The book is a beautiful expose of the holiness of God. Which is enough. But we leverage the book’s challenges so that disciples see sin as God sees it, not merely as “rule-breaking.” We use it to gently call them to sanctification. Personal holiness is a challenge that must be faced as we go “all in” with God. We use the text to help disciples see that beholding God’s holiness should produce awe, repentance, and transformed living. And as we have a right view of His holiness, God will call us to address our own holiness in areas like: hypocrisy, modesty, cultural compromise, and trust issues with God.
We read the book over two weeks reviewing a section of the book each week after reading. We ask the general question, “What did you discover or what stood out in chapter X?” going around the room individually, with no cross-talk. We do this chapter by chapter each week using the sample questions if we need to prompt a response from the disciple. Our two week reading plan including key ideas and sample questions is, below:
Week 1 : Seeing Who God Is : Foreword + Introduction + Chapters 1-3
Chapter 1 – Holy, Holy, Holy
- Key Idea: Holiness is not only a trait but the core of who God is—His purity, sovereignty, and set-apartness.
- Question: In what ways does recognizing God’s ultimate holiness challenge your understanding of Him?
Chapter 2 – Holy, Holy, Holy: Moral Perfection
- Key Idea: God’s holiness includes moral perfection—He cannot sin against us or break His promises.
- Question: How does trusting God’s moral perfection shift your trust in His character during hard times?
Chapter 3 – Holy, Holy, Holy: Transcendence
- Key Idea: God is utterly “other”—immense, unchanging, and unmatched in His transcendence.
- Question: When have you unconsciously treated God as ordinary? How might knowing His transcendence reshape your devotion?
Week 2 : Becoming Like Him: Chapters 4-7
Chapter 4 – Unholy gods: Idolatry
- Key Idea: Idolatry is often rooted in distrust—preferring created comforts over God’s holy provision.
- Question: Identify an “idol” in your life—how does this reveal a lack of trust in God’s holiness?
Chapter 5 – Holy Justice
- Key Idea: God’s justice is an extension of His holiness—it’s righteous, merciful, and upheld even in salvation.
- Question: How do grace and justice coexist in the Gospel? How does this shape your view of God and others?
Chapter 6 – Holy How?: Holy Vision
- Key Idea: Seeing God clearly—as loving, kind, and good—is the pathway to becoming holy ourselves. “Beholding, we become.”
- Question: What helps you behold God today—Scripture, worship, community? How do those experiences transform you?
Chapter 7 – Holy How?: Behold, We Become
- Key Idea: Transformation into the image of God happens as we gaze upon His holiness and allow the Spirit to shape us.
- Question: What practical step can help you continually behold God’s holiness—daily Scripture, meditation, community worship?
