Week 48, November 25 - December 1, 2018

Sunday, November 25, Hosea 1 - 2, 1 Peter 1

• God makes a promise in Hosea 1:10, "In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’"  How will this be fulfilled?
• Hosea chapter 2 speaks of Israel as an adulterous wife.  God had provided generously for her, but "She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold," (Hosea 2:8).  God says He will take away the material blessings and "I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her." (Hosea 2:14)  God wants a love relationship with us that is not primarily about what He does for us or gives to us.  Do you have that kind of love relationship with God?
• What does it mean to be "shielded by God’s power"? (1 Peter 1:5)
• According to 1 Peter 1:7 what benefit comes from trials?
• 1 Peter 1:15 says, "be holy in all you do."  What do you need to do to obey this?

Monday, November 26, Hosea 3 - 4, 1 Peter 2 - 3

• What does Hosea buying back his own wife symbolize in Hosea 3?
• Why would God say in Hosea 4:6, "my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge"?
• 1 Peter 2:1 says, "rid yourselves of all malice."  How do you rid yourself of malice toward someone who has hurt you?  What should you do if you rid yourself of malice and something causes it to take root in your heart again?
• 1 Peter 2:16 tells us to "live as free people," but also tells us, "live as God’s slaves."  How can you do both?
• 1 Peter 3:7 teaches men to treat their wives with respect, "so that nothing will hinder your prayers."  Why would the way a man treats his wife impact the effectiveness of his prayer?
• 1 Peter 3:9 teaches us to "repay evil with blessing."  Are you able to do this?

Tuesday, November 27, Hosea 5 - 6, Psalm 135

• Hosea 5:6 says, "When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them."  Why would God withdraw from anyone who is seeking Him?
• Hosea says in 6:3, "Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him."  What do you need to do to "press on" to acknowledge the Lord?
• Psalm 135:6 teaches that God is sovereign, having all power, "The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths."  When you pray, do you recognize that God has all power?

Wednesday, November 28, Hosea 7 - 8, 1 Peter 4 - 5

• In Hosea 7:2 God says, "but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds."  This seems to be the opposite of Isaiah 43:25 where God says, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."  Why are  both of these true statements?
• Hosea 8:1-3 describes Israel as crying out to God while rebelling against Him, "because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.  Israel cries out to me, ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel has rejected what is good."  How is it possible to cry out to God while rebelling against Him?
• 1 Peter 4:7 commands us, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."  What do you have to do to be alert and of sober mind?
• 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."  How do you know what your gift is?  Are you using it to serve others?
• 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast all your anxiety on the Lord.  How do you do that?

Thursday, November 29, Hosea 9 - 10, Psalms 136 - 137

• Hosea 9:7 says, "Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac."  What would a person's sin make them look at a prophet as a fool or a maniac?
• Hosea 10:12 says, "break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."  Ground is plowed in anticipation of rain.  What is the unplowed ground that Hosea speaks of and what are the showers?
• Each verse of Psalm 136 repeats the phrase, "His love endures forever."  What is the value of remembering God's steadfast love through all of life's circumstances?
• What would be wrong with singing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:4)

Friday, November 30, Hosea 11 - 12, 2 Peter 1

• In Hosea 11:8 God says, "How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel?"  This describes God's steadfast love and His determination to have a relationship with Israel.  John describes this love for all people in John 3:16, saying, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son."  Do you draw near to God knowing that He wants to draw near to you?
• Hosea 12:8 says, "Ephraim boasts, 'I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.'"  Why would anyone imagine that wealth would keep them from being found guilty of sin?
• What does it mean to "participate in the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4)
• How does 2 Peter 1:21 describe the origin of Scripture?

Saturday, December 1, Hosea 13 - 14, 2 Peter 2 - 3

• Why would God say in Hosea 13:4, "You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me"?
• Hosea 13:6 says, "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me."  How can we be satisfied without becoming proud and forgetting God?
• Hosea 14:1-2 urges Israel to return to God in repentance.  What promises are made in verses 4-7 in response to Israel's repentance?
• 2 Peter chapter 2 warns us of coming false teachers.  What are the main characteristics of the false teachers that Peter warns of?
• What explanation does Peter offer in 2 Peter chapter 3 for the fact that the coming of the Lord would take long enough that people would mock the idea that Jesus will return?
• Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:11 that knowing that the earth will be destroyed should motivate us to live holy and godly lives.  Are you motivated in this way?
• 2 Peter 3:18 commands us to grow.  Are you growing?

Week 47, November 18 - 24, 2018

The first six chapters of Daniel are exciting stories of Daniel and his friends after they were taken as captives to Babylon.  The stories show their faith and courage and God's supernatural intervention.  The last six chapters of Daniel (chapters 7 - 12) are challenging prophecies concerning the future.  They are well worth reading, but can be difficult to interpret.  Ask God to show you what He wants you to get from the book of Daniel.

The book of James is full of practical instruction in living by faith and obedience.

Sunday, November 18, Daniel 1 - 2, James 1

• Why was it important to Daniel not to eat the royal food in Daniel 1?
• In Daniel 2, what did the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream represent?  What did the rock that struck the statue represent?
• In James 1:2 we are told to consider it joy when we face trials.  Are you able to do that?
• What do you need to do to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"? (James 1:19)

Monday, November 19, Daniel 3 - 4, Psalm 132

• There were two things that impressed Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:28.  He said that God "sent his angel and rescued his servants."  He also said that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego "trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."  He was impressed both by God's miraculous intervention and by the bravery and faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  What do people see in your lives that draws them to the Lord?
• In Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar was to be driven away from his people.  What did he need to acknowledge before he could be restored?
• Psalm 132:10 says, "For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one."  This is a prayer for the leader of Israel.  How should we pray for our leaders?

Tuesday, November 20, Daniel 5 - 6, James 2

• What wrong was Belshazzar guilty of in Daniel 5?
• What motivated officials in Daniel 6 to try to bring charges against Daniel?
• James 2:1-9 warns us not to show favoritism toward the rich.  Why should we treat all people with equal respect?
• Why is faith without action dead?

Wednesday, November 21, Daniel 7 - 8, Psalm 133

• What do the four beasts in Daniel 7 represent?
• Daniel 7:27 concludes by saying, "His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him."  How does knowing that God will ultimately triumph over all the kingdoms of men impact the way you live?
• In Daniel 8, Daniel was told what the ram and the goat represent.  What do they represent?
• Psalm 133:1 says, "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!"  What does it take for Christians to live together in unity?

Thursday, November 22, Daniel 9 - 10, James 3

• What did Daniel pray for in chapter 9?
• What did Gabriel say would be accomplished by the end of seventy sevens?
• In Daniel 10, why was the answer to Daniel's prayer delayed?
• James says in chapter 3 that not many should become teachers.  Why should anyone become a teacher?
• James 3:8 says, "no human being can tame the tongue."  What can we do to bring our tongue under control?

Friday, November 23, Daniel 11, Psalm 134

• The introduction to Daniel 11 is in the previous chapter.  In 10:14 the angel said to Daniel, "Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."  Chapter 11 is a detailed prophecy of wars among kingdoms surrounding Israel including a time when an army "will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice." (Daniel 11:31)  But verse 32 says, "but the people who know their God will firmly resist him."  What do you need to do to be a person who knows God and is firm in your faith during a time of great opposition?
• Why would Psalm 134 be addressed to those who minister at the house of the Lord (the temple) by night?  What would be different about ministering there at night compared to ministering there during the day?

Saturday, November 24, Daniel 12, James 4 - 5

• Daniel 12:2 describes the final judgment, "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."  How should knowing this impact the way you live?
• Based on James 4:1-3, what should we be doing instead of quarreling with others?
• What promise does James 4:8 make to those who come near to God?
• James 5:8 tells us, "be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."  What does it mean for you to stand firm?
• What does James 5:14-15 say a sick person should do?

Week 46, November 11 - 17, 2018

Sunday, November 11, Ezekiel 33 - 34, Hebrew 8 - 9

• According to Ezekiel 33 what is the job of a watchman?
• Why was Ezekiel to Israel, "nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well"? (Ezekiel 33:32)
• How does Ezekiel 34:4 describe the job of a shepherd?  Is it your job to do some of this?
• Hebrews 8:5 calls the sanctuary that Moses had built, "a copy and shadow of what is in heaven."  What does this mean?
• What are the main features of the new covenant described in Hebrews 8?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Hebrews 9:22, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"?

Monday, November 12, Ezekiel 35 - 37, Psalm 128

• Why does God say He is against Mount Seir in Ezekiel 35?
• In Ezekiel 36:24 God promises to gather Israel from the nations and bring them back to their own land.  What else does He promise in verses 25-28?
• What did the two sticks in Ezekiel 37 represent?  What did God promise to do with the two nations in Ezekiel 37:22?
• What promises does Psalm 128 make to those who fear the Lord and walk in obedience to Him?

Tuesday, November 13, Ezekiel 38 - 39, Hebrews 10

• In Ezekiel 38 how does God say He will stop an invasion against Israel?
• What promises does God make to Israel in Ezekiel 39:28-29?
• Hebrews 10:4 says, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."  Why did God require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?
• According to Hebrews 10:25 what is the purpose of meeting together?

Wednesday, November 14, Ezekiel 40 - 42, Psalm 129

• Why did God show Ezekiel a vision of a restored temple area beginning in chapter 40?
• Why does Ezekiel 42:14 require that priests were "not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister"?
• Psalm 129:2 says, "they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me."  What is the difference between being oppressed and not having the victory gained over you?

Thursday, November 15, Ezekiel 43 - 44, Hebrews 11

• God told Ezekiel in 43:10, "describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins."  Why would the plans for the temple cause the people to be ashamed of their sins?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Ezekiel 44:28, "I am to be the only inheritance the priests have"?
• Why does Hebrews 11:6 say, "without faith it is impossible to please God"?
• Hebrews 11:25 describes the choice that Moses made to lead the people of Israel, "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin."  Why would you choose mistreatment over fleeting pleasure?

Friday, November 16, Ezekiel 45 - 46, Psalms 130 - 131

• Why does Ezekiel 45:9 accuse the princes of Israel of dispossessing the people?
• What was the purpose of requiring people to leave by the opposite gate from the one they entered in Ezekiel 46:9?
• Psalm 130:4 says, "But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you."  How does a person know that they are forgiven and can serve the Lord?
• David says in Psalm 131:2, "I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother."  What is the value of calming yourself?

Saturday, November 17, Ezekiel  47 - 48, Hebrews 12 - 13

• What river was Ezekiel seeing in chapter 47, where he was told, "where the river flows everything will live"?
• The land of Israel was never divided in the way Ezekiel 48 describes.  What was the purpose of this description?
• The book of Ezekiel concludes in 48:35 by saying, "And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there."  What would it take for the most important characteristic of your home and your life to be "The Lord is there"?
• Hebrews 12:1 urges us to throw off everything that hinders.  What would this include for you?
• Hebrews 12:7 tells us to endure hardship as discipline.  What hardship in your life would you regard as the Lord's discipline?
• Why does Hebrews 13:2 tell us to show hospitality to strangers?
• Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage should be honored by all.  How can you honor marriage?

Week 45, November 4 - 10, 2018

Sunday, November 4, Ezekiel 17 - 18, Hebrews 1 - 2

• In Ezekiel 17:24, God says, "I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish."  How should this principle affect the way you live?
• Why did God want people to quit quoting the proverb, "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge"?
• Based on Hebrews 1:3-4, how would you describe who Jesus is?
• What does Hebrews 1:14 say angels are?
• Hebrews 1 and 2 emphasize the fact that Jesus is God, but verse 17 says He became, "fully human in every way,"  How can He be both man and God?

Monday, November 5, Ezekiel 19 - 21, Psalm 124

• Ezekiel 19 closes by saying, "This is a lament and is to be used as a lament."  What is the purpose of a lament?
• Why does God say in Ezekiel 20:31 that He will not let Israel inquire of Him?
• In Ezekiel 21:21-22 how did Ezekiel say the king of Babylon would decide to attack Jerusalem instead of Rabbah of the Ammonites?
• Psalm 124 speaks of what would have happened "if the Lord had not been on our side."  Verse 7 says, "We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped."  David pictures a bird squeezing through a torn snare.  Do you rejoice over small but vital victories that are like a bird escaping from a snare?

Tuesday, November 6, Ezekiel 22 - 23, Hebrews 3 - 4

• In Ezekiel 22:30 God says, "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one."  What could someone have done to be the one who would "stand in the gap"?
• Why does Ezekiel 23 refer to Jerusalem and Samaria as prostitutes?
• Hebrews 3:1 gives the command, "fix your thoughts on Jesus."  How do you do this?
• Hebrews 3:13 says, "encourage one another daily."  Who are you encouraging?  Who is encouraging you?
• Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword."  What do you need to do to benefit from the sharpness of God's Word?

Wednesday, November 7, Ezekiel 24 - 26, Psalm 125

• Why did God tell Ezekiel not to mourn openly when his wife died?
• What did God say in Ezekiel 25 would happen to Ammon because they rejoiced over the destruction of Jerusalem and Israel?  (Ezekiel 21 shows that the Babylonians chose to attack Jerusalem rather than the Ammonites based on the equivalent of a coin flip.)
• What did Ezekiel prophesy would happen to Tyre?
• Psalm 125:1 says, "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever."  How do you develop an unshakable faith? 

Thursday, November 8, Ezekiel 27 - 28, Hebrews 5 - 6

• Ezekiel 27 describes trade that was done in Tyre by many surrounding nations.  It pictures the destruction of Tyre, which was a seaport, as a sinking ship.  Why was Tyre destroyed?
• Ezekiel 28:1-10 speaks to the ruler of Tyre and emphasizes that although he thinks he is a god, he is a mere mortal.  28:11-19 speaks to the "king of Tyre" but describes him as a fallen angel thrown to the earth.  Are verses 11-19 speaking of someone else?
• How does Hebrews 5:1-3 describe the role of a priest?
• According to Hebrews 5:14 how do you become mature?
• Hebrews 6:19 calls our hope "an anchor for the soul."  What does this mean?

Friday, November 9, Ezekiel 29 - 30, Psalms 126 - 127

• What is the meaning of the statement God makes to Egypt in Ezekiel 29:6, "You have been a staff of reed for the people of Israel"?
• According to Ezekiel 30:10 who was going to bring destruction on Egypt?
• What does it mean to sow with tears but reap with joy? (Psalm 126:5-6)
• Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."  How can you avoid laboring in vain?

Saturday, November 10, Ezekiel 31 - 32, Hebrews 7

• Why did God give Ezekiel a message in Ezekiel 31 for Pharaoh to "Consider Assyria"?
• Ezekiel 32:17-32 describes the army of Egypt joining many other armies in "the pit" or the "realm of the dead."  Verse 31 says, "Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them..."  Where will these armies see each other?
• Why does Hebrews 7:3 describe Melchizedek as being "without father or mother, without genealogy"?
• Hebrews 7:22 says, "Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant."  In what way is the new covenant better than the old one?