Old Testament: Exodus 21 - 40
In chapter 21, for what purpose would a man get his ear pierced?
In 22:2-3 there were two different rules for killing an intruder in someone's home. Why is there a different rule for daytime than at night?
God says in 23:3-4, "If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it." This shows that treating others with respect should outweigh negative feelings we might have toward someone. Are you able to do this?
In chapter 24 Moses and others saw God and describe, "Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky." Ezekiel 1:22 describes, "something like a vault (This can mean an arched roof. The NASB calls it an "expanse"), sparkling like crystal, and awesome." Ezekiel was looking from below up through the "vault" to see God on a throne. John describes, "and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal." (Revelation 4:6). These men, centuries apart, describe something similar (though Ezekiel is viewing it from below, Moses and John from above). Why is this in the Bible?
How were the materials for the tabernacle obtained?
What was the purpose of the veil in chapter 26?
In 28:2 God said, "Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor." Why was it important for Aaron, as high priest, to have dignity and honor?
What was the purpose in chapter 29 of putting blood on the right ear lobes, thumbs, and big toes of Aaron and his sons?
In chapter 30, why do you think God required each person to make a payment when they were counted in a census?
Why were the formulas for sacred anointing oil and sacred incense not to be used for anything else?
For what purpose was Bezalel filled with the Spirit of God?
Why did the people want Aaron to make them gods in chapter 32? Why would anyone worship a god who had been made by hand?
In 33:15 Moses said, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Do you have the same desire for God's presence?
Why didn't God want Israel to make treaties with the nations that they were to drive out of the Promised Land?
Why did Moses have people stop contributing materials for the tabernacle in chapter 36?
Was there more gold or silver in the tabernacle? What was most of the silver used for?
At the end of chapter 39 Moses inspected everything that had been made for the tabernacle. What did he find?
What was the significance in chapter 40 when "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle"?
Psalms 15 - 17
Psalm 15 teaches that the blameless may live in God's presence and gives examples of righteous living like speaking the truth, keeping an oath, or not accepting a bribe. What is the purpose of this psalm if all have sinned and there is no one who is blameless?
David wrote in 16:2, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Do you have this same attitude? Does this attitude change the way you set priorities?
What does the prayer in 17:8 mean, "Keep me as the apple of your eye"?
New Testament: Matthew 17 - 20
In chapter 17 why did Jesus tell Peter they were exempt from the two-drachma temple tax and then do a miracle so they could pay the tax?
In chapter 18, what did Jesus promise if two or three people would gather in His name?
How is marriage defined in 19:4-6?
In chapter 19 the disciples rebuked those who were bringing children to Jesus. Why did Jesus display a different attitude toward children than His disciples?
In 20:26 Jesus said, "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." What opportunities do you have to serve others?
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Week 4, January 22 - 28, 2017
Old Testament: Exodus 1 - 20
In chapter 1, why did the Egyptians want to oppress the Israelites?
Did Moses' mother have reason to believe that things would work out if she put her baby in a basket in the river?
What do you learn about God from what He says in 3:7-8, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.."?
In 3:12 God gave Moses a "sign" to confirm that it was really God speaking to him. The sign was that after he led Israel out of Egypt, he would worship God on the mountain where he was. This was a sign, but one that he only got after he obeyed the Lord. Are you willing to obey the Lord when you aren't sure of the outcome?
What is wrong with Moses saying in 4:13, "Please send someone else"? Are you willing to do what God gives you to do or would your rather He sent someone else?
In chapter 5, when Moses and Aaron first told Pharoah, "Let my people go," did things get better or worse?
In chapter 6 God renewed His promise to bring the people out of Egypt, but verse 9 says, "Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor." How can you keep discouragement from causing you not to listen to the Lord?
Why do you think Pharaoh had the Egyptian magicians duplicate the miraculous signs that Moses and Aaron were doing?
When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted to be rid of the frogs, why did he say "Tomorrow"?
What does it mean in 9:16 when God had Moses tell Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose"?
What was the final plague that Moses foretold in chapter 11?
Some of the previous plagues only affected the Egyptians and not the Israelites. Who was and wasn't affected by the final plague?
13:18 says that Israel "went up out of Egypt ready for battle." But in 3:17 God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Were they ready or not?
In chapter 14 the Israelites were terrified and began to complain to Moses. But Moses said, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." What does it mean for you to "stand firm" and when do you need to do so?
In chapter 15, under what conditions did God say He would not bring on the Israelites the diseases He brought on the Egyptians?
What happened to manna that was kept for the next day (except on the Sabbath)? Why did people keep it until the next day when Moses told them not to?
How did Aaron and Hur help defeat the Amalekites?
Moses obeyed the Lord, but when Jethro, his father-in-law, saw how he was judging every dispute, he said, "What you are doing is not good." Why did Moses need someone else to help him see he needed to delegate responsibility?
Why did God have Moses put limits around the mountain in chapter 19?
What promise does God give in chapter 20 for those who honor their father and mother? How do you honor your parents if they are not honorable people?
Psalms 11 - 14
The Bible teaches that God is love. Why does 11:5 say, "but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion"?
Why would David pray in 12:1, "Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore"?
David wrote in 13:6, "I will sing the Lord’s praise for he has been good to me." What value does singing have in praising the Lord?
14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'” This shows that atheism starts in the heart, not in the head. Why would a person choose to believe there is no God?
New Testament: Matthew 13 - 16
In the parable of the sower in chapter 13, Jesus said that the rocky soil represented people who lack roots and "when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." What are the roots in your life that keep you from falling away in times of trouble?
14:29 says that Peter walked on water. When did he begin to sink?
In 15:26 why did Jesus speak to the Canaanite woman as though she was no better than a dog?
In chapter 16 when Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus said it had been revealed to Peter by the Father in heaven. Do you need this first hand understanding of who Jesus is? Do you have it?
Why did Jesus tell Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!"?
In chapter 1, why did the Egyptians want to oppress the Israelites?
Did Moses' mother have reason to believe that things would work out if she put her baby in a basket in the river?
What do you learn about God from what He says in 3:7-8, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.."?
In 3:12 God gave Moses a "sign" to confirm that it was really God speaking to him. The sign was that after he led Israel out of Egypt, he would worship God on the mountain where he was. This was a sign, but one that he only got after he obeyed the Lord. Are you willing to obey the Lord when you aren't sure of the outcome?
What is wrong with Moses saying in 4:13, "Please send someone else"? Are you willing to do what God gives you to do or would your rather He sent someone else?
In chapter 5, when Moses and Aaron first told Pharoah, "Let my people go," did things get better or worse?
In chapter 6 God renewed His promise to bring the people out of Egypt, but verse 9 says, "Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor." How can you keep discouragement from causing you not to listen to the Lord?
Why do you think Pharaoh had the Egyptian magicians duplicate the miraculous signs that Moses and Aaron were doing?
When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted to be rid of the frogs, why did he say "Tomorrow"?
What does it mean in 9:16 when God had Moses tell Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose"?
What was the final plague that Moses foretold in chapter 11?
Some of the previous plagues only affected the Egyptians and not the Israelites. Who was and wasn't affected by the final plague?
13:18 says that Israel "went up out of Egypt ready for battle." But in 3:17 God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Were they ready or not?
In chapter 14 the Israelites were terrified and began to complain to Moses. But Moses said, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." What does it mean for you to "stand firm" and when do you need to do so?
In chapter 15, under what conditions did God say He would not bring on the Israelites the diseases He brought on the Egyptians?
What happened to manna that was kept for the next day (except on the Sabbath)? Why did people keep it until the next day when Moses told them not to?
How did Aaron and Hur help defeat the Amalekites?
Moses obeyed the Lord, but when Jethro, his father-in-law, saw how he was judging every dispute, he said, "What you are doing is not good." Why did Moses need someone else to help him see he needed to delegate responsibility?
Why did God have Moses put limits around the mountain in chapter 19?
What promise does God give in chapter 20 for those who honor their father and mother? How do you honor your parents if they are not honorable people?
Psalms 11 - 14
The Bible teaches that God is love. Why does 11:5 say, "but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion"?
Why would David pray in 12:1, "Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore"?
David wrote in 13:6, "I will sing the Lord’s praise for he has been good to me." What value does singing have in praising the Lord?
14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'” This shows that atheism starts in the heart, not in the head. Why would a person choose to believe there is no God?
New Testament: Matthew 13 - 16
In the parable of the sower in chapter 13, Jesus said that the rocky soil represented people who lack roots and "when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." What are the roots in your life that keep you from falling away in times of trouble?
14:29 says that Peter walked on water. When did he begin to sink?
In 15:26 why did Jesus speak to the Canaanite woman as though she was no better than a dog?
In chapter 16 when Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus said it had been revealed to Peter by the Father in heaven. Do you need this first hand understanding of who Jesus is? Do you have it?
Why did Jesus tell Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!"?
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Week 3, January 15 - 21, 2017
Old Testament: Genesis 34 - 50
How do you think Jacob's sons should have responded to their sister being raped in chapter 34?
Why did Jacob and Rachel call their youngest son by two different names?
What three things are mentioned in chapter 37 that caused Joseph's brothers to hate him?
Why did Tamar want to become pregnant, so much that she resorted to deception?
In chapter 39 Joseph was put in prison unjustly. This was after his brothers had sold him into slavery. But verse 21 says, "the Lord was with him." What does this mean when he was in such difficult circumstances?
What gave Joseph confidence in chapter 40 that he could interpret dreams?
Joseph's circumstances changed completely in chapter 41. But Joseph was ready for the new responsibility because God had been preparing him for it for years. Jesus taught, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10) What responsibility has God given you and what are you doing with it?
In 42:36 Jacob said, "Everything is against me!" This wasn't true because God was at work providing for Jacob's family and fulfilling God's promises. Are you able to trust God when your circumstances seem to be against you?
In chapter 44, why did Joseph want to make it look like Benjamin had stolen his cup?
In 45:8 Joseph said, "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." How do you think this perspective affected his ability to forgive his brother?
In chapter 46, why did Joseph want his family to tell Pharaoh they were shepherds when he said, "all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians"?
Where did Jacob want to be buried?
Why did Jacob cross his arms when he was blessing Ephraim and Manasseh?
In 50:20 Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Are you able to look for good that God wants to bring out of hard times that you have gone through?
Psalms 8 - 10
David wrote in 8:2, "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies," What does this mean?
9:9 says, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." When and how have you found this to be true in your own time of trouble?
10:1 says, "Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" but 10:17-18 says, "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed." How can these seemingly contradictory views of God appear in the same Psalm?
New Testament: Matthew 9 - 12
How did Jesus answer in chapter 9 when He was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners?
In 9:38 Jesus commanded us, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Are you obeying this command and praying for workers?
In chapter 10, when Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons, He told them, "Freely you have received; freely give." How does the principle of freely giving what you have freely received apply to you?
If John the Baptist's job was to announce the coming of the Messiah, why was he having his disciples ask in 11:3, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
In 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Do you have the rest Jesus was talking about?
What does Jesus refer to in chapter 12 as the sign of the prophet Jonah?
How do you think Jacob's sons should have responded to their sister being raped in chapter 34?
Why did Jacob and Rachel call their youngest son by two different names?
What three things are mentioned in chapter 37 that caused Joseph's brothers to hate him?
Why did Tamar want to become pregnant, so much that she resorted to deception?
In chapter 39 Joseph was put in prison unjustly. This was after his brothers had sold him into slavery. But verse 21 says, "the Lord was with him." What does this mean when he was in such difficult circumstances?
What gave Joseph confidence in chapter 40 that he could interpret dreams?
Joseph's circumstances changed completely in chapter 41. But Joseph was ready for the new responsibility because God had been preparing him for it for years. Jesus taught, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10) What responsibility has God given you and what are you doing with it?
In 42:36 Jacob said, "Everything is against me!" This wasn't true because God was at work providing for Jacob's family and fulfilling God's promises. Are you able to trust God when your circumstances seem to be against you?
In chapter 44, why did Joseph want to make it look like Benjamin had stolen his cup?
In 45:8 Joseph said, "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." How do you think this perspective affected his ability to forgive his brother?
In chapter 46, why did Joseph want his family to tell Pharaoh they were shepherds when he said, "all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians"?
Where did Jacob want to be buried?
Why did Jacob cross his arms when he was blessing Ephraim and Manasseh?
In 50:20 Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Are you able to look for good that God wants to bring out of hard times that you have gone through?
Psalms 8 - 10
David wrote in 8:2, "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies," What does this mean?
9:9 says, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." When and how have you found this to be true in your own time of trouble?
10:1 says, "Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" but 10:17-18 says, "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed." How can these seemingly contradictory views of God appear in the same Psalm?
New Testament: Matthew 9 - 12
How did Jesus answer in chapter 9 when He was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners?
In 9:38 Jesus commanded us, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Are you obeying this command and praying for workers?
In chapter 10, when Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons, He told them, "Freely you have received; freely give." How does the principle of freely giving what you have freely received apply to you?
If John the Baptist's job was to announce the coming of the Messiah, why was he having his disciples ask in 11:3, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
In 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Do you have the rest Jesus was talking about?
What does Jesus refer to in chapter 12 as the sign of the prophet Jonah?
Sunday, January 08, 2017
Week 2, January 8 - 14, 2017
Old Testament: Genesis 19 - 33
When Lot first parted ways with Abraham, Lot "pitched his tents near Sodom." (Genesis 13:12). By chapter 19 Lot was living in a house in Sodom. Two things in chapter 19 show that Lot's judgement had eroded, probably from living in Sodom. 1) He was willing to send his virgin daughters to the mob outside his door, and 2) His sons-in-law to be did not take him seriously. Yet, he was somehow considered righteous and was rescued before Sodom was destroyed. How can you avoid having your judgement be negatively influenced by others who are not walking with God?
Abraham is known for his faith and obedience. Why then did he lie about Sarah being his sister in chapter 20?
Why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice his son (chapter 22)? Would God put you through something challenging to test your faith?
How old was Sarah when she died?
In chapter 24, why was Abraham so opposed to Isaac marrying someone from the land Abraham was living in? Why was he also opposed to Isaac going back to the land Abraham had come from?
Why was Esau willing to trade his birthright for stew?
Why did Isaac have to reopen wells his father had dug?
If blessings ultimately come from God (James 1:17), how was Jacob able to steal a blessing through trickery in chapter 27?
What was Esau trying to accomplish when he married Mahalath in chapter 28?
Why did Laban want Jacob to marry Leah before Rachel?
Why did Bilhah and Zilpah have sons with Jacob?
In chapter 31, God told Jacob to go back to his home land and said, "and I will be with you." What does it mean for God to be with you? What do you need to do to have this promise active in your life?
What was Jacob expecting or hoping for when he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” in chapter 32?
Psalms 5 - 7
5:11 says, "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy." Are you taking refuge in the Lord and is it producing gladness?
In 6:3, David wrote, "My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?" How should you respond when adversity lasts longer than you expected?
7:9 describes God as "the righteous God who probes minds and hearts." Do you find it comforting or fearful to know that God probes your mind and heart?
New Testament: Matthew 5 - 8
Jesus taught, in 5:11, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Do you regard it as a blessing if your are insulted for your faith?
Jesus said in 6:14, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Is there anyone you need to forgive?
In 7:7 Jesus said, "seek and you will find." What should you be seeking and how should you be doing it?
Jesus said that the person who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock, which did not fall when there was a great storm. What results in your life can be compared to your house standing in the face of a storm?
What caused Jesus to be amazed in 8:10?
When Lot first parted ways with Abraham, Lot "pitched his tents near Sodom." (Genesis 13:12). By chapter 19 Lot was living in a house in Sodom. Two things in chapter 19 show that Lot's judgement had eroded, probably from living in Sodom. 1) He was willing to send his virgin daughters to the mob outside his door, and 2) His sons-in-law to be did not take him seriously. Yet, he was somehow considered righteous and was rescued before Sodom was destroyed. How can you avoid having your judgement be negatively influenced by others who are not walking with God?
Abraham is known for his faith and obedience. Why then did he lie about Sarah being his sister in chapter 20?
Why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice his son (chapter 22)? Would God put you through something challenging to test your faith?
How old was Sarah when she died?
In chapter 24, why was Abraham so opposed to Isaac marrying someone from the land Abraham was living in? Why was he also opposed to Isaac going back to the land Abraham had come from?
Why was Esau willing to trade his birthright for stew?
Why did Isaac have to reopen wells his father had dug?
If blessings ultimately come from God (James 1:17), how was Jacob able to steal a blessing through trickery in chapter 27?
What was Esau trying to accomplish when he married Mahalath in chapter 28?
Why did Laban want Jacob to marry Leah before Rachel?
Why did Bilhah and Zilpah have sons with Jacob?
In chapter 31, God told Jacob to go back to his home land and said, "and I will be with you." What does it mean for God to be with you? What do you need to do to have this promise active in your life?
What was Jacob expecting or hoping for when he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” in chapter 32?
Psalms 5 - 7
5:11 says, "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy." Are you taking refuge in the Lord and is it producing gladness?
In 6:3, David wrote, "My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?" How should you respond when adversity lasts longer than you expected?
7:9 describes God as "the righteous God who probes minds and hearts." Do you find it comforting or fearful to know that God probes your mind and heart?
New Testament: Matthew 5 - 8
Jesus taught, in 5:11, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Do you regard it as a blessing if your are insulted for your faith?
Jesus said in 6:14, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Is there anyone you need to forgive?
In 7:7 Jesus said, "seek and you will find." What should you be seeking and how should you be doing it?
Jesus said that the person who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock, which did not fall when there was a great storm. What results in your life can be compared to your house standing in the face of a storm?
What caused Jesus to be amazed in 8:10?
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