By Michael C. Mack

1. What is the most special Christmas gift you’ve ever received? What makes a gift special to you? 

Read Leviticus 22:17-25, 31-33. 

2. The phrase, “I am the Lord,” and the word holy are each used three times in the final three verses. How do they relate to the commandments in verses 17-25? 

3. What overarching principles do you take from this passage? 

4. These sacrifices without defect look backward and forward: backward to mankind before the fall and forward to Jesus. How is the gospel message portrayed here?

5. When someone brings less than the best offering to God, what are they saying about what they believe about the nature of God? What are they saying about the relationship they want to have with God?

6. What motivation or heart is God looking for? (See Deuteronomy 6:5.)

7. What are some examples of what makes modern-day gifts acceptable or unacceptable to God in the following instances: financial giving, charitable giving, serving others at church, serving people in your community?

Michael Mack leads church training events and consults with churches through his ministry, Small Group Leadership (www.smallgroupleadership.com).