Old Testament: Numbers 19 - 36
Why did God require a cleansing process in chapter 19 for someone who came in contact with a corpse?
What did Moses do wrong in chapter 20? How important is it for you to be obedient to God?
In chapter 21 Moses put a bronze snake on a pole. If someone was bitten by a venomous snake and looked at the bronze snake they would live. Why did Jesus compare himself to the bronze snake in John 3:14?
What do you conclude from God's statement to Balaam in 22:12, "You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed." Should you be concerned about someone trying to put a curse on you? What do you need to do to walk in God's blessing?
Why was God angry in 22:22?
In 23:19 Balaam's word from the Lord included the statement, "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Do you recognize that God keeps His promises? What promises of God shape the way you think and live?
Who is the star spoken of in 24:17 and the ruler spoken of in 24:19?
What caused a plague in chapter 25?
Why do you think God said in 26:55, "Be sure that the land is distributed by lot"? David wrote in Psalm 16:6, "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." What attitude should you take toward the life God has provided for you?
When the second census was taken in chapter 26, who was still living that had been counted in the first census?
What did Moses ask God for in 27:15-17?
In chapter 30, why did God give fathers and husbands the right to overrule vows made by their daughters or wives?
31:16 shows that Balaam advised the Midianites in how to lure Israel in to sin. This was after he was unable to curse Israel. This advice only worked because of the disobedience of the Israelites. How can you avoid being led astray by the enemy?
Were the Gadites and Reubenites right or wrong in wanting to live east of the Jordan?
Chapter 33 lists 42 places that the Israelites camped in the 40 years from the time they left Egypt to the time they camped across the Jordan River from Jericho. Why were they on the move for so long?
In chapter 35 God describes the purpose of the cities of refuge as a place people could go "so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly." Why wouldn't people be given this protection and the opportunity to stand trial anywhere in the land?
What restriction was given in chapter 36 to women who inherited land?
Psalms 25 - 28
David wrote in 25:4, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." How eager are you to learn God's will for your life? How willing are you to go where He leads?
Why do you think David wrote in 26:8, " I love the house where you live"?
David wrote in 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" How can you develop a trust in the Lord that drives out the fear of other people?
David wrote in 28:7, "My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." How can you experience the joy that David was writing about?
New Testament: Romans 6 - 10
In 6:11 we are given the command, "count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." What does this mean and how do you obey it?
In 7:4 Paul says we have "died to the law through the body of Christ." What does it mean to be dead to the law?
In chapter 7 Paul describes the struggle with sin, summarized in verse 21, "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me." People studying this chapter have sometimes disagreed on whether Paul was describing his struggle before becoming a Christian or his struggle as a Christian. Which do you think he meant and why?
In 8:18 Paul wrote, " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Are you able to take this attitude when you face suffering?
8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Do you expect that God is doing something good even when you can't see the good at the time?
According to 9:32, why did people of Israel not obtain righteousness?
What does Paul say in 10:9 a person needs to do to be saved?
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Week 8, February 19 - 25, 2017
Old Testament: Numbers 1 - 18
In chapter 1, how long had Israel been gone from Egypt when God had them take a census? Why weren't the Levites included in this census?
When Israel camped each tribe was assigned a specific location. What was at the center of the camp?
In chapter 4, whose job was it to cover and wrap the furnishings and articles in the tabernacle? Whose job was it to move them?
The Levites were counted twice. The males a month old or more numbered 22,000. The males between ages 30 and 50 numbered 8,580. Why were they counted two different ways?
In chapter 6, how was the priest to bless the Israelites?
In chapter 7 carts and oxen were given to the Gershonites and Merarites. Why were there no carts given to the Kohathites?
The cloud described in chapter 9 gave Israel very clear guidance on when to camp and when to move on. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this very specific type of guidance?
What was the purpose of the trumpets described in chapter 10?
In chapter 11 the people complained that they didn't have meat and that they were tired of manna. In verse 20 God says, "you have rejected the Lord, who is among you." Why would complaining about manna be considered a rejection of God? Are you able to appreciate God's provision and direction rather than complain?
Why was Miriam stricken with leprosy in chapter 12?
All the men who explored the land in chapter 13 agreed that it was a good land. All agreed that the people were strong. Caleb had a different opinion from the others on whether they could and should take the land. Why did he have a different opinion?
In 14:24 God said, "Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly." How can you be like Caleb and follow the Lord wholeheartedly, not being discouraged by what you see?
In chapter 14 God said that it would be 40 years before Israel entered the Promised Land, because of their disobedience. In 15:2 God returns to giving commands for "After you enter the land I am giving you as a home..." How had Israel's disobedience impacted God's plan to give Israel the Promised Land?
Why were Korah, Dathan and Abiram punished in chapter 16?
What caused the Israelites to complain in 17:12, "We will die! We are lost, we are all lost!"?
God told Aaron, in 18:20, "I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites." How would it affect your life to consider the Lord your inheritance?
Psalms 22 - 24
On the cross Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Why did David write that in Psalm 22?
What is the significance of David's statement in 23:5, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies"? Why would God prepare a table in front of enemies?
In 24:1 David proclaims, "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it." How does understanding this change the way you think and live?
New Testament: Romans 1 - 5
In 1:14 Paul wrote, "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks." What made him obligated to anyone?
1:19-20 teaches that God's power and nature are clearly seen by everyone. How do some people consider themselves atheists?
Why does Paul warn us in chapter 2 that when we judge others we condemn ourselves?
How can 2:13, "it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous" and 3:20, "no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law" both be true statements?
How is a person "justified by faith apart from the works of the law" (3:28)?
Was Abraham justified by faith or by works?
Paul says in 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." What does it mean to have peace with God?
In chapter 1, how long had Israel been gone from Egypt when God had them take a census? Why weren't the Levites included in this census?
When Israel camped each tribe was assigned a specific location. What was at the center of the camp?
In chapter 4, whose job was it to cover and wrap the furnishings and articles in the tabernacle? Whose job was it to move them?
The Levites were counted twice. The males a month old or more numbered 22,000. The males between ages 30 and 50 numbered 8,580. Why were they counted two different ways?
In chapter 6, how was the priest to bless the Israelites?
In chapter 7 carts and oxen were given to the Gershonites and Merarites. Why were there no carts given to the Kohathites?
The cloud described in chapter 9 gave Israel very clear guidance on when to camp and when to move on. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this very specific type of guidance?
What was the purpose of the trumpets described in chapter 10?
In chapter 11 the people complained that they didn't have meat and that they were tired of manna. In verse 20 God says, "you have rejected the Lord, who is among you." Why would complaining about manna be considered a rejection of God? Are you able to appreciate God's provision and direction rather than complain?
Why was Miriam stricken with leprosy in chapter 12?
All the men who explored the land in chapter 13 agreed that it was a good land. All agreed that the people were strong. Caleb had a different opinion from the others on whether they could and should take the land. Why did he have a different opinion?
In 14:24 God said, "Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly." How can you be like Caleb and follow the Lord wholeheartedly, not being discouraged by what you see?
In chapter 14 God said that it would be 40 years before Israel entered the Promised Land, because of their disobedience. In 15:2 God returns to giving commands for "After you enter the land I am giving you as a home..." How had Israel's disobedience impacted God's plan to give Israel the Promised Land?
Why were Korah, Dathan and Abiram punished in chapter 16?
What caused the Israelites to complain in 17:12, "We will die! We are lost, we are all lost!"?
God told Aaron, in 18:20, "I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites." How would it affect your life to consider the Lord your inheritance?
Psalms 22 - 24
On the cross Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Why did David write that in Psalm 22?
What is the significance of David's statement in 23:5, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies"? Why would God prepare a table in front of enemies?
In 24:1 David proclaims, "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it." How does understanding this change the way you think and live?
New Testament: Romans 1 - 5
In 1:14 Paul wrote, "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks." What made him obligated to anyone?
1:19-20 teaches that God's power and nature are clearly seen by everyone. How do some people consider themselves atheists?
Why does Paul warn us in chapter 2 that when we judge others we condemn ourselves?
How can 2:13, "it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous" and 3:20, "no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law" both be true statements?
How is a person "justified by faith apart from the works of the law" (3:28)?
Was Abraham justified by faith or by works?
Paul says in 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." What does it mean to have peace with God?
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Week 7, February 12 - 18, 2017
Old Testament: Leviticus 15 - 27
In chapter 16, how often was the priest to go into the Most Holy Place and make atonement for the sins of Israel?
What is the meaning of the statement in 17:11, "it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life"?
In chapter 18 God spells out sexual relationships, including incest and homosexuality, that are forbidden. Before listing these He says, "You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God." Why does God consider some sexual relationships right and others wrong?
In 19:2 God says, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." What does this mean to you? What do you need to do to be more like God?
The punishment for adultery (20:10) and homosexuality (20:13) were the same. What do they have in common?
In chapter 21, why wouldn't God permit someone with a physical defect to be a priest?
In 22:32, God says to Israel, "I am the Lord, who made you holy." When and how did God make Israel holy?
In 23:22 God told Israel not to reap to the very edges of their fields, nor to gather the gleanings of their harvest. These were to be left for the poor. How can you apply this principle to the way you live?
Why did God require the Israelites to live in temporary shelters for a week each year?
In chapter 24 a man with an Egyptian father and an Israelite mother blasphemed the name of the Lord. In making His will known, God said, "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born." (24:22) So the fact that the man had an Egyptian father did not change the decision. Why would God have the same law for a foreigner as for someone who is native born?
In chapter 25 God required that every 7th year be a Sabbath year for the land, when crops were not sown or trees pruned. Was this for the benefit of the land or for the people living on the land?
In chapter 26 what blessings did God promise Israel if they would obey the Lord's commands? What consequences did He promise Israel if they disobeyed the Lord?
Psalms 19 - 21
19:1 says the heavens declare the glory of God. How do the heavens show us God's glory?
19:10 says that God's commands "are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." Do you experience this sweetness? How?
In 20:7 David wrote, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Is your trust in the Lord or is it in something else like your job, the economy, your own strength, etc.?
In 21:6 David wrote that God had made him "glad with the joy of your presence." How can you experience the joy of God's presence?
New Testament: Matthew 25 - 28
In the parable of the ten virgins in chapter 25, what do you think the oil represents? How do you obey the command that Jesus concludes the parable with, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour"?
Why were the disciples indignant at the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus?
In 26:41 Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." What should the disciples have been praying about? How does prayer change the balance of power between your willing spirit and your weak flesh?
Why didn't Jesus answer the charges when He was brought before Pilate?
What was the significance of the curtain in the temple being torn in 27:51 and of people who had died being raised to life in 27:52?
28:18-20 is often called, "The Great Commission." What part do you have in the fulfillment of this command?
In chapter 16, how often was the priest to go into the Most Holy Place and make atonement for the sins of Israel?
What is the meaning of the statement in 17:11, "it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life"?
In chapter 18 God spells out sexual relationships, including incest and homosexuality, that are forbidden. Before listing these He says, "You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God." Why does God consider some sexual relationships right and others wrong?
In 19:2 God says, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." What does this mean to you? What do you need to do to be more like God?
The punishment for adultery (20:10) and homosexuality (20:13) were the same. What do they have in common?
In chapter 21, why wouldn't God permit someone with a physical defect to be a priest?
In 22:32, God says to Israel, "I am the Lord, who made you holy." When and how did God make Israel holy?
In 23:22 God told Israel not to reap to the very edges of their fields, nor to gather the gleanings of their harvest. These were to be left for the poor. How can you apply this principle to the way you live?
Why did God require the Israelites to live in temporary shelters for a week each year?
In chapter 24 a man with an Egyptian father and an Israelite mother blasphemed the name of the Lord. In making His will known, God said, "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born." (24:22) So the fact that the man had an Egyptian father did not change the decision. Why would God have the same law for a foreigner as for someone who is native born?
In chapter 25 God required that every 7th year be a Sabbath year for the land, when crops were not sown or trees pruned. Was this for the benefit of the land or for the people living on the land?
In chapter 26 what blessings did God promise Israel if they would obey the Lord's commands? What consequences did He promise Israel if they disobeyed the Lord?
Psalms 19 - 21
19:1 says the heavens declare the glory of God. How do the heavens show us God's glory?
19:10 says that God's commands "are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." Do you experience this sweetness? How?
In 20:7 David wrote, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Is your trust in the Lord or is it in something else like your job, the economy, your own strength, etc.?
In 21:6 David wrote that God had made him "glad with the joy of your presence." How can you experience the joy of God's presence?
New Testament: Matthew 25 - 28
In the parable of the ten virgins in chapter 25, what do you think the oil represents? How do you obey the command that Jesus concludes the parable with, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour"?
Why were the disciples indignant at the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus?
In 26:41 Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." What should the disciples have been praying about? How does prayer change the balance of power between your willing spirit and your weak flesh?
Why didn't Jesus answer the charges when He was brought before Pilate?
What was the significance of the curtain in the temple being torn in 27:51 and of people who had died being raised to life in 27:52?
28:18-20 is often called, "The Great Commission." What part do you have in the fulfillment of this command?
Sunday, February 05, 2017
Week 6, February 5 - 11, 2017
Old Testament: Leviticus 1 - 14
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16) That's the reason we believe in reading all of Scripture. Leviticus is not the easiest book to read and it's the place where some get bogged down in the their plan to read through the Bible. Ask God to let you see something new in this book as you read it this year.
Chapter 1 explains how to present burnt offerings. These were completely burned on the altar. For other types of offerings some of the meat was eaten by the priests or by the person making the offering. What is the purpose of an offering that is burned completely with none of the meat eaten?
According to 2:11, what could not be included in a grain offering? According to 2:13, what had to be included?
What two things were forbidden to be eaten in 3:17?
Chapter 4 describes sin offerings to be made when someone sins unintentionally but later becomes aware that they had broken God's commands. How do you react when you become aware that you have been doing something that God says is wrong?
According to chapter 6, how was a person to repay a neighbor that they had cheated?
Why do you think God wanted the fire of the altar to be kept burning at all times?
How long did the ordination of Aaron and his sons last in chapter 8?
In chapter 9 what caused the people to shout for joy and fall facedown?
Why was God so harsh with Nadab and Abihu in chapter 10?
Why were Aaron and his sons told not to drink wine or other fermented drink?
In chapter 11, why did God allow Israel to eat certain animals and not others?
Chapter 13 gives guidelines for a priest to determine whether a skin condition warrants a person being considered unclean and living alone. What was the purpose of isolating someone with such a condition?
The process in chapter 14 for restoring someone who had healed from a skin disease was quite complicated. There was a bird sacrificed. Then the person was washed and shaved and had to stay outside their tent for seven days. Then they were washed and shaved again. Then they were to present a guilt offering, a sin offering, and a burnt offering. Why did God make this so complicated?
Psalm 18
There are 150 Psalms. That's about 3 per week to read them all in a year. But they are not all the same length. Many are quite short, but Psalm 18 is 50 verses long. That's the reason we only have one Psalm on the schedule this week.
David wrote in verse 16, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Are you able to trust God when you find yourself in "deep waters"?
New Testament: Matthew 21 - 24
What prophet foretold that Zion's king would arrive on a donkey?
In 21:22 Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." What do you need to do to see answered prayer in your life?
In chapter 22 Jesus said that the greatest commandment is, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." What do you need to do to fulfill this command?
Based on what Jesus said in 23:8-12, what is the job of Christian leaders?
Jesus compared the hypocrisy of the Pharisees to straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel (23:24) and cleaning the outside of a cup and dish while the inside is dirty (23:25). How can you avoid becoming hypocritical in this way?
According to Jesus, who knows the day and hour of His second coming?
In 24:42, Jesus said, "Therefore keep watch." What do you need to do to obey this command?
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16) That's the reason we believe in reading all of Scripture. Leviticus is not the easiest book to read and it's the place where some get bogged down in the their plan to read through the Bible. Ask God to let you see something new in this book as you read it this year.
Chapter 1 explains how to present burnt offerings. These were completely burned on the altar. For other types of offerings some of the meat was eaten by the priests or by the person making the offering. What is the purpose of an offering that is burned completely with none of the meat eaten?
According to 2:11, what could not be included in a grain offering? According to 2:13, what had to be included?
What two things were forbidden to be eaten in 3:17?
Chapter 4 describes sin offerings to be made when someone sins unintentionally but later becomes aware that they had broken God's commands. How do you react when you become aware that you have been doing something that God says is wrong?
According to chapter 6, how was a person to repay a neighbor that they had cheated?
Why do you think God wanted the fire of the altar to be kept burning at all times?
How long did the ordination of Aaron and his sons last in chapter 8?
In chapter 9 what caused the people to shout for joy and fall facedown?
Why was God so harsh with Nadab and Abihu in chapter 10?
Why were Aaron and his sons told not to drink wine or other fermented drink?
In chapter 11, why did God allow Israel to eat certain animals and not others?
Chapter 13 gives guidelines for a priest to determine whether a skin condition warrants a person being considered unclean and living alone. What was the purpose of isolating someone with such a condition?
The process in chapter 14 for restoring someone who had healed from a skin disease was quite complicated. There was a bird sacrificed. Then the person was washed and shaved and had to stay outside their tent for seven days. Then they were washed and shaved again. Then they were to present a guilt offering, a sin offering, and a burnt offering. Why did God make this so complicated?
Psalm 18
There are 150 Psalms. That's about 3 per week to read them all in a year. But they are not all the same length. Many are quite short, but Psalm 18 is 50 verses long. That's the reason we only have one Psalm on the schedule this week.
David wrote in verse 16, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Are you able to trust God when you find yourself in "deep waters"?
New Testament: Matthew 21 - 24
What prophet foretold that Zion's king would arrive on a donkey?
In 21:22 Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." What do you need to do to see answered prayer in your life?
In chapter 22 Jesus said that the greatest commandment is, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." What do you need to do to fulfill this command?
Based on what Jesus said in 23:8-12, what is the job of Christian leaders?
Jesus compared the hypocrisy of the Pharisees to straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel (23:24) and cleaning the outside of a cup and dish while the inside is dirty (23:25). How can you avoid becoming hypocritical in this way?
According to Jesus, who knows the day and hour of His second coming?
In 24:42, Jesus said, "Therefore keep watch." What do you need to do to obey this command?
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