Sunday, October 28, Ezekiel 1 - 2, 2 Timothy 1 - 2
- In chapter 1, how did Ezekiel describe the figure he saw on a throne?
- What assignment did God give Ezekiel in chapter 2?
- In 1 Timothy 1:6 Paul told Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." How would you do this?
- Paul writes, "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." What was the deposit he was referring to? What did Timothy need to do to guard it?
- 2 Timothy 2:2 describes the passing on of teaching from Paul to Timothy to "reliable people" to "others." What responsibility do you have to learn the truth and to pass it on to others?
- What does Paul illustrate in 2 Timothy 2:4-6 referring to a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer?
- 2 Timothy 2:24 says that the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome. How do avoid being quarrelsome?
Monday, October 29, Ezekiel 3 - 5, Psalm 120
- According to Ezekiel 3:16-19 what is the job of the watchman? What is not his responsibility?
- What was the point of the things God had Ezekiel act out in Ezekiel 4?
- In Ezekiel 5 why did God say He was bringing destruction on Jerusalem?
- Psalm 120:6-7 says, "Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war." What should you do if you live among people who tend toward conflict?
Tuesday, October 30, Ezekiel 6 - 7, 2 Timothy 3 - 4
- Three times in Ezekiel 6, and again at the end of Ezekiel 7, God says, "they will know that I am the Lord." Why would destruction cause people to know who is the Lord?
- Four times in Ezekiel 7 God says that the coming destruction is to repay Israel for their "detestable" practices. What practices in Israel were detestable?
- According to 2 Timothy 3:12, who will be persecuted?
- Based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where did Scripture come from? What is it for?
Wednesday, October 31, Ezekiel 8 - 10, Psalm 121
- God says in Ezekiel 8:18, "Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them." When does God hear and answer prayer?
- What was the purpose of the mark in Ezekiel 9:4?
- How does Ezekiel describe the cherubim he saw in chapter 10?
- Why does Psalm 121:4 say that God doesn't sleep, but Genesis describes Him as resting on the seventh day?
Thursday, November 1, Ezekiel 11 - 12, Titus 1 - 2
- In Ezekiel 11:16 God speaks of the exiles and says, "I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone." What does it mean for God to be a sanctuary for people who have been taken as captives into a foreign country?
- How were people using the proverb in Ezekiel 12:22, "The days go by and every vision comes to nothing"? Is this similar to the way some people look at the promise of Jesus's return?
- Why does Paul say he left Titus in Crete?
- In Titus 2:13 what does Paul refer to as the "blessed hope"?
Friday, November 2, Ezekiel, 13 - 14, Psalm 122 - 123
- In Ezekiel 13:2 God says that false prophets "prophesy out of their own imagination." How can you distinguish the voice of the Lord from your own imagination?
- Based on Ezekiel 13:10 what was the nature of the false prophets' messages?
- In Ezekiel 14 God uses the phrase "set up idols in their hearts" in verses 3, 4, and 7 to describe what people were guilty of. What does it mean to set up an idol in your heart?
- Psalm 122:6 says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Is that command valid today?
- Psalm 123 describes praying and waiting for mercy from God. In what ways are you dependent on God to show mercy?
Saturday, November 3, Ezekiel 15 - 16, Titus 3, Philemon
- What point does God make in Ezekiel 15 using the wood of a vine as an illustration?
- Why does God compare Jerusalem to a prostitute in Ezekiel 16?
- Titus 3:2 tells us "to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone." Is this the way you live?
- Titus 3:5 says, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." How should you live in response to God's mercy?
- What was Paul asking Philemon to do? Why did he want to appeal to Philemon rather than ordering him what to do?
Sunday, October 21, Jeremiah 43 - 45, 1 Timothy 1
- Why did Johanan and others lead the people into Egypt after Jeremiah told them that God was directing them not to go there?
- In Jeremiah 44, what reason did people give to continue burning incense to the queen of heaven?
- What change in attitude did God say that Baruch needed in Jeremiah 45?
- In 1 Timothy 1, why does Paul say he left Timothy in Ephesus?
Monday, October 22, Jeremiah 46 - 48, 1 Timothy 2
- Jeremiah 46 is a prophesy of the coming defeat of Egypt by the Babylonians. Verse 27 and 28 tell Israel not to be afraid. Why might the destruction of Egypt cause fear in Israel?
- What reasons do you find in Jeremiah 48:26-30 for the destruction of Moab that Jeremiah was prophesying?
- According to 1 Timothy 2:4 who does God want to be saved?
Tuesday, October 23, Jeremiah 49 - 51, 1 Timothy 3
- Jeremiah 49 prophesies the destruction of neighboring nations. Why would God, through Jeremiah, turn attention to those nations?
- According to Jeremiah 50:4-5, how would Babylon's destruction impact Israel?
- According to Jeremiah 51:11 who would destroy Babylon?
- Are the qualifications for overseers in 1 Timothy 3 primarily character qualities or talents?
Wednesday, October 24, Psalm 119
- Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." How do you hide God's Word in your heart? How does that guard against sin?
- What does it mean to say "You are my portion, Lord."? (Psalm 119:57)
- Why would the Psalmist say in Psalm 119:99, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes"?
- Psalm 119:148 says, "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." Is there a difference between meditating on God's promises at night and meditating in the daytime?
Thursday, October 25, Jeremiah 52, Lamentations 1, 1 Timothy 4
- What did the Babylonians do in Jeremiah 52 with the bronze items that were in the temple?
- The book of Lamentations was written to grieve over the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations 1:7 says, "Her enemies looked at her and laughed at her destruction." Why did God allow Jerusalem to be destroyed?
- Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young." How is someone to keep others from looking down on them?
Friday, October 26, Lamentations 2 - 3, 1 Timothy 5
- Lamentations 2:14 says, "The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity." How does God correct you when you are doing something wrong? Do you listen to Him?
- Lamentations 3 describes "affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath." (3:1) However, verses 21-24 give a basis for hope in the midst of affliction. Verses 22-23 say the Lord's compassions are new every morning. Are you able to look to the Lord with hope in the midst of trouble?
- Why does Paul put such strong emphasis on providing for family in 1 Timothy 5:8?
Saturday, October 27, Lamentations 4 - 5, 1 Timothy 6
- Lamentations 4:13 says that the destruction of Jerusalem "happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests." In what way were prophets and priests particularly responsible?
- Lamentations 5:21 says, "Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return." How much of Jerusalem's restoration depended on God's intervention and how much depended on Israel's repentance?
- Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:8, "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." Why is it important to have an attitude of contentment?
- What does Paul tell Timothy to command the rich to do?
Sunday, October 14, Jeremiah 29 - 30, 1 Thessalonians 1 - 2
- Jeremiah wrote a letter in chapter 29 to those who had been exiled to Babylon. They were hoping to return soon, but Jeremiah told them they would be held for 70 years. Then in verse 11 he says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." What should you do if God's plans for you are not what you prefer?
- Jeremiah 30:9 says, "Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them." Why does God speak about Israel serving David centuries after he lived and died?
- What does Paul mean in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 when he says, "our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction"?
- In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul says, "We are not trying to please people but God." How does it change your life to live only to please God?
Monday, October 15, Jeremiah 31 - 32, 1 Thessalonians 3 - 4
- In Jeremiah 31:31-34 God promises a new covenant. What are the most important features of the new covenant?
- Why was Jeremiah imprisoned in chapter 32?
- In Jeremiah's prayer in 32:17-25, he said, "Nothing is too hard for you." When you pray do you keep in mind that God can do anything?
- In 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Paul prays, "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy." What do you need to do for God to strengthen your heart?
- What reasons does Paul give for avoiding sexual immorality in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8?
- What truth does 1 Thessalonians 4:18 tell us to encourage each other with?
Tuesday, October 16, Jeremiah 33 - 34, Psalm 115 - 117
- Is Jeremiah 33:3 only speaking to Jeremiah or does it also apply to you?
- What promise did God make to Zedekiah in Jeremiah 34?
- Psalm 115:1 says, "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." How can you maintain a desire to glorify God and not yourself?
- What is the meaning of Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants"?
- Psalm 117:2 says, "great is his love toward us." In what ways has God's love been shown to you?
Wednesday, October 17, Jeremiah 35 - 36, 1 Thessalonians 5
- Why did God promise that Jehonadab would always have descendants?
- Why did Jehoiakim burn the scroll that Jeremiah had dictated to Baruch?
- What does Paul mean in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night"?
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us to "give thanks in all circumstances." How can you do that when your circumstances are difficult?
Thursday, October 18, Jeremiah 37 - 38, Psalm 118
- Why was Jeremiah put in prison in chapter 37?
- In Jeremiah 38, why did Zedekiah give permission to those who wanted to kill Jeremiah and then permission to those who wanted to rescue him?
- Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23 (in Matthew 21:42). What is it referring to?
Friday, October 19, Jeremiah 39 - 40, 2 Thessalonians 1-2
- Who did the Babylonians leave behind when they took people from Jerusalem captive in Jeremiah 39?
- Why wasn't Jeremiah taken into captivity by the Babylonians?
- According to 2 Thessalonians 1:8, who will God punish?
- According to 2 Thessalonians 2, what will happen before "the day of the Lord"?
Saturday, October 20, Jeremiah 41 - 42, 2 Thessalonians 3
- Why was Gedaliah assassinated?
- In Jeremiah 42 the people who were left in Judah asked Jeremiah to pray for guidance for what to do. What guidance did God give them through Jeremiah?
- What does Paul ask prayer for in 2 Thessalonians 3?
Sunday, October 7, Jeremiah 15 - 16, John 17
- In Jeremiah 15:20 God tells Jeremiah that He will make him a wall of bronze. In what way did Jeremiah need to be like a wall?
- Why did God tell Jeremiah not to marry and have sons and daughters?
- What did Jesus ask for in John 17?
- What do you learn about prayer from the example of Jesus in John 17?
- In John 17:16 Jesus said that His disciples and He himself were not of this world. What does it mean to not be of this world?
Monday, October 8, Jeremiah 17 - 18, Psalm 111
- Jeremiah 17:5-8 says that you are cursed if you trust in man, but blessed if you trust in God. How can you strengthen your trust in God?
- Why did God have Jeremiah visit a potter in Jeremiah 18?
- Psalm 111:5 says, "He provides food for those who fear him." Jesus taught us not to worry about what we will eat. (Matthew 6:31) Are you able to trust God to provide the things you need?
Tuesday, October 9, Jeremiah 19 - 20, John 18
- What did Jeremiah do with the clay jar he bought in Jeremiah 19?
- What did Jeremiah mean when he said that God's word was like "a fire shut up in my bones"? (Jeremiah 20:9)
- Why did those who came to arrest Jesus fall down in John 18:6?
- In John 18:28 Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate to be executed. They didn't enter the palace because that would make them "unclean" and unable to eat the Passover. They thought they were staying clean to be able to commune with God while seeking execution of the One who came to make us able to commune with God. What do we need to do to seek a genuine relationship with God rather than a set of religious practices?
Wednesday, October 10, Jeremiah 21 - 22, Psalm 112
- In Jeremiah 21 why did God have Jeremiah tell Zedekiah that God was going to fight against him?
- How did God define the justice He expected from kings of Judah in Jeremiah 22:3?
- What does Psalm 112:5 promise to those who are generous?
Thursday, October 11, Jeremiah 23 - 24, John 19
- Jeremiah 23:5 says that God will raise up a righteous branch. Verse 6 says His name will be, "Jehovah Tsidkenu," or the Lord our Righteousness. What did God say this righteous branch would accomplish?
- According to Jeremiah 23:24, where is God?
- In Jeremiah 24 what did God say He would do for those who had been exiled from Judah?
- In John 19:11 why did Jesus say that those who turned Him over to Pilate were guilty of a greater sin than Pilate would be for having Jesus executed?
- Who took care of Jesus's mother after He was crucified?
Friday, October 12, Jeremiah 25 - 26, Psalm 113 - 114
- Why does God refer to Nebuchadnezzar as His servant in Jeremiah 25:9?
- Why did people want to kill Jeremiah in chapter 26? Why did they decide not to?
- According to Psalm 113:2-3, where and when should the name of the Lord be praised?
- Psalm 114:2 says, "Judah became God’s sanctuary." What does this mean?
Saturday, October 13, Jeremiah 27 - 28, John 20 - 21
- In Jeremiah 27, why did Jeremiah tell Zedekiah and neighboring kings that they should serve the king of Babylon?
- In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah gave a prophecy that sounded like good news,but it was false. Jeremiah's prophecies were bad news, but they were true. What happened to Hananiah?
- When Peter and John ran to the tomb in John 20, who got to the tomb first? Who went in first?
- Why did Mary Magdalene mistake Jesus for the gardener?
- According to John 20:31, what is the purpose of the gospel of John?
- What did Jesus tell Peter to do in John 21 after asking Peter if he loved Jesus?
