The Bronze Serpent

SESSION 2 The Bronze Serpent

Summary and Goal

During their time of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites became ungrateful and impatient. As a consequence, God sent poisonous snakes into their camp. In response to their pleas for mercy, God commanded Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a staff. Whenever someone looked at the serpent, they were healed. Jesus later claimed this story pointed forward to His being lifted high on the cross. By trusting in His identification with sinners, we are given eternal life and are called to be His ambassadors. Main Passages Numbers 21:4-9 John 3:14-15 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Session Outline 1. The bronze serpent points to punishment for sin (Num. 21:4-9). 2. The bronze serpent points to Christ’s rescue from sin (John 3:14-15). 3. The bronze serpent points to the foundation for mission (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

Theological Theme Christ became sin to conquer sin. Christ Connection Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent lifted high on the pole and were healed, so also we look with faith upon Jesus Christ lifted high on the cross and are saved from the punishment of our sin. Missional Application Because Christ has become sin for us, God calls us to plead with others to look upon the cross and receive spiritual healing.

Date of My Bible Study: ______19

Introduction Begin by noting the human tendency to collect trinkets. If helpful, use the writer’s examples of a worry stone, a rabbit’s foot, and a four-leaf clover. (Perhaps you have such items and could pass them around, or similar such trinkets.) Then point out that as Christians, we believe in God’s sovereignty and providence rather than in “luck” (leader p. 22; personal study guide [PSG] p. 19).

What are some items or activities people turn to for comfort?

Recap the previous session on the Israelites’ refusal to enter the promised land and God’s condemnation of them (leader p. 22). Then summarize this session on the bronze serpent (leader p. 22; PSG p. 20).

1. The bronze serpent points to punishment for For Further sin (Num. 21:4-9). Discussion Point out that this story takes place in the 40th year of wilderness wandering, What are some of and the Israelites have been provided with everything they needed by God the overwhelming circumstances that you (leader p. 23). Read Numbers 21:4-9. Explain how the people’s rebellion in have allowed to guide you this instance shows up in a very simple word: impatient (leader pp. 23-24; in your past? PSG pp. 20-21). How have these circumstances caused you to demonstrate unbelief? When have you allowed impatience with God’s work in your life to cause you to grumble about what He has done?

What are some gifts we quickly take for granted?

Emphasize that the Israelites’ breaking their trust of God was a serious offense. While God was quick to act against this behavior, He nevertheless provided a way of restoration (leader pp. 24-25; PSG p. 21).

What is the significance of God’s command to the people to gaze at the snake?

What truths were the people to consider?

20 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 2. The bronze serpent points to Christ’s rescue from sin (John 3:14-15). Point 2 Option Have your group members Note that Jesus Himself referenced the story of the bronze serpent, using it to make a list on a piece of explain how the Son of Man must be lifted up. Read John 3:14-15. Talk about paper of things they have how the original story of the bronze serpent pointed to Jesus’ work and what substituted in the place of Christ in their lives. the phrase “lifted up” means in this passage (leader p. 25; PSG pp. 22-23). Encourage them to pray for wisdom and strength When you think about Jesus being lifted up on the cross, do to destroy the idols that might rise up in their lives. you think of this primarily as humiliation or exaltation? Why? (You might provide an opportunity for groups of How can it be both humiliation and exaltation at once? 2-3 to discuss what they have written for the sake of accountability, and Use Hezekiah’s experience with the bronze snake in 2 Kings 18 to highlight encourage the small groups to pray for one another.) our tendency to look to idols, not to the Savior. Further comment on Then have group members the eternal life Jesus provides to everyone who believes (leader pp. 26-27; tear up their lists and throw PSG pp. 23-24). them away. Conclude this option with prayer that we would destroy our idols and What sinful behavior might cause you to question God’s choose to look to Christ. wisdom in giving eternal life to “everyone” who believes in Jesus?

How can we fight against this tendency toward favoritism? For Further Discussion 3. The bronze serpent points to the foundation How does understanding for mission (2 Cor. 5:20-21). the character of God give us more power Ask a volunteer to read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. Describe the role of an as ambassadors for Christ? ambassador and how Christians are called to this work on behalf of God’s kingdom (leader p. 28; PSG p. 25). Consider enlisting a volunteer prior to the meeting to research and report on the qualifications and role of an ambassador.

What is the relationship between Christ’s becoming sin for us (v. 21) and our mission to plead with others to be reconciled to God (v. 20)? Christ Connection: Just as the Israelites looked upon Explain how 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us about the exchange made on the the bronze serpent lifted cross—Jesus exchanged His goodness for our wretchedness, and by our faith high on the pole and were in Him, we exchange our sin for His righteousness (leader p. 29; PSG p. 26). healed, so also we look with faith upon Jesus Christ lifted high on the cross What does Christ’s becoming sin for us communicate and are saved from the about God’s character and love? punishment of our sin...... Conclusion Missional Application: Because Christ has become Emphasize that Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrated a deep love for us, and sin for us, God calls us to this love compels us to proclaim that He has done everything necessary for plead with others to look upon the cross and receive sinners to be cleansed (leader p. 29; PSG p. 26). Apply the truths of this session spiritual healing. with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 27).

Session 2 21 Expanded Session Content The Bronze Serpent Session 2

Introduction Voices from At some point during my childhood, I was given a worry stone. I don’t the Church quite remember who gave it to me or why. But there it was in my junk “We know that Jesus drawer. It was a green, flat, teardrop-shaped stone that fit in the palm of read the Old Testament believing that it was all my hand. In the center of its shape was an indention where the holder of pointing to him. There the stone could rub his thumb against it. I didn’t carry it often. But I do were pointers and types and foreshadowings remember the sensation of moving my thumb back and forth across its everywhere. But we might smooth surface when I was nervous. It was the closest thing I had to a expect him to skip this one. It is shocking to compare rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover. the Son of Man to a snake. Throughout history, humans have demonstrated a tendency to collect But Jesus doesn’t skip this one. He goes out of trinkets we think will bring about good in our lives. It is the inherent his way to choose it to need we have to stave off bad circumstances. We know that life is not 1 help Nicodemus.” in our control, and we hope to find a way to convince the powers of the –John Piper universe to be kind to us. As Christians, we don’t believe in “luck,” but we do believe in God’s providence. By His power, He declares what is right, judges what is sin, and draws the rebellious back under His sovereignty. This was a lesson the Israelites needed often—as do we.

What are some items or activities people turn to for comfort?

Session Summary In the previous session, we saw how, after refusing the opportunity to enter the promised land because of a discouraging report brought by some Israelite spies, God’s people had been condemned to wander for 40 years. In this session, we see how during their time of wandering, the Israelites became ungrateful and impatient. As a consequence, God sent poisonous snakes into their camp. In response to their pleas for mercy, God commanded Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a staff. Whenever someone looked at the serpent, they were healed. Jesus later claimed this story pointed forward to His being lifted high on the cross. By trusting in His identification with sinners, we are given eternal life and are called to be His ambassadors.

22 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 1. The bronze serpent points to punishment for sin (Num. 21:4-9). Further The Israelite people had slavery behind them. But due to their Commentary unbelieving hearts, they had hardship before them. It was God’s heart for “The noun in Numbers 21:6 translated ‘snakes’ them to enter into the land that flowed with milk and honey. But the (Hebrew, nahash) is Israelites were more likely to believe in the overwhelming circumstances of found as far back as Genesis 3, referring to the the moment rather than in the sovereign God who guided them. We saw creature Satan used in the this play out in the last session when the people believed in the giants in temptation of Adam and Eve. The term translated the promised land rather than the God who promised the land. ‘poisonous’ (Hebrew, In the next scene we will explore, the Israelites are traveling toward the saraph) is related to the th word for ‘burning.’ The promised land in their 40 year of wandering. On the way, they have been reference is likely to the provided with everything they needed. Yet we will see how they spurned burning sensation at the site of the snakebite with the Lord’s provisions and affections by grumbling. the injection of venom, although some Bible 4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go scholars believe the reference is to the reddish around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. color of the snakes. In 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you Isaiah 6, seraphs were the fiery heavenly creatures brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food surrounding God’s 6 holy throne.” 3 and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then theL ord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many –Ken Easley people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the Voices from serpents from us.” So Moses Church History prayed for the people. 8 And “[The serpent] saved those the Lord said to Moses, “Make that looked upon it, not a fiery serpent and set it on because they believed it to live but because it a pole, and everyone who is was killed, and killed with bitten, when he sees it, shall it were the powers that 9 were subject to it, being live.” So Moses made a bronze destroyed as it deserved. serpent and set it on a pole. And what is the fitting epitaph for us?…You are And if a serpent bit anyone, overthrown by the cross. he would look at the bronze You are slain by him who is the giver of life.” 4 serpent and live. –Gregory of Nazianzus (circa 325-389) The people’s rebellion in this instance shows up in a very simple word: impatient. One commentator notes that the Hebrew phrase literally means “the soul [or temper] of the people became short.” 2 The group of people who had been miraculously delivered, fed, and clothed by God now turned on Him. In essence, they threw a preschooler-like fit before God because they didn’t like the food He provided.

Session 2 23 The people went far beyond doubt. They accused God and Moses of Further treachery. They imagined God had intentionally led them out of Egypt Commentary for the express purpose of killing them in the desert. It was a rebellion of “This incident looks back epic proportions. By stating such a claim, the people showed they doubted on two biblical narratives God’s character and His word. involving serpents. In Eden, God promised Satan (who There in the wilderness the people were replaying Adam and Eve’s sin had taken on the serpent’s in the garden. Eve gave in to the temptation to doubt God’s truthfulness. form) that he would one day be defeated (Gen. 3:15). Furthermore, she doubted that the Lord had her best interests in mind. The snake image lifted high The Israelites put themselves in the same position. Their impatience by Moses was a reminder of this promise. Also, revealed a lack of trust in God’s goodness. when Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh’s When have you allowed impatience with God’s work in your priests, Aaron’s staff (turned into a serpent) life to cause you to grumble about what He has done? devoured the priests’ staff- serpents, a foretaste of What are some gifts we quickly take for granted? the ultimate defeat of all false religion (Ex. 7:8-13). Unfortunately, however, In response to their rebellion, God acted quickly. He punished them. things God uses for good can become misused. It was the type of punishment that would strike fear into the heart of any The bronze snake image person. Suddenly, poisonous snakes were in the camp. Biting. Infecting. survived and became an object of worship. Perhaps Killing. The break in their trust of God was a serious offense. The Lord the people superstitiously did not take it lightly. When they spoke out against their circumstances, thought it had magical properties. Centuries they were speaking directly against God’s character. later, during the time of Modern-day readers may find it difficult to read about the punishment King Hezekiah, the thing was finally destroyed delivered against sin, but Scripture is clear: because God is committed to (2 Kings 18:4).” 5 redeeming and restoring all things, sin must be punished and wiped out. –Ken Easley Events like this remind us of the costly nature of sin. The Israelites had to once again learn that sin leads to death. As the rebellious people began to die, they cried to Moses for help. The man whom they accused of being in league with a God who had deceived Voices from Church History them would once again become their advocate. I wonder what Moses did. He may have shook his head, rolled his eyes, or simply sat down to weep “[God] promises that he would deliver from the over their continuous rebellion. But what we do know is that Moses was bites of the serpent… willing to plead the case of the guilty before the Lord. all those who believe in him who was to be put to Once God heard the people’s penitent cry, He provided a way of death by this sign, namely, restoration through their faith. In an act of divine irony, God instructed 6 the cross.” Moses to make a serpent of bronze and place it on a pole. If those bitten by –Justin Martyr (circa 100-165) the snakes on the ground would look to the snake that had been lifted up, they would be healed. The word for would“ look” in Hebrew does not mean a casual gaze or a quick glance. Rather, it indicates fixing your gaze upon something or to look intently. The idea is that the Israelites would have to concentrate their mind’s attention and heart’s affection.

24 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 People in the camp listened to the Lord’s word through Moses. As they suffered from poisonous injuries, they looked to the bronze serpent suspended in the air on a pole. As they gazed upon it intently, recovery occurred. Doubtless, it was a mystery to them. It is a mystery to us. God chose the symbol of their punishment for sin as the instrument of His mercy.

What is the significance of God’s command to the people to gaze at the snake?

What truths were the people to consider?

2. The bronze serpent points to Christ’s rescue from sin (John 3:14-15). Further The story of the Israelites’ lack of faith, punishment, and recovery is Commentary not one that stands on its own in biblical history. Jesus Himself referenced “The deepest point of connection between the this story. In John 3, we read of Jesus’ nighttime meeting with Nicodemus, bronze snake and Jesus a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews during the Roman Empire’s occupation was in the act of being ‘lifted up.’ Moses ‘lifted up’ of Israel. the snake on a pole so that Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be born again in order to all who were afflicted in the camp might look and live. enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was perplexed. What does being In the same way, ‘the Son “born again” mean? Is it physical? Is it spiritual? What will it mean to a of Man must be lifted up.’ The Greek verb for ‘lifted man who relies on his Jewish heritage? In answer to Nicodemus’ question, up’ (hypsoo) in its four Jesus pointed back through the annals of history to Numbers 21 and occurrences in this Gospel (cf. 8:28; 12:32,34) always explained how the Son of Man (a reference to Jesus Himself) must be combines the notions lifted up just like the bronze serpent. of being physically lifted up on the cross, with the notion of exaltation. This 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of is a theological adaptation Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. of the literal (‘to lift up’) and the figurative (‘to enhance’) meanings of the Packed into these two verses are several important ideas. First, we see verb. Even Isaiah brings together the themes of how the original story is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would accomplish being lifted up and being more than a thousand years later. When Moses lifted up the bronze glorified, and this in the context of the suffering serpent for the people to see, he was providing a remedy for all who would servant (Isa. 52:13–53:12, look at it. Now, Jesus is going to be lifted up for a much broader-reaching esp. 52:13 LXX).” 7 recovery. The work done through the bronze serpent was temporary. Jesus’ –D. A. Carson work would be permanent. Second, the word that is used in the Greek language for “lifted up” is not the pedestrian idea of simply holding something up to view. Rather, the Gospel writer employed a word that meant to exalt something. Not long after this encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus would be hanging on the cross. While there, He would fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of the divine Son of God, who is also fully human, serving as the payment for our sins. Christ would be exalted before the nations, and all who look to Him can live.

Session 2 25 When you think about Jesus being lifted up on the cross, do Voices from you think of this primarily as humiliation or exaltation? Why? Church History How can it be both humiliation and exaltation at once? “Whoever has been bitten by the snakes of sin need only gaze on Christ Jesus’ words to Nicodemus emphasized the centrality of His sacrifice. and have healing for the forgiveness of sins.” 8 Unfortunately, the human tendency is to look to idols, not to the Savior. –Augustine (354-430) Several centuries after the Numbers 21 episode, Hezekiah became king over Israel. He was a righteous king who destroyed the objects of idolatry in the kingdom. One item was the bronze serpent that Moses used in the desert. For all these years, the Israelites had kept it. At the time of Hezekiah taking the throne, “the people of Israel had made offerings to it” (2 Kings 18:4). The item that God used in one generation as His instrument of deliverance had become an object of worship in another generation. The people had forgotten God as the true deliverer and, as we are common to do, substituted an idol in His place. Comically though, the name assigned to the bronze snake was not something like “the Serpent Deliverer” or “Our Savior in the Wilderness.” Instead, it was the Hebrew word Nehushtan. Sound important? It’s not. It means…“a bronze thing.” Yes, the people of God, formed by Him, delivered by Him, and preserved by Him were wasting their time worshiping something they called in their native language “a bronze thing.” We might shake our heads at the silliness of the Israelites, but how often are we guilty of lifting up things other than Christ (“gold and silver things”) and making them the focus of our attention. Jesus, as He planned to go to the cross, would not become just one more “thing” for the history books. His body hanging upon the cross is not a relic for us to drag around or consider lightly. The bronze serpent offered temporary recovery. Everyone who was healed from the poison of the serpents still died eventually. Jesus was interested in a greater goal. Verse 15 tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus will gain eternal life. “Whoever” is a powerful word. With it, there are no exceptions. Every single person who believes in Jesus is included in the promise that follows. There are no other requirements. Morality, vocation, economics, and influence hold no importance. Rather, every person who will believe will be given eternal life. It was probably a shocking thought to Nicodemus. In the cool of that night, he was confronted with the idea that eternal life could be granted to the faithful Jewish priest and the pagan Roman ruler. Jesus was offering salvation to everyone, and that was revolutionary for Nicodemus.

26 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 It is likely revolutionary for all of us too. Many believe their sins are not to a level to exclude them from forgiveness. But that guy down the Voices from road who yells at his kids? Probably not him. Those people on the other the Church side of town who are so different from “us”? Maybe them, if they’ll “Jesus became what was conform to our way of life. The people on the other side of the world? Not killing us—sin itself—when he was lifted up on the much hope for them. Or so we think. Jesus declared that everyone— cross and thereby became without exception—who believes in Him will be granted eternal life. the remedy for sin.” 9 There is another perspective that we sometimes hold. It is about –Nancy Guthrie ourselves. We’ve met us. I get up in the morning and look in the mirror. What I see does not seem redeemable. It is not recoverable. After what I’ve done, is it possible that Jesus could include me in the “whoever”? The answer is a resounding yes. No matter your sin, your doubt, or your pain, God will grant you eternal life if you will look to the exalted Christ and believe. When you believe in Jesus, you will gain eternal life. That is the equation. It does not include a background check to see if you are worthy. You and I are not. A biblical knowledge quiz is not administered to see how serious a person has been about church attendance. There are no litmus tests or additional steps required. Jesus stated that you believe and He saves. Period. It is a beautifully guaranteed answer to our darkest problem of sin. When Jesus says that He will do a thing, then He does it. His nature of righteous integrity assures us that we can trust Him on it. The last phrase of this statement is that the believer in the exalted Son of Man will be granted “eternal life.” In His high priestly prayer, Jesus defined eternal life this way: And“ this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). As Christians, we are given an eternal relationship with the God who provides the payment for sin Himself—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The God who wants to save us and be known by us is the One who sent His willing Son to be hung like a snake upon a pole.

What sinful behavior might cause you to question God’s wisdom in giving eternal life to “everyone” who believes in Jesus?

How can we fight against this tendency toward favoritism?

Session 2 27 3. The bronze serpent points to the foundation Further for mission (2 Cor. 5:20-21). Commentary Having entered into a faith-based relationship with Jesus, we now “[Paul’s] practice was to receive another great privilege. In Christ, we receive a new identity and a tell others to be reconciled to God. Since Paul had new role. We point others toward the Christ, and we say, “Look and live!” to appeal to others to be reconciled, he did not 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal believe that the work of Christ automatically through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. reconciled every human 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we being to God. Christ’s saving work on the cross is might become the righteousness of God. sufficient for every human being, but it is effective only for those who believe. The apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Corinth to remind them As the imperative (be of this role—ambassador. No longer the ancient Hebrew wanderers in reconciled, from katallasso) indicates, those who hear a desert, they have become ambassadors for the King. It was a job that the gospel are responsible citizens of the teeming ancient city of Corinth would have understood to believe in Christ in order to become reconciled well. Corinth was a coastal city positioned on a major trade route between to God.” 10 Athens and Sparta. The city had emissaries from various political realms –Richard L. Pratt Jr. pass through on a regular basis. An ambassador’s role is straightforward. You represent a powerful ruler. The ambassador does not speak his own message but that of his king. He does not act on his own power but acts in the power of the Further Commentary kingdom where he is a citizen. Christians are called to this same work. We represent the King of glory, speak His message, and act on behalf of His Second Corinthians 5:21 can be understood kingdom. It is a right, a privilege, and a wonderful blessing. better in light of Paul’s teaching in other places What is the relationship between Christ’s becoming sin on “imputation,” that is, putting something in for us (v. 21) and our mission to plead with others to be someone else’s account. reconciled to God (v. 20)? “Crediting” or “reckoning” or “accounting” something to another person is a As Christ’s ambassadors, our work is to plead with those who are biblical concept found as outside of the kingdom to believe. We allow the Spirit of God to work early as Genesis 15:6 and Psalm 32:1-3. Romans 4 is through us to persuade the lost to find their hope in Christ. This is the Paul’s fullest development place where the message of God and the mission of God come alive in the of the notion. God imputed sin to Jesus, and He people of God. Whenever we say, “Be reconciled to God,” to a lost person, imputes righteousness it is an invitation for them to trust in the goodness of the King who has to sinners on the basis of faith. 11 done all of the reconciling work on their behalf.

28 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 Paul taught that the One who is completely perfect—our Savior Jesus—became sin on our behalf. In order to pay for our sin, Jesus allowed 99 Essential Himself to be overtaken by the weight and judgment of sin. He did this Christian Doctrines seemingly impossible work so that you and I can be reconciled to God. 36. Sin as Transgression By His work, an exchange is made. Jesus exchanged His goodness for The word transgression means “to cross over” our wretchedness. By our faith in Him, we exchange our sin for His or “to pass by” and is righteousness. Neither party deserves what they receive, but we benefit by often used in reference to transgressing God’s God’s great work for us. explicit commands. When Whenever a Christian says to a friend or enemy, “Be reconciled to God gives a specific command, as He did God,” it is so much more than what they could imagine. We are inviting with Adam and Eve in the lost to be found. The dying to be saved. The sinner to be made the garden of Eden, and when that command is righteous by the very character of God. disobeyed, transgression has taken place (Rom. 5:14; What does Christ’s becoming sin for us communicate 1 Tim. 2:14). In this sense, sin is law-breaking. about God’s character and love?

Conclusion Jesus took on the weight of sin so that those of us who are nothing but sin could take on the glory of righteousness. The work that sin brings in our lives is a burden that requires God’s eternal punishment. But Jesus has taken it all for us. His death in our place on the cross shows a love that is more than mere sentimentality. It is the decision to bear shame, undergo judgment, and pay all the penalty. With that thought, we are compelled by the love of Christ to work in His mission. He has done everything necessary for sinners to be cleansed. From the worst human being in history to the one we think the most moral—all need the salvation offered by Christ. As His people, we can and must declare it, live it, and converse about it at every turn.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent lifted high on the pole and were healed, so also we look with faith upon Jesus Christ lifted high on the cross and are saved from the punishment of our sin.

Session 2 29 Additional Resources The Bronze Serpent

References Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry 1. John Piper, “The Son of Man Must Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Be Lifted Up—Like a Serpent,” Desiring God [online], 5 April 2009 Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry [cited 10 June 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.desiringgod.org. blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. 2. William Thomas Miller, A Compact Study of Numbers (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, Study Material 2013) [eBook]. 3. Kendell Easley, “Look and Live!” --“Can a Text Have More Than One Meaning?”—Chapter 15 from The Gospel Project for Adults (Spring 2014): 84. 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer 4. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 45.22, quoted in Exodus, --“Bronze Serpent”—Article by Albert F. Bean and Karen Joines; find a link Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources ed. Joseph T. Lienhard, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “Serpents and Vipers,” Grove: IVP, 2001), 242. can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at 5. Kendell Easley, “Look and Live!” The Gospel Project for Adults LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. (Spring 2014): 83. 6. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 94, quoted in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Sermon Podcast ed. Joseph T. Lienhard, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers W. A. Criswell: “The Brazen Serpent” Grove: IVP, 2001), 242. 7. D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, in The Pillar New Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 201. 8. Augustine, Sermon 6.7, quoted in John 1–10, ed. Joel C. Elowsky, vol. IVa in Ancient Christian Tip of the Week Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, Getting More Discussion 2006), 124. 9. Nancy Guthrie, The Lamb of God (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 234. Most of us will not risk looking bad in front of a larger group. We may 10. Richard L. Pratt Jr., I & II Corinthians, vol. 7 in Holman New Testament have a legitimate question, but it will go unanswered if the risk outweighs Commentary (Nashville: B&H, our desire to know. The same is true for the people you lead. The larger 2000), 360. 11. See “Impute, Imputation,” the group, the less likely many will take the risk of asking or commenting. by David S. Dockery, in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, eds. If you lead a larger group, create small groups when using discussion Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England (Nashville: B&H, questions. This allows for more people to participate and lessens the 2003), 812. perceived risk some may have when it comes to public speaking.

30 Leader Guide • Spring 2016 About the Writers

Unit 1: Philip Nation (sessions 1-2) is the content development The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV director for LifeWay and the teaching pastor for The Volume 4, Number 3 Spring 2016 Fellowship, a multi-campus church in Nashville, Tennessee.

Eric Geiger His newest book is Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Vice President, LifeWay Resources Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out. Ed Stetzer General Editor Robert Smith (sessions 3-6) is a professor of Christian Trevin Wax Managing Editor preaching and holds the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of

Daniel Davis Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Content Editor He is the author of Doctrine That Dances. He is married to

Josh Hayes Dr. Wanda Taylor-Smith, and they have four adult children Content and Production Editor with one in heaven. Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Tanya McAvoy (assisted with unit 1 session plans) serves Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry in the areas of evangelism and education at Neptune Baptist Church in Neptune Beach, Florida. She earned her MDiv Send questions/comments to: from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, husband, Ryan, have three children. One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Unit 2:

Printed in the United States of America Afshin Ziafat resides with his wife, Meredith, and two daughters in Frisco, Texas, where he is the lead pastor of The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV Providence Church. He serves on the board of Vertical (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One Ministries, East-West Ministries International, the 9Marks LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2015 LifeWay Christian Resources. Council, and the Leadership Council of the Ethics and For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, Religious Liberty Commission. One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or Matt Boswell write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed has been leading worship and writing songs for quarterly to one address, email [email protected], the church for over 20 years. A graduate of Southern Seminary, fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; he serves as the pastor of ministries and worship at Providence salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Church in Frisco, Texas. Additionally, he is the president of Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit Doxology & Theology. He is married to Jamie, and they have www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. four small children. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Unit 3: Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Steven Smith is the vice president for Student Services and Communications and professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Dying to Preach: Embracing the Cross in the Pulpit and Recapturing the Voice of God: Shaping Sermons Like Scripture. He is married to Ashley, and they have three children. WRITERS