Questions to Ponder:

1. The word “holy” is a loaded, religious word. Have you ever met someone who acted “holier than thou”? How did it make you feel? Have you ever been accused of being too “religious” or “holy”?

2. Story #1 is “Moses and the Bush,” the very first time the word holy is used in the Bible. What do we learn about holiness from this story? Why does Moses need to remove his sandals to approach God? Do you ever feel that something is keeping you from getting closer to God?

3. Story #2 is “Israel and the Tent.” What does the tabernacle teach us about God’s desire to be close to us? What systems and rituals did Israel create in order to mediate God’s holiness? What do you think God meant when he said “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45). How are you doing at “being holy?”

4. Story #3 is “Isaiah and the Coal” where God teaches Isaiah something new about holiness. Isaiah felt unworthy and afraid to be in God’s presence. Have you ever felt this way? How does Isaiah’s experience with God’s holy coal change the way we approach God and understand his holiness?

5. Story #4 is “Jesus and the Leper” where we see how in Jesus, God’s qadosh (holiness) flows into people’s lives, healing them. What happened when Jesus approached and touched people? Can you think of other stories where Jesus’ touch transformed a person’s life? Have you experienced the healing power of Jesus’ holiness?

6. In the end, is holiness meant to separate us from people? How can we carry God’s healing holiness to our world? Have you ever experienced the transforming holiness of God through the presence of another person?


Closing Prayer:
Loving God, open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.