Old Testament: Isaiah 51 - 66
51:7 instructs us, "Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults." How can you avoid fearing the opinion or the insults of people?
52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." Who would God have you bring good news to?
Hundreds of years before Jesus died on the cross Isaiah wrote, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (53:6) He says we are all sinners, but there was One who bore our sin. How should this understanding affect the way you look at yourself and your neighbor?
In 54:7 God tells Israel, "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back." What does this verse show you about the nature of God?
What kind of thirst is 55:1 talking about?
55:8-9 shows that God's thoughts are much higher than ours. What benefit is there in keeping that in mind?
In 56:7 God says, "my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." What does this show us about God's view of prayer? about His view of the nations?
57:1-2 says, "the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." This implies that when the righteous die they truly are in a better place. What should our attitude be toward death?
God says in 57:15, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." What does it mean to be contrite and lowly? Why is God with those who are contrite and lowly?
In chapter 58 what did God say was missing in the fasting that people in Israel were doing?
According to 59:2, what separates a person from God?
The words "Arise, shine" in 60:1 are written as commands. How do you do that?
60:19 says, "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." When and how will this be fulfilled?
Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:17-21. How does this passage describe Jesus' ministry?
What is the meaning of the command in 62:6-7, "give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest"?
Why does Isaiah say in 64:5, "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags"?
In 65:17 God says He will create new heavens and a new earth. Why will He do this?
God says, in 66:18, that He will "gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory." What part do you have in reaching the nations?
Psalm 107
107:2 says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." Are you able to tell your story? Who should you be telling it to?
New Testament: John 9 - 12
Why did the disciples assume that the man in chapter 9 was born blind because of sin?
In chapter 10, why did Jesus refer to Himself as both the gate (or door) and the good shepherd?
In 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Have you given your life to Jesus and are you living the life He intended?
Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (10:27) How do you listen to the voice of Jesus?
In 11:25-26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” How does knowing that we can live eternally change the way you look at this life?
Why did the chief priests want to kill Lazarus in chapter 12?
What is the meaning of the statement Jesus made in 12:25, "anyone who loves their life will lose it"? How does this apply to you?
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Week 38, September 17 - 23, 2017
Old Testament: Isaiah 34 - 50
34:2 says, "The Lord is angry with all nations." What do all nations have in common that the Lord should be angry with?
35:5-6 say, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert." When and how will this be fulfilled?
In chapter 36 the Assyrians attempted to attack Jerusalem by first attacking their faith and confidence. How can you remain strong in faith in the face of opposition or ridicule?
In chapter 37 what did Isaiah say to do about the threats the Assyrians were making toward Jerusalem?
What sign did God give Hezekiah in chapter 38 that he would be healed?
Was Hezekiah wrong in chapter 39 to show his visitors from Babylon the things he had stored up?
How does chapter 40 contrast the word of God with human beings?
How can we gain the renewed strength that 40:31 describes?
Who is being spoken to in 41:24, "But you are less than nothing"?
Who is 42:1-4 speaking about?
According to what God says in 43:10 and 44:6, how many Gods are there? How many will there ever be?
45:9 says, "Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker." Why would anyone think they could quarrel with God?
God says in 46:11, "What I have said, that I will bring about." How does having confidence in God keeping His word change the way you look at life?
What two things does 47:9 say will overcome Babylon in a single day?
48:18 says, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river," and 48:22 says, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” Why are obedience and peace related?
In 49:15 God shows that a nursing mother is more likely to forget her child than God is to forget His people. Are you confident that God has not and will not forget you?
Who is speaking in 50:6?
Psalm 106
106:13 describes Israel in the wilderness, "But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold." When are you faced with the challenge of remembering what God has done and waiting for His plan to unfold?
106:23 says that Moses stood in the breach for Israel. What does this mean?
New Testament: John 5 - 8
Why would Jesus ask the lame man in chapter 5 if he wanted to get well?
How did Jesus respond in chapter 5 to being accused of making Himself equal with God?
Philip's answer in 6:7 focused on the size of the need. Andrew's statement in 6:9 focused on what was available. Where should their focus have been?
In 6:26 Jesus told people they were looking for Him for the wrong reason. How can you have a healthy motive for following the Lord?
Why did people turn back from following Jesus in 6:66?
In chapter 7, why did Jesus first go the festival secretly and then, halfway through the week-long festival, go to the temple courts to teach?
In 7:17 Jesus said, "Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." Why are choosing to do God's will and knowing that Jesus is teaching the truth connected?
In 7:37 Jesus invites the thirsty to come to Him and drink. How do you do that?
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (8:31-32) What do you have to do to hold to Jesus' teaching? What will you be set free from?
34:2 says, "The Lord is angry with all nations." What do all nations have in common that the Lord should be angry with?
35:5-6 say, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert." When and how will this be fulfilled?
In chapter 36 the Assyrians attempted to attack Jerusalem by first attacking their faith and confidence. How can you remain strong in faith in the face of opposition or ridicule?
In chapter 37 what did Isaiah say to do about the threats the Assyrians were making toward Jerusalem?
What sign did God give Hezekiah in chapter 38 that he would be healed?
Was Hezekiah wrong in chapter 39 to show his visitors from Babylon the things he had stored up?
How does chapter 40 contrast the word of God with human beings?
How can we gain the renewed strength that 40:31 describes?
Who is being spoken to in 41:24, "But you are less than nothing"?
Who is 42:1-4 speaking about?
According to what God says in 43:10 and 44:6, how many Gods are there? How many will there ever be?
45:9 says, "Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker." Why would anyone think they could quarrel with God?
God says in 46:11, "What I have said, that I will bring about." How does having confidence in God keeping His word change the way you look at life?
What two things does 47:9 say will overcome Babylon in a single day?
48:18 says, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river," and 48:22 says, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” Why are obedience and peace related?
In 49:15 God shows that a nursing mother is more likely to forget her child than God is to forget His people. Are you confident that God has not and will not forget you?
Who is speaking in 50:6?
Psalm 106
106:13 describes Israel in the wilderness, "But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold." When are you faced with the challenge of remembering what God has done and waiting for His plan to unfold?
106:23 says that Moses stood in the breach for Israel. What does this mean?
New Testament: John 5 - 8
Why would Jesus ask the lame man in chapter 5 if he wanted to get well?
How did Jesus respond in chapter 5 to being accused of making Himself equal with God?
Philip's answer in 6:7 focused on the size of the need. Andrew's statement in 6:9 focused on what was available. Where should their focus have been?
In 6:26 Jesus told people they were looking for Him for the wrong reason. How can you have a healthy motive for following the Lord?
Why did people turn back from following Jesus in 6:66?
In chapter 7, why did Jesus first go the festival secretly and then, halfway through the week-long festival, go to the temple courts to teach?
In 7:17 Jesus said, "Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." Why are choosing to do God's will and knowing that Jesus is teaching the truth connected?
In 7:37 Jesus invites the thirsty to come to Him and drink. How do you do that?
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (8:31-32) What do you have to do to hold to Jesus' teaching? What will you be set free from?
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Week 37, September 10 - 16, 2017
Old Testament: Isaiah 18 - 33
In chapter 18 God calls Cush an aggressive nation. What does He say will happen to them?
In 19:22 Isaiah prophesies that Egypt will turn to the Lord. When and how will this happen?
In prophesying about Arabia, Isaiah uses the phrase, "Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it." (21:16) What is the meaning of this phrase?
Chapter 22 speaks about trying to strengthen the defenses of Jerusalem but verse 11 says, "but you did not look to the One who made it." How can you rely on God and avoid becoming self-reliant?
What does chapter 23 say will happen to Tyre?
24:1-3 says that the Lord will devastate the earth. Why will this happen?
25:8 describes God swallowing up death forever and wiping away the tears from all faces. When will this be fulfilled?
There is a promise of "perfect peace" in 26:3. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." What do you need to do to have this peace?
What is the stone referred to in 28:16?
In 29:13 the Lord says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Why would anyone want to pretend to honor God when their heart is far from Him? How can you draw near to God from your heart?
In chapters 30 and 31, Israel is rebuked for trying to get help from Egypt without consulting God. How can you avoid making a similar mistake?
In 30:15 God says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." How do you pursue repentance and rest in a time of trouble?
What is the significance of the phrase in 32:15, "till the Spirit is poured on us from on high"?
The founders of the United States referred to 33:22 in devising three branches of government with a separation of powers. What does it mean that God is ultimately our judge, lawgiver, and king?
Psalms 104 - 105
104:33 says, "I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." Can you give praise to God through all the seasons of your life?
105:4 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." What daily habits will help you always seek the Lord's face?
New Testament: John 1 - 4
According to 1:12-13, how does someone become a child of God?
When Jewish leaders asked John the Baptist who he was, what was his answer?
What motivated Jesus to turn water into wine?
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days”?
According to chapter 3, what does a person need to do to be born again?
According to 3:18 and 3:36, what happens to those who don't believe in the Son?
What did Jesus mean in 4:32 when he said, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about"?
In chapter 18 God calls Cush an aggressive nation. What does He say will happen to them?
In 19:22 Isaiah prophesies that Egypt will turn to the Lord. When and how will this happen?
In prophesying about Arabia, Isaiah uses the phrase, "Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it." (21:16) What is the meaning of this phrase?
Chapter 22 speaks about trying to strengthen the defenses of Jerusalem but verse 11 says, "but you did not look to the One who made it." How can you rely on God and avoid becoming self-reliant?
What does chapter 23 say will happen to Tyre?
24:1-3 says that the Lord will devastate the earth. Why will this happen?
25:8 describes God swallowing up death forever and wiping away the tears from all faces. When will this be fulfilled?
There is a promise of "perfect peace" in 26:3. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." What do you need to do to have this peace?
What is the stone referred to in 28:16?
In 29:13 the Lord says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Why would anyone want to pretend to honor God when their heart is far from Him? How can you draw near to God from your heart?
In chapters 30 and 31, Israel is rebuked for trying to get help from Egypt without consulting God. How can you avoid making a similar mistake?
In 30:15 God says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." How do you pursue repentance and rest in a time of trouble?
What is the significance of the phrase in 32:15, "till the Spirit is poured on us from on high"?
The founders of the United States referred to 33:22 in devising three branches of government with a separation of powers. What does it mean that God is ultimately our judge, lawgiver, and king?
Psalms 104 - 105
104:33 says, "I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." Can you give praise to God through all the seasons of your life?
105:4 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." What daily habits will help you always seek the Lord's face?
New Testament: John 1 - 4
According to 1:12-13, how does someone become a child of God?
When Jewish leaders asked John the Baptist who he was, what was his answer?
What motivated Jesus to turn water into wine?
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days”?
According to chapter 3, what does a person need to do to be born again?
According to 3:18 and 3:36, what happens to those who don't believe in the Son?
What did Jesus mean in 4:32 when he said, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about"?
Sunday, September 03, 2017
Week 36, September 3 - 9, 2017
Old Testament: Isaiah 1 - 17
In chapter 1, what does God say He wants rather than more offerings and religious festivals?
2:17 says, "The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." What is wrong with human pride and arrogance?
Isaiah prophesies about a time when it will be difficult to find anyone to lead (3:6-7). Why will people want to avoid leadership in that time?
What does the vineyard in 5:1-7 represent? (Notice the similarity to the parable Jesus told in Mark 12:1-12.)
5:21 says, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!" How can you avoid having an inflated opinion of yourself?
What was Isaiah sent to do in chapter 6?
In chapter 7, Jerusalem was under attack. Verse 2 says, "the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind." Isaiah told Ahaz, "keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart." (7:4) and "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." If you were Ahaz, how would you find strength to stand firm in your faith?
When and how was 9:6 fulfilled?
God speaks against withholding justice from the oppressed in 10:2. Who is oppressed that you have the opportunity to help?
What is the remnant mentioned in 10:21-22?
When and how will 11:6-9 be fulfilled?
What does 12:3 mean, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation"?
What does chapter 13 say will happen to Babylon?
Chapter 14 promises that God will restore the people of Israel to their land and says in 14:32, "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge." Why is God compassionate toward those who are afflicted?
Who is 16:5 referring to?
17:7 says, "In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel." What causes people to turn to God when they have been turned away from Him?
Psalms 102 - 103
Psalm 102 describes a bad situation, "For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside." (102:9-10), but faith for the future, "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come." (102:13) What is the basis for this faith?
103:12 says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." What attitude should you have toward your past sins in light of God's forgiveness?
New Testament: Colossians 1 - 4
In 1:9-12, what does Paul say he has been praying for the Colossians?
Paul says he admonishes and teaches so that he can "present every man complete in Christ." (1:28) What is needed for you to be complete in Christ?
What does 2:9-10 teach us about Jesus?
Why does Paul refer to requirements of the Law as a "shadow of the things that were to come" but says that the "reality, however, is found in Christ"? What is the reality that Paul is urging us to live in?
Paul tells us in 3:1 to "set your hearts on things above." What does this mean and how do you do it?
We are commanded in 3:13, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Is there anyone you need to forgive?
4:2 says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." What do you need to do to be devoted to prayer? Why are being watchful and thankful important when you pray?
In chapter 1, what does God say He wants rather than more offerings and religious festivals?
2:17 says, "The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." What is wrong with human pride and arrogance?
Isaiah prophesies about a time when it will be difficult to find anyone to lead (3:6-7). Why will people want to avoid leadership in that time?
What does the vineyard in 5:1-7 represent? (Notice the similarity to the parable Jesus told in Mark 12:1-12.)
5:21 says, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!" How can you avoid having an inflated opinion of yourself?
What was Isaiah sent to do in chapter 6?
In chapter 7, Jerusalem was under attack. Verse 2 says, "the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind." Isaiah told Ahaz, "keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart." (7:4) and "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." If you were Ahaz, how would you find strength to stand firm in your faith?
When and how was 9:6 fulfilled?
God speaks against withholding justice from the oppressed in 10:2. Who is oppressed that you have the opportunity to help?
What is the remnant mentioned in 10:21-22?
When and how will 11:6-9 be fulfilled?
What does 12:3 mean, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation"?
What does chapter 13 say will happen to Babylon?
Chapter 14 promises that God will restore the people of Israel to their land and says in 14:32, "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge." Why is God compassionate toward those who are afflicted?
Who is 16:5 referring to?
17:7 says, "In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel." What causes people to turn to God when they have been turned away from Him?
Psalms 102 - 103
Psalm 102 describes a bad situation, "For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside." (102:9-10), but faith for the future, "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come." (102:13) What is the basis for this faith?
103:12 says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." What attitude should you have toward your past sins in light of God's forgiveness?
New Testament: Colossians 1 - 4
In 1:9-12, what does Paul say he has been praying for the Colossians?
Paul says he admonishes and teaches so that he can "present every man complete in Christ." (1:28) What is needed for you to be complete in Christ?
What does 2:9-10 teach us about Jesus?
Why does Paul refer to requirements of the Law as a "shadow of the things that were to come" but says that the "reality, however, is found in Christ"? What is the reality that Paul is urging us to live in?
Paul tells us in 3:1 to "set your hearts on things above." What does this mean and how do you do it?
We are commanded in 3:13, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Is there anyone you need to forgive?
4:2 says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." What do you need to do to be devoted to prayer? Why are being watchful and thankful important when you pray?
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