God’s grace? How can you tell if you aren’t resting in his grace?

A LIFE FOR A LIFE (EXODUS 21:12-32)

God values life so highly that he lovingly gave his life in place of your life.

• God Values Life

• A Life Instead of a Life

• Good Instead of Evil

Discussion Starters

Monday—How do these laws reflect what God values? Are any of these laws unique or surprising?

Tuesday—What is repentance? What do you typically do instead of repent when you sin?

Wednesday—What does it mean, “an eye for an eye”? How does the world apply this principle? How does Jesus apply it?

Thursday—Was it just for Jesus to die on the cross? Why did he do it?

Friday—Do you seek revenge when someone hurts you? Is that right or wrong?

The Lord's goal is the freedom of his people, even though it's costly.

• Slavery & Freedom

• Sin & Forgiveness

• How Many Times Shall I Forgive?

Discussion Starters

Monday—How do these laws reflect God’s character?

Tuesday—Do these laws mean that God approves of slavery? Are there things in our society today that God likewise tolerates, yet they are wrong?

Wednesday—How does the New Testament apply the principles of these laws to us today?

Thursday—Why does sin incur debt against God? Can you repay those debts? What does repentance, then, from sin look like?

Friday—What does it mean to forgive? How can you forgive others when they sin against you?

True fear of God drives you to simple, pure worship, and there he comes to you and blesses you.

• Fear & Testing

• Simple & Pure

• There God Will Bless You

Discussion Starters

Monday—What is true fear of God? How can we fear him wrongly? Do demons fear God? Do you?

Tuesday—What does it mean for God to ‘test’ us? How have you seen him testing you in your life?

Wednesday—Why does Moses go into the darkness? What was significant about that event? What does it mean for you and your relationship to God?

Thursday—How should we worship God? What does this have to do with altars of dirt and fieldstone? Does this comfort you or convict you?

Friday—How does the Lord bless you in worship? Do you truly believe he is present? Is your worship truly transformed by this belief?

God has set you free from sin and death so that you may love your neighbor as yourself

• Freed from Sin

• Freed from Death

• Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

Discussion Starters

Monday—What has Jesus done for you? What sins has he freed you from? How has he freed you from death?

Tuesday—What is self-righteousness? What is self-loathing? How are they the same?

Wednesday—Why is loving your neighbor the ‘fulfillment’ of these commandments? Why should you love them ‘as yourself’?

Thursday—Does God care if you keep his commandments? What happens when you don’t?

Friday—Is God’s law truly a joy to your soul, or do you tend to view his law a burden or checklist? What’s wrong with seeing his law in those ways?

The Lord your God has served you, so serve him with all of your mind, heart, and life.

• Your God Has Served You

• Serve him with your mind

• Serve him with your heart

• Serve him with your life

• He serves you today

Discussion Starters

Monday—What does it mean that the Lord is YOUR God? Do you live, think, and pray believing that he is yours and you are his?

Tuesday—Why did the God who rules heaven and earth serve you, a slave? How does he serve you today?

Wednesday—What does it mean to serve God with your mind?

Thursday—What does it mean to serve God with your heart?

Friday—What does it mean to serve him with your ‘might’ or life?

The Lord is the King of the Earth who creates and unmakes with his voice, so surrender to him.

• The Voice of God

• Surrender to His Voice

• Surrender to His Word

Discussion Starters

Monday—How does the Lord rule over the Earth today? What manifestations of his kingdom do you see around you?

Tuesday—Why does the Lord create and unmake by his voice and words? Do your words have a similar, just much less potent, power?

Wednesday—Are there any areas of your life that you have not surrendered to the Lord your King? Why not?

Thursday—Why should you trust the Lord if he could break out at any moment and unmake you?

Friday—Why should you fear the Lord and not take his Word lightly? How can you revere his Word better?

While we await the return of Jesus, our lives are to be characterized by sacrificial love toward God and others.

• God’s Blessings (vv. 23-24; 28)

• Loving God with Your Heart, Mind, and Strength (vv. 16-22)

  • Heart and Soul (vv. 16-19)

  • Mind (vv. 20-21)

  • Strength / Life (v. 22)

• Love Your Neighbor as Yourself (vv. 12-15, 25-27)

  • Heart and Soul (vv. 13-14)

  • Mind (v. 27)

  • Strength / Life (v. 12-15, 25)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you heard much encouragement for self-love and self-care recently? Do you think Americans are too giving? Too sacrificial? Too concerned about serving others?

Tuesday—Why does verse 23 call God “the God of peace”? What are the blessings you have received from God?

Wednesday—What does it mean to love God with your heart? What does it mean to love your neighbor with your heart? (vv. 16-19) Where do you need to grow in this area? (vv. 13-14)

Thursday—What does it mean to love God with your mind?(vv. 20-21) What does it mean to love your neighbor with your mind? (v. 27) Where do you need to grow in this area?

Friday—What does it mean to love God with your strength? (v. 22) What does it mean to love your neighbor with your strength? (vv. 12-15, 25) Where do you need to grow in this area?

You don’t need to worry about when the Lord is coming so long as you are ready for him to return.

• How Much Longer? (v. 1)

• The Present Age (vv. 2-5, 7)

• The Age to which we Belong (vv. 4-10)

• Waiting for Jesus (vv. 1, 6-11; cf. Matthew 25:1-13)