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Key Scripture:

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NLT)

15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Isaiah 6:1–3 (NLT):

1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other, 

    “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! 

      The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 

Isaiah 6:4–7 (NLT)

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. 

5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” 

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” 

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• What is something in the Bible or that you’ve experienced in your own spiritual journey that you thought was unfair on God’s part?  Explain.

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

• Pastor Troy said, “Mercy is a privilege and not a right.”  How did Dr. Sproul’s students get that confused?  Can you think of a time when you got it confused?
• Read 1 Peter 1:15-16. Why does God want us to be holy? What does it mean for us to be holy?
• Read Isaiah 6:1-3.  Why did the angels repeat the word “holy” when referring to God?  How can you exalt the name and person of God in your words and actions?
• Read Isaiah 6:4-7. Who was Isaiah, and why did he react the way he did to God's presence? How can we respond to God's holiness in a similar way?
• What was the significance of the live coal from the altar, and how does this relate to God's forgiveness of our sins?
• What action is God calling you to take in response to his holiness? How can we live out our faith in practical ways that demonstrate holiness?
• How do we pursue holiness in our daily lives, and what habits or practices can help us stay focused on God's holiness?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Write down and commit to a practice (such as prayer or bible study) this week that will help you to pursue holiness.  Or, you can commit to abstain from a behavior or activity which takes away from your holiness.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Praise God for his great mercy and for sending Jesus to be our savior, our redeemer.  Ask for His help in your continued journey to become more like Christ.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read this Got Questions article, "What is the definition of mercy?"

Mercy is a privilege and not a right.

Trisagion: 3 times holy

Pursuing holiness:

• Holiness is a gift
• Holiness is a pursuit
• Holiness comes with a call to action

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