By Mike Mack

1. On a scale of 1-10, how much of a perfectionist are you? What evidence can you give for your self-evaluation? 

Read Leviticus 16:11-19. 

2. One definition for atonement is “reparation for an offense or injury.” How is that the same as and different from forgiveness? 

3. What words in this passage describe the spiritual condition of the Israelites? What do these words tell you about them and how God views our sin?

4. What inferences can you make about the fact that the high priest (Aaron) had to first make atonement for his own sins? 

5. Why did God take the sins of his people and the holiness of the tabernacle so seriously? 

6. To provide reparation for our sins, Jesus became our high priest as well as our atoning sacrifice. How is Jesus similar to and different from Aaron and other Old Testament high priests? (See Hebrews 2:17; 9:7-15; 10:1-12.) 

7. When you consider how seriously God takes your sins—so much that he sent his son to be the atoning sacrifice for them—what specifically do you sense you need to do in response? repent? confess to someone? get counseling or other help? pray?