Leviticus 18: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Leviticus 18 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh spoke to Moses, instructing him to tell the children of Israel that He is their God (vv. 1-2). They must not follow the practices of Egypt or Canaan, but keep His ordinances and statutes (vv.

Key verse

“‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable.”
Leviticus 18:22 (WEB)

Outline

Leviticus 18:1–2 God's Command to Israel
Leviticus 18:3–5 Avoiding Egyptian and Canaanite Practices
Leviticus 18:6–21 Prohibitions on Incest and Immorality
Leviticus 18:22–23 Prohibitions on Homosexuality and Bestiality
Leviticus 18:24–28 Consequences for Defilement
Leviticus 18:29–30 Call to Obedience and Distinction

Discussion questions

In v6, why does God state 'I am Yahweh'?
What does God mean by 'abominations' in v26?
In v22, why does God describe lying with a man 'as with a woman' as detestable?
In v29, what does it mean to be 'cut off from among their people'?
When have you seen someone defile themselves in a way similar to 'any of these things' in v24?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Leviticus 18: Leviticus 20, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6.

Before next time: read Leviticus 19.