Week 18, April 28 - May 4, 2019

New Testament
Acts 12

• Why did the people praying for Peter in Acts 12 tell Rhoda she was out of her mind when she reported that Peter was at the door?
• Why did Herod die in Acts 12:23?

Acts 13

• Why were Barnabas and Saul sent out as missionaries?
• In Acts 13:16-31, Paul gave a brief explanation of the gospel in the synagogue.  What were his main points?
• Why did Paul and Barnabas turn their attention to the Gentiles in Acts 13?

Acts 14

• Why did Paul and Barnabas leave Iconium?
• In Acts 14:9, Paul looked at a lame man and "saw that he had faith to be healed."  What did Paul see that convinced him that the man had faith to be healed?
• How could the crowd in Lystra go from wanting to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas to trying to kill them?
• In Acts 14:22 Paul and Barnabas told new believers, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."  What was the benefit in telling them that?

Acts 15

• In Acts 15 there was a controversy over what a person needs to do to be saved.  Some people were teaching that you had to be circumcised to be saved.  What is the importance of what Peter said in verse 11?
• What four requirements did the apostles give the Gentile believers?
• What did Paul and Barnabas disagree over that caused them to go separate ways?

Acts 16

• In Acts 16, why did the Holy Spirit keep Paul from going to the province of Asia or to Bithynia?
• Acts 16:10 is the first time in this book that Luke refers to "we" and "us" implying that he was with Paul during this time.  There are two other times, later in Acts, where Luke uses "we."  If Luke was there, why didn't he mentioned himself in the story?
• Lydia said in Acts 16:10, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house."  What had she said or done that would convince others that she was a believer in the Lord?
• Why were Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in prison in Acts 16?  How did they get out?

Old Testament
2 Samuel 1 - 12

• In 2 Samuel 1 an Amalekite lied to David, saying that he had killed Saul.  What do you think the Amalekite expected from David?  What did David do?
• Why was there fighting between Joab's men and Abner's men?
• Why did Abner change loyalty and side with David in 2 Samuel 3?  Why did Joab kill Abner?
• Why did Rekab and Baanah bring the head of Ish-Bosheth to David in 2 Samuel 4?
• In 2 Samuel 5:17, why did the Philistines come to attack David?
• In 2 Samuel 6 the ark was being moved on a cart.  This was contrary to the command God had given in Exodus 25 that the ark was to be carried using poles.  Why did God strike down Uzzah in verse 7?
• Why did Michal despise David in 2 Samuel 6:16?
• Why did Nathan first tell David, in chapter 7, to build a house in place of the tabernacle, and then tell him he shouldn't?
• Why did David show kindness to Mephibosheth  in 2 Samuel 9?
• What prompted war between Israel and the Ammonites in chapter 10?  Why did the Arameans get involved?
• 2 Samuel 11 describes a major sin in David's life.  Verse 27 says, "But the thing David had done displeased the Lord."  What should David have done to avoid this sin?
• What was the purpose of the story Nathan told in 2 Samuel 12:1-4?

Psalms
Psalms 50 - 52

• Why does God say in Psalm 50:12, "If I were hungry I would not tell you"?
• After his sin with Bathsheba, David prayed in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  What happens when you ask God to change your heart?
• David wrote, "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God." (Psalm 52:8)  What do you need to do to flourish as a follower of Jesus?

Week 17, April 21 - 27, 2019

New Testament
Acts 7

• Why did Stephen describe the history of his people, beginning with Abraham, in Acts 7?
• What two things did Stephen ask for when he was being killed?

Acts 8

• What convinced Simon the sorcerer to turn to Jesus?
• In Acts 8:18 what did Simon see that made him want to have the same power?
• If you were Philip, with all the amazing things happening in Samaria, how would you feel about an angel sending you down a desert road in Acts 8:26?
• What do you learn about water baptism from the story of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:27-40?  Do you have to wear special clothes?  Do you need special water? 

Acts 9

• In Acts 9, why did Ananias object at first to the idea of praying for Saul?
• What does the statement in Acts 9:22, "Saul grew more and more powerful," mean?
• Who brought Saul to the apostles when Christians in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul?

Acts 10

• In Acts 10 an angel told Cornelius to send for Peter who came and gave Cornelius and his family the gospel.  Why didn't the angel just give Cornelius the gospel?
• How did God prepare Peter for the messengers that Cornelius sent?
• What happened when Peter preached to the household of Cornelius?

Acts 11

• When Peter went back to Jerusalem and told what happened at the home of Cornelius, what convinced the believers that Gentiles could turn to Jesus?
• Why did Barnabas go to Antioch?  Why did he find Saul and bring him to Antioch?

Old Testament
1 Samuel 14 - 31

• In 1 Samuel 14, was Jonathan right to fight the Philistines with only his armor bearer or should he have recruited more help from Israel?
• Samuel told Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22)  How quick are you to obey the Lord?
• The Lord said to Samuel, "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)  What does God see when He looks at your heart?
• What is the meaning of the statement in 1 Samuel 17:47, "the battle is the Lord’s"?
• Where did David get the faith to believe he could defeat Goliath?
• What caused Saul to begin to distrust and fear David?
• How did Jonathan help David escape from Saul in 1 Samuel 20?
• Why did David act insane when he had fled to Gath in 1 Samuel 21?
• According to 1 Samuel 22:2, who gathered with David at the cave of Adullam?
• Why did David not kill Saul when he had the opportunity in 1 Samuel 24?
• In 1 Samuel 25 Abigail politely and respectfully told David that what he was about to do was wrong.  Why did David listen to her?
• Why did David go live among the Philistines in 1 Samuel 27?
• Why did Saul consult a medium in 1 Samuel 28?  What should he have done instead?
• Why did Achish send David home in 1 Samuel 29?
• 1 Samuel 30:6 was one of the lowest points in David's life.  He didn't feel safe in Israel.  He had been sent home by the Philistines.  His wives were taken captive.  His men were thinking of stoning him.  "But David found strength in the Lord his God." (1 Samuel 30:6)  How do you find strength in God when all your circumstances are discouraging?
• How did Saul die?

Psalms
Psalms 48 - 49

• Psalm 48:12-13 says, "Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation."  What would God have you take note of and tell of to the next generation?
• Psalm 49 cautions us not to place great value on wealth.  Verses 16 and 17 say, "Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them."  What should your attitude be toward wealth?

Week 16, April 14 - 20, 2019

New Testament

Acts 2

• What supernatural things happened when the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2?
• Why were some people who heard the believers speaking in other tongues amazed while others thought they were drunk?
• Why did Peter quote the prophet Joel in Acts 2?
• What did Peter tell the crowd they should do?

Acts 3

• How did Peter know that he could command a lame man to walk in Acts 3:6?
• What did Peter tell the people at the temple to do in Acts 3:19?

Acts 4

• Peter said, "there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)  Peter was speaking about Jesus.  What should be done for those who have never heard His name?
• How did Peter and John respond when the Sanhedrin ordered them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus?
• When Peter and John told the other believers about the threats against them, what did the believers pray for?

Acts 5

• What was wrong with what Ananias and Sapphira did?  Why do you think they died?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Acts 5:13, "No one else dared join them"?
• Why did the apostles rejoice in Acts 5:41?

Acts 6

• What responsibility was given to the seven chosen in Acts 6:1-6?
• Why did some people argue with Stephen?

Old Testament

Ruth 1 - 4, 1 Samuel 1 - 13

• In Ruth, chapter 1, Naomi had a difficult 10 years.  She wanted her friends to call her something else because Naomi means pleasant.  She said, "I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty."  However, she had come home with a devoted daughter-in-law.  Why did she think of herself as empty?
• How did Boaz show kindness to Ruth in chapter 2?
• Why did Naomi have Ruth go to Boaz at night in chapter 3?
• In Ruth 4:15, why did the women say that Ruth was better than seven sons?
• How was Ruth related to David?

• How could God hear Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1 when verse 13 says her voice was not heard?
• In 1 Samuel 2:27-36, why did the man of God rebuke Eli for what his sons were doing?
• 1 Samuel 3:1 says, "In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions."  What would make the word of the Lord rare?
• Why did taking the ark into battle in 1 Samuel 4 not help?
• The Philistines had the ark, but it wasn't a blessing.  Why not?
• Why did the people of Beth Shemesh, in 1 Samuel 6, want to get rid of the ark?
• Why did the elders of Israel not want to be led by Samuel's sons in 1 Samuel 8?
• In 1 Samuel 9, Saul was looking for the prophet to help him find his lost donkeys.  The prophet was looking for Saul to anoint him king of Israel.  Are there times when you are focused on small things when God wants to speak to you about bigger things?
• In 1 Samuel 10 Samuel anointed Saul king.  Why did Saul then hide when Samuel brought the people together to publicly proclaim Saul as king?
• What was the purpose of renewing the kingdom in 1 Samuel 11:14?
• In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel says that it would be a sin against God for him to fail to pray for the people.  Why would this be a sin?  Who should you be praying for?
• Why did Samuel tell Saul, in 1 Samuel 13:14, that his kingdom would not endure?

Psalms

Psalms 46 - 47

• Psalms 46:1-2 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."  Are you able to trust God when you face trouble?
• Psalm 47:1 says, "shout to God with cries of joy."  When and where would you shout to God?

Week 15, April 7 - 13, 2019

New Testament
Luke 21

• In Luke 21:3-4 Jesus said that a poor widow's offering of two small copper coins was greater than the gifts from the wealthy because she gave "out of her poverty."  What attitude do you have when you give to God?
• Jesus told His disciples that they would be brought before kings and governors.  What did He tell them to make up their mind not to do?
• Luke 21:36 tells us to watch and pray.  What does this mean and how do you do it?

Luke 22

• Why was Judas willing to betray Jesus?
• According to Jesus in Luke 22:25-26, how is Christian leadership to be different from leadership that is common in the world?
• In Luke 22, verse 40 and again in verse 46 Jesus told His disciples to pray that they wouldn't fall into temptation.  What temptation should they have been praying they would avoid?

Luke 23

• Why did Pilate send Jesus to Herod?
• If Pilate wanted to release Jesus, why didn't he?
• Why did Jesus make a promise to a criminal in Luke 23:43?

Luke 24

• Who are the first people that Luke mentions seeing Jesus after He rose from the dead?
• In Luke 24:49 what did Jesus tell His disciples to stay in the city waiting for?

Acts 1

• According to Acts 1:8 what is the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
• How was Matthias chosen?  What was he chosen to do?

Old Testament
Judges 1 - 21
The book of Judges describes a period in which Israel was often in spiritual decline which resulted in oppression by foreign nations.  When Israel would turn back to God and cry out to Him, things would change for the better.

• Why were the Israelites still fighting the Canaanites after the death of Joshua?
• Judges 2:10-19 summarizes the time period of the judges when Israel went through many cycles of being oppressed by foreign nations and being set free under the leadership of a judge.  What would Israel have needed to do to sustain lasting peace and freedom?
• Who killed Sisera in Judges 4?  How was Jael related to the Israelites?
• Deborah's song in Judges 5 celebrates those who were willing to fight for Israel and it questions those who didn't come to fight.  "Why did you stay among the sheep pens?" (5:16)  Deborah says that among those who didn't come, "there was much searching of heart. (verses 15 and 16)"  What does this mean and why did "searching of heart" result in a failure to act?
• When the angel spoke in Judges 6:12, why didn't Gideon believe that God was with him and that he was a mighty warrior?
• In Judges 7 God told Gideon he had too many men and might think he won the battle by his own strength.  Are there ways you think you are relying on your own strength, when you are really dependent on God?
• Gideon achieved victory by obeying God.  Are there things he did in chapter 8 that were wrong?
• What was Jotham's point in his story of the olive tree, the fig tree, the vine, and the thornbush in Judges 9:7-15?
• In Judges 11:12-27, the king of the Ammonites and Jephthah had differing versions of the history of the land.  Why?
• What started the fight in Judges 12 between the men of Gilead and the men of Ephraim?  Why did the two groups pronounce "shibboleth" differently?
• Judges, chapters 13 through 16, tells the story of Samson.  Samson made many poor decisions, yet the Spirit of God gave him unusual strength.  Why did God do this?
• The men of Judah came to Samson to turn him over the Philistines.  In Judges 15:11 they said, "Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us?"  Why did the people of Judah accept oppression?  Why didn't Samson accept it?
• Judges 16:20 says that God left Samson after his head was shaved.  Why would God leave him?
• In Judges 17:13, why did Micah think that having man-made idols and a rented priest would bring God's blessing?
• Why would the Danites in Judges 18 want to worship a stolen idol and have a stolen priest?
• Were the tribes of Israel right to attack Benjamin in Judges 20?
• The story in Judges 19-21 is a series of bad decisions that resulted in the violent death of many people.  This story, and the book of Judges, concludes with the statement, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."  What causes a person to make bad decisions?  What causes them to make good decisions?

Psalms
Psalms 44 - 45

• Psalm 44:3 says, "It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them."  Do you recognize God's hand in the blessings that are in your life?
• Psalm 45:4 says, "In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice."  How does God defend the cause of humility?