Read Ezekiel 33:7-20

1. How was a prophet like a watchman on the walls of Israel?

2. What stern warning does God give when we do not warn those who are in spiritual danger?

3. In Ezekiel 33:10 the prevailing attitude of Israel seems to be despair over what their sins have done to them.

a. Can despair serve God’s purpose for our salvation?
b. Is despair over sin a prevalent attitude in our world?
c. If not, why not?
d. What can God’s people do to remedy this?

4. In Ezekiel 33:11 God put himself under a solemn oath: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD . . . “ Of what does he want to make his despairing people certain?

5. What did God ultimately do to make his fervent desire for the sinner’s rescue a reality?

6. In Ezekiel 33:12-16 how does God rescue the proud soul from the devil’s trap? How does he rescue the despairing soul?

7. How might the Lord’s ways be considered “unjust” in these judgments?

8. In John 5:24 Jesus tells us that “he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” A few verses later, Jesus is speaking of the Last Judgment when he says, “all who are in their graves will hear (Jesus’) voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” How can our Savior say that we are saved by belief in God’s word and by good works in the same statement?

9. According to Ezekiel 33:7-20, what standard does God use to determine whether his church is successful?

10. The world does not recognize this as success. How does that fact comfort us and give us a sense of urgency at the same time?

11) Read John 6:60-69 When Jesus’ preached the truth about himself what two reactions did his own disciples have? How is Jesus’ reaction comforting to us?

12) Read Galatians 6:1 What caution does St. Paul give us in calling a fellow-believer to repentance? Why?