06: The Day of Atonement – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : The Day of Atonement services point forward to Christ’s work of investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary.
[Lesson plan for The Day of Atonement November 4, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 16:15,16,30.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What does the word “atonement” mean? Why does the Scripture say the atonement is necessary?
c. Personal Application : Is being judged a positive or negative thing according to the sanctuary service? How do you feel about living in the day of jusgment? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “If people had already confessed their sins and slain the animal throughout the year, why was there a need for a goat to be slain in the Most Holy Place for those same sins?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 16:32-34
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does this work on the Day of Atonement reveal about God’s justice, fairness, and mercy?
c. Personal Application: How can we learn not to remember our sins once they are forgiven? Why is it important to do so? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Since the Jews had to, as a group, afflict their souls and pray on the Day of Atonement; is there anything we, as His corporate church, should be doing during this time of judgment?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 16:20-22
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why is it necessary for Satan to bear the sins of the people he has led astray? Is he actually being punished for their sins, or just his part in the corporate commission of those sins?
c. Personal Application : If the scapegoat is Satan, to what event does leading the goat out into the wilderness represent? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “Some people think that you people teach that Satan is part of the salvation process. Is this true?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Numbers 29:11.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Since there was a sacrificial offering besides the Atonement offering, what does this tell us about forgiveness during the period of judgment?
b. Personal Application: What do you think God’s people will be like when judgment is over and probation closes and there is no mediator and no more forgiveness? Share your thoughts.
c. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.
(4)