Week 44, October 27 - November 2, 2019

New Testament
2 Peter 1

• What does it mean to "participate in the divine nature"? (2 Peter 1:4)
• According to 2 Peter 1:20-21, how was Scripture given?

2 Peter 2

• What examples does Peter give to show that "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment"? (2 Peter 2:9)
• Why does Peter say in 2 Peter 2:21, "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them"?

2 Peter 3

• How does Peter describe the last days?
• What does it mean to say, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day"?
• Based on 2 Peter 3:9, why hasn't Jesus returned yet?
• Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:14, "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."  How do you make this effort?

Hebrews 1

• According to Hebrews 1, how is Jesus different from prophets?
• How is Jesus different from angels?
• What does Hebrews 1:14 say angels are?

Hebrews 2

• Hebrews 2:3 asks, "how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?"  What causes people to ignore this great salvation?
• What significance is there in Jesus being "fully human"? (Hebrews 2:17)

Old Testament
Ezekiel 1 - 16

• Where was Ezekiel when he had the visions he begins to describe in chapter 1?
• What did God call Ezekiel to do in chapter 2?
• In Ezekiel 3:8-9 God said He would make Ezekiel hard headed.  Why did Ezekiel need to be?
• What was the purpose of the unusual things God had Ezekiel do in chapter 4?
• What did the hair that Ezekiel shaved off in chapter 5 represent?
• What does Ezekiel 6:8-10 say will happen to those that escape the disasters coming on Israel?
• God says in Ezekiel 7:9, "Then you will know that it is I the Lord who strikes you."  What purpose did God have in striking Israel?
• In Ezekiel 8 God shows Ezekiel things that God calls detestable.  He refers to them in verse 6 as "things that will drive me far from my sanctuary."  If God is everywhere what does it mean for Him to be driven far from His sanctuary?
• What was the purpose of the mark in Ezekiel 9?
• Why did the glory of the Lord depart from the temple in Ezekiel 10?
• In Ezekiel 11 God promised that the exiles would return and that He would give them "an undivided heart" and "a new spirit."  How does God change a person's heart?
• Why did Ezekiel pack his belongings in chapter 12?
• God rebukes false prophets in Ezekiel 13.  In verse 2 and again in verse 17 He says that false prophets, "prophesy out of their own imagination."  How can you discern between what God is saying to you and what is your own imagination?
• In Ezekiel 14:3 God says of the elders of Israel, "these men have set up idols in their hearts."  What does it mean for a person to set up idols in their heart?
• What does God illustrate in Ezekiel 15 with the wood from a vine?  If the wood from a vine is not very useful for making things, what is the vine's purpose?
• Why does God call Jerusalem an "adulterous wife" in Ezekiel 16:32?

Psalms
Psalms 120 - 123

• Psalm 120:7 says, "I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."  What should you do if you want to live at peace with others but are unable to?
• According to Psalm 121:3-4, when does God sleep?
• Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."  What is the purpose of that peace?
• Psalm 123:2 compares our dependence on God to a slave's dependence on their master.  Since God calls us His children, why would a slave's relationship to their master be a useful comparison?

Week 43, October 20 - 26, 2019

New Testament
1 Peter 1

• What does Peter mean in 1 Peter 1:2 by the phrase "sprinkled with his blood"?
• 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are "shielded by God's power."  How have you seen God shield you by His power?
• 1 Peter 1:15 commands us, "be holy in all you do."  What does it mean to be holy?  What do you have to do to obey this command?

1 Peter 2

• 1 Peter 2:1 says, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."  How do you rid yourself of these things?
• Peter refers to believers as "God’s special possession" in 1 Peter 2:9.  Do you view yourself as a special possession of God? 
• 1 Peter 2:24 says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness."  What does it mean to die to sin?

1 Peter 3

• How does a woman develop what Peter calls "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit"?  (1 Peter 3:4)
• In 1 Peter 3:7 Peter teaches men to treat their wives with respect.  Why does he add, "so that nothing will hinder your prayers"?
• 1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."  Are you prepared to give the answer Peter is speaking about?

1 Peter 4

• Peter tells us to "be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." (1 Peter 4:7)  What do you need to do on a daily basis to obey this instruction?
• 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."  What gift are you using to serve others?  How does a person discover what their gifts are?

1 Peter 5

• What responsibilities do elders have in 1 Peter 5:1-4?
• 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  How do you cast your anxiety on God?
• What does 1 Peter 5:10 say God will do after you have suffered for a little while?

Old Testament
Jeremiah 43 - 52, Lamentations 1 - 5

• After asking for the Lord's direction in Jeremiah 42, Johanan and those with him disobeyed in Jeremiah 43.  Why would they ask for God's direction and then do the opposite of what He said?
• In Jeremiah 44 what did God say would happen to the people of Judah who had moved to Egypt?
• What change in attitude did God want to see in Baruch in Jeremiah 45?
• What promise did God make to Israel in Jeremiah 46:27?
• What did Jeremiah prophesy concerning the Philistines in Jeremiah 47:4?
• Jeremiah 48 describes coming judgement on Moab.  What reason for Moab's destruction is given in verse 42?
• Jeremiah 49 foretells destruction of several of Israel's neighbors.  In some cases God promises to bring restoration after the destruction.  What is the purpose of these prophecies?
• Jeremiah 50 prophesies that Babylon will be overthrown.  Verse 3 says, "A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land."  According to verses 4 and 5, what will happen to Israel after the destruction of Babylon?
• What reason does Jeremiah 51:49 give for Babylon's destruction?
• What did the Babylonians do with the bronze, gold, and silver articles in the temple?
• Lamentations expresses sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem.  1:6 says, "All the splendor has departed from Daughter Zion."  Why did God allow Jerusalem to be destroyed?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Lamentations 2:9, "the law is no more"?
• In the midst of the sorrow described in Lamentations, there is a basis for hope.  Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  In what way have you seen God's compassion in the midst of difficult times?
• Lamentations 4:12 describes the invasion of Jerusalem as something that was once unthinkable.  According to verse 13, why did it happen?
• Lamentations 5:21 asks God to restore the nation.  When and how did He answer this prayer?

Psalms
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 help you avoid sin?
• Psalm 119:37 says, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things."  Why would worthless things catch people's eyes?
• Psalm 119:71 says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."  How can affliction cause a person to learn?
• There are times when we have inner turmoil because our desires are not in harmony with God's will.  Psalm 119:165 says, "Great peace have those who love your law."  How can you strengthen your love for God's law.  How will this bring you peace?

Week 42, October 13 - 19, 2019

New Testament
James 1

• What attitude toward trials does James tell us to take in James 1:2?
• James 1:6 teaches us that when we ask God for something we must believe and not doubt.  How can you believe and overcome doubt?
• James 1:22 urges us to be doers, not just listeners.  Are there things that God has shown you that you need to do that you haven't?

James 2

• Why does James say it is wrong to treat a rich person differently than a poor person?
• What does James mean in 2:13 when he says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment"?
• Why does James say that faith without action is dead?

James 3

• James 3:1-12 warns of the power of the tongue and says in verse 8, "no human being can tame the tongue."  How can our tongue be tamed?
• What is the difference between earthly and heavenly wisdom?

James 4

• Based on James 4:1-3, what should we do instead of quarreling?
• James 4:7 tells us to submit to God and resist the devil.  How do you do this?
• James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."  What do you have to do to come near to God?

James 5

• James 5:8 says, "You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."  How does knowing that the Lord's coming is near give you patience?
• What does James say the sick should do?

Old Testament
Jeremiah 29 - 42

• In his letter in Jeremiah 29, what did Jeremiah tell the exiles in Babylon they should do?
• Jeremiah 30:22 is one of many places in the Bible where God says, "you will be my people, and I will be your God."  What does it mean for you to be one of God's people?
• In Jeremiah 31:31-34 God promises to make a new covenant with His people.  What are the main features of that covenant?
• In Jeremiah 32 Jerusalem was under siege and Jeremiah was in prison.  Why, under these circumstances, did Jeremiah buy a field?
• God told Jeremiah, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)  How and when do you call to God?
• Jeremiah 34:8-11 describes the people of Jerusalem freeing their slaves and then changing their minds, taking their slaves back again.  Why would someone choose to do right and then change their mind and do wrong?
• What example did the Rekabite family provide in Jeremiah 35?
• In Jeremiah 36 Baruch read from a scroll that Jeremiah had dictated to him.  He first read it to the people and again to a group of officials.  How did the king react when Jehudi read it to him?
• Why was Jeremiah beaten and imprisoned in chapter 37?
• In Jeremiah 38 Zedekiah turned Jeremiah over to those who wanted to kill him, sent men to rescue Jeremiah, and then wanted to listen to what Jeremiah had to say.  What was Zedekiah so unstable?
• What happened to Jeremiah in chapters 39 and 40 when the people of Jerusalem were taken captive?  
• In Jeremiah 41 Ishmael and others killed Gedaliah and took people from Jerusalem captive.  Johanan and others rescued those who had been captured and together they were fleeing to Egypt.  What were they afraid of?
• What did Jeremiah tell Johanan and the people to do in chapter 42?  What did he tell them not to fear?

Psalms
Psalms 115 - 118

• 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 your life bring glory to God?
• How does Psalm 116 answer the question in verse 12, "What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?"  How would you answer that question for yourself?
• Psalm 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans."  Have you taken refuge in the Lord?

Week 41, October 6 - 12, 2019

New Testament
Mark 12

• Why is Jesus called "The stone the builders rejected"?
• What was Jesus' answer to the question, "whose wife will she be?" in Mark 12:23?
• Jesus said in Mark 12:30 that the most important commandment is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."  What do you need to do to obey this command?

Mark 13

• What did Jesus tell His disciples not to do when they are arrested?
• Jesus said in Mark 13:13, "the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."  What does it mean to stand firm?
• What does Jesus' command in Mark 13:37 to "watch" mean?

Mark 14

• In Mark 14 a woman poured perfume on Jesus' head.  Verse 5 says "they rebuked her harshly."  If you had been the woman how would you have responded to the rebuke?
• What did Jesus mean in Mark 14:22 when He said, "this is my body"?
• Jesus said in Mark 14:38, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."  How should the disciples have been praying?

Mark 15

• Why did the crowd ask for Barabbas to be released?
• Why was the curtain torn in Mark 15:38?
• Who asked Pilate for Jesus' body to bury?

Mark 16

• What did the women find in Mark 16 when they went to the tomb?
• What command did Jesus give His disciples in Mark 16:15?
• What signs did Jesus say would follow believers?

Old Testament
Jeremiah 15 - 28

• God says in Jeremiah 15:1 that even the intercession of Moses and Samuel wouldn't help the nation.  What would help?
• Why did God tell Jeremiah not to marry and have children in Jeremiah 16?
• Jeremiah 17:5 says, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man."  Jeremiah 17:7 says, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord."  How do you make sure that your trust is in the Lord?
• According to Jeremiah 18:7-8 how can repentance change the destiny of a nation?
• What did the broken jar in Jeremiah 19 represent?
• Jeremiah was persecuted for the things he prophesied.  How does he describe, in Jeremiah 20:9, what it is like to decide to quit speaking?
• In Jeremiah 21:9 why was Jeremiah telling the people to surrender to the Babylonians?
• According to Jeremiah 22:3, what did God expect kings to do?
• Where does false prophecy come from, according to Jeremiah 23:16?  Where does true prophecy come from according to verse 22?
• According to Jeremiah 23:23-24, where is God?
• In Jeremiah 24, what did the good figs represent?  What did the bad figs represent?
• What could Judah have done to avoid being taken captive by the Babylonians, based on Jeremiah 25:4-9?
• Why did people want to kill Jeremiah in Jeremiah 26?  Why wasn't he killed?
• Zedekiah was told by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 27:12, "Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live."  But he had false prophets tell him, "You will not serve the king of Babylon."  (Jeremiah 27:9)  How was he to know who to listen to?
• Why did Hananiah die in Jeremiah 28?

Psalms
Psalms 111 - 114

• Psalm 111:5 says, "He provides food for those who fear him."  Jesus taught us not to worry about what we will eat.  How have you seen God provide for you?
• Psalm 112:1 says, "Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands."  What do you need to do to find delight in the Lord's commands?
• Psalm 113:7 describes God raising the poor from the dust.  Verse 9 describes Him showing mercy to the childless woman.  How have you seen God show compassion to those in need?
• How would you answer the questions in Psalm 114:5?