Week 35, August 25 - 31, 2019

New Testament
1 Thessalonians 4

• What reasons does Paul give in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 for avoiding sexual immorality?
• According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, what will happen to Christians who have died?

1 Thessalonians 5

• 1 Thessalonians 5:1 says, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."  What does this mean?  How should you prepare for it?
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray continually.  How do you do this?

2 Thessalonians 1

• What does Paul say, in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, is growing and increasing among the Thessalonians?
• According to 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, how will God punish those "who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus"?

2 Thessalonians 2

• What does Paul say must happen before the coming of the Lord Jesus?
• In 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Paul speaks about those who will be deceived, "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."  What would cause someone to refuse to love the truth?
• Paul encourages the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, "stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you."  What do you need to do to stand firm?

2 Thessalonians 3

• What does Paul ask the Thessalonians to pray for in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2?
• What rule does Paul give for the person who is unwilling to work?

Old Testament
Ecclesiastes 1 - 12, Song of Solomon 1 - 8

• Why does the writer of Ecclesiastes declare that everything is meaningless in chapter 1?  What gives our lives meaning?
• What did the writer try in chapter 2 that he found meaningless?
• What does Ecclesiastes 3:11 mean saying that God has, "set eternity in the human heart"?
• According to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, why are two better than one?
• Why does Ecclesiastes 5:5 say it is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it?
• Ecclesiastes 6:2 says that some people have great wealth but lack the ability to enjoy it.  Why would a person lack this ability?
• Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools."  How can you avoid being a person who is easily angered?
• Why would the author say, in Ecclesiastes 8:15, "there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad"?
• Ecclesiastes 9:17 says, "The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools."  How can you hear the quiet words of the wise?
• Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, "As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor."  Can you think of examples of people whose little folly outweighed their wisdom and honor?
• Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."  This shows we can be too reluctant to act while waiting for perfect conditions.  How can you know when it is time to act and when you should wait?
• What is the conclusion of Ecclesiastes?

• Song of Solomon or Song of Songs is a love poem.  Some parts are spoken by a man, some by a woman, and some by others.  The woman has experienced rejection, "My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards," (Song of Solomon 1:6) but is the object of delight in this book.  Can the love God has for you overshadow whatever rejection and pain you may have experienced in life?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Song of Solomon 2:4, "let his banner over me be love"?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Song of Solomon 3:5, "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires"?
• The man says to the woman in Song of Solomon 4:7, "there is no flaw in you."  Is the woman flawless or has the man chosen to view her as flawless?
• The woman says in Song of Solomon 5:2, "I slept but my heart was awake."  Do you have a devotion to God that is strong whether you are sleeping or awake?
• Song of Solomon 6:3 says, "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine."  What is the value of  a stable, committed, relationship between a man and a woman?  What is the value of a stable, committed, relationship between you and God?
• Song of Solomon 8:7 says, "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned."  Do you have an unquenchable love for God?

Psalms
Psalms 98 - 101

• Psalm 98:4 says to "burst into jubilant song."  What should you do if you aren't feeling jubilant?
• Psalm 99:4 says, "The King is mighty, he loves justice."  Since each of us is a unique creation, what is justice?
• Psalm 100:1-2 says, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;  come before him with joyful songs."  What helps you worship with joy and gladness?  What hinders you?
• David wrote in Psalm 101:3, "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile."  What should your attitude be toward people whose behavior could be called vile?

Week 34, August 18 - 24, 2019

New Testament
Colossians 3

• In Colossians 3 Paul tells us in verse 1, "set your hearts on things above," and in verse 2, "Set your minds on things above."  How can you do this?
• What reasons does Paul give us in Colossians 3:9-10 to not lie?
• We are commanded in Colossians 3:14, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Is there anyone you need to forgive?

Colossians 4

• Colossians 4:2 says, "Devote yourselves to prayer."  What do you need to do to be devoted to prayer?
• Colossians 4:6 says that our conversation should be "full of grace, seasoned with salt."  How can you learn to say the right thing, neither saying too much or too little?

1 Thessalonians 1

• Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 that the gospel came to the Thessalonians, "with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."  What does this mean?
• What does Paul say the Thessalonians turned to God from?

1 Thessalonians 2

• Paul describes his motives for preaching the gospel, "We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4)  What motivates you?
• Paul describes his ministry among the Thessalonians as "encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:12)  Who has encouraged, comforted, and urged you to live for God?

1 Thessalonians 3

• Paul says he told the Thessalonians that they would be persecuted.  (1 Thessalonians 3:4)  Why would God allow believers to be persecuted?
• What report did Timothy bring Paul that was so encouraging to him?

Old Testament
Proverbs 17 - 31

• Proverbs 17:5 says, "Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker."  Why would someone want to mock the poor?  What attitude should you have toward the poor?
• Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  How do you run to the name of the Lord?
• Proverbs 19:3 says, "A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord."  Why would someone be mad at God for the consequences of their own folly?
• Proverbs 20:10 says the Lord hates differing weights and measures.  Why would He?
• Proverbs 21:30 says, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."  How does this truth impact the way you face trouble and opposition?
• We are encouraged to be generous in Proverbs 22:9.  "The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the poor."  What opportunities do you have to be generous toward the poor?
• What warnings do you find about drinking in Proverbs 23:29-35?
• What reason does Proverbs 24:19-20 give for not envying the wicked?
• Why does Proverbs 25:21 tell us to give food and drink to our enemy?
• Why do verses 4 and 5 of Proverbs 26 seem to point in opposite directions?
• Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  What opportunities do you have to be sharpened by others and to sharpen others?
• Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."  Why would being righteous make a person bold?
• "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." (Proverbs 29:11)  Are you more likely to give vent to your rage to bring calm?
• Why does Proverbs 30:8 ask God for neither poverty nor riches?
• Why does Proverbs 31:4 say it is not for kings to drink beer and wine?

Psalms
Psalms 94 - 97

• Psalm 94:19 says, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."  When and how has God turned your anxiety into joy for you?
• Psalm 95 is a call to worship with others.  The phrase "let us" is used five times.  "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." (verse 1)  "Let us come before him with thanksgiving." (verse 2)  "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."  What is the value of worshiping with others?
• "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." (Psalm 96:1)  Why does this verse specify a new song?
• "Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."  (Psalm 97:12)  Why are we commanded to rejoice?  Why is it important?

Week 33, August 11 - 17, 2019

New Testament
Philippians 2

• Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."  How can you develop an attitude of valuing others?
• Philippians 2:13 says, "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."  How has God worked in you to fulfill His purpose?

Philippians 3

• Paul says in Philippians 3:8 that it is worth giving up everything else for the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."  Do you put that value on knowing the Lord?  What can you do to know Him better?
• In Philippians 3 verses 12 and 14, Paul twice uses the phrase, "I press on."  What does this mean?  What is he pressing on toward?

Philippians 4

• We are commanded in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always."  How can a person rejoice when they are having trouble?  Are you able to rejoice when you are having trouble?
• What does Philippians 4:6 tell us to do instead of being anxious?  What are we promised if we pray with thanksgiving?

Colossians 1

• What does Paul mean in Colossians 1:6 when he says, "the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world"?
• What does Paul say, in Colossians 1:9-12, that he is praying for the Colossians?
• Paul says in Colossians 1:21 that we were once alienated from God.  He says in verse 22 that we have been reconciled.  What does this mean?

Colossians 2

• Colossians 2:7 urges us to be "rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith."  What do you need to do to have this happen in your life?
• Paul tells us in Colossians 2:16 "do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day."  How do you keep someone else from judging you?

Old Testament
Proverbs 1 - 16

• Proverbs 1:20-33 pictures wisdom speaking.  Verse 24 says, "no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand."  Why would anyone fail to pay attention to wisdom?
• What benefits of having wisdom are described in chapter 2?
• Proverbs 3:3 says, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."  What do you need to do to keep love and faithfulness?
• Proverbs 3:11 says to not despise the Lord's discipline.  How would you know when you are being disciplined by the Lord?
• Proverbs 4:16 says that the wicked, "cannot rest until they do evil."  What would cause a person to be so inclined to evil?
• "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)  How do you guard your heart?
• Proverbs 5 warns of the consequences of adultery.  What strategies do you find in the chapter for avoiding adultery?
• In Proverbs 6:6-8, what are we supposed to learn from ants?
• Chapter 7 has further warnings against adultery.  Why does verse 23 say that adultery will cost the adulterer his life?
• Proverbs 8:11 says, "wisdom is more precious than rubies."  Do you place a high value on wisdom?
• In chapter 9, both wisdom and folly are pictured calling out from the highest point in the city, inviting people saying, "Let all who are simple come to my house!" (verse 4, wisdom; verse 16, folly)  Why do the invitations of wisdom and folly look so similar?
• Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it."  How do you obtain that blessing?
• According to Proverbs 11:2, what does pride bring?  What does humility bring?
• Proverbs 12:11 says, "Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense."  This shows the contrast between steady labor and get-rich-quick schemes.  For you, what would be the equivalent of working your land?
• Proverbs 13:10 says, "Where there is strife, there is pride."  Why does pride bring strife?
• Proverbs 14:1 says a foolish woman tears her house down with her own hands.  What is an example of a foolish woman tearing her own house down?
• Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."  How can you avoid ways that appear to be right but aren't?
• Proverbs 15:8 says, "The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked."  Since a sacrifice is an act of worship, why would the Lord detest it?
• "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)  What do you have to do to commit whatever you do to the Lord?

Psalms
Psalms 91 - 93

• Psalm 91 promises protection and long life to the one who dwells in the "shelter of the Most High."  How does a person dwell in God's shelter?
• Psalm 92:4 says, "I sing for joy at what your hands have done."  What has God done that brings you joy?
• According to Psalm 93:2 when was God's throne established?

Week 32, August 4 - 10, 2019

New Testament
Ephesians 3

• In Ephesians 3:6 what mystery does Paul say has been revealed?
• Ephesians 3:12 says, "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."  Do you approach God with freedom and confidence?  What is that freedom based on?
• What does Paul say in Ephesians 3:16-19 he is praying for the Ephesian Christians?

Ephesians 4

• Paul says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:3)  What kind of effort is needed to keep unity?
• According to Ephesians 4:13-16, what does God want us to become?
• In Ephesians 4:22-23, Paul tells us to put off the old self and put on the new self.  How do we do this?
• What does Ephesians 4:29 say we should do with our ability to speak?

Ephesians 5

• Ephesians 5:10 says, "and find out what pleases the Lord."  How do you find out what pleases the Lord?
• Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to get drunk on wine.  What are we told to do instead?
• In what way are husbands told to love their wives?

Ephesians 6

• What are children taught to do in Ephesians 6:1?
• Ephesians 6:11-17 teaches us to put on the full armor of God.  How do you do this?

Philippians 1

• Paul says he is praying for the Philippians and says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  How does confidence that God will continue to work in you impact your desire to know and obey the Lord?
• Why does Paul say to die is gain?

Old Testament
Job 22 - 42

• Eliphaz and his friends assumed that bad things happened to Job because he had been bad.  In Job 22:5-9 Eliphaz starts naming specific sins that he assumes Job has committed.  Why did Eliphaz feel a need to condemn Job?
• Job says in Job 23:10, "when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."  What did he base this confidence on?
• In Job 24:1 Job wonders, "Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?"  He then describes many injustices that take place in the world that seem to go without punishment.  How would you answer Job's question in verse 1?
• Bildad asks in Job 25:4, "How then can a mortal be righteous before God?"  What is the answer to his question?
• Job said, "I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it." (Job 27:6)  He was disagreeing with his friends who thought his problems were the result of his sin.  Was Job right in saying this?
• In chapter 28 Job describes wisdom as harder to find than precious metals that are mined far below ground.  This seems to contrast with Proverbs 9:1-6 which depicts wisdom calling out from the highest point of the city, inviting everyone to come.  Which view of wisdom is most accurate?
• In chapter 29 Job remembers the days when he was deeply respected and in chapter 30 he describes being mocked now that he is suffering.  How can you keep a consistent love for God and understanding of His purpose when people's opinions of you may change?
• "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (Job 31:1)  What does it mean to make a covenant with your eyes?
• In Job 31:15 Job gives the reason he must treat his servants with justice.  "Did not he who made me in the womb make them?"  Do you look at others with this understanding and treat others the way you would like to be treated?
• In chapter 32 Elihu speaks up after Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar because, "not one of you has proved Job wrong." (Job 32:12)  Why did he want to prove Job wrong?
• It troubled Elihu for Job to claim to be innocent and like the three men before him, Elihu assumed that Job's problems were the result of his sin.  "Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked." (Job 34:7-8)  Why were these men unable to believe Job's claim to being innocent?
• Elihu thought that Job merely needed to repent to be set free from his suffering, "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." (Job 36:16)  Elihu didn't understand what was really happening.  What should we do when we want to encourage someone whose situation we don't fully understand?
• In chapter 38 God begins to speak.  He says in verse 4, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?"  He then begins to describe some of the complexity of creation.  What value is there in remembering that God knows infinitely more than we do and that He created everything we see?
• How did Job answer God in Job 40:3-5?
• God says in Job 41:11, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me."  Why is it important for us to recognize that God owns everything?
• Job said to Eliphaz in Job 42:7, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has."  At times Job complained and wanted to die.  Some of the things that Eliphaz and his two friends said are true.  Why does God summarize by saying that Eliphaz and his friends did not speak the truth and Job did?
• What happened after Job prayed for his friends?

Psalms
Psalms 89 - 90

• Psalm 89 has these themes 
• verses 1-18, God is great and mighty
• verses 19- 37, God made great promises to David
• verses 38-45, We are defeated and in trouble
• verses 46-52, a prayer for God's intervention, Why does this psalm begin by declaring God's greatness and remembering His promises, when it was written in a time of great trouble?
• Psalm 90 shows that God is eternal, "from everlasting to everlasting you are God," (Psalm 90:2).  It also shows that our lives are short by comparison, "Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures." (Psalm 90:10).  Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  (Psalm 90:12)  What does it mean to number your days?  What is the benefit?