Atonement

What’s a scapegoat?

Leviticus describes two goats that play a role in the “Day of Atonement.” In this book, Aaron, the High Priest would lay both hands on one of the animals, placing the sins of all Israel on its head. Then the animal would be led out of the camp and into the wilderness. In this way, the goat symbolically bears the sins of the people in their place and is separated from them.

The other goat is slaughtered and its blood is taken behind the curtain of the Most Holy Place and sprinkled on the atonement cover of the ark of the covenant.

So, what does this have to do with atonement?
Glad you asked.

The reason for what happens to the goats is to provide atonement. The word, atone means to make amends (when something is mended it is made whole or one) for a wrong; this action makes the situation whole again or at one. In our case, we are under judgment from God for our wrongdoing and are not at one with Him. If atonement (at one ment) is successful, the relationship is restored, made whole, at one.

Because all people sin and are themselves sinners, God’s justice demands a penalty be paid. Luckily, a scapegoat has been provided to take our blame. That scapegoat is represented in Jesus. The death of Jesus satisfies both God’s justice and His love in that sin gets punished and the people He loves get forgiven.

There have been many people over history (Ghandi, Buddha, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, etc.) who have spoken of and taught ways to live better lives, ways to treat others properly in society, and even ways to achieve fulfillment and happiness in this life. The one thing these people can't do is pay the debt that you owe (make atonement) for your own sin. You need a scapegoat that can bear your blame and suffer in your place. Only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus has done that. If you don’t accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers, you don’t get forgiven. It’s that simple.

Definition of Scapegoat: One that bears the blame for others; a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place.

Definition of Atonement: Compensation for a wrong; something done to make amends for wrongdoing, Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.

Have your sins been placed on the head of Jesus?

Leader Guide Week of 7-27-08 / 1John 1:5-10

Small Group Leaders Guide
July 27, 2008

Walking In Light
1John 1:5-10

Getting Started:
1. What is darkness? Do you think it is a thing in itself?

• This is more of a philosophical question dealing with the "ontology" of darkness. In other words, what is the nature of darkness in and of itself? Some would say that darkness is not a thing in itself but that it is a privation (lack) of something else. In this case, light. In a similar way, some say that evil is not a thing in itself but the privation (lack) of good. This is interesting to think about as it pertains to "the fall," "original sin," and the existence of evil in the world.
  

Going Deeper:
2. Read 1John 1:5. Is God light? Why do you think John uses the term, “light” to describe God? In what ways do you think light is a good way to describe Him?

• God is light but light is not God. I think the best way to understand the use of the word light, here, is to look at John’s usage of two contrasting metaphors. You find them in verses 6 and 7. There, he uses the term “walking in” to mean the intentional moving forward in a way of life and he contrasts walking in light to walking in darkness. It seems that walking in light means living life in a way that is in accordance with truth. Specifically, the truth of God in Jesus Christ and His Word. The source of all truth is God and it is in the truth of God that we can find light to see clearly.
• To describe God in all His majesty is impossible in human terms, in fact God says in Exodus that no man can look on His face and live. The closest we come to the sheer brilliance of His glory, is using the description of light. Just as a powerful, pure light is difficult to look on , so is God impossible to look on in all His glory. –Tom Wengert

3. Share some other Bible passages that contrast light and darkness. Does reading these passages add “light” to the passage we’re studying in 1John?

• Proverbs 4:18-19
• Psalm 56:13
• John 1:4
• John 3:19-20
• 2Corinthians 4:4-6
• Ephesians 5:8-9
• Psalm 27:1
• Psalm 139:11-12
• Psalm 18:28
• Psalm 36:9
• Isaiah 2:5
• Isaiah 60:19-20
• Luke 11:34-36

4. In 1John 1:6-7, John uses the terms, “walk in light” and “walk in darkness.” What does it mean to “walk” in light or in darkness?

5. In 1John 1:7, we see the phrase, “as He is in the light” what does this mean? How can a person walk in the light as “He” is in the light? Isn’t that setting the bar too high?

• Walking is a metaphor for the whole way of life. It brings out the truth that the Christian should make steady, if unspectacular, progress. To walk in the light is to live righteously day by day. Here it is reinforced in the strongest way possible: as He is in the light. It is just not good enough to live with our eyes firmly fixed on some decent but merely human standard; our model is Christ Himself.

6. Read 1John 1:8 and 10. Who is the liar in both of those verses?

7. In one case, John says that if we walk in darkness, we have no fellowship with God and do not live by the truth. In another case, he says that we all sin. (see verses 6 and 8) How can a person sin and still have fellowship with God? Is it even possible?

• In the previous questions we touch on the issue of metaphor. The “walking” metaphor symbolizes the living of life. John seems to be pointing out something that would be hard to miss and that we know intuitively. If a person’s actions and words don’t match, it’s likely to be the words that deceive. The contradiction between the two is usually easy to spot. Often, a person who evidences this type of contradiction would be called a hypocrite.

8. Read Matthew 5:14-16. Who is the “light” in this verse? In what way does this type of “light” shine?

• Christ is the true light. We have no capacity to generate any light of ourselves. Rather, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is Christ’s light that is reflected to those around us. And this is how we are a light to the world; through our words and actions. Our words are meaningless without actions that support them. He has chosen us to reflect Him. And our reflection of Him will draw others into the True Light. –Tom Wengert

9. In 1John 1:7, it says that the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. To whom is the word, “us” referring in this verse? Also read 1John 1:9 and answer the same question regarding the words, “we, our, us.” These pronouns refer to a specific group of people. To whom do they not refer?

• These words refer to the redeemed. They refer to those who have put their faith in Christ and have received the forgiveness of sins by His death on the cross. In as much as you are one of the redeemed, you can substitute your name where you see those pronouns.
• Those who have not been forgiven of sins cannot claim the promises we have been reading.

Putting it into practice:
10. In what way would you like to be a better reflection of the Light of Christ? Pray about this in your groups.

Quote Of The Week:
To be in the light of Christ, means His Word and Truth guide our lives; they show us what to do and where to go. Without them, living life is left up in the air; truth becomes a moving target and everyone has a target of his or her own. The Word of God shows us how to live our lives in a world full of darkness and how to draw near to God and the true Truth.
--Tom Wengert

Leader Guide Week of 7-20-08 / 1John 1:1-4

Small Group Leaders Guide
July 20, 2008

Walking In Light
1John 1:1-4

Getting Started:
1. Of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which were eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Christ on earth?

• Matthew and John. Mark may have encountered Jesus at some point (possibly in the garden of Gethsemane) but that is not clear. He was certainly not one of The Twelve and it is believed that his gospel was written based on what he heard from Peter.

Going Deeper:
2. What are three ways John, the author, personally experienced the “Word of life?”

• According to verse 1, he saw Him, heard Him and touched Him.

3. Read 1John 1:1 and John 1:1. In both of these verses, John uses the word, “beginning.” What is he talking about? Is he referring to the time before Jesus was born to Mary? When did Jesus begin to exist?

• Jesus has existed as long as God the Father has existed. In theological terms, we call this “Eternal Sonship.” In fact, there are passages which state that Jesus created all things. (Colossians 1:13-16, Hebrews 1:2, John 1:2-3)

4. Read John 14:6 and 1John 1:2. What do you think it means that Jesus is the life?

5. In 1John 1:3-4, John gives two reasons for writing this letter. What is the connection between the fellowship that John describes and “making our joy complete?”

6. The word, “proclaim” is used twice in 1John 1:1-4. Why do you think John feels the need to “proclaim?”

• I think you can try to answer this question at least two ways. You can look toward the historical setting and the heretical teaching of the time that John may be addressing. You could also look “into John’s heart” so to speak. I think the majesty and awe inspiring greatness of God’s glory in Christ are burdening John and filling him to overflowing in a way that causes him to feel he has to let it out! After all, he saw Him, heard Him and even touched Him!

7. John calls Jesus, the “Word.” How is this a good name for Jesus? Why do you think John uses this “nickname?”

• The most significant use of “word” in the Old Testament is in contexts where God’s revelatory word to man is clearly in view. Hundreds of times the phrase “the word of Yahweh” is found in the Old Testament, and there are hundreds more that speak of God’s sending His word to His people or that identify a particular message as a word from God. Psalm 18:30 says the word of God is flawless.
• The book of John opens with the statement that Jesus is the preexistent word, who was with God and was God from eternity (John 1:1). This person, the agent of creation and source of life, became flesh and lived among humanity. The use of “word” here, takes the Old Testament’s concept of the word of God and personalizes it, showing how fully God expresses Himself in revelation. The use of “word” bonds the natural and supernatural aspects of the written word. Jesus the living Word, like the written word, becomes the place of meeting, where God’s hidden glory is unveiled and the Father becomes known.
• What passages in the Bible can you find that describe the word of God? Which of those descriptions could also be applied to Jesus?

8. On Sunday, we talked about four ways that knowing God shows up in your life. (Walking in light, Walking in love, Walking in obedience, Walking in truth) Which of these do you struggle with most?

9. How would you describe Jesus’ relationship with John the apostle? What Bible passages would help answer this question?

• John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
• While Jesus maintained a close circle of 12 disciples, there was also an inner circle of 3. They were Peter, James and John. (Matthew 17:1, Mark 5:37, Mark 13:3, Mark 14:33, Luke 8:51, Galatians 2:9)
• John is called the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23, John 20:2, John 21:20)

Putting it into practice:
10. This week, pray in your groups about how knowing God shows up (or doesn’t show up) in your life. Ask Him for a renewed commitment to living your life in a way that increases your fellowship with the brotherhood of believers and with Jesus Himself.

Quote Of The Week:
If God does not enter your kitchen, there is something wrong with your kitchen. If you can't take God into your recreation, there is something wrong with your play….
We all believe in the God of the heroic. What we need most these days is the God of the humdrum, the commonplace, the everyday.
--Peter Marshall

Leader Guide 6-13-08 / John 4:34-35

Small Group Leaders Guide
July 13, 2008

Kingdom Eyes
Guest Speaker: Mike Giordano
John 4:34-35

Getting Started:
1. When was the last time you shared your faith with a non-believer? What was the result?
2. When was the last time you invited someone to come to church? What was the result?

Going Deeper:
3. What do you think the difference is between “go and tell” evangelism and “come and see” evangelism? Which are you more inclined to be a part of?

• “Go and tell” evangelism is simply personally sharing the Gospel message.
• “Come and see” evangelism is when you invite someone to a setting where the Gospel message is going to be communicated.

4. Find Biblical examples of “come and see” evangelism and share them with your group.

• John 4:28-29
• John 1:40-42
• Matthew 4:24

5. What makes the “Good News” good? How would you explain that to a non-believer?

6. Read John 4:34-35. Why do you think Jesus calls, doing the will of him who sent me, his “food.”

7. In the second half of verse 35, Jesus tells His disciples to look at the fields and that they are ripe for harvest. What is He talking about? What are the fields and what does it mean to be ripe for harvest?

8. Some people get nervous or shy when it comes to sharing the Gospel message. Why do you think this is? What are some practical suggestions you could give to overcome this type of fear?

• Pray that God would give you the words
• Practice what you would say
• Use sticky notes to mark your Bible
• Listen to audio or watch a video of some type of evangelism teaching (The Way of the Master might be good)
• Read a book about it. (Becoming a Contagious Christian might be good)

9. If you were going to share only 5 Bible passages that communicate the Gospel message, what would they be? Share them with your group.

10. Some people don’t even want to hear the good news. Why is that?

• John 3:19-20
• 1Corinthians 2:14

Putting it into practice:
11. This week, pray about a specific person that you could share the Gospel with. Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share and the words to say.


Quote Of The Week:
The gospel is good news only if it arrives in time.
--Carl F. H. Henry

Leader Guide 7-6-08 / Habakkuk 3:17-19

Small Group Leaders Guide
July 6, 2008

Two Ways To Be Miserable
Guest Speaker: Jake Magee
Habakkuk 3:17-19
1Peter 1:6-9

Getting Started:
1. In your life, what’s sure to steal your joy?


Going Deeper:
2. Read Habakkuk 3:17. How many things have to go wrong before you start feeling like the joy in your life is gone? As you continue reading the passage, what is Habakkuk’s response to what he is experiencing?

3. How does Habakkuk maintain the attitude described in verse 18? Take some time to read the first two chapters and describe how Habakkuk finally arrives at a place where he is rejoicing and being joyful in God.

• I think when Habakkuk begins to take his eyes off of his circumstances and put them on God is when God gives him a new perspective on what is happening.

4. According to the passage in 1Peter 1:6-9, how valuable is your faith? What connection is the passage making between faith and gold?

• The Greek for “refined” and “proved” is the same word. Even though gold is made pure and valuable through the refinement that comes by fire, it still perishes. Faith, on the other hand, gets refined in the fire of “grief in all kinds of trials” and does not perish but obtains the salvation of your eternal soul.

5. In Habakkuk 3:18, the prophet is rejoicing. When has suffering and trials brought rejoicing in your life? Should suffering and trials cause you to rejoice? What Scripture passages speak to this question?

• Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
• Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• 2Thessalonians 1:4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring 5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
• James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

6. Read Proverbs 4:23. What does it mean to guard your heart? What advice do you get from the verses that follow?

7. How does studying God’s Word help when you are feeling miserable? Share your favorite passages with your group.

8. Is joy something that happens to you or something you make happen? What about happiness? If you can make it happen, how do you do it?


Putting it into practice:
9. How hard is it to have joy for you right now? Who do you know that really needs to feel the joy of the Lord right now? Pray about that in your groups


Quote Of The Week:
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
--Helen Keller