For Sunday, September 18, 2011

1) Romans 3:27-31

Why does Paul bring up the argument about boasting? Who would be boasting and why? What does it mean to be justified? What kinds of works (actions, rituals) were the Jews tempted to rely on for justification? Why was this a problem? According to Paul, how will God judge the circumcised? The uncircumcised? Why did Paul bring up the question about nullifying the Law? What would be the problem if the Law no longer applied? What is the connection between following the Law and faith?

2) Romans 4:1-8

Why did Paul choose Abraham as an example for the Jews about how to be justified? According to Paul, how was Abraham justified? What proof did he use in his argument? Which other person did Paul select as an example? Read Psalm 32:1-2.

3) Romans 4:9-15

What nationality was Abraham? Why does Paul dedicate so much time to circumcision? If he were choosing a modern day example of works (actions or rituals done to try to make oneself right with God), what might he choose? Why was it so important for the early church for Paul to explain this teaching in detail?

4) Romans 4:16-25

What is the connection between faith and grace in salvation? If following the Law still played a major role in salvation, how would life be different for modern Christians? How did Abraham show an extraordinary measure of faith? Did Abraham ever wobble in faith or lose faith in God’s promise? Why is the goal of faith righteousness? Thank God today for giving you the ability to have faith in Him.

For Sunday, September 11, 2011

1) Romans 1:18-32

Where is the wrath of God revealed? How does nature teach us about God? Can you think of some specific examples of what nature teaches us about God? According to verse 23, what is the big “exchange” humans have made? What does a person give up when they choose this exchange? How did this exchange affect humanity? Individuals? Nature?

2) Romans 2:1-11

What does Paul teach about judgment in these verses? Why would this topic be so important to the early church? To us today? How does the kindness of God lead a person to repentance? What does a stubborn and unrepentant heart store up? What did Paul mean by verse 11? Why was this an important lesson for the early church? How should this lesson inform our behavior today?

3) Romans 3:7-20

What argument was Paul addressing in verse 7? Can you think of some modern examples of this twisted idea, that sinning more allows God to forgive more, bringing Him more glory? How would you answer someone who claimed this is true? In verses 10-18, how does Paul describe humanity’s sin problem? Who does it affect? What does Paul point to as the cause of this problem? What is the purpose of the law, according to Paul in verses 19-20?

4) Romans 3:21-26

What does Paul say in these verses about:

The Law?

Righteousness of God?

Sin?

Faith?

Justification? (What is justification? How is it accomplished? Why do we need it?)

For Sunday, September 4, 2011

1) Romans 1:1-17

What did Paul say about himself in this passage? What did Pau claim God had singled him out to do? Have you ever felt “singled-out” for a task? What are the possible good feelings and fears about being “singled out” for God’s work?

2) Romans 1:1-17

What does Paul say about God and Jesus in this passage? What kinds of connection words does He use to describe Their relationship? What does this passage teach us about the Holy Spirit?

3) Romans 1:1-17

What does Paul say about the Roman Christians he was writing to? What did Pual want to give them? What did he plan for them to give him? Do you approach your relationships with other Christians this same way? How could those interactions be improved?

4) Romans 1:16-17

In how many ways was this statement revolutionary? Can you say these verses and mean it? What is the evidence in your life that you truly believe this? What does it mean to live by faith?

For Sunday, August 28, 2011

1) Lamentations 1:1-6

When was Jeremiah writing this? What were his surroundings? What was he mourning?

2) Lamentations 3:1-18

How was Jeremiah feeling? How was he feeling about his relationship with God? What were his conclusions in verses 17-18? Have you ever felt this way? What were the circumstances? What is the solution?

3) Lamentations 3:19-26

According to Jeremiah, what is the solution for feeling helplessness or depression? List what he states about God. How would life be different if the opposite of these things were true about God? Which item on the list is most important to you right now? What does it take to wait on the Lord? What does it mean to wait silently? Why is the silence important?

4) Lamentations 3:31-32

How would focusing on the message of these verses change things for the exiles and Jeremiah?

Lamentations 3:37-41

How would awareness of verses 37-38 change the perspective of Jeremiah and the exiles? How would it change our perspective to focus on these truths during difficult times? What does it take to live out verses 40-41? Are you living like this?

For Sunday, August 21, 2011

1) Jeremiah 50:1-5

Against whom have most of the prophecies in Jeremiah been given? Against whom was this prophecy given? How do you think the Israelites (remnant/exiles) would feel about this? Where would Babylon’s judgment come from? Does this passage say why? What would change for the Israelites at this time?

2) Jeremiah 50:6-10

How did God compare the people of Israel to lost sheep? In what ways? Who was to blame? Why did the adversaries of Israel say they weren’t guilty? How is the Lord the “habitation of righteousness?” (NAS verse 7) How is the Lord their “true pasture?” (NIV verse 7) During the exile, God told them to settle and make a life (Jer 29:4-7). What were the instructions once Babylon’s judgment started?

3) Jeremiah 50:11-13; 17-21; 24-25; 29-32

God sent Babylon to bring judgment on Judah for their idolatry. What do these verses say about the reason for the judgment on Babylon? Where did they go wrong in fulfilling God’s purpose for them? What do these verses say about Israel’s restoration? What do these verses teach us about God?

4) Daniel 5:1-4; 25-28; 30-31

Skim the entire chapter of Daniel 5. This is the story of Babylon’s judgment? What were they doing the day it came? How was God glorified through this judgment? Who was the new leader over the exiled Israelites?

For Sunday, August 14, 2011

1) Jeremiah 41:17-18

What was the situation for the exiles? Where were they headed? Why?

Jeremiah 42:1-6

Why did they go to see Jeremiah? How did Jeremiah respond? What was their promise? What was their motive?

2) Jeremiah 42:7-12

How long did Jeremiah have to pray before God answered? Do you have a guess as to why it took that long? What message did God send to them? What was difficult about God’s instructions? What was God’s promise to them?

3) Jeremiah 42:13-18

What was the other choice of response God addressed to them? What would the consequences be of choosing this response? Why? How would this be a reversal of the Exodus, when God freed them from Egypt? What were they hoping for in Egypt? What did God say would be the reality of their time in Egypt?

4) Jeremiah 42:19-43:4

How did Jeremiah clarify the instructions? Why did Jeremiah confront them? How were they deceiving themselves? What did these people accuse Jeremiah of? What motivated them to make this accusation? What excuse did they give for their accusation? Have you ever fallen into this same pattern – saying you want to know the truth and God’s word, but really only wanting to hear support for your own decision? What were the consequences? What does a person who has chosen this kind of deception have to do to make things right with God again?

For Sunday, August 7, 2011

1) Jeremiah 35:1-5

When was this prophecy given? (Early in Jeremiah’s ministry, mid-ministry or after the 3 deportations? See the timeline chart below.) What was Jeremiah supposed to do? What seems unusual about this request? Do you have a guess as to God’s purpose in this request?

2) Who were the Rechabites? Review 2 Kings 10, especially verses 15-25, 28.

3) Jeremiah 35:6-11

How did the Rechabites answer Jeremiah’s request? What were the reasons they gave? What were the Rechabite family rules? Do you have any guesses to the reasons behind these rules? According to verse 11, how had life changed for the Rechabites in recent times?

4) Jeremiah 35:12-17

How was God using the Rechabites as an object lesson for the people of Jerusalem and all Judah? What qualities did their response show? How did God describe the ways He had given His people instructions? How did He describe their responses? What was God’s conclusion about their relationship, according to verse 17?

Jeremiah 35:18-19

What was God’s promise to the Rechabites? Why did this seem unusual to the people of Judah? Would you be willing to request this promise from God for your family? What would be the cost?