Deuteronomy 26: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Deuteronomy 26 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

When the people enter the Promised Land, they are instructed to bring the first fruits of the ground to Yahweh (vv. 1-2). They present their offering to the priest and declare their arrival in the land promised to their ancestors (vv.

Key verse

“You shall answer and say before Yahweh your God, “My father was a Syrian ready to perish. He went down into Egypt, and lived there, few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation.”
Deuteronomy 26:5 (WEB)

Outline

Deuteronomy 26:1–2 Entering the Promised Land
Deuteronomy 26:3–5 Confession Before the Priest
Deuteronomy 26:6–9 Remembering Oppression and Deliverance
Deuteronomy 26:10–11 Offering First Fruits with Joy
Deuteronomy 26:12–14 Tithing and Generosity
Deuteronomy 26:15–19 Covenant Affirmation and Blessing

Discussion questions

In v2, what does the worshipper do with the first of the fruit?
What does the worshipper declare in v3 about the land given to Israel?
The phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' in v9: what does it signify for the Israelites?
In v14, why does the worshipper mention not having eaten the tithe 'in my mourning'?
When have you felt the need to acknowledge a blessing with gratitude, like in v10?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 26: 1 Peter 2, Deuteronomy 28, Exodus 19.

Before next time: read Deuteronomy 27.