GOD: JESUS - Our advocate

SCRIPTURES
Hebrews 4:14-16 | So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 5:1-2 & 7-9 | Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.

1 John 2:1-2 | My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

DISCUSSION
A high priest represents man before God. He pleads their case, asking God to forgive the sins of the people. This practice happened in the Old Testament, but Jesus became the final high priest and is now our representative before God.

1. Why is Jesus the perfect High Priest? 
2. Jesus understands the struggles you face because He faced them too. Do you believe this? Why or why not? 
3. Do you ever feel guilty or shameful going to God in prayer because of your sin? Instead, what can you remember from our readings today? 
4. Jesus is the perfect representative to ask for your forgiveness to God because He paid the price for your sin already. How did He do that? 
5. How does realizing - 1) Jesus understands your temptation and struggles, 2) stands in your place before God the Father, and 3) Has already willingly paid for your sin on the cross - make you feel? Make you think about your sin?