Week 48, November 24 - 30, 2019

New Testament
Matthew 5

• What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? (Matthew 5:3)
• In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus calls his followers salt and light.  What do you need to do to be salt and light in your generation?
• In Matthew 5:21-22, why does Jesus speak of anger and insults toward others as such a serious matter?
• In Matthew 5:44 Jesus taught us to love our enemies.  How do you do that?

Matthew 6

• Why did Jesus instruct us to give to the needy in secret?
• In Matthew 6:7 Jesus said, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans."  What would cause someone to "keep on babbling" in prayer?
• Jesus told us in Matthew 6:20 to store up treasures in heaven.  How do you do that?

Matthew 7

• Jesus warns us against being the type of person who tries to show someone their small fault while having a larger fault of our own.  He describes someone pointing out a speck of sawdust in someone else's eye while having a plank in their own.  What do you need to do to heed Jesus' warning?
• Matthew 7:12 is sometimes called the "golden rule."  How can you consistently treat others the way you'd like to be treated?
• How did Jesus say we could recognize false prophets in Matthew 7:15-20?

Matthew 8

• Why was Jesus willing to touch a man who had leprosy?
• In Matthew 8:8 why didn't the centurion want Jesus to come to his home?

Matthew 9

• How would you answer the question Jesus asked in Matthew 9:5, "Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?"
• What does Matthew 9:15 show you about the purpose of fasting?
• Jesus said in Matthew 9:38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  Are you praying for workers?

Old Testament
Hosea 1 - 14

• Why did God tell Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman in chapter 1?
• Hosea 2:16 says, "In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.'"  In what ways should our relationship with God be like the devoted relationship between and husband and wife?
• Why did Hosea have to buy back his own wife in chapter 3?
• What does Hosea 4:6 mean saying that the priests had rejected knowledge?
• Scripture teaches us that if we seek the Lord with our whole heart we will find Him.  Why does Hosea 5:6 say, "When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them"?
• Hosea 6:1-2 promises healing, revival, and restoration if the people would return to the Lord.  What does it mean to return to the Lord?
• Hosea chapter 7 describes sins of Israel that were causing them to suffer.  The chapter also shows the root cause was an unwillingness to turn to God.  Verse 14 says, "They do not cry out to me from their hearts"?  What keeps people from turning to God with their whole heart?
• What does it mean in Hosea 8:7 to "reap the whirlwind"?
• Hosea 9 describes punishment coming upon Israel for their sins.  Verse 10 describes a turning point in their history, "But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved."  This refers to what happened about 700 years earlier in Numbers 25:1-3, where sexual immorality was combined with idol worship.  What would have prevented this great sin?
• 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."  What was Hosea calling the people to do?
• In Hosea 11:3 God says, "they did not realize it was I who healed them."  How can we keep from taking for granted things God does on our behalf?
• Hosea 12:6 says, "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always."  What does it mean to wait for God?
• Hosea 13:4 says, "You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me."  Why does God insist that we acknowledge Him as the only God and Savior?
• Hosea 14:2 says, "Take words with you and return to the Lord."  Why should words be part of repentance?

Psalms
Psalms 135 - 137

• Psalm 135:6 says, "The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths."  What does this say about God's power?
• Psalm 136:16 says, "to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever."  When have you been led by God in times that felt like you were in the wilderness?
• Psalm 137:4 says, "How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?"  Why would someone in captivity be reluctant to sing the songs of the Lord?

Week 47, November 17 - 23, 2019

New Testament
Hebrews 13

• Hebrews 13:1 says, "some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."  What does this show us about angels?
• Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage should be honored by all."  How do you do this? 
• What basis for contentment do we have in Hebrews 13:5?

Matthew 1

• Why would Joseph consider divorcing Mary in Matthew 1:19 when he was only "pledged to be married"?
• What kept Joseph from divorcing Mary?

Matthew 2

• How did the chief priests and teachers of the law know that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
• Why did Joseph and his family settle in Nazareth after returning from Egypt?

Matthew 3

• Why did John the Baptist call the Pharisees and Sadducees vipers in Matthew 3:7?
• Why did John try to deter Jesus from being baptized? 

Matthew 4

• What would have been wrong with Jesus turning a stone into bread?
• Why do you think Simon and Andrew were willing to leave their nets and follow Jesus in Matthew 4:20?

Old Testament
Daniel 1 - 12

• Why didn't Daniel want to eat the king's food and drink the king's wine in chapter 1?
• What did the rock that struck the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2:34 represent?
• Why did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to bow down with others in Daniel 3?
• What advice did Daniel give Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:27?  Specifically what did Nebuchadnezzar need to repent from?
• In Daniel 5:20-21 why did Daniel remind Belshazzar how Nebuchadnezzar had been humbled until he acknowledged that God is sovereign?
• When Daniel learned, in Daniel chapter 6, of the decree against praying to anyone but Darius for 30 days, did he pray more, less, or the same as he had been in the habit of doing?
• What did the four beasts in Daniel's dream in chapter 7 represent?
• What do the ram and the goat in Daniel 8 represent?
• In chapter 9 Daniel asks God to show mercy toward the people of Israel.  He says in verse 18, "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy."  When you pray are you expecting God to answer because of what you have done or because of who He is?
• According to Daniel 10:12-14 what delayed the answer to Daniel's prayer?
• Daniel 11 is a prophecy that has much specific detail.  What is the purpose of revealing all this detail to Daniel and to us through him?
• Daniel lived through times of great kingdoms rising and falling and he prophesied of future times of even greater turmoil.  What does Daniel 12:2 show will ultimately happen?

Psalms
Psalms 132 - 134

• Psalm 132:9 says, "may your faithful people sing for joy."  Why should God's people sing for joy?
• Why is it "good and pleasant" for God's people to dwell together in unity? (Psalm 133:1)
• Psalm 134 urges those who "minister by night in the house of the Lord" to praise the Lord and to lift up their hands in the sanctuary.  What was the purpose of having people praising the Lord at night in the sanctuary?

Week 46, November 10 - 16, 2019

New Testament
Hebrews 8

• Hebrews 8:6 says, "the new covenant is established on better promises."  What are the promises of the new covenant that are better than those of the old covenant?
• Hebrews 8 quotes from Jeremiah where God describes the new covenant, "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people."  How has God written His laws on your heart?

Hebrews 9

• Hebrews 9:9 says that Old Testament animal sacrifices were "not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper."  But verse 14 says, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"  What does it mean to have our consciences cleansed?
• What is the meaning of the statement in Hebrews 9:22, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"?

Hebrews 10

• Hebrews 10:4 says, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."  According to verse 3 what was the purpose of the sacrifice of bulls and goats?
• Hebrews 10:22 says, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings."  How and when do you draw near to God?
• We are instructed in Hebrews 10:24, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."  Who are you spurring on?  Who is spurring you on?

Hebrews 11

• Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God.  Why is faith essential to our relationship with God?
• Hebrews 11:24-27 describes Moses' choice to lead the people of Israel rather than live as royalty in Egypt.  What does this passage say influenced this choice?
• Why does this chapter refer to great victories ("shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword") and apparent defeats ("faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment") both as acts of faith?

Hebrews 12

• Hebrews 12:1 tells us to"run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  This compares our life to a long-distance run.  What do you need to do to keep following the Lord over the long term?
• Hebrews 12:7 commands us to "endure hardship as discipline."  If we are in a difficult situation and are praying for God's intervention, what is the right attitude toward hardship?
• What is the similarity between sexual immorality and Esau trading his inheritance rights for a single meal?  (Hebrews 12:16)

Old Testament
Ezekiel 33 - 48

• What did God tell Ezekiel in chapter 33 his job was as a watchman?  What was not his responsibility?
• In Ezekiel 34:4, what are the responsibilities of a shepherd?
• What reason is given in Ezekiel 35:5 for the prophecy against Mount Seir?
• In Ezekiel 36 God describes the restoration of Israel.  Why does He say in verse 32, "I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake"?
• What do the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 represent?
• Ezekiel 38 describes an invasion of Israel led by "Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal," and including "many nations."  What will happen to this invading army?
• In chapter 39 how long will Israel be cleansing the land from the dead of Gog and all his hordes?
• What was Ezekiel looking at in chapter 40 where he says in verse 2, "In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel"?
• Why did the glory of the Lord fill the temple in Ezekiel 43:5?
• In Ezekiel 44:2 why was the gate facing east to remain shut?
• What did God rebuke the princes of Israel for in Ezekiel 45:9?
• What do you think was the purpose of the requirement in Ezekiel 46:9 for people to go out the gate opposite of the one they entered?
• What does the river that Ezekiel saw in chapter 47 represent?
• In chapter 48 Ezekiel prophetically describes a city with 12 gates.  What does he say the name of the city will be?

Psalms
Psalms 128 - 131

• Psalm 128:2 says, "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours."  Why is eating the fruit of your own labor a blessing?
• Psalm 129:2 says, "they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me."  How can a person be greatly oppressed without losing the victory?
• Psalm 130:6 says, "I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."  A watchman knows that morning will come.  It always does.  But it can seem like it's taking a long time.  How do you watch for the Lord?  How do you combine faith and patience?
• In Psalm 131:2 David says, "I have calmed and quieted myself."  He describes himself as a weaned child with its mother.  How do you calm and quiet yourself?  Why is this valuable?

Week 45, November 3 - 9, 2019

New Testament
Hebrews 3

• Hebrews 3:1 tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus.  How do you do that?
• Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage one another daily.  Who are you encouraging?  Who encourages you?

Hebrews 4

• Hebrews 4:11 says, "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest."  What rest is being spoken of?  How do we enter it?
• Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as alive and active.  How do we allow God's Word to have a powerful effect on us?
• Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  What is our confidence based on?

Hebrews 5

• Why does Hebrews 5:8 say that Jesus "learned obedience"?
• According to Hebrews 5:14, how do we become mature?

Hebrews 6

• Hebrews 6:1 says "let us... be taken forward to maturity."  What do you need to do to become more mature in your faith?
• Hebrews 6:18 speaks of it being "impossible for God to lie."  Why is it impossible?
• Hebrews 6:19 calls our hope, "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  How do you keep your soul anchored?

Hebrews 7

• Why is Jesus referred to as being "in the order of Melchizedek"?
• Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."  What do you need to do to have Jesus interceding for you?

Old Testament
Ezekiel 17 - 32

• According to Ezekiel 17:15-17, what would the result be of the king in Jerusalem trying to get help from Egypt?
• What does Ezekiel 18 say will happen to the person who repents from sin?
• Why did God say to the elders of Israel in Ezekiel 20:3 and again in 20:31, "I will not let you inquire of me"?
• Why would God say in Ezekiel 21:4, "I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked"?
• What sins does God accuse the princes of Israel of in Ezekiel 22:6-12?
• What does the phrase, "stand before me in the gap" in Ezekiel 22:30 mean?
• Why did God tell Ezekiel in chapter 24 not to lament or weep when his wife died?
• According to Ezekiel 25:6 why was God going to bring judgement on Ammon?
• In Ezekiel 26:4-5 what did God say would happen to Tyre?
• How does Ezekiel 27 describe what Tyre once was?
• In Ezekiel 28 God has Ezekiel prophesy to the ruler of Tyre.  Verse 2 says, "you are a mere mortal."  But verses 12-19 speak to one who was "anointed as a guardian cherub," who had been "on the holy mount of God."  In verse 17 what is the reason for this "guardian cherub" being cast down to earth?
• In Ezekiel 29, how long did God say Egyptians would be scattered before returning to their own land?
• According to Ezekiel 30:24-26, who would defeat the Egyptians resulting in them being dispersed among the nations?
• God says in Ezekiel 32:15, "When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the Lord."  How would the destruction of Egypt make people recognize God?

Psalms
Psalms 124 - 127

• Psalm 124 recognizes how different things would have been without God's help.  How has God's intervention in your life changed things?
• How does trusting in the Lord make you like Mt. Zion? (Psalm 125:1)
• Psalm 126:5-6 speaks of sowing with tears and reaping with joy.  When do people sow with tears and reap with joy?
• Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."  How can you avoid laboring in vain?