✝️ Understanding the Book of Leviticus (Chapters 1–27)
A Christ-Centered Overview with Chapter Guide & NT Connections
🌿 Big Picture (Why Leviticus Matters)
Leviticus answers one essential question:
How can a holy God live among imperfect people?
God’s answer is not distance—but atonement.
Leviticus is not mainly about rules; it is about relationship.
It shows God making a way for His redeemed people to live close to Him, and it prepares us to understand the cross of Christ.
Every sacrifice, priest, and holy day points forward to Jesus:
The offerings show the cost of sin → Jesus is the final sacrifice
The priests mediate for the people → Jesus is our Great High Priest
The Day of Atonement removes sin → Jesus atones once for all
The call to holiness → a transformed life through the Spirit
Leviticus helps us see why Jesus came and what His death accomplished.
🧠How to Use This Guide
This guide is meant to support your reading, not replace Scripture.
The goal is to keep God’s Word central while reducing discouragement.
📖 Read → 📘 Reference → ✝️ Reflect
1️⃣ Read the actual chapter first
Even if it feels slow, unfamiliar, or confusing. Don’t stop to analyze—just read.
2️⃣ Read the one-sentence chapter guide
This helps you grasp the main idea and say,
“Ah—this is what the chapter was about.”
3️⃣ Read the New Testament connection/reference
Notice how the chapter points forward to Jesus.
4️⃣ Close with one reflection question
Ask yourself:
What does this teach me about God?
You don’t need to understand everything in one reading.
Understanding grows with faithful consistency.
📘 Chapter-by-Chapter Sentence Guide
(With New Testament Cross-References)
Approaching God Through Sacrifice (Chs. 1–7)
1 – God invites His people to approach Him through a substitute.
➡️ Hebrews 10:1–10; John 1:29
2 – God delights in grateful, wholehearted devotion.
➡️ Romans 12:1; Philippians 4:18
3 – Peace with God leads to fellowship with God.
➡️ Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14
4 – Sin separates, even when unintentional, and requires atonement.
➡️ Romans 3:23–25; 1 John 1:7
5 – Confession opens the door to forgiveness and restoration.
➡️ 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
6 – God values integrity, repentance, and restored relationships.
➡️ Matthew 5:23–24; Ephesians 4:28
7 – God defines how He is to be honored in worship.
➡️ Hebrews 12:28–29
God’s Appointed Mediators (Chs. 8–10)
8 – God sets apart priests to serve on behalf of others.
➡️ Hebrews 5:1–10
9 – God responds to faithful worship with His presence.
➡️ Acts 2:1–4; Hebrews 13:15–16
10 – God is holy and must not be approached casually.
➡️ Hebrews 10:31; 1 Corinthians 11:27–32
Everyday Holiness (Chs. 11–15)
11 – God calls His people to live distinct lives.
➡️ 1 Peter 1:15–16; Acts 10:15
12 – God cares about purity in every season of life.
➡️ Luke 2:22–24; Galatians 4:4
13 – God addresses impurity honestly and compassionately.
➡️ Matthew 8:2–3; Luke 5:12–13
14 – God restores what was once broken and unclean.
➡️ Luke 17:14–19; 2 Corinthians 5:17
15 – God desires continual awareness of His holiness.
➡️ Hebrews 10:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7
Atonement & Holy Living (Chs. 16–20)
16 – God provides complete atonement through a substitute.
➡️ Hebrews 9:11–14; Romans 3:24–26
17 – Life belongs to God, and forgiveness comes through blood.
➡️ Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 26:28
18 – God calls His people to live by His design, not culture.
➡️ Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20
19 – Holiness is expressed through love, justice, and compassion.
➡️ Matthew 22:37–40; James 1:27
20 – Rejecting God’s ways leads to separation and loss.
➡️ Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:7–8
Holy Leadership, Holy Time, Holy Living (Chs. 21–26)
21 – Spiritual leaders are held to a higher responsibility.
➡️ James 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:1–7
22 – God deserves offerings that honor Him fully.
➡️ Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 1:18–19
23 – God establishes sacred times to remember His saving work.
➡️ Colossians 2:16–17; Luke 22:19
24 – God’s presence brings light and accountability.
➡️ John 8:12; Galatians 6:7
25 – God values restoration, freedom, and mercy.
➡️ Luke 4:18–19; 2 Corinthians 8:9
26 – God blesses obedience and lovingly disciplines disobedience.
➡️ Hebrews 12:5–11; John 15:10
Faithful Commitment (Ch. 27)
27 – God takes promises seriously and values faithfulness.
➡️ Matthew 5:37; 2 Corinthians 9:7
Encouragement
Leviticus teaches us that God is holy, God is near, and God makes a way.
Stay with the reading—even when it feels unfamiliar. Clarity comes with time, and grace covers the journey.
Keep reading. Keep trusting. Keep showing up.
