January 27 - February 2, 2013

January 27 – February 2, 2013

Old Testament, Exodus 1-20

What caused life to get harsher for the Israelites in Egypt? How did Moses happen to grow up as a grandson of Pharaoh?  How did he end up running away to Midian? Why was Moses reluctant to obey God when God told him to go back to Egypt to lead the people out of slavery? What did Moses do after he went to Pharaoh the first time and Pharaoh made things harder for Israel? When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted to be rid of the frogs, why did he say “tomorrow” instead of “right now”? Various passages describing the plagues say that Pharaoh’s heart was hard, Pharaoh hardened his heart, and God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.  Was he acting on his own will or was God making him stubborn? Being spared from losing your firstborn required a simple act of faith and obedience.  What would your attitude have been if Moses told you to put lamb’s blood on the sides and top of your doorframe? In chapter 14 the Israelites seemed like they were in an impossible situation, with the sea in front of them and an army behind them.  If you find yourself in an impossible situation, what attitude should you take and what should you do? Why wouldn’t manna keep overnight, except on the Sabbath?  What do you need to believe God for on a daily basis? What promise did God attach to the command to honor your father and mother?

Psalms 12-16

Psalm 13:1, written by David, asks, “Will you forget me forever?”  The Bible clearly tells us that He won’t forget us. (Isaiah 49:15, for example).  Why is David’s question in the Bible? Who is it who thinks there is no God? What does Psalm 16:8 mean saying, “I have set the Lord always before me”?

New Testament, John 11-15

John 11:25 says that a person can live even though they die.  What does this mean? At a dinner to honor Jesus, Mary was accused of overdoing it.  What is an appropriate way to honor Jesus? In John 13:14, Jesus told us to wash one another’s feet.  Some churches do this with foot washing ceremonies.  What other ways might you obey Jesus’ command? Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life.  What does this mean? What one command did Jesus give us in chapter 15 that He said would assure that we would bear fruit?  What does this mean?