What does it mean to say that God is holy? How does Isaiah initially respond to being in the presence of God? Why? How could reclaiming the doctrine of the unique and utter holiness of God help us better understand the commandments, rituals, and practices we sometimes puzzle over in the Old Testament? Why, in your judgment, have we lost a sense of the holiness of God? How have we come to look upon unholiness as natural?

What are some of the things in life that you consider holy or sacred? What makes them sacred? Do your ideas of what constitutes holiness align with God's? If you have time this week, read through the Book of Hebrews and see if you can follow its argument about how Jesus' sacrifice "once for all" replaces the need for the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Jack Hayford writes, "The average believer seems to feel threatened by the idea of holiness. He tends to see it as something unapproachable, a demanding standard of life that seems to be well beyond him. Believers tend to define it by 'feel' more than by fact, and the feeling seems to be, 'Boy, that’s way beyond me (although I sure want to try my best!).'" Do you agree with his assessment? Why or why not?

Hayford continues, "Nothing hinders the pursuit of holiness more than a sense of condemnation, which always includes guilt, unworthiness and the sense of impossibility about ever being able to truly measure up to God’s standards. We must fully 'own' the truth that our holiness has been secured before God by virtue of our position in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ sinless record was credited to your account… By the standards of the highest court in the universe, He regards you as holy when you put your trust in Jesus Christ." How does a sense of condemnation or guilt get in the way of our being transformed by God? How does knowing that God regards us as holy in Christ make it possible for us to actually become more holy?

Jesus says in Matthew 5.48, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." How do you understand what Jesus is saying? Does his statement encourage or discourage you? Have you read his words as a promise or a command?

What is the difference between positional holiness and practical holiness? What is the relationship between holiness and love?