Week 40, September 29 - October 5, 2019

New Testament
Mark 7

• The Pharisees were consistent in washing their hands before eating and considered that part of their obedience to God.  Why did Jesus say that they "have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions"? (Mark 7:8)
• In Mark 7:21-23 Jesus said that evil comes from out of our hearts.  How can we have a clean heart?
• Why did Jesus tell the Greek woman in Mark 7:27, "it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs"?

Mark 8

• In Mark 8:4 the disciples asked, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"  Why did they ask that after seeing Jesus feed a large crowd in Mark, Chapter 6?
• Jesus touched a blind man and in Mark 8:24 he said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."  Jesus touched him a second time and his sight was fully restored.  If you have prayed for something and you have seen a partial answer, what should you do?
• Why did Jesus say, "Get behind me, Satan!" to Peter?

Mark 9

• Why were Peter, James, and John allowed to see Moses and Elijah?
• Why weren't the disciples able to cast out the evil spirit in Mark 9:14-29?
• Jesus told His disciples in Mark 9:35, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."  How does this statement impact how you live?

Mark 10

• When Jesus was asked about divorce, what did He base His answer on?
• Mark 10:15 shows that we need to "receive the kingdom of God like a little child."  What does this mean?
• When Jesus was asked in Mark 10:26, "Who then can be saved?" He said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."  What makes being saved impossible with man?
• Why did people want Bartimaeus to be quiet?

Mark 11

• How do you put into practice what Jesus said in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours"?
• Jesus said in Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them."  Is there anyone you need to forgive?

Old Testament
Jeremiah 1 - 14

• When did God say He had appointed Jeremiah as a prophet? (Jeremiah 1:5)
• God says in Jeremiah 2:13, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."  Why would anyone turn from living water to a broken cistern?
• In Jeremiah 3 God accuses Israel and Judah of unfaithfulness, considering their worship of idols to be like adultery.  In verse 14 He says, "Return, faithless people, for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion."  Why is God willing to forgive and restore people who have been unfaithful to Him?
• In Jeremiah 4 God is calling people to repentance.  In verse 4 He says, "circumcise your hearts"?  What does this mean?
• God says in Jeremiah 5:31, "The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way."  Why would people love lying prophets and priests who are not obedient to God?
• What is the meaning of the command in Jeremiah 6:16, "ask for the ancient paths"?
• In Jeremiah 7:1-11 God says that the people thought having a temple of the Lord kept them safe even though they were sinning.  What actions did God want them to change?
• In Jeremiah 8:4 God asks, "When people fall down, do they not get up? When someone turns away, do they not return?"  But in 8:5 God says of the people of Israel, "they refuse to return."  Why would someone refuse to return when they know they have turned away from what is right?
• God says in Jeremiah 9:24, "but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me."  What value do you place on knowing God?
• God speaks about idolatry in Jeremiah 10:5, "Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."  Why would anyone worship an idol which can neither talk nor walk?
• What threat were the people of Anathoth bringing in Jeremiah 11:21?
• What is the answer to Jeremiah's question in 12:1, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper?"
• What does the linen belt in Jeremiah 13 represent?
• In Jeremiah 14:12 God says of Judah, "Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them."  What did God want from the people so He would listen to their prayers?

Psalms
Psalms 108 - 110

• David wrote in Psalm 108:11, "Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?"  When would David have felt that God no longer went out with Israel's army?
• In Psalm 109:6-15 David prays for harsh punishment for his enemy.  Jesus taught us to love our enemies.  Why would David ask for punishment for his enemy?
• Psalm 110 is referenced in the New Testament more than any other psalm.  Verse 1 was quoted by Jesus (Matthew 22:44, for example).  Verse 4 is quoted several times in Hebrews (Hebrews 5:6, for example).  Based on those quotations, who is Psalm 110 speaking about?

Week 39, September 22 - 28, 2019

New Testament
Mark 2

• When a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof in front of Jesus, why did Jesus tell the man his sins were forgiven before he healed him?
• What reason did Jesus give in Mark 2:17 for eating with tax collectors and sinners?
• What is the meaning of Jesus' statement in Mark 2:27, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"?

Mark 3

• Mark 3 describes Jesus in the synagogue and verse 5 says He was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts."  What causes a person to be stubborn in a way that would distress Jesus?
• What purpose did Jesus have in appointing the twelve in Mark 3:13-18?

Mark 4

• In the parable of the sower Jesus describes four different responses to the Word.  He says that seed on rocky soil represents those who hear the Word and receive it with joy, but wither because "they have no root."  What do you need to do to develop healthy roots?
• In Mark 4:38 the disciples asked, "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?"  Why would they question whether Jesus cared?

Mark 5

• Why did Jesus allow the demons to go into the pigs in Mark, chapter 5?
• How could a woman who had been to many doctors without success still have faith to believe that she would be healed if she touched Jesus' cloak?

Mark 6

• Mark 6:5-6 says, "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  He was amazed at their lack of faith."  Why would a lack of faith keep Jesus from doing miracles?
• Why did Jesus send out the 12 and tell them to take nothing for the trip, "no bread, no bag, no money in your belts"?
• Mark 6:52 says, "they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."  What were the disciples failing to understand about Jesus?  What do we need to understand about Him?

Old Testament
Isaiah 51 - 66

• God says in Isaiah 51:12, "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals?"  How does God's comfort overshadow our fears?
• Isaiah 52:2 says, "Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive."  How was Jerusalem to shake off their dust and free themselves from chains?
• Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities."  How has the punishment that Jesus took freed us from sin?
• In Isaiah 54:17 God promised Israel, "no weapon forged against you will prevail."  Are you able to ignore the fear of others and trust God to keep and protect you?
• God says in Isaiah 55:9, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Are there things you need to trust God for that you don't fully understand?
• Isaiah 56:7 says, "my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."  What does this show you about God's heart toward people of other nations?
• In Isaiah 57:15 God says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."  How does God revive our spirits and hearts?
• How does Isaiah 58 define true fasting?
• What does Isaiah 59:2 say separates people from God?
• God tells Israel in Isaiah 60:1, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."  The commands to "arise" and "shine" mean to stand up and let your light shine.  What would you need to do to obey these commands?
• Isaiah 61 makes great promises of restoration and concludes in verse 11 saying, "the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."  How and when will these promises be fulfilled?
• Isaiah 62:6-7 says, "You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth."  What does it mean to give yourself no rest and to give God no rest?
• Isaiah 64 asks for God to intervene, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down." (Isaiah 64:1)  But verse 6 acknowledges, "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."  What basis does Isaiah have for asking God to intervene on Israel's behalf when they had been unrighteous?
• Why does God promise new heavens and a new earth in Isaiah 65:17?
• God gives the reason for coming judgement in Isaiah 66:4, "when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened."  How can you listen to God and answer when He calls?

Psalms
Psalm 107

• Psalm 107:2 says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story."  What opportunities do you have to tell your story?

Week 38, September 15 - 21, 2019

New Testament
Titus 1

• Why did Paul say he left Titus in Crete?
• Why did Paul want Titus to rebuke the people of Crete?

Titus 2

• In Titus 2:7-8 what qualities did Paul want Titus to have in his teaching?
• What does Paul refer to as the "blessed hope" in Titus 2:13?

Titus 3

• According to Titus 3:5 why did God save us?
• In Titus 3:9 Paul said to avoid foolish controversies.  How do you avoid them?

Philemon

• Why did Paul say he could order Philemon what to do, but he preferred to appeal to him?
• What was Paul asking Philemon to do?

Mark 1

• Whose prophecy did John the Baptist fulfill?
• What was the main point of John the Baptist's message?
• Jesus said to Simon and Andrew in Mark 1:17, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”  Why would they leave their nets to follow Jesus in response to such a simple invitation?
• In Mark 1:24 a demon possessed man said to Jesus, "I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Mark 1:34 says, "he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was."  If what the demon said was true, why didn't Jesus allow him to speak?
• Jesus healed a leper and told him in Mark 1:44 not to tell anyone.  Why didn't Jesus want the man to tell anyone?

Old Testament
Isaiah 34 - 50

• Isaiah 34 describes Edom being destroyed and turned over to desert creatures to "dwell there from generation to generation."  (Isaiah 34:17)  What is the purpose of this destruction?
• Isaiah 35:4 says, "say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.'" How can you obey a command to not fear?
• In how many different ways did the Assyrian field commander attack the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem in Isaiah 36?
• How did God end the threat from Assyria on Jerusalem in Isaiah 37?
• If you were Hezekiah, how would you have responded to what Isaiah told him in Isaiah 38:1?
• What was wrong with Hezekiah showing everything in his palace to the Babylonians in Isaiah 39?
• Why does Isaiah 40:6-8 compare people to grass?
• What do you need to do to gain the strength that Isaiah 40:31 talks about?
• God told Israel in Isaiah 41:12, "Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all."  Do you have a fearlessness from knowing that God alone has all power?
• God says in Isaiah 42:8, "I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols."  Do you give all glory to God?
• According to Isaiah 43:10 and 44:6 how many gods are there?
• Isaiah 45:22 says, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."  What opportunity did other nations have to turn to God?
• God says in Isaiah 46:4, "I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Do you recognize God's hand in sustaining you?
• Why does God say in Isaiah 48:22 that there is no peace for the wicked?
• Who is the "light for the Gentiles" mentioned in Isaiah 49:6?
• God says to Israel in Isaiah 50:2, "When I called, why was there no one to answer?"  How open are you to God's call?

Psalms
Psalm 106

• Psalm 106:13 is speaking of Israel and says, "But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold."  What situations have you been in when you needed to wait for God's plan to unfold?

Week 37, September 8 - 14, 2019

New Testament
1 Timothy 6

• Why would Paul teach slaves to respect their masters?
• In 1 Timothy 6:8 Paul teaches us to be content if we have food and clothing.  Are you able to be content when your basic needs are met?
• What commands did Paul tell Timothy to give to rich people in 1 Timothy 6:17-19?

2 Timothy 1

• In 2 Timothy 1:5, whose influence on Timothy did Paul recognize?
• 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." In what ways has God given you power, love, and self-discipline?

2 Timothy 2

• In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul instructed Timothy to teach others who would be capable of teaching others.  What part do you have in this process of passing on truth to others who will be able to pass it on to others?
• Paul told Timothy to warn people "against quarreling about words."  (2 Timothy 2:14)  How would you recognize when a conversation has become a quarrel about words?
• 2 Timothy 2:24 teaches us not to be quarrelsome.  What causes a person to be quarrelsome?  How can you avoid it?

2 Timothy 3

• What will make the last days "terrible times"?
• What does it mean to be "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth"? (2 Timothy 3:7)
• What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teach us about Scripture?

2 Timothy 4

• What is the meaning of Paul's instruction in 2 Timothy 4:2, "be prepared in season and out of season"?
• Why does Paul compare himself to a drink offering in 2 Timothy 4:6?

Old Testament
Isaiah 18 - 33

• What does the Lord say in Isaiah 18 that will happen to Cush?  What will the result be?
• Isaiah 19:21 says that "the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians."  When and how will that happen?
• In Isaiah 20, how did God show Israel not to trust in Cush or Egypt?
• In Isaiah 22:10-11, Isaiah describes Jerusalem making plans for their defense, but failing to rely on God, "You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."  Are there ways in which you are relying on your own plans but not on God?
• God refers to the economy of Tyre as "lucrative prostitution." (Isaiah 23:17)  But He says in verse 18, "Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord," and "Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord."  How could God use profits gained in an ungodly way to help those who are following the Lord?
• Isaiah 24:3 says, "The earth will be completely laid waste."  Why will this happen?
• Isaiah 25:8 says that God, "will swallow up death forever," and "will wipe away the tears    from all faces."  How will God accomplish this?
• Isaiah 26:12 says, "all that we have accomplished you have done for us."  Do you have this attitude toward whatever you have accomplished?
• Isaiah 27:2-3 says, "Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually.  I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it." Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches.  In what ways have you seen God watch over, water, and guard you?
• What is the cornerstone Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 28:16?
• God says in Isaiah 29:13,"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."  How can you draw near to God with your whole heart?
• Isaiah 30:1 rebukes "those who carry out plans that are not mine."  How likely are you to seek God's direction when you make plans?
• Isaiah 31:6 says, "Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against."  What would Israel need to do to return to God?
• Isaiah 32:17 says, "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."  Why does righteousness bring peace, quietness, and confidence?
• Isaiah 33:24 says, "No one living in Zion will say, 'I am ill'; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven."  When will this be fulfilled?

Psalms
Psalms 104 - 105

• Psalm 104:33 says, "I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."  Do you sing to God?
• Psalm 105:5 says, "Remember the wonders he has done."  What benefit do you get from remembering what God has done for you?

Week 36, September 1 - 7, 2019

New Testament
1 Timothy 1

• What did Paul have Timothy stay in Ephesus to do?
• According to 1 Timothy 1:15, why did Christ Jesus come into the world?

1 Timothy 2

• According to 1 Timothy 2:2 what is the point of praying for those in authority?
• 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God wants all people to be saved.  Why aren't they?

1 Timothy 3

• Are the qualifications for an overseer mostly character qualities or talents?
• Why are overseers and deacons expected to manage their own households well?

1 Timothy 4

• What does 1 Timothy 4:1 say will happen in later times?
• Why does Paul say that godliness is more valuable than physical training?
• Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young."  How can you keep someone from looking down on you?

1 Timothy 5

• Why did Paul have specific limits on the church supporting widows?
• Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:21, "keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism."  What is wrong with favoritism?

Old Testament
Isaiah 1 - 17

• In Isaiah 1:18 God offers to cleanse the people from sin, "'Come now, let us settle the matter,'  says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"  What did they need to do to be cleansed from sin?
• Isaiah 2 describes a time when all human pride will be brought low and "the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." (verse 11 and again in verse 17)  Verse 22 then commands us, "Stop trusting in mere humans."  How can you put your trust in God alone?
• Isaiah 3:2-3 speaks of God removing good leaders from Jerusalem and Judah and says in verse 4, "children will rule over them,"  The result in verse 5 is that "People will oppress each other."  How should we be praying for leaders in our country now?
• What does God promise to do for Jerusalem in Isaiah 4:2-6?
• What does the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7 represent?
• What did Isaiah volunteer for in chapter 6?
• God had Isaiah command Ahaz, "keep calm and don’t be afraid." (Isaiah 7:4)  What can you do to keep calm when your circumstances make you afraid?
• Isaiah also told Ahaz, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."  (Isaiah 7:9)  What does this mean?
• What does God say in Isaiah 8:19 about consulting the dead through mediums or spiritists?
• What promise was made in Isaiah 9:6-7?  How has Jesus fulfilled this?
• Why does God say in Isaiah, chapter 10, that He would punish Assyria?
• Who is the Branch described in Isaiah 11:1-5?
• Isaiah 12:6 says, "Shout aloud and sing for joy."  In what circumstances do you praise God with exuberance?
• Who does God say, in Isaiah 13:17, He will stir up to oppose Babylon?
• Isaiah 14:1 promises that Israel, after being taken into captivity, would be restored to the land, "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land."  Why was being restored to the land an important promise?
• Isaiah, chapters 15 and 16 prophesied of the destruction of Moab.  How long would it be until this was fulfilled, according to Isaiah 16:14?
• Isaiah 17:10 says, "You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress."  Why would anyone forget God?

Psalms
Psalm 102 - 103

• Psalm 102 is the prayer of an afflicted person.  What reason for hope is given in this psalm?
• Psalm 103:12 says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  What does it mean to have our transgressions removed?