Introduction: Set Apart by God

CONNECT

Prepare:

• An empty bottle
• Water
• Oil

Fill an empty bottle halfway with water. Carefully add a few spoonfuls of oil. What do you see?

Next, shake the bottle and put it back on the table. Allow the bottle to rest for a few minutes. Did the oil mix with the water?

Let the bottle rest for a few more minutes. What do you see?

The oil and water do not mix. Even after you have shaken the bottle, you can still see the layer of oil on the surface of the water. This is due to the scientific composition of water. Its molecules do not allow it to mix with the molecules of oil.

Similarly, when we talk about being set apart, it means not conforming (or mixing) to how the world does things, but being separate from the world and following God.

READ THE WORD

God is holy. This means that He is unique from everyone else and set apart from common things. He is set apart from everyone in His greatness. He is also set apart from everyone in His goodness. No one is like Him.

And because God is holy or set apart, He is also calling those who trust in Him to also be set apart. He says:

“‘You must be holy. You must be set apart to me. I am the LORD. I am holy. I have set you apart from the other nations to be my own people.’” Levitcus 20:26

What does it mean for us to be set apart?

First, it means being set apart by God for Himself. God set us apart to be in a faithful relationship with Him and He calls us to live for Him. We no longer belong to ourselves but to God. God calls the shots; we don’t. Our lives are to be devoted to Him.

Second, it means that God has set us apart from those around us. It does not mean that we distance ourselves from others, but that we are different when it comes to how we think, how we speak, and how we behave. We no longer copy the world; instead, we follow Jesus. It means that our lives should reflect Jesus. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live this way when we reflect on the truth that God has set us apart for Himself. He transforms the way we think, speak, and behave, so that others see who God is like when they see us.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Do you want to obey God always? What do you think God wants you to do? (Consider giving some everyday scenarios and ask the child to think about what God wants them to do.)

7–12 years old

• How do you want to see yourself set apart from others?

Kids to Parents

• What does it mean to reflect God in our lives?

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for setting us apart for Yourself and Your purposes. Holy Spirit, guide and lead us to live in a way that will honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen!

DISCOVER

Have you ever read the book of Leviticus? Often we do not read this book with as much interest and zeal as we would read Genesis or Exodus, where exciting events took place.

The book of Leviticus outlines laws and rituals the Israelites had to do and perform in order to be purified. It lists ceremonies to be performed, sacrifices to be made, restrictions to be followed, among other things. At the center of the book, we find the reason for all of it: God is calling the Israelites to be His people. As His people, they are to be separate from or unlike all the other peoples.

Today, as we live and commit to follow Christ, we are to be a separate people, too—separate from the world that calls us and draws us to live in its ways.