Surge - Name Dropping: Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Who Sanctifies
Dr. Karl Miller, Jr.
December 19, 2024

Objective
• To understand the significance of God’s name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh—“The Lord Who Sanctifies”—and to explore how God sets us apart, empowers us for holiness, and leads us into victory over sin.

Opening Prayer:
Gather in prayer, asking God to open your heart and mind, and the hearts and mind of those around you to His Word, and to bring healing to any area of life where it is needed.

Scripture Reading:
• “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.”
— Leviticus 20:7-8 (KJV)

Opening Activity:
• Icebreaker: Write the word “Holy” on a whiteboard or a piece of paper. Ask each participant to share one word or phrase that comes to mind when they think of the word “holy.”
• Transition: Point out that our understanding of holiness often feels distant or intimidating. Yet, through His name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, God reveals that He is the One who actively works to make us holy.

1. God’s Call To Holiness:

Read Aloud:
• “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.”
— Leviticus 20:7-8 (KJV)


Discussion Questions: :
• What does it mean that God calls us to “be holy”?
• How do you feel about the idea that holiness is not just a set of rules, but a reflection of God’s own character?


Key Point:
Holiness is not something we achieve on our own. It’s rooted in God’s nature and He invites us into it by His power.


2. God Sets Us Apart:

Reference:
• Genesis 2:3 – God “sanctified” the Sabbath day, setting it apart as holy.


Connection:
• Just as God set the Sabbath apart, He also sets us apart for Himself.


Read Aloud:
• May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together — spirit, soul, and body — and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (MSG)


Discussion:
• Can you identify areas of your life where you’ve seen God set you apart or “clean you up” over time?
• What practical steps can we take to cooperate with God’s sanctifying work (e.g., prayer, studying Scripture, fellowship)?


3. God Empowers Us for Victory Over Sin:

Read Aloud:
• “Sin no longer has dominion over those who are under grace.”
— Romans 6:14


Discussion Questions:
• How do we rely on God’s grace to overcome persistent struggles or bad habits?
• In what ways have you seen God’s transforming power help you respond differently to temptation?


Application

Activity

“Name-Dropping Prayer”
• Invite each participant to pair up or form small triads.
• Have them pray for one another, specifically using the name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh. For example: “Father God, Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, set my friend apart, purify their heart, and help them walk in holiness.”
• Encourage honesty about struggles and ask God to sanctify each area discussed.


Reflecting On The Process:
• Sanctification is ongoing. Remind the group that perfection isn’t the goal right now—progress is.
• Share a brief testimony of someone who overcame a sinful pattern through prayer and dependence on God. Emphasize that just as God sanctified the Sabbath, He is actively working to sanctify us.


Going Deeper (optional):
• How does understanding “yeshuah” (salvation) as deliverance, prosperity, and spiritual rescue enrich our view of sanctification?
• Are there cultural or religious traditions you’ve seen that tried to force holiness through external rules rather than relying on God’s transformative power?

Closing Prayer:
• Pray together as a group, inviting Jehovah-M’Kaddesh to continue His sanctifying work in each participant’s life. Ask Him to reveal specific areas needing His touch.
• Thank God for His faithful promise in Philippians 1:6 — that He who began a good work will carry it on to completion.


Take Home Challenge:
• This week, start each day by invoking the name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh in prayer. Ask God to “Kaddesh” you—to set you apart and make you holy.
• Journal your experiences. Note moments when you sense God’s grace prompting you toward holiness, and times He helps you overcome temptation.