By Michael C. Mack

1. Would you rather follow detailed instructions or wing it?

Read Ezekiel 43:13-21.

2. What’s your first impression about this passage?

3. Why would this message from God have been exciting and hopeful to Ezekiel and God’s people?

4. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace. . . . Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). What do these verses tell us about God?

5. The altar was built as the place where sin was dealt with. What do all these precise instructions, as well as the massive size of the altar, tell us about how significant and costly our sins and forgiveness are?

6. How would you compare this altar to the cross of Jesus? 

7. The New Testament says we are now God’s holy, royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9), called to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Jesus is our high priest who offered for all time one sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:11; 10:12). How do these facts help you put today’s passage into perspective?

8. How can we better prepare ourselves to worship God? (See John 4:23; Romans 12:1.)

Michael Mack is the author of 16 small group books and discussion guides. He also leads church training events and consults with churches through his ministry, Small Group Leadership (www.smallgroupleadership.com).