Numbers for People Who Aren't Numbers People (An Overview): Numbers 1:1-3//Jan 27, 2019

(Optional: view this overview of Numbers by The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zebxH-5o-SQ. Based on this video, is there one part of the book of Numbers you are especially excited to study more deeply?)

1. Read Numbers 1:1-3. What do these verses tell us about the context of the book? How does that context help us understand the content of the book?

2. In his commentary on Numbers, Ian Duguid writes that the "story of the book of Numbers is written to people whose lives are lived between the accomplishing of their redemption and its consummation, between the exodus and the Promised Land." Explain how, as Christians, we find ourselves in a similar situation. How might that common experience help us relate to this book?

3. Read Genesis 12:1-3. What are the three components of God's covenant promised to Abram and his descendants? Discuss how God delivered on this promise in Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus -- and into Numbers. Is God still delivering on that promise? How?

4. Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. What does Paul want us to learn from the wilderness wanderings described in Numbers? How should we respond to his warnings?

5. Despite the Israelite's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful time and again -- refusing to give up on the promise He made to Abraham. Is there a situation in your life, right now, that seems hopeless? How do you need to be reminded of God's faithfulness, even when life seems bleak and barren, like a wilderness?

Radical Dignity for our unborn neighbors (Jan 20, 2019)

1. Read Psalm 139 together, focusing on verses 13-16. What verbs does David use to describe God's creative activity in the womb? How do those verbs shape our understanding of when life begins? What other thoughts do you have about this passage?

2. CBS News recently reported that Iceland is "eliminating Down Syndrome." Is that an accurate description of what's happening? Why or why not? What is biblical response to this news report? View story here (warning: some may find content disturbing): https://www.cbsnews.com/video/is-iceland-on-track-to-eliminate-down-syndrome/.

3. The Bible assumes continuity between embryonic people and the adults they grow up to be. As Princeton professor Robert George writes, “Christian believe that human embryos are, from the very beginning, human beings, sharing an identity with, though younger than, the older human beings they will grow up to become." Discuss this assertion in light of these biblical passages: Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 25:22, Luke 1:39-42. 

4. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls His people to be "the salt of the earth." In the ancient world, salt was useful because its presence halted the decay in meat as well as helping the taste of just about anything. In the same way, as Christian "salt," God immerses us in our communities to both halt the evil of abortion and help those parents who make the courageous and righteous choice to keep their child. Pastor Lee's baby box is a wonderful example of this kind of balance, in which he is urging parents to keep their children and providing a way to care for those very children. Here's a short video about his ministry in Seoul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=133&v=yTQ2VTf5vWc. What is your reaction to this video? How can we, as a church, demonstrate this kind of "saltiness" when it comes to loving our unborn neighbors.

5. Read Mark 10:13-16. What was Jesus' view of "unwanted children?" What about "unwanted adults" (See the Samaritan women in John 4 and Zacchaeus in Luke 17). Why were these adults unwanted by their communities? How has God shown His love for the unwanted in your life? (see Colossians 1:21-23, Romans 5:6-11)

Radical Dignity: January 13, 2019: discussion questions

Note: these questions are based on the last two Sunday morning sermons, both addressing the topic of human dignity.

1. Read Genesis 1:26-28. How do these verses give us a foundation for treating every human being with radical dignity? In what ways does our culture fail to do this? 

2. Read Job 31:15. What is the logic of Job's argument? On what basis does he treat his servant fairly and compassionately? How should this inform our own view of others, particularly the poor?

3. Read James 3:8-10. How should our common image-bearers affect our speech?

4.  Novelist Walker Percy gets at this in his  book, Lost in the Cosmos, when he observes this: “Why is it that the look of another person looking at you is different from everything else in the Cosmos? That is to say, looking at lions or tigers or Saturn or the Ring Nebula or at an owl or at another person from the side -- [that’s all] one thing -- but finding yourself looking in the eyes of another person looking at you is something else. And why is it that one can look at a lion or a planet or an owl or at someone's finger as long as one pleases, but looking into the eyes of another person is, if prolonged past a second, a perilous affair?” Based on what you've discussed so far, how would you answer his question? 

5. Now apply this biblical view of human dignity to the racial and ethnic divisions in our country. What should be the Christian starting point in these discussions? How might that change the conversation about race? 

6. Read Revelation 7:9-12. How does John's vision of heaven affect you? Why?