For Sunday, December 26, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, December 26, 2010.

1) 1 Kings 10:23-25
Based on this passage, describe King Solomon. How did he become this way? (See 1 Kings 3:3-15) What were the consequences of God's gifts to him? What were the conditions of this promise?

2) 1 Kings 11:1-3
Describe Solomon's home life. How does this fit with what you already know about Solomon? Could he claim to be ignorant of the consequences of his choice? Why or why not? What were the consequences of his choice?

3) 1 Kings 11:4-8
How many idols are mentioned in this passage? What was Solomon's motivation in building the high places and joining in the worship of idols? How do your human relationships effect your relationship with God? Are there any relationships that are coming between you and God? What do you need to do about it?

4) 1 Kings 11:9-13
What was God's response to Solomon's choices and actions? How many times had God appeared to Solomon? What were the consequences going to be for Solomon? For all of Israel? Why did God reserve part of Israel?

For Sunday, December 19, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, December 19, 2010.

1) Mathew 1:18-25
What was God’s purpose in sending Jesus to earth? Jesus can save you from the power and consequences of sin. Name some of the sins Jesus saved you from. Do you have any unconfused sin in your life right now? Bring it to God today. Thank God for forgiveness through Jesus.
1 John 1:9

2) Mathew 1:18-25
What other name was given to Jesus? In how many ways is Jesus “God with us?” Tell God how much that means to you today.

3) Mathew 2:1-12
How did the wise men know they had found the One for whom they were searching? What gifts did they give? What gifts are you giving God this Christmas?

4) Mathew 2:13-18
What is your response to this part of the Christmas story? What other Bible stories come to mind when you read this passage? How can this story help us trust God even when He doesn’t make sense?

For Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, December 12, 2010.

1) 1 Kings 8:12-21
What background information do we learn from this passage about the events unfolding? What did Solomon highlight about God’s character in this blessing? Solomon viewed his personal identity and accomplished as connected to God’s work. How? Do you see this kind of connection in your life?

2) 1 Kings 8:22-30
What did Solomon say about to God about God in his prayer? What were the conditions of the promise God gave David about his descendants? What promise of God would you ask to be confirmed in your life? How would you describe Solomon’s attitude in verse 27? What did Solomon request of God in relation to the Temple? In verse 30, what did Solomon identify as the people’s greatest needs from God?

3) Skim 1 Kings 8:31-53.
What are the repeating words in this passage? What does Solomon repeatedly ask of God? Why was this request so important? What actions of the people did Solomon refer to? Who did Solomon pray for? How many sin scenarios did Solomon list?

4) 1 Kings 8:54-61
How was Solomon’s prayer posture described? In verse 56, what did he identify as God’s gift to His people? What effect does God’s faithfulness have on your prayer life? In verse 58, how did Solomon describe the initiation of relationship between God and people? What were Solomon’s goals for the people? How did Solomon view Israel’s role in God’s kingdom around the world? What does it mean to be wholly devoted to God?

　

For Sunday, December 5, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, December 5, 2010.

1) 1 Kings 1
Who are the main characters mentioned in this chapter? Who was king? Who became king? What obstacles were in his way? How would you describe the way the new king treated his brother in verses 52-53?

2) 1 Kings 2:1-12
What were the main instructions David gave to Solomon? What warnings did David give Solomon? Why? In verses 2-4, David passed along the promise God had made to him. What promises of God have you shared with someone else recently?

3) 1 Kings 3:3-15
What did God ask Solomon? How would you have answered? How did Solomon answer? Why did this answer please God so much? Is verse 14 a promise to everyone, or a specific promise to Solomon? What did Solomon do next after this encounter with God?

4) 1 Kings 3:16-28
Can you think of other stories over time that have been based on this story? How would you have handled this situation if you were Solomon? How did Solomon handle it? What was the response of all the people who heard about it? Do you trust God to provide the wisdom you need? See James 1:5-8.

For Sunday, November 28, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, November 28, 2010.

1) Ephesians 6:10-17
Paul uses this imagery in small sections of other letters. How do you think he came up with this idea?
Isaiah 59:15-20
The Isaiah 59 passage may have been his example. What do these verses say about the Lord as a warrior? How does the time and society described in this passage compare to today?

2) Ephesians 6:10-17; Hebrews 4:12
Which is the only offensive weapon Paul listed? What happens when Christians try to use other methods of offense?
Luke 4:1-13
What does Jesus’ example show us about God’s Word as a weapon?

3) Ephesians 6:18-20
What instructions does Paul give about prayer? What requests did he ask for himself?
Luke 18:1-8
What did Jesus emphasize in this parable about prayer? How does your prayer life measure up to the example he gave?

4) Ephesians 6:21-22
Who was Tychicus? See Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; and Titus 3:12.
Ephesians 6:23-24
What are the key words of Paul’s blessing on the Ephesians? Which do you need most right now?

For Sunday, November 21, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, November 21, 2010.

1) Ephesians 6:1-3
What does it mean to "honor your mother and father" as an adult? What is it about obeying and honoring your parents that leads to verse 3 being true in your life? Evaluate your treatment and attitude toward you parents: does it follow God's standard?

2) Ephesians 6:4
In this verse, the word translated for "Fathers" actually is generic for parents.
In what ways do you exasperate your children? In what ways are you bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord?
Hebrews 12:5-11
According to Hebrews 12:5-11, what is the goal of discipline?

3) Ephesians 6:5-9
What is surprising about this teaching? How do verses 6-7 relate to the work place? Do your attitudes and activities at work meet this standard? What is surprising about verse 9? How would it effect a master's treatment of a slave (or an employer to an employee) if they are God-fearing?

4) Ephesians 6:1-9
Examine your own family and workplace relationships. How do your relationships measure up to Paul's teaching? Which of these teachings point to an area for your to work on?

For Sunday, November 14, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, November 14, 2010.

1) Ephesians 5:22-33
What was Paul’s main topic in this passage? Why was this teaching so important for the Christians in Ephesus? How does our society’s view of marriage compare to Paul’s teaching?

2) Ephesians 5:22-33
What standard does Paul set for how wives should love their husbands? For how husbands should love their wives? In what ways has verse 22 been misrepresented over history? How does that compare with Christ’s example described in Ephesians 5:1-2?

3) Ephesians 5:22-33
In what ways are the relationship between husband/wife and Christ/church the same? How should this identity, as the bride of Christ, effect how a church acts? In what ways does our church act like the bride of Christ?

4) Ephesians 5:22-33
What does it mean to submit? What does it not mean? What is the purpose of submitting, according to Paul? If Christian marriages all followed this teaching, what would be the effects in our church and society?

For Sunday, November 7, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, November 7, 2010. Also posted on nabc-prepared.blogspot.com.

1) Ephesians 5:15-21
What stands out to you in these verses? What questions do you have? Which of these instructions is easy for you? Which is hardest?

2) Ephesians 5:15-17
Why does it matter how we choose to live? What does Paul mean by "making the most of every opportunity?" How can you understand what the Lord's will is? What is the difference between God's general will for all people and God's specific will of reach situation or individual?

3) Ephesians 5:18-20
How is being filled with the Holy Spirit different than being drunk? Why do you think Paul contrasted the two? When was the last time you encouraged someone like it is described in verse 19? How is your thankfulness rating today? this week? What are you having difficulty giving thanks for?

4) Ephesians 5:21
What does it mean to submit to one another? Who is it talking about? Why should we?
Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5

For Sunday, October 31, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, October 31, 2010.

1) Ephesians 5:1-2
What does it mean to be an imitator of God? How are children imitators? How well does that describe how we imitate God?
Matthew 5:48; Leviticus 19:8
Are these commands encouraging or discouraging to you? Why?

2) Ephesians 5:3-7
What does Paul say to avoid in this passage? Why? What does he say we should replace these things with? How does being immoral, impure or greedy make a person an idolater?

3) Ephesians 5:8-14
What does it mean to live as children of the light?
1 John 1:5-7; 2:9-11; John 3:19-21; Matthew 5:14-16
What characterizes the life of light? The life of darkness?

4) Ephesians 5:1-14
What are the difficulties of following Paul’s instructions in this passage in our culture today? What does the passage say about humor?
Proverbs 17:22
Does God approve of humor? What kinds? How does the humor you participate in match God’s standards?

　

　

　

For Sunday, October 24, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, October 24, 2010.

1) Ephesians 4:17-19
How did Paul describe the lifestyles of the Gentiles that don’t have relationship with God? What made them lose all sensitivity to questions of right and wrong? What features of your lifestyle might others point to as evidence that you are a Christian, no longer following the way Paul described?

2) Ephesians 4:20-24
How did you come to know Christ? In what way has God made a new attitude in your mind since you’ve been following Him? What does it mean that you were created to be like God in true righteousness? In holiness?

3) Ephesians 4:25-28
What “do not” instructions does Paul give in these 4 verses? Which is hardest for you? What reasoning does he give as to why you should get rid of these things in your life?

4) Ephesians 4:29-32
What is unwholesome talk? What standard measurement of effects did Paul give for deciding if talk is unwholesome? What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? In verse 31, what does this list of behaviors have in common? Which is hardest for you to get rid of? Who does verse 32 point us to as a guide for how to treat each other?

For Sunday, October 17, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, October 17, 2010

1)Ephesians 4:1-6
What does it mean to live a life worthy of your calling? Which of the characteristics in verse 2 is hardest for you? How does knowledge of the issues mentioned in verses 4-5 help us follow through with the instruction in verse 3? When is this hard? When is it easiest?

2) Ephesians 4:7-10
Who is Paul talking about? What is the main point of these verses? Draw a picture of his explanation in these verses to get a clearer idea of what he meant.
Ephesians 4:11-13
What is the goal of the spiritual gifts God has distributed to Christians? What is the difference between unity in faith and unity in knowledge? How should we measure Christian maturity, according to Paul? What builds up God’s people? What tears us down?

3) Ephesians 4:14-16
When do you feel like an infant in your spiritual life? What issues or people feel like the winds that toss you around? How does speaking the truth in love help us grow up in Christ? What holds the Body of Christ (the Church – Christians) together?

4)Psalm 133:1; Acts 4:32; Philippians 2:2-4
What is Christian unity? Why is it so important? What does our witness say about the character of God and Jesus when the church is full of disunity? How is unity accomplished? See the following verses for more ideas about participating in Christian unity.
Colossians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 12:3-6

For Sunday, October 10, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, October 10, 2010

1) Ephesians 3:14-21
What did Paul pray for them? What does this passage say about each of the following: strength? Power? Faith? Love?

2) Ephesians 3:14-21
According to Paul, how does God strengthen Christians? IN what areas of your life do you need spiritual strengthening most right now? IN verse 14, Paul says “for this reason.” For what reason? Read over Ephesians 3:10-13 and identify the reason Paul choose to pray this passage for the Ephesian Christians.

3) Ephesians 3:14-21
How does God’s love surpass knowledge? What measurements describe God’s love? Can you think of other Bible passages that describe God’s love? What does it mean to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God?

4) Ephesians 3:20-21
Meditate on these verses, thinking of the meaning of one phrase at a time:

God is able.

God is able to do.

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond).

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond) all that we ask.

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond) all that we ask or imagine.

What are the implications of this on our prayer lives? Do you pray like you believe this is true? (See Ephesians 3:12)

For Sunday, October 3, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, October 3, 2010

1) Ephesians 2:11-22
What potential church problem was Paul addressing in this passage? What was his main point? What stands out to you most in this passage? Even though our church isn’t divided by Jews and Gentiles, what other things could divide us?

2) Ephesians 2:11-13
In what way were Gentiles “far away” before Jesus came? In what situation did that leave them? Have you ever felt without hope and without God in the world? How does the blood of Christ make those who were far away, now near?

3) Ephesians 2:14-18
Where does your peace come from? How was Jesus Himself the Source of peace between Jews and Gentiles in the church? How did Jesus accomplish this? How would this knowledge change the relationship of those who were divided by heritage? What does verse 18 teach about the work of the Holy Spirit?

4) Ephesians 2:19-22
How did Paul describe their relationship after Jesus’ work on earth was accomplished? What was to be the foundation of their faith and church? How did Paul describe the purpose of the church in this passage? What activities or action help us become “built together” in Christ?

For Sunday, September 26, 2010

I am not posting a "normal" blog study guide this week, because we will be having a guest speaker in our class on Sunday. The topic will be missions and how to better support our missionaries. So, don't forget to pray for Randy, and come to hear the guest speaker!

While we skip one week's study, we don't want to get distracted from our lessons in Ephesians. So, I will post a few readings below with questions, for those of you who use these readings as part of your daily Bible study materials.

Ephesians 1:15-23
What are you doing this week to know God better? How is His mighty resurrection power been evident in your life this week? Spend a few minutes focused on the hope we have in Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10
How are you approaching God lately -- by faith or trying to earn your way there by works? How has God shown His rich mercy to you lately? What are the good works God has planned for you today?

Ephesians 2:11-22
If we were dividing people up into two categories, what would they be? Is Jesus Himself your peace today? What does it mean to you to be a fellow citizen in God's kingdom? How does it make your life different?

Ephesians 3:1-13
What is the mystery of God? What is the mystery about Christ? Look at verse 12. Do you approach God's throne with confidence and freedom? Why or why not?

For Sunday, September 19, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, September 19, 2010

1) Ephesians 2:1-10
When you read this passage, what stands out to you? What does this passage say about the past? What does it say about the future? Make a timeline of salvation, detailing God’s plan for each step.

2) Ephesians 2:1-3
How did Paul describe a person’s life before they became a follower of Christ? Who is the ruler of the kingdom of the air? What are the main characteristics of this lifestyle, according to Paul? Why is it good for your Christian witness to remember your life before/without Christ?

3) Ephesians 2:4-7
Name the aspects of God’s character detailed in this passage. What was the God’s purpose in this plan (see verse7)? How have you experienced the incomparable riches of God’s grace in your life?

4) Ephesians 2:8-10
How are people saved, according to Paul? Have you ever tried to reach God a different way? What makes us tempted to boast, or why do we boast? Why did God created us? When were the preparations made for God’s plan for you?

For Sunday, September 12, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, September 12, 2010

1) Ephesians 1:15-23
What was Paul’s main theme in this passage? What was his main point? What was the reputation of the Ephesians’ church, according to verse 15? What is your reputation about your faith?

2) Ephesians 1:15-23
How did Paul describe his prayers for them? What was Paul hoping for them? Why were these things so important? Do you need to know God better? Do you know the hope to which He has called you? Are you experiencing the great power of God in your life? Pray this same prayer for yourself and someone else.

3) Ephesians 1:15-23
What did Paul have to say about God’s power in this passage? What was/is the ultimate expression of that power? If you could experience God’s immeasurable power before the end of this day, in what area of your life would you most desire the impact? How will everything be organized according to God’s plan?

4) Ephesians 1:22-23
How is the church like Christ’s body? How does that display the fullness of God? What does that mean? What does it mean for Christ to be the head of the church?
Ephesians 2:17-19
Return to this prayer. Pray it again, thinking about each word, for yourself and for someone else.

For Sunday, September 4, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, September 5, 2010

1) Ephesians 1:1-14
This passage includes a summary of God’s overall plan. What are the main points in this summary? What does each key word mean? What is the role of each member of the Trinity in this plan?

2) Ephesians 1:1-2
How did Paul start the letter? How did he describe the Ephesian Christians? If Paul were writing you, how would he describe you? Verse 2: How are grace and peace related? Pray this blessing on yourself and on someone else today.

3) Ephesians 1:3-6
Romans 8:15-17
If you are adopted into God’s family, what does that mean about God’s authority over you? About your identity? About your inheritance?

4) Ephesians 1:3-14
Verse 3 refers to “every spiritual blessing in Christ.” List the spiritual blessings Paul mentions in the remainder of the passage. Can you add to that list from your personal experience? Do you believe verse 11? What does the life of a person who truly believes verse 11 look like? What is the evidence of their belief in their life?

For Sunday, August 29, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 29, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
How did Paul identify the weapons of a Christian? Why do we need weapons? What does it take to make every thought obedient to Christ? What picture does verse 5 bring to your mind?
Ephesians 6:10-20
Make a prayer out of these verses.

2) 2 Corinthians 11:1-6; 13-15
What aspect of Pau’s relationship with the Corinthian church does he describe in these passages? What does godly jealousy look like in a Christian’s life? How can a person tell if a teaching is from God? What kinds of things lead your mind away form sincere and pure devotion to Christ?

3) 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Why does Paul tell them about this experience? How is God’s power perfected in weakness? How can we share Paul’s attitude and focus about weakness and suffering on a daily basis?

4) 2 Corinthians 13
What does the passage tell us about Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church? What stands out to you in this chapter? Verse 5: How does a person do this? Verse 14: What is the role of each member of the Trinity described in this verse?

For Sunday, August 22, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 22, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Describe the Macedonian churches’ offering. According to verse 5, what was the order of their gifts? What happens when we get this out of order? To what extent does Jesus’ example of extravagant love and grace motivate your giving? How did Paul say the acceptableness of the gift is judged?

2) 2 Corinthians 9:1-5; Romans 15:25-28
What else do we learn about their offering in these passages? What kinds of promises had the Corinthian church made? What were Paul’s concerns? From the Romans passage, can you (at least somewhat) trace Paul’s journey during this trip?

3) 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
What have you learned about cheerful giving in the past year? Which do you give most easily: your time, talents, energy, finances or what? Which is more difficult? How does truly believing the message of verse 8 make you a better giver? How well does verse 11 describe your life?

4) 2 Corinthians 9:12-15; 8:9
What are some of the positive results of being a cheerful giver? How is giving a demonstration of your faith? How does God’s indescribable gift to us motivate us to be better givers? In 8:9, how does Jesus’ example in giving motivate us to be better givers?

For Sunday, August 15, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 15, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 5:11-13
Do you find comfort or unease in knowing your life is completely open before God? Where do you take pride -- in appearance or in the heart? How could following Jesus look like a mental illness? How would you answer someone who thought this?

2) 2 Corinthians 5:14-16
What does a life look like that is controlled by the love of Christ? How is it different from lives that are lived for ourselves? What changes when you no longer look at Christ from a worldly point of view? What changes when you no longer look at others from a worldly point of view? Which of these descriptions best matches your life?

3) 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
When a person comes to Christ, what “old” is gone? How much of this is immediate, and how much takes time? What is the “new” that has come into their lives? What is reconciliation? How is it a “ministry?” How are you living out this ministry? What kind of an ambassador for Christ are you? What are you relying on for your righteousness?

4) 2 Corinthians 5
How would you summarize Paul’s message in this chapter? Which verse stands out to you most? What is God changing in you based on this chapter?