Date: September 1, 2024
Key Scriptures: Joshua 20, Numbers 35

Facilitator Questions:
Themes: The need for refuge
Start thinking:  Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Why did God direct the people to establish cities of refuge in the land? How did the cities demonstrate His wisdom, judgment and mercy?
• What process did the people need to follow to be saved from the avenger of blood?
• What would have been the impacts on the person who needed refuge and on his family after someone else was killed unintentionally?
• Why did God distinguish between premeditated murder and accidental killing in providing for refuge? What does this teach us about Him?

Start sharing:  Choose a question to create openness.

• What are your thoughts about the ordinance of the cities of refuge? What questions does it raise for you?
• How much or how little would you have trusted the system to bring about justice, if you were either the guilty one or the avenger of blood?
• Hebrews 6:18-19 says, “… we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and confirmed….” How have you experienced Jesus as your place of refuge?
• How does considering Jesus as your place of refuge give you an anchor of the soul and a sure, confirmed hope?

Start praying:  Be bold and pray with power.

• Thank God for being the giver of life and for judging righteously when it is taken away.
• Praise Him for being true, holy, just, and good in every possible way.
• Thank Jesus for being our refuge and Savior, who gives us the way out of sin and destruction and the way into abundant, eternal life.
• Pray for justice and righteousness to prevail in our government, by God’s grace.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to move massively in many people’s hearts to bring them to repentance and to put a stop to the sins of abortion and other murders.

Start doing:  Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Pray every day “for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:2
• Pray every day for people in our community to find refuge in Jesus.