Week 1 — The Way Back To God

Leviticus 1

Leviticus begins with God moving toward His people. Humanity has brought sin, chaos, and separation into God's creation, yet God does not give up. He provides a way for His people to be with Him.

The burnt offering teaches us that God is holy, sin is serious, and yet God graciously provides a way for His people to return their lives to Him.

God makes a way for His people to be with Him, and our response is to give our whole lives back to Him in worship.

1. See the God Who Pursues

Leviticus begins with God calling Moses and speaking from the tent of meeting. God is the one who initiates. Humanity has repeatedly moved away from God, yet God continues moving toward humanity.

God is not finished with His creation. He is committed to bringing His people into new life and restoring His dwelling with them.

Questions:

  • What do you learn about God's character from the way Leviticus begins?

  • Why is it significant that God initiates the conversation with His people?

  • Where do you see humanity moving away from God in Genesis and Exodus?

  • How does it encourage you to know that God does not stop pursuing His people?

2. Receive the Way God Provides

God gives Israel a way to approach Him through sacrifice. The worshiper identifies with the animal, and the offering is accepted “to make atonement for him.” The blood represents the life given on the altar.

God provides different animals for the offering, making a way for people of different circumstances to approach Him. The point is not ultimately the bull, sheep, goat, or bird. God is providing a way for His people to be with Him.

Ultimately, these sacrifices point us toward Christ, who gives His own life for His people and brings us into the presence of God.

Questions:

  • What does the sacrifice teach us about the seriousness of sin?

  • Why is it important that God provides the way for atonement?

  • What does the variety of offerings teach us about God's provision?

  • How does Leviticus 1 point you toward what Christ would ultimately do?

3. Give Your Whole Life in Worship

The burnt offering was given completely to God. It was costly, it was without blemish, and it was offered according to God's instructions. The result was a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord.

The goal is not merely to give God an animal or our possessions. God is after our lives. He wants His people to know Him, belong to Him, and live with Him.

Because Christ has given Himself for us, our response is to give our whole lives back to God.

Questions:

  • What does it practically mean to worship God with your entire life?

  • What areas of your life are easiest to surrender to God? Which are hardest?

  • How can your time, possessions, relationships, work, and resources become worship?

  • What would it look like this week for your life to be a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord?

Gospel Connection

Leviticus points us toward Jesus.

The sacrifices provided a temporary way for God's people to approach Him, but Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. He gives His own life, bears sin in His body, rises from the dead, enters the presence of God, and appears before God on behalf of His people.

The gospel is not simply that Jesus saves us from punishment. Jesus restores us to God.

He has given His life for us so that our lives might belong to Him and we might be with Him.