Week 5, January 28 - February 3, 2018

The last half of Exodus includes some of the commands the Lord gave Israel and the description He gave Moses for building the tabernacle.  At the end of Exodus the tabernacle is completed and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  In Matthew the disciples saw Jesus perform miracles and show compassion, while He taught them about forgiveness and Christian leadership.

Sunday, January 28, Exodus 21 - 23, Matthew 17

• In Exodus 21, why did God limit a Hebrew who was purchased as a servant to 6 years of service?
• Why did God command in Exodus 22:21, "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner"?
• In Exodus 23:11 God commanded that fields be left unplowed and unused during the 7th year.  Does this principle apply to you?  If so, how?
• In Matthew 17:11-12, Jesus said, "Elijah comes..." and "Elijah has already come."  How are these statements both true?
• Jesus provided a simple method for Peter to get four drachmas to pay the temple tax for Peter and Jesus.  Does God's ability to provide for you free you from worry and allow you to be generous?

Monday, January 29, Exodus 24 - 26, Psalm 15

• Exodus 24:16 says that on the 7th day that Moses was on the mountain God called to him.  If you had been Moses, what would you have been doing for the first six days?
• What was the purpose of the sanctuary God begins to describe in Exodus 25?
• Exodus 26 describes a series of curtains for the tabernacle.  Why did God have them build a movable tabernacle instead of getting to the promised land and building a permanent structure?
• Psalm 15 says that the person whose walk is blameless can live in God's presence.  What hope is there for us since the Bible teaches that we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?

Tuesday, January 30, Exodus 27 - 29, Matthew 18

• Exodus 27:21 says that the priests were to keep lamps burning all night.  Why would God require this?
• Why was the priest required to wear bells that could be heard when he was in the Holy Place (Exodus 28:35)?
• In Exodus 29:45 God says, "Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God."  What does it mean for God to be your God?  What do you need to do to have Him dwell with you?
• In Matthew 18:3 Jesus told us we need to become like little children.  What does this mean?
• Matthew 18:15 teaches that if there is a sin you need to confront someone about you must first speak just between the two of you.  Why is this important?
• In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus tells a parable of someone who was forgiven a huge debt and then refused to forgive someone else a small debt.  Jesus told this story to show us how foolish and wrong it is for us to refuse to forgive others.  Is there anyone you need to forgive?

Wednesday, January 31, Exodus 30 - 32, Psalm 16

• In Exodus 30 God told how to make a sacred anointing oil to be used to anoint the articles in the temple and the priests.  Why did God command that no one was to use this oil for other things or to make their own oil using this formula?
• In Exodus 31 God explains that He had given Bezalel and Oholiab and other skilled workers the ability to make the things that God had told Moses to have made.  Do you trust the Lord when He tells you to do something to also make a way for it to happen?
• In Exodus 32 the people of Israel became impatient waiting for Moses and got Aaron to make a golden calf for them to worship.  Why would anyone want to worship something that was made by human hands?
• David wrote in Psalm 16:4, "Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more."  What other gods could people be tempted to pursue today?

Thursday, February 1, Exodus 33 - 35, Matthew 19

• Moses said to God, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."  (Exodus 33:15)  Why did Moses consider God's presence to be essential?
• Why did God tell Moses in Exodus 34 that Israel was not to make a treaty with those who lived in the land He was giving to Israel?
• According to Exodus 35 where did the materials for making the tabernacle come from?
• How would you summarize God's definition of marriage from Matthew 19:4-6?
• What do you think the disciples were thinking in Matthew 19:13 when they rebuked those who were bringing children to Jesus?
• Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "with God all things are possible."  Do you believe this when you pray?

Friday, February 2, Exodus 36 - 38, Psalm 17

• In Exodus 36 the people were stopped from bringing materials for making the sanctuary.  Why weren't the extra materials used for something like making the sanctuary bigger?
• Why did the ark, the table, and the altar of incense described in Exodus 37 and the altar of burnt offering described in Exodus 38 all have poles?
• What three metals were used in building the tabernacle?
• What is David praying for in Psalm 17?

Saturday, February 3, Exodus 39 - 40, Matthew 20

• When Moses inspected items for the tabernacle at the end of Exodus 39, what was he looking for?
• What was the importance of the cloud that covered the tabernacle in Exodus 40?
• What is the point of the parable in Matthew 20:1-16 where a landowner hired people the last hour of the day and paid them the same as those who had worked all day?
• According to Matthew 20:25-28, how should leadership among Christians be different from leadership as it is known in the world?
• In Matthew 20:32, why did Jesus ask the two blind men what they wanted?  Shouldn't it have been obvious?

Week 4, January 21 - 27, 2018

The name Exodus means departure.  The book describes the remarkable story of the departure of the descendants of Israel from slavery in Egypt.  It begins with the birth and unique preparation of Moses, who became the one who led the people out of bondage.  In Matthew 13 Jesus begins a series of parables.  The other chapters in Matthew this week describe some key events that shaped the lives of the disciples, including the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000, Jesus walking on water, and Peter recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah.

Sunday, January 21, Exodus 1 - 3, Matthew 13

• Exodus 1:17 says, "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do."  They could have had reason to fear Pharaoh, but feared God more.  What does it mean to fear God?  How does this impact the way you live?
• Exodus 2:23 says, "During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God."  If God was hearing their cry for help, why was there a "long period" of slavery?
• Why did Moses object, in Exodus 3, to what God was calling him to do?
• In Matthew 13 Jesus speaks of four kinds of soil.  What do you need to do to be like good soil?
• What does the pearl of great value in Matthew 13:46 represent?

Monday, January 22, Exodus 4 - 6, Psalm 11

• In Exodus 4:13 Moses asked God to send someone else.  Have you ever been called by God to do something and wish that someone else would do it?
• There is a puzzling story in Exodus 4:24-26.  Why hadn't Moses circumcised his son before this?
• In Exodus 5, when Moses told Pharaoh to let the people go, things got worse for the Israelites.  How should you respond if you obey the Lord and things get worse?
• In Exodus 6:1-8 God renewed His promises to Moses and reminded him of the big picture of what He was doing. When Moses passed this along to the Israelites in 6:9, why didn't they accept it?
• Psalm 11:4 says, "He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them."  Why does it sometimes seem slow for God to judge evil and injustice?

Tuesday, January 23, Exodus 7 - 9, Matthew 14

• In Exodus 7, Moses turned water into blood.  Why did the magicians do the same thing?
• In Exodus 8:10, why did Pharaoh choose to spend one more night with frogs?
• God had Moses tell Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."  How was this purpose fulfilled through Pharaoh?
• Why was John the Baptist put in prison?
• How was Peter able to walk on water?  Why did he start to sink?

Wednesday, January 24, Exodus 10 - 12, Psalm 12

• In Exodus 10:7 even Pharaoh's officials advised him to let the Israelites go.  Why wouldn't he?
• What plague did God say in Exodus 11 would be the last?
• What did Israelite families have to do to be spared the death of the firstborn?
• Why do you think the Lord commanded in Exodus 12:46, "It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house"?
• Psalm 12:6 says, "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times."  Do you think of God's Word this way when you read it?

Thursday, January 25, Exodus 13 - 15, Matthew 15

• According to Exodus 13, why didn't God lead Israel on the shortest road to the promised land?  Do you see examples of God leading you in ways that recognize what you're ready for?
• In Exodus 14, at the first sign of difficulty the Israelites complained to Moses and questioned why he had brought them out of Egypt.  He answered, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." (Exodus 14:13)  In what situations do you need to stand firm and not fear?
• After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea in Exodus 15, they sang of their deliverance from the Egyptians.  However, by Exodus 15:24 they were grumbling again about the lack of good water.  Why was their confidence in God so weak?  How can you avoid having weak faith in God?
• In Matthew 15:18 Jesus said, "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them."  What do you need to do to have a pure heart?

Friday, January 26, Exodus 16 - 17, Psalm 13 - 14

• In Exodus 16 God provided manna in a way that required simple trust on the part of the people.  He only gave them enough for that day except the day before the Sabbath.  Jesus taught us not to worry about what we will eat, but to trust God to provide it.  Do you exercise simple faith in trusting God to provide your needs?
• In Exodus 17:11 Moses was in a situation where he had to ask for or accept help from others.  Why would God put him in that situation?  Is there help you need to ask for or accept that you have been trying to get by without?
• Psalm 13 begins with, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" and ends with, "I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me."  How could David both feel forgotten and praise God for His goodness?
• Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  What effect does telling oneself there is no God have on a person?

Saturday, January 27, Exodus 18 - 20, Matthew 16

• If Moses was a man who heard from God, why did he need his father-in-law to tell him that what he was doing wasn't good in Exodus 18:17?
• In Exodus 19:5-6, what did God say He wanted to do with Israel as a nation?
• Why does God say in Exodus 20:5 that He is a jealous God?
• In Matthew 16, who did Jesus say had revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah?  Why did Jesus order His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah?
• How could Peter have God-given revelation of who Jesus is and later in the same chapter (Matthew 16) be called a stumbling block by Jesus?

Week 3, January 14 - 20, 2018

This week's readings in Genesis tell the story of Joseph and how the descendants of Israel came to live in Egypt.  This week's chapters in Matthew include some of the teaching and healing that Jesus did and describes Him sending out the twelve to heal the sick and drive out demons.

Sunday, January 14, Genesis 34 - 35, Matthew 9

• Jacob was unhappy with what Simeon and Levi did in Genesis 34.  What should they have done in response to their sister being raped?
• In Genesis 35:2 Jacob had his household get rid of their foreign gods.  Why hadn't he done this sooner?  What would be a similar action on your part?
• Why did the teachers of the law in Matthew 9 think it was blasphemy for Jesus to forgive sin?
• In Matthew 9:30 why did Jesus tell the blind men He had healed not to tell anyone? Why did they spread the news anyway?
• In Matthew 9:38 Jesus told His disciples to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.  Should we be praying this now?  Are you?

Monday, January 15, Genesis 36 - 38, Psalm 8

• According to Genesis 36:6-7, why did Esau move his family away from Jacob?
• What three reasons does Genesis 37 give for Joseph's brothers hating him?
• Genesis 38 tells the story of how Judah became the father of Perez by Tamar.  Perez is in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3, which also mentions Tamar.  Matthew only mentions a few women in Matthew, chapter 1.  Why would he draw our attention to Tamar?
• In Psalm 8 David marvels over the fact that God is mindful of human beings.  Why is He?

Tuesday, January 16, Genesis 39 - 40, Matthew 10

• Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers, but Genesis 39:2 says, "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered."  He was then unjustly thrown into prison, but 39:20-21 says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him."  When you face adversity how can you avoid feeling like a victim while keeping your trust in the Lord?
• In Genesis 40 where did Joseph get the confidence that he could interpret dreams?
• As Jesus sent his disciples out to heal the sick and drive out demons He told them in Matthew 10:8, "Freely you have received; freely give."  How does that command apply to you?
• Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what to say when they would be brought before governors and kings, saying "it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:20)  Under what circumstances should you expect the Holy Spirit to speak through you?
• In Matthew 10:31, Jesus said, "So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  Why does Jesus want us to think of ourselves as valuable?

Wednesday, January 17, Genesis 41 - 43, Psalm 9

• In Genesis 41:51 Joseph named his son Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household."  What should our attitude be toward past suffering that has been overshadowed by God's blessing?
• Why did Jacob say, "Everything is against me!" in Genesis 42:36?  Was he right?
• When Joseph was eating with his brothers in Genesis 43, what caused him to leave and find a place to weep?
• Psalm 9:18 says, "But God will never forget the needy."  How does God respond to the needs of people around the world?

Thursday, January 18, Genesis 44 - 45, Matthew 11

• What was Joseph's purpose in putting his silver cup in Benjamin's sack of grain in Genesis 44?
• Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 45:8, "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."  Are you able to see God in control of your life, even when you face difficulty?
• Why did Joseph tell his brothers in Genesis 45:24, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”?
• What evidence did Jesus point to in Matthew 11 to answer the question John the Baptist was asking when he was in prison?
• Why did Jesus say it would be more bearable on the day of judgement for Sodom than for Capernaum?
• Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28 is, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  How does a person find rest in Jesus?

Friday, January 19, Genesis 46 - 48, Psalm 10

• What promises did God make to Jacob in Genesis 46, when he was moving his family to Egypt?
• What promise did Jacob insist that Joseph make to him before Jacob died?
• Why did Jacob cross his arms when he blessed Manasseh and Ephraim in Genesis 48?
• Psalm 10:4 describes the wicked, "in all his thoughts there is no room for God."  How does making room in your thoughts for God change the way you live?

Saturday, January 20, Genesis 49 - 50, Matthew 12

• In Genesis 49, where did Jacob say he wanted to be buried?
• In Genesis 50:20 Joseph told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."  Why wasn't Joseph bitter toward his brothers?
• What is the meaning of Jesus's statement in Matthew 12:8, " the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"?
• Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, "whoever does not gather with me scatters."  What does it mean to gather with Jesus?  Are you?

Week 2, January 7 - 13, 2018

This week's readings in Genesis focus on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God made promises to bless Abraham that were repeated to his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob. Chapter 5 through 7 of Matthew are the "Sermon on the Mount", where Jesus shows us how very different our thoughts and actions are when we live for Him with eternity in mind.

Sunday, January 7, Genesis 19 - 20, Matthew 5

• In Genesis 19, why would Lot be more protective of his guests than of his daughters (offering them to the mob outside in place of the two angels)?
• In Genesis 19:16, Lot hesitated to leave and had to be led by the hand out of the city.  Why would he hesitate?
• In Genesis 20 Abraham again lied about Sarah being his sister.  This, however, was during the time between the promise that Sarah would become pregnant and the birth of Isaac.  How did God protect Sarah from being taken by Abimelek?
• Jesus said, in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers."  What do you have to do to be a peacemaker?
• Why did Jesus say you are blessed if people insult you and persecute you?
• Matthew 5:23-24 emphasizes the importance and urgency of reconciliation.  Is there anyone you need to be reconciled with?

Monday, January 8, Genesis 21 - 22, Psalm 5

• Genesis 21:17 says of Ishmael, "God heard the boy crying."  This was after Abraham had sent Ishmael and his mother Hagar away.  What does this show you about God?
• The name for God, "Jehovah-Jireh" or "The Lord Will Provide" comes from Genesis 22:14.  What had God provided?
• David wrote in Psalm 5:3, "in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."  What does it mean to wait expectantly?  What attitude should we have if the wait is longer than expected?

Tuesday, January 9, Genesis 23 - 24, Matthew 6

• Why did Abraham buy a cave from Ephron when Ephron offered to give it to him?
• God had given Abraham and his descendants a destiny in the Promised Land.  If Isaac married a Canaanite, there was a risk that Abraham's descendants would blend with the Canaanites and lose their identity.  If Isaac went back to the land of Abraham's relatives to get a wife, he might get comfortable and never go back to the Promised Land.  This led to the unusual arranged marriage story in Genesis 24.  How has God's purpose for your life guided your decisions?
• Why does Jesus say in Matthew 6 that if you give to the needy you shouldn't announce it to others?
• In Matthew 6:5-7, in what two ways did Jesus tell us not to pray?
• Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:33 to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness."  What do you need to do to obey this command?

Wednesday, January 10, Genesis 25 - 26, Psalm 6

• Why did Esau trade his birthright for stew?  His decision is mentioned in Hebrews 12:16.  Why was this so significant that it would be used as an example for us of what not to do?
• In Genesis 26 God repeated promises to Isaac that He had also made to his father Abraham.  What mistake did Isaac make in this chapter that was a repeat of a mistake his father had made?
• In Psalm 6 David asks God for mercy.  Why can we ask God for mercy?

Thursday, January 11, Genesis 27 - 28, Matthew 7

• In Genesis 27 Jacob stole Esau's blessing.  If "Every good and perfect gift is from above," (James 1:17) how can someone steal a blessing?
• Why did Esau marry Mahalath?
• At the end of Genesis chapter 28 Jacob made a conditional promise to tithe.  What were the conditions?  Should your tithe be conditional?
• In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus warns us not to judge lest we become like a person offering to remove a speck from someone's eye while they have a plank in their own eye.  How can you avoid being judgmental in the way Jesus is warning about?
• Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Are there things you should be asking for or seeking that you have failed to?
• In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus compares the wise and foolish man.  What do you need to do to be like the wise man?

Friday, January 12, Genesis 29 - 30, Psalm 7

• Why did Laban deceive Jacob by giving him Leah as his wife instead of Rachel?
• Why did Leah have children before Rachel?
• Why did Bilhah and Zilpah have children with Jacob?
• David refers to the Lord as, "the righteous God who probes minds and hearts."  Are you comforted and encouraged knowing that God knows your thoughts and motives?

Saturday, January 13, Genesis 31 - 33, Matthew 8

• In Genesis 31, why did Jacob and his family move away from Laban?
• Why did Jacob and Laban have such different views of who had wronged the other?
• Who was Jacob wrestling with in Genesis 32?  What was the point of this confrontation?  Why did Jacob go away limping?
• Esau had once wanted to kill Jacob.  Why was his attitude different in Genesis 33?
• Why was Jesus amazed in Matthew 8:10?
• In Matthew 8:26 Jesus rebuked His disciples for lack of faith when they were afraid they were going to drown.  Is this because they should have known that Jesus wasn't going to let them drown or that they would go to heaven if they did drown?
• Why did the people in Matthew 8:34 plead with Jesus to leave?