3. The People of God: What It Means to Belong and Reflect God’s Love

WHAT IT MEANS TO BELONG AND REFLECT GOD’S LOVE

TEACHING

Read this section to get the point of this part’s big picture. Then, move on to watch the main videos and start the bible readings. Feel free to collapse this section when you’re done

When I was in 9th grade, I accidentally scored a basket for the other team. I was so excited to be in the game, I grabbed the ball, saw the hoop, took the shot—and scored. Only problem? It was the wrong basket.

For the rest of high school, my nickname was “Wrong-Way Murph.”

But not long after, something better happened. A new student joined our team—Doug. He was a gifted athlete, fast and strong, and everyone admired him. But what meant the most to me was that he invested in me. Doug believed in me. He worked with me, trained with me, taught me plays, and helped me grow. He made me a better player—and a better teammate.

That’s a glimpse of what God wants to do with us.

God’s Vision for His People

Throughout the Bible, God doesn’t just call individuals—He calls a people. From Abraham to Moses to the church today, God’s goal has always been the same: to form a people who reflect His character, love others, and bring His goodness to the world.

In Deuteronomy 30, as the Israelites were about to enter the land God promised them, Moses shared a powerful message:

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach… See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction… Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.”
—Deuteronomy 30:11,15,19–20

God gave His people commandments—not to control them, but to help them live in love, justice, and peace. If they followed Him, they would flourish. If they turned away, they would suffer the consequences of broken relationships and injustice.

More Than Rules—A Relationship and a Role

The laws God gave in the Old Testament fall into three general types:

Civil Laws
These were the rules governing the biblical theocratic nation of Israel—land ownership, inheritance rights, judicial procedures, and penalties for theft, personal injury, adultery, etc. This nation is no longer in existence (the modern nation of Israel is a secular state). Therefore, these rules are no longer applicable.

Ceremonial Laws
These were the rules guiding the ceremonial rituals for making people clean, offering sacrifices, food and clothing laws, observing festivals, and maintaining purity in worship. After the Jewish temple was destroyed in 70 AD, these practices could no longer be carried out, and because Jesus fulfilled their purpose through His life, death, and resurrection, they are no longer applicable to God’s people today (Hebrews 10:1-14).

Moral Laws
These are the timeless commands that reflect God’s character and teach us how to treat others and honor God. Unlike civil and ceremonial laws, they are not bound to a specific time, place, or religious system. Affirmed by Jesus and the New Testament, they remain relevant and binding for all people today—being honest, sexual integrity, marital faithfulness, eschewing pride and greed, loving your neighbor, caring for the poor, speaking truth, welcoming immigrants, etc.

God’s goal wasn’t just obedience. It was transformation. He wanted His people to grow in maturity—to become holy as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2). That means becoming fully formed in love, just like Jesus.

Jesus said it this way:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
—Matthew 22:37,39–40

A Kingdom of Priests

God told the people of Israel:

“Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
—Exodus 19:5–6

To be a priest means to help others connect with God. As the “people of God,” they were meant to represent God’s love to the world, to teach others about His goodness, and to live as a light among the nations.

That mission didn’t end with ancient Israel. In the New Testament, believers are called the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). God still calls us to be His people—living in love, growing in maturity, and helping others see who God is.

VIDEOS

There are two sets of videos here from the Bible Project: the “main” videos that are important to watch and the “bonus” videos you can watch if you’d like to explore more. You can watch them one day at a time along with the Bible readings below, or you can watch them all in one sitting. It’s up to you.

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MAIN VIDEOS

Watch these short videos to understand some important themes about God’s holiness, the Law, the Temple, and the the the many kings of Israel and Judah.

God’s holiness is powerful and pure—but how can imperfect people come close? Discover how Jesus makes the impossible possible.

What do all those ancient laws have to do with you? Discover how Jesus fulfills the law and calls you to a life of love.

From Eden to eternity, discover how the whole Bible tells the story of God making the world His temple—and how Jesus brings heaven and earth together.

Chronicles retells Israel’s story with a focus on future hope—pointing to the coming King and the restoration of God’s temple.

BONUS VIDEOS

Watch these short videos to explore more about this part of the Bible.

God invites His people to live close to Him—but how can imperfect people survive His perfect presence? Discover how Leviticus shows the way.

In Numbers, Israel leaves Mt. Sinai only to rebel against God at every step. God responds with short-term severity and long-term generosity as He leads them into the promised land.

Before the Israelites enter the promised land, Moses gives one last message of wisdom, warning—and a glimpse of hope beyond his death.

After Moses dies, Joshua leads God’s people into the promised land—but the journey is just beginning.

In a dark and chaotic time, God keeps rescuing His people—discover the surprising hope in the book of Judges.

Israel rises to glory and falls to ruin—see how the story of the kings points to our need for a better, forever King.

READINGS

There are seven readings of key Bible passages in this part. You can read them as a daily devotional or you can read multiple passages in one sitting. Check off what you’ve read and come back to pick up where you left off. We’ll keep track of what you’ve completed. Hover over or touch the bible references to read the passage

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Reading 1

Sacrifices and Obedience Required

Leviticus 5:14–19; Deuteronomy 11:13–17

In these books of the Law, God gave Israel specific instructions for how to live in relationship with Him. In Leviticus 5:14–19, He explained that even unintentional sins against sacred things required a guilt offering, emphasizing His holiness and the need for personal responsibility. In Deuteronomy 11:13–17, Moses reminded Israel that obedience would lead to God’s blessing on their land, while idolatry would bring hardship. These passages showed that God’s covenant involved both grace and accountability—and that turning from Him had real consequences for the whole community.

Reflect
Is there any area of your life where you’ve ignored God’s ways or treated His holiness lightly?

Prayer
God, help me take Your holiness seriously and respond to Your grace with obedience. Teach me to love You with all my heart and stay faithful in every part of my life.

Reading 2

Cycles of Disobedience and The People Demand a King

Judges 2:10–19; 1 Samuel 8

In these books of history, Israel’s repeated failures revealed their deep need for godly leadership. In Judges 2:10–19, each generation turned from God, leading to a painful cycle of disobedience, suffering, repentance, and rescue. Later, in 1 Samuel 8, instead of trusting God as their King, the people demanded a human king to be like other nations. God warned that this would lead to injustice, but they insisted. These stories showed Israel’s longing for stability but also their rejection of God’s leadership and their trust in human power.

Reflect
Where in your life are you tempted to trust human solutions instead of God’s leadership?

Prayer
God, help me to learn from Israel’s story and trust You as my true King. Teach me to follow You even when it’s harder than going along with the crowd.

Reading 3

Saul Fails and David is Made King

1 Samuel 15:17–23; 2 Samuel 5:1–5

These historical books traced Israel’s shift from failed leadership to faithful beginnings. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul disobeyed God’s command and made excuses when confronted, so God rejected him as king. Years later, in 2 Samuel 5, David was anointed king over all Israel after years of waiting and hardship. The people recognized David as a shepherd for the nation, and he ruled with a heart after God. This marked a turning point in Israel’s story—God raising up a leader who foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, the true and perfect King.

Reflect
Are there areas where you’re offering excuses instead of obedience to God?

Prayer
God, give me a heart like David’s—humble, responsive, and willing to follow Your lead. Help me to trust Your timing and honor You with my choices.

Reading 4

God’s Covenant with David

2 Samuel 7

In this historical book, God made one of the most important promises in the Bible. After David offered to build God a temple, God instead promised to build David’s dynasty. This prophecy was partially fulfilled through Solomon, who built the temple and ruled Israel, but it looked beyond him to Jesus—the eternal King whose throne will never end. God reminded David that He had lifted him from shepherd to ruler, and that His plans stretched far beyond David’s lifetime. This covenant became the foundation for Israel’s hope in a coming Messiah.

Reflect
How does it change your perspective to know that God’s plans extend far beyond your lifetime?

Prayer
God, thank You for keeping Your promises from generation to generation. Help me trust that You are working through my life in ways that serve a bigger story.

Reading 5

A Pattern of Failure and the Hope of a Better King

1 & 2 Chronicles (Watch the video overview above)

These historical books retold Israel’s story with an emphasis on the kings descended from David. Over and over, the people and their leaders did evil—abandoning God, worshiping idols, and refusing to repent. Even moments of revival were temporary. The Chronicler highlighted this cycle to stir longing for a different kind of king: one who would be righteous, faithful, and lasting. That hope pointed forward to Jesus, the perfect King from David’s line, whose reign would bring true restoration for God’s people.

Reflect
Why do you think human leaders so often fall short—and how does that deepen your trust in Jesus?

Prayer
God, thank You for sending a better King—One who is faithful, just, and good. Help me not to put my hope in human power but to follow Jesus with trust and devotion.

Reading 6

The Sin of the People

Ezekiel 20:5–26

In this book of prophecy, God reminded Israel of their long history of rebellion. From Egypt to the wilderness, they rejected His commands and turned to idols—even though He rescued and sustained them. God gave them good laws, but they persisted in doing evil. His judgment came after generations of sin, yet He still showed restraint. This passage highlights both the seriousness of sin and the mercy of God—and it deepens our understanding of why we need a Savior who can truly change hearts.

Reflect
What does this passage show you about the seriousness of sin—and your need for God’s mercy?

Prayer
God, I see how easy it is to turn away from You, even when You’ve been faithful. Help me remember my need for Your grace and walk in humble obedience to Your ways.

Reading 7

The Assyrian Exile

2 Kings 17

This historical book records the fall of Israel’s northern kingdom after centuries of disobedience. In 2 Kings 17, the people persisted in idolatry, ignored the prophets, and broke their covenant with God. Despite many warnings, they refused to turn back, so God allowed the Assyrians to conquer them and carry them into exile. The chapter gives a detailed account of their sins—worshiping false gods, adopting foreign practices, and rejecting God’s commands. The exile was not just political—it was spiritual judgment. Yet it also reminded future generations of the cost of unfaithfulness and the need for wholehearted devotion.

Reflect
What false hopes or idols might be pulling your heart away from full trust in God?

Prayer
God, help me learn from Israel’s mistakes and turn away from anything that competes with You. Teach me to love and obey You with an undivided heart.