Deuteronomy 12

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God Requires One Place for Worship

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The believer’s way of worship is different than the unbeliever’s.

  2. The believer’s way of life is different than the unbeliever’s.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. “What makes you different?” is really a compliment!

QUESTIONS

  1. What is the emphasis of Deuteronomy 12?

  2. What does Deuteronomy 12:1 teach us about the Land of Promise and the Children of Israel?

  3. Why did God command the people to establish a central sanctuary in the Promised Land?

  4. Which cities served as this central place of worship over the years?

  5. How were the Children of Israel supposed to handle the blood of animals?

ANSWERS

  1. How God’s people were to be different from the surrounding pagan people in their way of worship and in their way of life.

  2. The Land of Promise was given to the Children of Israel as long as they would live on this earth – not as long as they kept the Mosaic covenant. It was given to them under the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant.

  3. In the wilderness the tribes were all camped around the tabernacle, but when they entered the Land they would be spread out at quite some distance from one another. God instructed them to establish a central place of worship at which to gather.

  4. During the time of the conquest the Tabernacle was located at Gilgal. During the time of the judges the Tabernacle was located at Shiloh before it was moved to Gibeon. When David came to the throne, Jerusalem was chosen by God to be the central place of worship.

  5. Animals killed for food at home were to have the blood drained, because blood represented life and blood would be the ransom price for sin (Leviticus 17:11). Not eating or drinking the blood of an animal recognized the sacredness of blood and God’s view of the blood.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. How is the believer’s way of worship different than the unbeliever’s? If we believe there is only one God and one way to worship Him- to come through Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and Man (1 Timothy 2:5), what difference should this make in our worship?

  2. Discuss the claim that you need to know about the practices of unbelievers to witness to them effectively. How do Romans 16:19 and Ephesians 5:1-4relate to this discussion?

CHALLENGE

  1. As Christians, we will be different from this world if we live our lives in line with the Bible. Our priorities will be different. Our behaviors will be different. Our jokes will be different. Our entertainment will be different. Are yours?

KEY VERSES

  • “Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but in the place which the Lord chooses.” Deuteronomy 12:13-14

  • “Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’” Deuteronomy 12:30

Deuteronomy, TalksRon ReidDEUTERONOMY 12