For Sunday, June 5, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, June 5, 2011.
1) Jeremiah 1:1-3

What do you know about Jeremiah? When did his ministry begin? When did it end? Jeremiah’s priestly ancestors may be connected to the story in 1Kings 2:26-27.

Jeremiah 1:4-6

According to verse 4, what was unique about Jeremiah? What did God call him to do? How did Jeremiah respond?

2) Jeremiah 1:7-10

What did God promise Jeremiah as he obeyed God’s calling? How did God respond to Jeremiah’s expressed weakness? What would be the characteristics of Jeremiah’s message, according to verse 10? What was the bad news? What was the good news? How would you feel about being given this kind of job in God’s kingdom?

3) Jeremiah 1:11-16

What did God show Jeremiah first? What do you think this sign meant? What did God show Jeremiah next? What did it represent? Was this good news or bad news? God said why this judgment would come. What did God say was the reason?

4) Jeremiah 1:17-19

What were Jeremiah’s next instructions? What would happen to him if he didn’t obey boldly? How did God prepare Jeremiah for this mission? What was God’s promise to Jeremiah? What does it mean for God to deliver someone? How or when has God delivered you?

For Sunday, May 29, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, May 29, 2011.
1) Philemon 1-25
After reading this letter, what do you know about Philemon? Onesimus? What was their relationship? What was the problem? What did Paul suggesting for the solution? What other choices in handling the situation did he mention? What questions do you still have about the story?

2) Philemon 1-25
Onesimus means useful. How was Onesimus useful before “the situation?” How did Paul describe Onesimus’s usefulness at the time of the letter writing? What had changed? How are you useful to God’s kingdom?

3) Philemon 1-25

What does this story teach us about forgiveness? What was the responsibility of the one needing forgiveness? What was the responsibility of the one asked to forgive? How did Paul describe God’s view of forgiveness?

What does this story demonstrate about Paul’s view of slavery? About God’s view of slavery?

4) Philemon 1-25

How did Paul identify Onesimus in Colossians 4:9? How did Paul identify himself in Colossians 4:18? How did Paul describe his relationship with Philemon? What did Paul say about Onesimus’s debt? In what way was this an example of Christ? Who are you willing to sacrifice for, to pay their debt? How is this attitude related to witnessing?

For Sunday, May 22, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, May 22, 2011.

1) Colossians 3:18-4:1
What do all of the instructions Paul gives in this passage have in common? What kinds of work can be done “heartily as for the Lord?” Does your work match this standard? How can your personal work be done for the Lord? How does remembering our Master in Heaven change how we treat each other?

2) Colossians 4:2-6
What does it mean to be devoted to prayer? What does that look like in a person’s life? Why is thanksgiving such an important part of prayer? What was Paul’s request for himself? What outsiders was Paul talking about in verse 5? How does Paul describe the way a Christian’s speech should be? Why might he have chosen this example comparison?

3) Colossians 4:7-18

How did Paul describe his ministry partners? What kind of encouraging words did he use? How did his descriptions show what he valued? What different kinds of roles did these mentioned people play in Paul’s ministry?

4) Colossians 4:2-6

What requests did Paul make for himself? Read the following passages to see how their prayers were answered: Philippians 1:12-14; Acts 28:30-31. How will this example of God’s faithfulness, even through difficult circumstances, affect your faith?

For Sunday, May 15, 2011

1) Colossians 3:1-4
What did Paul mean by "seeking the things above?" (See Matthew 6:19-21; 33) What reason did Paul give that we, as Christians, should have a different mindset? How is a Christian's life "hidden with Christ in God?" Take a moment to imagine: What will it be like when Jesus returns, and we are revealed with Him in glory? Verse 4 says, "Christ, who is our life...." Is Christ your life? As a whole, or only as a part? What does it look like in a person's life when Christ truly is their life? What is the evidence?

2) Colossians 3:5-11
Paul uses this section to begin a contrast of the "earthly" life and life focused on things above. What is on the list Paul makes in verse 5? How are these things like idolatry? What does it mean to consider yourself dead to them? How could verses 6-7 help a Christian be a better witness? What is on Paul's second list in verse 8? Which of these is hardest for you to put aside? According to Paul, how is becoming a Christian like changing clothes? Who is included in this opportunity?

3) Colossians 3:12-17
How does it feel to know you were chosen by God for relationship? How does that feeling motivate you to act? In the list of traits or attitudes to "put on" in verses 12-13, which is hardest for you? Which is easiest? What do they all have in common? How has God shown each of these traits to you personally? What does Paul identify as the top most important quality in verse 14? Why?

4) Colossians 3:12-17
What does Paul mean in verse 15 by "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts?" How is this accomplished? Where does God's peace come from (how do we experience it)? From verse 15-16, Paul mentions things that should be in you. What are they? What activities does Paul command? How do these activities contribute to the goals Paul is describing? Think of some examples of activities that can't fit into verse 17. What do the things that don't fit this standard have in common? Which is bigger: the do list or the do not list? Is there anything in your life right now that you can't do in the name of the Lord Jesus? What will do you do about it?

For Sunday, May 8, 2011

1) Colossians 2:8

What kinds of things did Paul list that can take a person captive from the truth? What are some modern examples of these things? In what ways do these take people captive?

Colossians 2:9-15

How many times is the phrase “in Him” or “with Him” used in this passage? Why? What is Paul saying about circumcision in this passage? How does Paul describe baptism in this passage? How does Paul describe our sin debt in this passage?

2) Colossians 2:9-15

What does this passage teach about Jesus? What things are included in His job description? What does this passage say about Jesus’ relationship within the Trinity? What does this passage say about Jesus’ life on earth? In Heaven?

For more information, read Hebrews 1 and 1 Peter 3:18-22

3) Colossians 2:16-19

In this passage, Paul alludes to a lot of issues that were causing disunity within the church in Colossae. Make a list of these issues. What are some modern day things that could be added to this list? As Paul mentions in verse 18, how do these “extras” beyond Scripture defraud you of your prize? For more information about verses 18-19, see 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.

4) Colossians 2:20-28

What kinds of “extra” practices or activities do people today do to try to add to their spirituality? How did Paul describe these matters? Why are these activities of no value against fleshly indulgence? What was Paul’s main concern for the church in Colossae?

For Sunday, May 1, 2011

Bible Study preparation for May 1, 2011.
1) Colossians 1:21-23
How did Paul describe a person’s life before redemption? After redemption? What about your story? How is your life different after Christ’s work in your life? How does describe the way Jesus presents you to God? What are the conditions for experiencing this?

2) Colossians 1:24-29
How was Paul suffering for their sake? What did Paul mean by saying “what was lacking in Christ’s afflictions?” Why was Paul pointing out His calling to the Colossians? What did Paul say was the purpose of His calling?

3) Colossians 1:24-29
What does Paul indicate is “the mystery?” In what way had it been hidden in ages past? What does Paul mean by “Christ in you, the hope of glory?” What is the hope of glory? Compare what Paul is saying in verse 29 with Philippians 4:13.

4) Colossians 2:1-7
According to Paul, how can people who have never met feel “knit together in love?” Why was unity so crucial to the church at that time? What was Paul concerned about for them? In verses 6-7, Paul describes steps in spiritual growth. Which step are you at right now?

For Sunday, April 24, 2011

Bible Study preparation for April 24, 2011.

1) Acts 19:1-22

Name some events of Paul’s time in Ephesus. What happened to those who were trying to copy Paul’s acts without relying on a personal faith in God? How did God bring good out of this situation? Where was Paul planning to travel next?

2) Acts 19:23-20:1

Before Paul left, who started the riot? What was his motivation? How was peace re-established? If you were living in Ephesus at this time, how would these events affect your faith?

3) Colossians 1:1-12

How did Paul start the letter? What was Paul’s “missions” report (see v. 6)? List what Paul prayed for them. Which of these do you need most right now? Is your life bearing fruit? What kind of fruit? See Galatians 5:22-23. If you have made a personal commitment to God, confessing your sins, trusting Jesus’ sacrifice as the only answer, and making Him Lord (the Boss) of your life, thank God for qualifying you to share in His kingdom’s inheritance. What is that inheritance?

4) Colossians 1:13-20

Consider memorizing verses 13-14. How well do these verses summarize the entire basis for a Biblical worldview? Can you think of anything left out of these verses? What important truths does Paul teach about Jesus in this passage? What is the significance of each truth about Jesus that Paul lists?