Bible study plan

Honor and Shame

Ten passages that read the Bible through honor and shame instead of guilt and innocence — the way most of the world actually hears it.

Back to Bible Study PlansDownload all as PDFStudy list (PDF)

Ten passages that read the Bible the way most of the world actually hears it — through honor and shame rather than guilt and innocence. From the garden where shame first sent us into hiding to the household where outsiders are brought near, God is the one who covers shame, gives a new name, and seats us at his own table.

0 of 10 complete

  1. 1

    Created with honor, without shame

    Long

    Genesis 1:26-31Genesis 2:15-25

  2. 2

    Shame enters, and we hide

    Standard

    Genesis 3:1-13

  3. 3

    God covers what we cannot

    Standard

    Genesis 3:14-24

  4. 4

    A name greater than a tower

    Long

    Genesis 11:1-9Genesis 12:1-9

  5. 5

    From shame to splendor

    Standard

    Ezekiel 16:1-14

  6. 6

    David honors his enemy

    Long

    1 Samuel 24:1-22

  7. 7

    Jesus honors the woman everyone avoided

    Standard

    Mark 5:25-34

  8. 8

    Jesus takes the lowest place

    Long

    John 13:1-17

  9. 9

    The shame of the cross, the name above all

    Standard

    Philippians 2:5-11

  10. 10

    Brought near, made one household

    Standard

    Ephesians 2:11-22

Passage links open in the Open Bible (OTB). Scripture quotations are from the Open Translation Bible (OTB), used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to use a Bible study plan

Read one passage at a time together and ask a few simple questions: What does this tell us about God? About people? What will you obey this week, and who will you share it with? Simple, repeatable, and easy to pass on.

Want help getting started?

Tell us where you are, and we'll help you find a simple, faithful way to begin opening the Word with someone.