Bgroup Lesson Jan 19
Big Idea: God has called us all to be royal priests. Many times we don’t see ourselves as God sees us. We see ourselves as average and distant from God. But He sees us as royalty! God called Aaron, an ordinary man, to become the first High Priest. He was called to be different and set apart. We’ve been set apart as well to be a kingdom of Priests! When we have an accurate understanding of who we are and our authority in Christ, we’re able to come boldly into His presence and believe Him for big things in prayer!
Key Scriptures:
Hebrews 4:14-16 - So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 10:19-22 - And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
The cost or wages of sin is death. If you sin, the penalty is death. The proof that life has been given, is blood shed. Blood is the proof of death. In the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed and their blood was shed in order to pay the price and fulfill our punishment. Jesus came as the substitute for us! He gave His life to forgive us, pay the sin debt we incurred, & give us access to the very presence of God.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a Jewish holiday that is considered the holiest day of the year. It was a day where the priest would make atonement for all the sins of the people for an entire year. He would undergo seven days of ceremonies beforehand to ensure he was holy and prepared to enter the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement. The priest’s job on this special day was to come before the Lord and secure atonement for the sins of the people through shedding blood of bulls and goats. Aaron was a picture of Christ, our great High Priest who made atonement for our sins once and for all through His death on the Cross and shedding His blood!
Leviticus 17:11 - For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
Have you ever tried to sneak in somewhere you weren’t supposed to be? Maybe you snuck into a movie theater without purchasing a ticket? Or got on a bus without paying the fare? When you don’t pay the price for admission you’re going to be shy and uncomfortable, because you know you’re there illegally. But if you pay the price, you have no problem expecting the amenities because you understand you are entitled to all of it!
Shame causes us to feel timid about coming into the presence of God. The blood of Jesus has washed away all shame! God the Father doesn’t see our wrong attitudes, unholy speech, or sinful actions when he looks at us. Instead, He sees the perfection of His son, and His blood when He looks at us!
We shy away from the presence of God because we feel we don’t measure up. But that is a lie of the enemy. We are a NEW creation in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) God desires us and wants us to be with Him. He wanted us so much that He was willing to pay the highest price for us to be part of His family. So come boldly into His presence!
Discussion Questions: What keeps you from coming into the presence of God, boldly? Have you allowed His blood to fully cover your past? Or are you still dealing with shame from previous mistakes and sin? Declare 2 Corinthians 5:21 over yourself - For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for MY sin, so that I could be made right with God through Christ Jesus!
If you’re gonna come into the Presence of God don’t pray small prayers. Pray BIG prayers! Our prayers, like the scent and smoke of incense, fills the atmosphere of the throne room with faith! If we don’t ask God for things, we won’t receive. (James 4:2-3)
The prayer life of an immature believer is generally self-centered. “Lord help me. Lord, I need this…” When you begin to mature in the Lord you begin to pray about the needs of others. Don’t just pray big prayers for yourself but be a mediator for others! Intercede for the needs of others with the same enthusiasm you would for a personal need.
Genesis 18:32- Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there? And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
Exodus 32:31-32 - So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”
Hebrews 7:24-25 - But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Ask God for BIG things when you pray! Ask Him for salvation, healing, provision, deliverance, and restoration. We have to think and pray bigger. He is the God of the impossible, so ask Him for the impossible to be realized in your life and the life of those around you! Ask for miracles!! He wants to answer your prayers and do miraculous things in your life.
Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
Nehemiah was sad because the city of Jerusalem was in ruins. The King asked Nehemiah, “How can I help you?” Nehemiah asked the King for all he needed and the King granted him his request. Our King is ready and willing to help us, we need only ask!
Discussion Questions: Do you find it hard to bring needs to the Lord in prayer? Are you shy or timid when you ask Him for things? What are you asking God to do in your life this year? How do you feel knowing Jesus is interceding for you right now? How does that increase your faith or settle your heart in the midst of trials or adversity?
Let 2025 be a year where you come boldly into the presence of God and you ask BIG! Grow in your identity and confidence in your role as a royal priest. Spend more time in His presence this year. Grow in your faith to ask God for the impossible and expect miracles. Grow in intercession for others - keep a list of prayer requests that come to you. Track those requests and the miracle answers that come in 2025!