Week 22, May 27 - June 2, 2018

Sunday, May 27, 2 Kings 1 - 2, Luke 9

• In 2 Kings 1, Elijah agreed to go meet with Ahaziah.  Why then had he called down fire from heaven on the two groups of fifty men who had come to make him go?
• Elisha wanted a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit and was focused on doing what he needed to do to get it.  What are you focused on?  What do you want God to do in your life?
• In Luke 9 why did Jesus have the 5000 sit down in groups of about 50?
• In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  What does it mean to deny yourself?
• Jesus said, "it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." (Luke 9:48)  What do you need to do to become the least?

Monday, May 28, 2 Kings 3 - 4, Psalm 64

• Why did Elisha call for a harpist in 2 Kings 3:15?
• Why do you think Elisha asked the widow in 2 Kings 4:2, "what do you have in your house?"
• When the Shunammite woman's son died, she didn't want to tell her husband or Elisha's servant Gehazi until she had spoken to Elisha.  Why was it so important to her to speak to Elisha?
• David prayed, "protect my life from the threat of the enemy."(Psalm 64:1)  What threats have you encountered that you need God's protection from?

Tuesday, May 29, 2 Kings 5 - 6, Luke 10

• In 2 Kings 5 why was Naaman ready to go away angry without being healed of leprosy?
• Why wouldn't Elisha accept a gift from Naaman?
• In 2 Kings 6:16 Elisha told his servant, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Similarly John wrote in 1 John 4:4, "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  What do you need to do to be confident in God's power in the face of trouble?
• Why did the king blame Elisha for the famine in 2 Kings 6:31?
• In Luke 10:2 Jesus commanded, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  Are you praying for this?
• In Luke 10:20 why did Jesus tell the 70, "do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven"?
• How does the story of the Good Samaritan answer the question, "And who is my neighbor?"

Wednesday, May 30, 2 Kings 7 - 8, Psalm 65

• By what reasoning did the four lepers decide to go to the camp of the Arameans in 2 Kings 7:4?  Why did they believe they were obligated to tell the news of what they found?
• In 2 Kings 8 why did Elisha begin to weep when he looked at Hazael?
• David calls God, "You who answer prayer," in Psalm 65:2.  What examples of answered prayer have you seen in your life?

Thursday, May 31, 2 Kings 9 - 10, Luke 11

• For what purpose did Elisha have his servant anoint Jehu in 2 Kings 9?
• Why did Jehu kill all the descendants of Ahab in 2 Kings 10?
• In Luke 11:5-8 Jesus taught us to be persistent in prayer.  How long should you continue to pray for something that hasn't happened?
• Why did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were like unmarked graves (Luke 11:44)

Friday, June 1, 2 Kings 11 - 12, Psalm 66

• How did Joash escape being killed in 2 Kings 11?  How old was he when he became king?
• How did the priests go 23 years without repairing the temple while they were collecting money for its repair?
• Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."  What would cause a person to cherish sin?

Saturday, June 2, 2 Kings 13, Luke 12

• Why was Elisha angry with Jehoash in 2 Kings 13:19?
• In Luke 12:1 why does Jesus use yeast as a metaphor for hypocrisy?
• What reasons did Jesus give for you not becoming a hypocrite?
• In Luke 12:16-20 what should the man with the abundant harvest have done?
• Why did Jesus say that He came to earth to bring division?  (Luke 12:51)

Week 21, May 20 - 26, 2018

Sunday, May 20, 1 Kings 12 - 13, Luke 5

• How was the elders' view of leadership in 1 Kings 12:7 different from the young men's view in 1 Kings 12:10-11?
• What stopped Rehoboam from going to war against the tribes of Israel who had rejected him?
• Why did Jeroboam make golden calves in 1 Kings 12?  Had he forgotten or did he just not believe the promise made to him in 1 Kings 11:38?
• Why did Jeroboam's hand shrivel in 1 Kings 13?
• Why was Simon willing to obey Jesus in Luke 5:5 when fishing is something Simon did all the time?
• Luke 5:16 says, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."  What is the value of getting alone to pray?
• In Luke 5 why did Jesus say He ate with tax collectors and sinners?

Monday, May 21, 1 Kings 14 - 15, Psalm 60

• In 1 Kings 14 Rehoboam had bronze shields made to replace the gold shields that the Egyptians carried away.  Do you think this is an example of resilience, making the best of a bad situation or is it an example of denial where repentance was really needed?
• Who killed Jeroboam and his family?  Why did this happen?
• David wrote in Psalm 60:11, "Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless."  Do you rely on God's help in this way?

Tuesday, May 22, 1 Kings 16 - 17, Luke 6

• In 1 Kings 16 how long was Zimri king?  How did he die?
• What did Ahab do that was worse than the evil kings who had come before him?
• In 1 Kings 17:9 God said, "I have directed a widow there to supply you with food."  Does this mean that God had already spoken to her about feeding Elijah?  If so, why was her answer in verse 12 that she couldn't help and was planning to starve to death?
• Why did Jesus say in Luke 6:22 that you are blessed if people hate you?
• Jesus taught in Luke 6:27 to love your enemies.  How can a person do this?
• When Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you," in Luke 6:38, what did He mean for us to give?

Wednesday, May 23, 1 Kings 18 - 19, Psalm 61

• Why was Obadiah afraid to tell Ahab that Elijah wanted to meet with him in 1 Kings 18?
• In 1 Kings 18:20 Elijah challenged the people of Israel saying, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him."  What two opinions might a person waver between in 2018?
• In 1 Kings 19:4 Elijah prayed to die, “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  He was running from Jezebel because she had threatened to kill him.  How could he be afraid of being killed, but want God to take his life?
• Why did Elisha burn his plow?
• David wrote in Psalm 61:2, "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint." How can you still call on God when you feel distant and faint?

Thursday, May 24, 1 Kings 20, Luke 7

• Ahab was a wicked king.  Why did God send a prophet to Ahab to tell him that God was going to give him victory over the Arameans who were threatening Israel?
• In Luke 7 what was it about the centurion that amazed Jesus?
• Why did Jesus raise someone from the dead without being asked in Luke 7:14?

Friday, May 25, 1 Kings 21, Psalm 62 - 63

• In 1 Kings 21:20 Elijah said to Ahab, "you have sold yourself to do evil."  Why did he use the word "sold"?
• How did God respond when Ahab tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted?
• David wrote in Psalm 62:8, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."  How do you pour out your heart to God?  When have you done this?
• David wrote in Psalm 63:6, "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night."  Why would thinking of God in bed at night be beneficial?

Saturday, May 26, 1 Kings 22, Luke 8

• Why was Jehoshaphat willing to go to war alongside Ahab in 1 Kings 22?  Why was he still willing to go after Micaiah prophesied that Ahab would be killed?
• In explaining the parable of the sower in Luke 8:12 Jesus said, "Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts."  What would cause a person to have the word taken away before anything sunk in?
• In Luke 8:39 Jesus gave an assignment to the man who had been set free from demons, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you."  If you were that man how would you tell others what happened to you?

Week 20, May 13 - 19, 2018

Sunday, May 13, 1 Kings 1, Luke 1

• Why did David make Solomon king while David was still living?
• Why did Adonijah take hold of the horns of the altar in 1 Kings 1:50?
• Why did Zechariah and Elizabeth choose the name John for their son on Luke 1?

Monday, May 14, 1 Kings 2 - 3, Psalm 56

• In 1 Kings 2:3 David told Solomon to walk in obedience to God.  What will the result be if you walk in obedience to God?
• In 1 Kings 3 how did Solomon determine who was telling the truth when two women both claimed to be the mother of the same child?
• David wrote in Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."  Are you able to move from fear to trust?

Tuesday, May 15, 1 Kings 4 – 5, Luke 2

• The days of Solomon are described as a time of peace when people "lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree." (1 Kings 4:25)  Why was there this period of peace?
• What did Hiram and Solomon trade with each other?
• Why would God make such a spectacular announcement with "a great company of the heavenly host" to a group of shepherds?  (Luke 2:13)

Wednesday, May 16, 1 Kings 6 – 7, Psalm 57

• What promise did God make in 1 Kings 6:12-13?  What condition had to be met for the promise to be fulfilled?
• What assignment did Solomon give Huram from Tyre?
• David wrote in Psalm 57:1, "I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."  How would you take refuge in the Lord in a time of trouble?

Thursday, May 17, 1 Kings 8 - 9, Luke 3

• Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 8:27, "The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"  What, then, was the purpose of the temple?
• In 1 Kings 9, What did God say would happen to the temple if Israel were to forsake the Lord?
• Why was John the Baptist put in prison in Luke 3?
• How old was Jesus when He began His ministry?

Friday, May 18, 1 Kings 10, Psalm 58 - 59

• The Queen of Sheba said to Solomon in 1 Kings 10:8, "How happy your people must be!"  Why would having a wise king result in the people being happy?
• In 1 Kings 10 Solomon accumulated horses and imported them from Egypt.  This is in conflict with the commands in Deuteronomy 17:16.  If Solomon was wise why did he disobey these commands?
• David wrote in Psalm 58:3, "Even from birth the wicked go astray."  How could someone go astray from birth?
• What does David pray for in Psalm 59?

Saturday, May 19, 1 Kings 11, Luke 4

• According to 1 Kings 11 what turned Solomon astray?
• What were the consequences of Solomon turning away from devotion to the Lord?
• Satan claimed in Luke 4:6 that he could give the authority and splendor of the kingdoms of the world to anyone he wanted.  Was this a true claim?
• In Luke 4 how could people who were amazed at Jesus and spoke well of him in verse 22 be ready to throw Him off a cliff in verse 29?

Week 19, May 6 - 12, 2018

Sin can have far-reaching effects as one thing leads to another.  In the next chapters of 2 Samuel, Amnon raped his sister Tamar.  Absalom murdered Amnon.  David banished Absalom. Absalom revolts against his father.  The whole nation goes to war, divided between Absalom and David.  Absalom is killed and David goes into mourning.  All this can be traced back to God's rebuke in 2 Samuel 12:11 after David sinned with Bathsheba and had Uriah killed, "Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you."

Sunday, May 6, 2 Samuel 13 - 14, Psalm 53

• How could Amnon go from being "in love" with his sister to hating her in 2 Samuel 13?
• Why would David bring Absalom back to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 14 but not allow him to see David?
• Psalm 53:3 says, "Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."  Why is sin such a universal problem?

Monday, May 7, 2 Samuel 15 - 16, 2 Corinthians 8

• How did Absalom steal the hearts of the people of Israel in 2 Samuel 15?
• Why did David have Zadok take the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 15:25?  What does this show you about David's trust in God?
• In 2 Samuel 16 why did David put up with Shimei cursing him and throwing rocks and dirt?
• What does Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 8:7 telling the Corinthians to excel in the grace of giving?
• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:12, "the gift is acceptable according to what one has."  Are you obedient to God in giving to others?

Tuesday, May 8, 2 Samuel 17 - 18, Psalm 54

• Why did Ahithophel hang himself in 2 Samuel 17?
• In 2 Samuel 18 why was Ahimaaz son of Zadok so determined to run with news to David, but only told David part of the news?
• What is David asking for in Psalm 54?

Wednesday, May 9, 2 Samuel 19 - 20, 2 Corinthians 9

• Why did Joab tell David in 2 Samuel 19:6, "You love those who hate you and hate those who love you."  Was Joab right or was he lacking compassion for a grieving father?
• Why were the people of Abel Beth Maakah willing to kill Sheba in 2 Samuel 20?
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "God loves a cheerful giver."  What is your attitude toward giving?

Thursday, May 10, 2 Samuel 21 - 22, Psalm 55

• In 2 Samuel 21 the Gibeonites were given the opportunity to say what it would take to make things right after Saul had violated the treaty that Joshua had made with them.  Joshua's treaty was made hundreds of years before Saul lived.  Why would God expect Saul to keep it?  Why would David have to make things right for what Saul did?
• David was not a perfect man.  How can he say in 2 Samuel 22:21, " according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me"?
• In Psalm 55 David describes trouble and fear because of threats of the enemy.  However in verse 22 he says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you."  How do you cast your cares on the Lord?

Friday, May 11, 2 Samuel 23, 2 Corinthians 10 - 11

• Should David have poured out the water that his warriors brought him in 2 Samuel 23:16?
• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:4, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world."  What weapons is he referring to?
• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:14, "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."  How can a person keep from being deceived?
• What is Paul's purpose, in 2 Corinthians 11, in describing the hardship he had endured?

Saturday, May 12, 2 Samuel 24, 2 Corinthians 12 - 13

• What was wrong with David taking a census in 2 Samuel 24?
• According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7, what was the purpose of his thorn in the flesh?
• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "For when I am weak, then I am strong."  What do you need to do to see God's strength evident in your time of weakness?
• In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul tells us to test ourselves.  How do you do this?