Exodus 28:1-4,9-10,29-30

The passage gives the description of the priestly vestments that the priests are to wear. Discuss how clothes set people apart, make them visible. Maybe get a volunteer from the group and do an analysis of their attire. Clothes mark people and offices.

If this is so, how to the clothes "consecrate" Aaron for the priesthood? You could, if you'd like, act this out and "manufacture" the priestly garb on the person and see how it transforms his or her appearance.

What would be the significance of the names of the sons of Israel on the onyx stones? Why would they engrave them on the breastpiece? What is meant by 'judgement' here?

To understand the role of the priest one has to understand the material reality of their role. The Israelite high priest officiated at sacrifices. Man sacrifices were a vegetarians nightmare; I call them "barbeques" as my Judaism professor taught me years ago. The high priest was the "master butcher and chef", the one who oversaw the transference of meat onto the grill (the altar) and then back to the people after it was cooked. The smoke would "rise" to God; some of the meat would be given back to the one who offered the sacrifice and then consumed with the family and friends in honor of God's provision. Of course, the priest would get a cut himself, but also was responsible for preserving some of the meat for the poor who might go hungry without such food.

Now, re-discuss why the special garb might be important to the priest and to the people and the significance of the names on the breast piece. How does the dress then relate to their "mission", their divinely appointed task? What would the intended result of the priestly garments have been?

In light of this, read 1 John 5:9-15. The passage emphasizes Jesus as God's 'testimony' to us. But notice the "boldness" theme at the end of the passage. How does this relate to the high priest's garments? Why should we be bold?

John 17:11b-19 continues what is usually called Jesus' high priestly prayer. How do his words relate to the image of the dress of the high priest? Notice the preservation from the world and the sending out to the world. How is that a priestly image? What is the importance of sanctification? Why would Jesus' disciples be hated? Why should they not be taken from the world? How are they sent into the world? What happened to Jesus when he was sent into the world?

Discuss this imagery about mission. What is our mission as individual believers and as a congregation? What is necessary for such a mission?