1.The author suggests that the Bible is like the picture of Narnia in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. How are they similar?
2.Have you ever had the experience of being drawn into the biblical story? What was it like?
3.In your opinion, do laws take away freedom?
4.What are some differences between laws in the Bible and laws today?
5.What parts of the Old Testament do you find most difficult to swallow?
Read Exodus 13–18.
1.According to the author, why is it important for us to pay attention to where the Old Testament laws appear in the overall story?
2.How does da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper relate to the Sinai narratives?
3.Do you think Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a helpful way to think about Israel’s wilderness journey? Why or why not?
4.Have you had a time when you’ve experienced liminality—lingering (or languishing!) between one stage of life and another? If so, what was it like for you?
5.How has God proved himself by providing for your needs?
Read Exodus 19; Psalm 19.
1.Why would the law given at Sinai be good news for the Israelites? How is it an expression of grace?
2.According to this chapter, what qualifications for leadership does Moses have?
3.What does the title segullah imply about Israel’s identity and vocation?
4.The author claims that “true freedom requires clearly communicated boundaries.” Can you think of examples of how this is still true today?
5.Is there a healthy boundary or law that you’ve been resisting?
6.The author tells about a time when a mentor expressed confidence that she would graduate. Share about a time when someone said something about you, good or bad, that changed your trajectory.
Read Exodus 20.
1.According to the author, why are the Ten Commandments inscribed on two tablets?
2.Are other nations expected to obey the law given at Sinai? Why or why not?
3.How does the “preamble” to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2) affect our understanding of the commands?
4.Before reading this book, what did you think the command “not to take the LORD’s name in vain” (Exodus 20:7) prohibited?
5.If the author is right that the Name Command has to do with bearing the name and not just speaking it, can you give examples of how Christians in your society violate this command?
6.In your opinion, what might be the benefits and pitfalls of Christians today observing the Sabbath?
Read Exodus 24–30, 32; Leviticus 1–9.
1.The author suggests that “the law is not the be all and end all for Israel.” How did God anticipate Israel’s need for ongoing guidance?
2.Why is the sprinkling of blood a profound symbol for the Israelites?
3.Like Aaron with the golden calf, it’s tempting to minimize our own participation in rebellion. In your opinion, what motivates us to do this?
4.Why are the tabernacle instructions “a matter of national security”?
5.How are the tabernacle blueprints an expression of God’s grace?
6.If you lived in ancient Israel, which role in the building or operating of the tabernacle would you most enjoy (artistic design, weaving, engraving, building, carrying, lighting the lamps, offering sacrifices)?
7.Does your current job require strict adherence to procedure, like the Israelite priests, or innovation and creativity? Would you find the sacrificial system reassuring or constrictive?
Read Exodus 12, 33–34; Numbers 1–2, 6–7; Deuteronomy 8.
1.According to the author, why would the lists of names in Numbers have been exhilarating to the ancient Israelites?
2.How does the blessing the priests pronounce over the people in Numbers 6:24-27 relate to the command not to bear Yahweh’s name in vain?
3.What makes a family tradition memorable?
4.The author mentioned several different ways to understand the number of Israelites who left Egypt. Which explanation do you find most plausible?
5.As a group, spend a few moments in quiet reflection considering this question: What picture comes to your mind when you think about God? Share what you see and how it has changed over time.
6.How does your picture of God compare with the way God reveals himself at Sinai?
1.The author claims that a painting is not necessarily less historical than a photograph. How can this be true?
2.How can the Bible present reliable history as well as transcend history by becoming part of our own story?
3.What truths from Part One of the book have been most thought provoking or revolutionary for you?
Read Numbers 11–14, 16; Deuteronomy 5, 26; Joshua 1–2, 2 Samuel 7; 1 Kings 8.
1.According to the author, what makes Mount Zion impressive?
2.What is the significance of Moses’ statement in Deuteronomy 5:1-4?
3.How are Rahab and the Gibeonites the beginning fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham?
4.Why do you think the Israelites and their leaders had such a hard time remaining faithful to Yahweh?
5.In what ways have you been your own worst enemy?
Read 1 Kings 18–19; Jeremiah 7, 31; Daniel 9.
1.In what way is Elijah’s victory at Mount Carmel an affront to Baal as well as to King Ahab?
2.What problem does the exile cause for Yahweh and what is his solution?
3.Why do you think God uses agricultural imagery to depict the consequences of rebellion as well as the blessings of obedience?
4.Ancient Israel is not the only religious community guilty of hypocrisy. If Jeremiah showed up at your church this Sunday and preached in the doorway as he did in Israel’s temple, what forms of hypocrisy do you think he would call to account?
5.Have you known someone like Joanne who lives a life of ordinary faithfulness?
6.Share about a time when you felt stuck and needed a fresh start.
Read Matthew 4–7, 12, 17.
1.What does it mean when Jesus prays “hallowed be your name”?
2.How can Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness serve as a model for us today?
3.In what ways is Jesus greater than Moses?
4.What did you find most surprising in this chapter?
5.According to the author, why do Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration?
Read Acts 9; Galatians 3–4; Philippians 2; Hebrews 1, 12; 1 Peter 4.
1.Explain the significance of Peter’s quote of Joel 2 in reference to Jesus.
2.How is the biblical concept of election like a game of blob tag?
3.How can we reconcile Paul’s negative statements about the law with the author’s claim that the law is a gift?
4.Pastor Alvin Beuchert claims, “Jesus finished all the work God gave him to do, but he did not finish all the work.” From your perspective, what work remains to be done?
5.Is glory always preceded by suffering?
6.Have you experienced suffering for your faith?
Read Deuteronomy 30, 32; Acts 10–11, 15; Romans 1, 5; 1 Peter 2; Revelation 7, 14.
1.Why is it audacious for Peter to call his readers “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s treasured possession” (1 Peter 2:9-10)?
2.On what two criteria does James base his conclusion that Gentiles who follow Jesus are now included in the covenant?
3.Israel is called God’s “firstborn son” and King David is called God’s “son” as well. How does this covenant background of the concept of “sonship” shape our understanding of what it means for Jesus to be the “Son of God”?
4.Many people think of religion as a private matter. How does the concept of bearing Yahweh’s name or bearing Jesus’ name challenge that notion?
5.Which of the practical applications from Peter’s letter listed in this chapter do you find most challenging?
6.Choose a law given at Sinai and discuss how you could express its wisdom in your current cultural context (e.g., Exodus 21:33; 22:29; or 23:4-5).
1.The author claims, “Faith is not just private and salvation is not just personal.” What evidence can you give for this from your experience?
2.Can you think of a recent example of when Christianity got a bad name because of the way that a single Christian behaved?
3.What area of your life needs to change because you bear the name of Yahweh?
4.How can you take more seriously your identity as a member of a whole community of those who belong to Jesus? What would it look like to participate more fully?
5.What truths from Part Two of the book have been most thought provoking for you?