The guilt offering emphasizes the idea of paying back a debt that is owed.  What does this tell us about how God understands and experiences sin, when it is committed by his people?

What does it mean that our sin has incurred a debt that must be paid?  How much is the debt?  Who owes it?  Who is it owed to?  Why?

How does the person and work of Christ fulfill what the guilt offering is anticipating (payment of and release from debt), and pointing forward to?

Read Colossians 2:13-15.  What has Jesus done to cancel the debt that we owed?  How can we receive, and enjoy, and benefit from his efforts to cancel the record of debt that stood against us?

The guilt offering has a mechanism for being reconciled to God (offering a ram), and a mechanism for being reconciled to other people who have been affected by our sin (restitution, plus one fifth).  Why is it important to reconcile - not only with God - but also with other people around us?  How can we be careful to do this in our lives?  (See also Matthew 5:23-24.)

Read Luke 7:36-50.  According to Jesus, what is the appropriate response when we are forgiven, and released by God from our debt of sin?  How can we cultivate that in our lives?

Read Matthew 18:21-35.  According to Jesus, what is the appropriate response when we are forgiven, and released by God from our debt of sin?  How can we cultivate that in our lives?

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