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September 5 – September 11, 2010 Acts 5
- How is oneness of heart and mind demonstrated in Acts 4:32-37?
- What have Ananias and Sapphira done that is not consistent with Christian community?
- Acts 5:11 states that "great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events." How do you think the church was affected by this fear?
- How does this story demonstrate the high value that God places on truth and unity within the body of Christ?
- What are the tangible evidences of the power of the Holy Spirit in this community in Acts 5:12-16? What characteristics does your Christian community share with the believers in Acts? How is it different?
August 29 – September 4, 2010 Acts 4
1. What has upset the religious leaders (Acts 4:1-2)? What action did they take?
2. Just a few weeks have passed since Annas and Caiaphas had been involved in the condemnation of Jesus. In his response to their question "By what power or what name did you do this?" Peter is forcing them to encounter Jesus again. What does Peter say about him?
3. In what ways does the church confront the world with Jesus Christ today? How does the church fail to do this?
4. What was the reaction of the believers to John and Peter's account? What is the significance of their unity in the midst of their task and power being challenged?
5. What does their prayer tell you about their faith in the character, power and faithfulness of God? How does the quote from Psalm 2 clearly demonstrate God's character, faithfulness and power?
August 22 – 28, 2010 Acts 3
1. What is the significance of the fact that the disciples found the crippled beggar at the temple gate?
2. What happened that caused the people to be filled with wonder and amazement? How does the response of the people to this miracle contrast with that of the beggar?
3. How is the authority of Jesus demonstrated in this miracle?
4. How did Peter explain that all that had happened to Jesus was a part of God's plan?
5. The wait for Jesus to return from heaven may seem very long. How is your perspective on this wait affected by Acts 3:21?
August 15 – 21, 2010 Acts 2
1. What do you think it would be like if the Holy Spirit were suddenly withdrawn from the church?
2. How do the Jews respond to the power of the Spirit which they witness? Why do you think they react this way?
3. What is there in Peter’s sermon that would reassure Theophilus about his faith and help him “know the certainty of the things” that he’d been taught?
4. Describe the fellowship of the believers in this young church (Acts 2:42-47). What were their priorities?
5. What are all the ways you see the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated throughout the chapter? How does our church need to change in order to see the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated in these ways?
August 8 – 14, 2010 Acts 1
1. What did Luke, the author of Acts, report to Theophilus about Jesus’ last days upon earth? What gives credibility to this report?
2. What task is given to the apostles? How would you feel if you were the first to be given that task? How are we equipped for this task?
3. Imagine that you were there, looking into the sky. How do you think the followers of Jesus were affected by the promise that he would return? How are you affected by that promise today?
4. How did the disciples respond to all that they had seen and heard? Why was it important for them to be together?
5. Peter comes forth as the leader of this group. He goes to Scripture immediately when he speaks. How do these words of David affect their confidence as well as give them direction?
August 1 to August 7, 2010
James 5
1) How does James 5:12 reinforce the themes the tongue (James 3:1-12) and of patience (James 4:9-11)?
2) Do you pray more when you are in trouble or when things are going well? What balance does James suggest in James 5:13?
3) In James 5:14-16 James discusses physical and spiritual healing. What are the steps in this process? How is physical healing connected with forgiveness of sins?
4) How does Elijah illustrate the effectiveness of prayer?
5) What different types of prayer are mentioned in James 5:13-18? What steps could you take to make one of these types of prayer more a part of your life?
July 25 to July 31, 2010
James 4
1) In Buddhist philosophy, desire is said to be the source of all suffering. To combat suffering we should simply stop desiring. In contrast, how does James say we should deal with our desires?
2) James says we don’t receive even when we ask because we ask with wrong motives. What might be some examples of right and wrong motives in prayer?
3) What else does James say is necessary in order to come to God in prayer? What does it mean to be humble, to submit to God?
4) James gives several suggestions for humbling ourselves before God. How does each contribute to a humble spirit?
July 18 to July 24, 2010
James 3
1) James compares the tongue to a bit and a rudder. Why do you think the tongue has such control over our lives?
2) James also compares the tongue to a fire and to a world of evil. What is the point of these two comparisons?
3) James uses a series of analogies from nature (springs, trees, vines). How do they highlight the inconsistencies of the tongue?
4) What can you do to give God more praise? Be specific. How can you give more praise to those you come in contact with each day?
5) In James 3:13-18 James discusses earthly and heavenly wisdom. What are the characteristics of each? How might earthly wisdom provoke fights and quarrels? How might wisdom from heaven help us resolve conflicts we face?
July 11 to July 17, 2010
James 2
1) Why do many people give preferential treatment to those who have money? Why is it wrong to make distinctions in this way? Why should believing in “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” keep us from showing favoritism?
2) According to James, what good is faith without deeds (James 2:14-17)? Explain why.
3) James gives the Old Testament example of faith in action with the familiar story of God testing Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obeyed but was stopped by an angel at the last minute (see Genesis 22). How was Abraham’s faith made complete by what he did?
4) How does James’s closing analogy (James 2:26 ) summarize his teaching on faith and actions?
5) Does James ever say that works without faith can save? What does this imply about faith? In what ways can you bring your actions more in line with your beliefs?
July 4 to July 10, 2010
James 1
1) Why does it seem strange that we should “consider it pure joy” whenever we “face trials of many kinds”? How are perseverance and maturity developed in us by enduring trials? What difficult experiences have increased your perseverance and maturity?
2) Under pressure, how does the faithful Christian contrast with the person described in James 1:6-8?
3) How are temptations different from trials? What role does God play when we face trials and when we face temptations?
4) How can being quick to listen and slow to speak help us be slow to become angry?
5) In your own words explain how the person who merely listens is different from the one who puts God’s Word into practice. Why is there a tendency for Christians to listen to and yet not to follow God’s Word? How can you avoid this tendency?
June 27 to July 3, 2010
Jonah 3-4
1) If you were Jonah, how would you feel when the word of the Lord came to you a second time?
2) What evidence is there that the Ninevites were sincere in their repentance? 1. If a genuine turning to God were to occur in this country, what results would you expect to see?
3) What view of God do the Ninevites express in Jonah 3? How does their view of God compare with Jonah's view expressed in Jonah 2? How does our view of God affect our willingness to turn away from our sins and turn toward God?
4) In Jonah 4, why was Jonah greatly displeased and angry? Did these things give him any right to be angry? Explain
5) In what ways are we sometimes more concerned about petty things than about those under God's judgment? What can we do to begin seeing things more from God's perspective?
6) How would you summarize the primary message of the book of Jonah?
June 20 to June 26, 2010
Jonah 2
1) Describe the terrible sequence of events after Jonah was thrown overboard. What initial thoughts and feelings did Jonah have?
2) What was Jonah's condition when he finally remembered to pray? Why do you think we sometimes have to sink so low before we remember God?
3) How did these terrifying events affect Jonah's attitude toward God?
4) Why do you think God answered Jonah's prayer? Why can we be confident God will hear our prayers, even if we are suffering the consequences of disobedience?
5) If you were Jonah and had spent three days and nights inside the great fish, how would you feel when you found yourself back on dry land? Describe a difficult situation from which the Lord delivered you.
June 13 to June 19, 2010
Jonah 1
1) Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a nation that was a fierce and powerful enemy of Israel to the northeast. How does Jonah respond to the Lord's command to preach there?
2) Tarshish, traditionally identified as Spain , was over two thousand miles in the opposite direction. While Jonah was journeying to Tarshish, what kinds of thoughts and feelings might he have experienced?
3) Why do the sailors become even more terrified after they hear Jonah's story? Why is it dangerous to disobey God? Have you ever wanted to run away from something you knew God wanted you to do?
4) Jonah acknowledges his guilt in Jonah 1:11-12. Do you think he is repentant at this point? Explain.
5) How does God use this calamity to demonstrate his grace and mercy?
June 6 to June 12, 2010
Romans 16
1) What does Romans 15:23-33 teach us about relationships among first-century Christians?
What impresses you most about their relationships, and why?
2) In spite of the fact that Paul had never been to Rome , he sends greetings to more than twenty-five people by name. What previous contacts did Paul have with these people (Romans 16:1-16)?
Why does he appreciate them?
3) Use your imagination. From what we know about Paul and the Romans, how might the people in Romans 16:1-16 have “risked their lives,” “worked very hard” and “been a great help” to Paul and others? In what practical ways might we imitate their example?
4) What type of people were causing divisions and creating problems in the family of God (Romans 16:17 -20)?
5) How do the final words of this letter summarize the scope of our salvation from beginning to end (Romans 16:25 -27)?
May 23 to May 29, 2010
Romans 14
1) What are some areas of dispute between the “weak” and the “strong” in Romans 14:1-6? What types of behavior do Christians disagree about today?
2) Why is it wrong to pass judgment on other Christians (Romans 14:1-13)?
3) When we are around those whose faith is weak, what principles should guide our actions, and why? When we are not around those whose faith is weak, what principles should govern our Christian liberty?
4) Someone somewhere is bound to be offended by almost anything we do! How can we practically apply these principles?
5) In his treatise On the Freedom of a Christian Man, Martin Luther wrote: “A Christian man is a most free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” How do these words summarize the essence of this chapter?
May 2 to May 8, 2010
Romans 11
1) How does Paul know that God has not rejected his people?
2) What were the spiritual consequences for those Israelites who rejected Jesus Christ? Why are these consequences inevitable for anyone who persistently rejects the gospel?
3) How did Israel’s rejection of Christ result in riches for others ? Why is Paul convinced that even greater blessings will come from their acceptance of Christ?
4) Why should Paul’s illustration of the olive tree prevent Gentiles from feeling superior to unbelieving Israelites? Why is it just as foolish for Christians today to feel superior to non-Christians?
5) How can Paul’s descriptions of God in Romans 11:33-36 also encourage us to trust and praise him?
April 18 to April 24, 2010
Romans 9
1) How does Romans 9:6-13 demonstrate that God has not failed in his promises and purposes for Israel?
2) How do you respond to the idea of election (Romans 9:11), God choosing certain people to be the objects of his mercy? Many people feel it is unjust for God to choose some and not others (Romans 9:14). In reply why does Paul speak of God’s mercy rather than his justice or injustice (Romans 9:15-18)?
3) How does the illustration of the potter and his clay help us gain a proper perspective (Romans 9:20-23)?
4) How is God’s mercy and justice revealed in his treatment of the Gentiles and Jews (Romans 9:24-29)?
April 25 to May 1, 2010
Romans 10
1) Why was Jesus Christ more of a stumbling stone to the Jews than to the Gentiles (Romans 9:30-33)?
2) Many people believe religious zeal and sincerity are all a person needs to be saved. How would Paul respond to this belief (Romans 10:1-4)?
3) In Romans 10:6-8 Paul rewords Deut. 30:11-14 in order to describe righteousness by faith. How does Romans 10:6-8 stress the simplicity of this righteousness? How does it differ from righteousness by law (Romans 10:5)?
4) First-century Christians publicly confessed that “Jesus is Lord” at their baptism. Why do you think public confession (Romans 10:9-13) is important to the belief in one’s heart?
5) William Carey, the father of modern missions, once proposed to a group of ministers that they discuss the implications of the Great Commission. Dr. John C. Ryland retorted: “Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid or mine!” How does Dr. Ryland’s understanding of God’s sovereignty mesh with Romans 10:14-15?
April 4 to April 10, 2010
Romans 7
1) In Romans 7:7 asks if the law is sin. What has he said previously which might lead to that conclusion?
2) How did the law create in Paul a vivid awareness of sin?
3) Why then is it wrong to blame the law for our sinful behavior?
4) In Romans 6 Paul stated that Christians are no longer slaves to sin. Yet here he claims he is a slave to sin (Romans 7:14). How would you explain this difference?
Paul compares his struggle with sin to a war, with sin as the aggressor (Romans 7:23). Describe the nature and outcome of this war (Romans 7:21-23)
April 11 to April 17, 2010
Romans 8
1) In Romans 8:5-8 Paul divides all of humanity into two categories: those who live according to the sinful nature and those who live according to the Spirit. In your own words, what are some characteristics of each group? According to Romans 8:9, how do we know which category we are in?
2) There are many professing Christians whose lives seem very different from Paul’s description of life in the Spirit. How do you think Paul would account for this fact?
3) In Romans 8:12 Paul concludes that we have an obligation. Describe in your own words the negative and positive aspects of that obligation
4) What words and vivid images in these verses underscore the difficulties of the present time?
5) Explain why these difficulties don’t compare with the glory that will be revealed in us. How can this eager expectation help us cope with our present problems and sufferings?
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