Behold, the Lamb of God
(Agnus Dei)
A Five-Week Lent Bible Study on Jesus' Atonement for our Sins
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Free Email Bible Study
on Jesus and the Kingdom of God
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Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664), "Agnus
Dei" (1635-40) ,Canvas 38 x 62 cm. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.
Larger image. |
When John was preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins while baptizing in the Jordan River, Jesus came to meet him and be baptized. John looks at him and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." In these words he capsulizes the mission of Jesus and gives us a clue to understanding the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. In this five-week series we'll study the concept of Jesus as our atoning sacrifice for sin. As you study you'll be amazed and thankful -- and a more thoughtful and faithful disciple as a result.

A great 5-week Bible study for the
Easter season,
Behold, the
Lamb of God, available as a 80-page printed book or
e-book for yourself, your class, or your small group!
Now
available on DVD for small group teaching and discussion. |
This five-week study is delivered each Saturday via e-mail, with questions sent Sunday through Thursday to keep you thinking about the week's lesson (though you can select the "weekly lessons only" option if you like). You'll also have opportunities to interact using our
Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum with other participants, to read and respond to their comments on these passages of scripture.
An International Study
This study has been taken by people from all over the world. When I counted on March 4, 2003, there were just under 2,000 participants from 68 countries, including: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Republic of, Kuwait, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Zambia, and Zimbabwe. What a wonderful cross-section of God's world!
5-Week Bible Study Outline
Here's what you'll be studying via e-mail, webpages, and an online forum/bulletin board:
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Introduction to the Study
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God artwork and paintings
John the Baptist artwork and paintings |
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Week 1 |
Behold, The Lamb of God (John 1:29; Leviticus 4:32-35). A basic introduction to the Hebrew concept of sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Application: learning God's loving way of forgiving our sins.
Sidebar: Theories of the Atonement
Essay: Classic Protestant Liberalism and the Atonement: A
Plea for Reconsideration |
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Week 2 |
The Lamb Who Takes Our Place (Isaiah 53). We ponder the Suffering Servant who bears our sin in himself as well as the punishment due to us for sin. Here we examine the concept of substitutionary atonement. Application: learning the costly mercy of giving our lives on behalf of others.
Sidebar: NT
Allusions to Isaiah 53 |
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Week 3 |
The Lamb Who Redeems Us from Slavery (1 Peter 1:18-19; Mark 10:44-45; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We examine the concepts of ransom and redemption to set free those who are enslaved. Application: learning what Christian freedom is all about and how we can experience it today. |
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Week 4 |
The Passover Lamb of Whom We Partake (1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:3-14; Matthew 26:26-30). We'll examine the Passover, the Passover lamb, and the Last Supper, in order to appreciate what we do when we partake of communion. Application: learning to seek and appreciate God's protection and care for us. |
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Week 5 |
The Triumphant Lamb We Worship (Revelation 5:1-14). In the Book of Revelation we explore concepts of worshipping and loving the Lamb, who is now clearly the risen and reigning Christ. Application: learning to love and worship Jesus day by day. |
There is
no charge for this study, though participants are invited to make a
free-will contribution to help support future studies.
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Part of JesusWalk -- Behold the Lamb of God
Copyright © 1985-2010 Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
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