Weekly Teaching
Reflection
October 11th Reflection
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you most about the Day of Atonement? What was surprising, strange, beautiful, or difficult to understand?
We often think about sin primarily as guilt; something we have done wrong. How does the biblical image of sin as pollution or contamination expand the way you think about sin and its consequences?
The teaching described sin as leaving a residue not only in individuals but in relationships, communities, and the spaces we inhabit. Where have you seen this to be true?
The two goats give us two powerful pictures: sin is cleansed, and sin is carried away. Which of those images speaks most deeply to you right now? Why?
Leviticus 16:30 says, “It has been done for you.” What makes it difficult for us to rest and trust rather than feel like we have to fix ourselves, earn forgiveness, or make ourselves acceptable to God?
Hebrews says that Jesus cleanses us from a “guilty conscience” and invites us to “draw near.” What kinds of shame, fear, insecurity, or self-condemnation can keep people from drawing near to God?
The teaching says that the goal isn't simply that we are forgiven, but that we are formed by the presence of God. What might God be cleansing or removing in you so that you can become more like Jesus?
Hebrews immediately connects drawing near to God with “spur[ring] one another on toward love and good deeds” and continuing to meet together. How should experiencing God's grace change the way we live together as a community?
Scripture for Reflection
Leviticus 16:30
“Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins.”
Leviticus 16:21–22
“He shall confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness…”
Hebrews 10:19–22
“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…”
For Practice This Week: Rest and Release
Set aside 10–15 minutes sometime this week to sit quietly with Leviticus 16:30:
“Atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.”
Then ask:
What am I still carrying that God is inviting me to release?
What shame or fear keeps me from trusting that I am loved?
What do I need to stop trying to earn or fix?
What would it look like for me to simply receive God's grace?
End by praying: “God, I trust that you have made a way. Cleanse what needs to be cleansed. Carry away what I need to release. Teach me to draw near and trust your love.”
Then, sometime during the week, practice that trust in a concrete way. Receive forgiveness, offer forgiveness, rest instead of striving, make peace, or release something you've been carrying.
____________________________