Behold, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)

A Five-Week Lent Bible Study on Jesus' Atonement for our Sins
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life

Agnus Dei, Francisco de Zurburan
Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664), "Agnus Dei" (1635-40) ,Canvas 38 x 62 cm. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid. Larger image.

When John was preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins while baptizing in the Jordan River, Jesus came to meet him and be baptized. John looks at him and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." In these words he capsulizes the mission of Jesus and gives us a clue to understanding the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. In this five-week series we'll study the concept of Jesus as our atoning sacrifice for sin. As you study you'll be amazed and thankful -- and a more thoughtful and faithful disciple as a result.


Five-week Bible study for the Lent or Easter season, Lamb of God, is available in PDF, Kindle, and paperback. Videos are available on YouTube.
This five-week study is delivered each Saturday via e-mail, with questions sent Sunday through Thursday to keep you thinking about the week's lesson (though you can select the "weekly lessons only" option if you like). You'll also have opportunities to interact using our Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum with other participants, to read and respond to their comments on these passages of scripture.

5-Week Bible Study Outline

Here's what you'll be studying via e-mail, webpages, and an online forum/bulletin board:

 Introduction to the Study
Participant Guide Handout Sheets (for class or small group)
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God artwork and paintings
John the Baptist artwork and paintings

Week 1

Behold, The Lamb of God (John 1:29; Leviticus 4:32-35). A basic introduction to the Hebrew concept of sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Application: learning God's loving way of forgiving our sins.
Sidebar: Theories of the Atonement
Essay: Classic Protestant Liberalism and the Atonement: A Plea for Reconsideration

Week 2

The Lamb Who Takes Our Place (Isaiah 53). We ponder the Suffering Servant who bears our sin in himself as well as the punishment due to us for sin. Here we examine the concept of substitutionary atonement. Application: learning the costly mercy of giving our lives on behalf of others.
Sidebar: NT Allusions to Isaiah 53

Week 3

The Lamb Who Redeems Us from Slavery (1 Peter 1:18-19; Mark 10:44-45; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We examine the concepts of ransom and redemption to set free those who are enslaved. Application: learning what Christian freedom is all about and how we can experience it today.

Week 4

The Passover Lamb of Whom We Partake (1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:3-14; Matthew 26:26-30). We'll examine the Passover, the Passover lamb, and the Last Supper, in order to appreciate what we do when we partake of communion. Application: learning to seek and appreciate God's protection and care for us.

Week 5

The Triumphant Lamb We Worship (Revelation 5:1-14). In the Book of Revelation we explore concepts of worshipping and loving the Lamb, who is now clearly the risen and reigning Christ. Application: learning to love and worship Jesus day by day.

YouTube logoLamb of God: Jesus' Atonement for Sin on YouTube, with Dr. Wilson teaching the five lessons in 25-minute sessions, with pauses for group discussion. 1. Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29), 2. The Lamb Who Took Our Place (Isaiah 53), 3. The Lamb Who Redeems Us from Slavery (1 Peter 1:18-19);4. The Passover Lamb of Whom We Partake (1 Corinthians 5:7), 5. The Triumphant Lamb We Worship (Revelation 5:1-14). The DVD is out of print, but these videos are free for you to use for your class, group, or church via YouTube.

There is no charge for this study, though participants are invited to make a free-will contribution to help support future studies.

Behold, the Lamb of God video introduction
Watch video intro

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Part of JesusWalk -- Behold the Lamb of God

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.