Saturday, February 28, 2015
John 1:24-28 KJV
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After John the Baptist identified himself as the one who would prepare the way of the Lord to the priests and Levites, who else was sent to question him and what did they ask him? (v.24-25)
2) What was John's response to their question? (v.26)
3) What did John say about the One who would come after him? (v.27)
4) Where did the confrontation with John take place? (v.28)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has anyone ever confronted you about your witness for Christ?
6) What has been, or what will be, your response to those who ask why you share Christ with unbelievers?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our witness for Christ is not just in what we say about Him, but in what He does through us for His glory.
8) The greatest witness for Christ is a changed life.
Friday, February 27, 2015
John 1:19-23 KJV
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who did the Jews send to John the Baptist? (v.19a-b)
2) What did these people ask John and what was John's response to each of their questions? (v.19c-23)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) In what ways has the Lord used you to prepare the way for Jesus in the life of the unsaved in your family, job, or community?
LIFE LESSONS
4) The Lord has called us all to be ministers of reconcilation: restoring relationship between God and the unsaved.
5) We may not be called to do great things in the kingdom of God, but we are all called to prepare the way of the Lord in the lives of the unsaved through our prayers and/or our witness.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Numbers 11:26-30 KJV
26 But there remained two [of the] men in the camp, the name of the one [was] Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they [were] of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, [one] of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! 30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What was the name of the two men who remained in the camp and what was special about them? (v.26)
2) What did one of the young men, who witnessed what they did, immediately do? (v.27)
3) How did Joshua respond to the young man? (v.28)
4) What did Moses say after hearing the complaint against the men? (v.29-20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has anyone ever questionned the use of your spiritual gift(s) because they were not displayed according to the generally accepted protocol of the church? If so, please describe one such instance.
6) How do the leaders of your church respond to the use of your spiritual gifts within the church?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord has granted spiritual gifts to every believer for the edification of the body and should never be quenched for protocol, but built up for the spiritual growth of the individual, as well as the church.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Numbers 11:11-25 KJV
11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because [it is] too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone. 18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. 19 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; 20 [But] even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which [is] among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? 21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I [am], [are] six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22 Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. 24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What five (5) questions did Moses ask the Lord after the children of Israel complained to him about having no meat to eat in the wilderness? (v.11-13)
2) What did Moses say to the Lord out of his frustration with the people? (v.14-15)
3) What were the Lord's instructions to Moses? Why? (v.16-20)
4) What additional questions did Moses ask the Lord? (v.21-22)
5) How did the Lord respond to His servant? (v.23)
6) What did Moses and the Lord do next? (v.24-25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have you ever voiced a complaint to the Lord concerning an individual, or a group of people, that He gave you spiritual authority over? If so, what was the Lord's response.
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord will never give us more than we can bear, but will guide and provide wisdom so that we may continue in our assignment.
9) The Lord will never be angry with us when we complain directly to Him. His is displeased when we complain to those who can do little, or nothing, to change our situation. Our trust should be in God alone.
10) When we complain to, or about, our spiritual leaders, we are indirectly complaining about the Lord.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Exodus 31:1-6 KJV
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who did the Lord tell Moses that He had called to assist in the building of the tabernacle? (v.1-2)
2) What had the Lord filled the man with? (v.3)
3) What skills had the Lord blessed the man with? (v.4-5)
4) Who else had the Lord brought alongside the man and how had He equipped him for the work? (v.6)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Who has the Lord sent into your life to assist you in your life and/or work assignment?
6) What attributes do(es) these (this) people (person) possess that are a help to you?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Whenever the Lord has a great work for His people to do, He will always send others alongside us to help complete that assignment.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Genesis 41:38-43 KJV
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's prophetic dream and dispensed divine wisdom and strategies to manage all that would happen in the future, what did Pharaoh do? Why? (v.38-43)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) Have you ever been elevated to a position of prominence and/or importance because of one divinely inspired idea? If so, please briefly explain one such time.
LIFE LESSONS
3) The Lord elevates His servants to places of prominence and authority, through the gifts, talents and abilities that He has given every believer.
4) Every believer has a purpose, not only in the kingdom of God, but on this earth.
5) The Lord unfolds His plan and His purpose (destiny) for our lives in His time and in His way.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul encourage us to do before engaging in spiritual battle? Why? (v.10-13)
2) What are the pieces of our spiritual armor that will enable us to stand against evil? (v.14-17)
3) What else can we do to withstand the forces of evil and to help our brothers and sisters to stand, as well? (v.18)
4) What is the apostles personal petition for himself? (v.20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) How do you put on the spiritual armor of God in your personal life?
6) Why is praying for the saints important in keeping the body of Christ from withstanding the wiles of the devil?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our spiritual armor consists of truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and the Word of God.
8) We acquire each piece of spiritual armor through prayer for ourselves and others in the body of Christ.
9) We need each other to pray with and for us, in the day of adversity, to stand as one against evil.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Col 3:12-17 KJV
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What eight (8) heart attitudes are we (the elect of God) to put on? Why? (v.12-14)
2) What is to rule in our hearts? (v.15)
3) What is to dwell in us richly and how will that manifest? (v.16)
4) What is to be done in the name of Jesus and in thankfulness to God? (v.17)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What do you do to "put on" Christ?
6) What may be missing this day as you "put on" Christ?
7) What will you do to ensure that you are fully clothed in His righteousness?
LIFE LESSONS
8) To "put on" Christ daily, our minds must be renewed daily by the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our areas of weakness
9) The Word of God that we know and the Holy Spirit enable believers to be more like Christ.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Romans 13:8-14 KJV
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is the one thing that we "owe" our brothers and sisters in Christ? Why? (v.8)
2) What is the single command in Scripture that fulfills all of the commandments of the Lord? (v.9-10)
3) What three (3) things are we to do in this last hour and why? (v.11-12)
4) How else shall we live and what else shall we do? Why? (v.13-14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What do you do to manifest the Love of Christ to others?
LIFE LESSONS
6) To manifest the love of Christ to others, we must not yield to the lusts of our fleshly, or carnal, nature.
7) To manifest the love of Christ to others, believers must be infilled with, and led by, the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
1Samuel 17:40-50 KJV
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but [there was] no sword in the hand of David.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did David do after taking off King Saul's armor? (v.40)
2) What did the Philistine champion do and say when he saw David? Why? (v.41-44)
3) What did David say in response the enemy's threats? (v.45-47)
4) What did David do after the Philistine giant arose and came toward him? (v.48-50)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What "giants" are you facing this day (e.g., financial or marital trouble, sickness or disease, emotional loss)?
6) How do you intend to slay your "giants"?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The battles that we face in life are never ours to win, because our battles belong to the Lord.
8) Victory for the child of God is most certain when we demonstrate our complete reliance and trust in God.
9) We slay the "giants" in our lives through prayer and seeking the Lord's wisdom and guidance.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
1Samuel 17:31-39 KJV
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed [them] before Saul: and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it]. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them]. And David put them off him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What had David said about Goliath (v.26) that caused King Saul to send for him? (v.31)
2) What did David say to assure the king after meeting with him? (v. 32)
3) What was Saul's initial response to David? (v.33)
4) What else did David say to reassure the king? (v.34-37b)
5) What did King Saul say to, and do for, young David? (v.37c-38)
6) What did David do in response to the King's gesture? Why? (v.39)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What do you typically do when engaged in spiritual warfare?
8) What is your battle attire? (Eph. 6:10-18)
LIFE LESSONS
9) The weapons of warfare used by children of God are not carnal, but mighty in God.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
1Samuel 17:19-30 KJV
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard [them]. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, [that] the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a cause? 30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was fighting with the Philistines? (v.19)
2) What was David doing before and after the army of Israel went forth to do battle? (v.20a,b)
3) How did the armies of Israel and the Philistines prepare for battle? (v.20c,21)
4) What did David do when he came upon the scene of battle? (v.22)
5) Who else came upon the scene of battle after David and what was David doing, at the time? (v.23)
6) What did the men of Israel's army do and say after the Philistine champion emerged on the scene again? (v.24-25)
7) What did David ask concerning the Philistine champion? (v.26)
8) How did the men of Israel respond to David? How did his brothers respond to him? (v.27-28)
9) What did David say and do in response to his brothers? (v.29-30)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) What giants are you and/or your church family facing at this time?
11) What are you doing to prepare for spiritual warfare?
LIFE LESSONS
12) We already have the victory over the giants that we face in this life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Luke 4:1-12 KJV
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who infilled the Lord Jesus and led Him into the wilderness? (v.1)
2) What was Jesus physical state when the devil tempted Him? (v.2)
3) What three (3) things did the devil tempt Jesus with and how did our Lord respond to him each time? (v.3-12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) When are you tempted to sin against (disobey) God?
5) What do you do when you are tempted to sin?
6) Have you hidden the Scripture in your heart to keep from stumbling into sin?
LIFE LESSONS
6) We are tempted to disobey God by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
7) God has provided the way of escape from temptation through His Word.
8) The Holy Spirit uses the Scripture, that we have hidden in our hearts, to keep us from sinning against God?
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Matthew 25:31-46 KJV
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How will our Lord judge between His people after He returns for us? (v.31-32)
2) Who will He set on His right side and on His left? (v.33)
3) What will the King say to those on His right? Why? (v.34-40)
4) What will the King say to those on His left side? Why? (v.41-46)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Are you a sheep or a goat? How do you know?
6) Where will you spend eternity? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Only those who follow our Lord in deed will live eternally with Him.
8) Those who love the Lord will do as the Spirit of the Lord leads them.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Romans 15:22-28 KJV
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your [company]. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was the Apostle Paul writing to and when did he intend to visit with them? (v.22-24,28)
2) Where did the apostle say that he would go first? (v.25)
3) What had the disciples in Macedonia and Achaia done for the poor saints in Jerusalem? (v.26-27)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What do you and/or your church family do for the poor in your vicinity?
5) What do you and/or your church family do for the poor within your congregation?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord is ever mindful of those who are materially and spiritually impoverished.
7) The Lord meets the needs of the poor through His body.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Psalm 10:12-18 KJV
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. 13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it]. 14 Thou hast seen [it]; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite [it] with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find none. 16 The LORD [is] King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The psalmist has poured out his complaint against the wicked in previous verses of this psalm. What are the psalmist's three (3) petitions to the Lord? (v.12)
2) What does the psalmist accuse the wicked of doing? (v.13)
3) What does the psalmist believe about the Lord, the oppressed (helpless), and the wicked? Why? (v.14-18)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever suffered because of the misdeeds of the wicked? If so, what did you do about it?
5) Has it ever seemed that the Lord allowed the wicked to prevail in your life? If so,, please describe one such time.
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord may allow the ways of the wicked to prevail in our lives for a season, but never forever.
7) God often allows the wicked to oppress the humble to draw His people closer to Himself.
8) The Lord will always vindicate His people, in due time.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Esther 9:19-23 KJV
19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. 20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that [were] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, [both] nigh and far, 21 To stablish [this] among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the Jews killed their enemies in Sushan and the ten sons of Haman, what did they do to celebrate? (v.19)
2) Who did Mordecai write to and why did he write the letters? (v.20-22b)
3) What did Mordecai decree that the Jews should do during their days of celebration? (v.22c)
4) How did the Jews respond to Mordecai's letter? (v.23)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has the Lord ever granted you overwhelming victory over your enemy (or enemies)? If so, please describe one such time.
6) What did (do) you do to celebrate that victory? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Through Christ Jesus we have victory over whatever steals our joy and/or our peace.
8) When the Lord blesses us to overcome our enemies, our response to Him should overflow to those He places on our hearts.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 KJV
7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth. 9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. 11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is the Lord's instruction to His people concerning the poor? (v.7-8)
2) What is the Lord's warning to those who justify their refusal to give to a brother in need? (v.9)
3) What is the Lord's command concerning the impoverished brother? Why? (v.10)
4) What is the Lord's final word concerning the poor and what He expects His people to do for them? (v.11)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What do you do to help those who are poor within your church family?
6) Why is it important for us to tend to the needs of the members of our church home?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord blesses us to bless those in need, especially the neediest members of our church family.
8) The Lord often supplies every need of every believer through His people.
9) The needs of the people of God are not merely physcal, but emotional, and spiritual.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Lev 19:9-15 KJV
9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather [every] grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I [am] the LORD your God. 11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. 12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD. 13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. 14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD. 15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Lord's moral and ceremonial laws continue with these verses in Chapter 19. What did the Lord our God tell His people not to do, concerning their gleanings (harvesting)? Why? (v.9-10)
2) What else did the Lord tell His people to do, and not to do, toward their neighbors? (v.11-15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Who do you consider your neighbors to be? Why?
4) Has the Lord ever given you a burden (compassion) for people that you may never meet? If so, please describe one such instance.
LIFE LESSONS
5) Our "neighbor" may be people who live in our vicinity, or in other parts of the world.
6) Our Lord loves all the people of the world, no matter their ethnicity, or station in life.
7) When the Lord grows His love in our hearts, it is for all with whom He brings into our lives and gives us the compassion to help.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Matthew 24:37-44 KJV
37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Our Lord Jesus continues His teaching about the end times. What does He say will be happening on this earth before His return and how the people of the world will respond to the prophetic warnings about the end of the age? (v.37-38a)
2) What did Jesus say will happen when the Lord raptures the church? (v.38b-41)
3) What did the Lord tell His people to do before His return and why? (v.42-44)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) In what ways are these present times like the days prior to the flood?
5) What are you doing to prepare for the Lord's return?
LIFE LESSONS
6) No one knows when the Lord will return for His church, so we are to be watchful and prayerful, at all times.
7) The closer we get to the Lord's return, the more lawlessness will increase on this earth.
8) We are to be ready for our Lord's return by remaining in His presence and seeking His face, through His word and His Spirit, for direction to live each day of our lives.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Luke 10:25-34 KJV
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him], 34 And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What question did the lawyer ask our Lord? Why? (v.25)
2) How did Jesus respond to Him? (v.26)
3) What was the lawyer's response to our Lord? (v.27)
4) What did Jesus say in response to the lawyer's answer? (v.28)
5) What did the lawyer say next? Why? (v.29)
6) What lesson did Jesus impart to the Lawyer through the telling of the parable? (v.30-34)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) How do you typically respond to a brother or sister in need?
LIFE LESSONS
8) When God's children provide for the needs of others, we are ministering to Him.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Matthew 15:21-28 KJV
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
OBSERVATIONS QUESTIONS
1) The Lord had just taught His followers about defilement following an altercation with the religious leaders. According to Matthew, where did the Lord go next and who did he encounter? (v.21-22a)
2) What did the woman ask of the Lord? (v.22b)
3) How did the Lord and His disciples respond to the woman? (v.23-24)
4) What did the woman do and say in response? (v.25)
5) How did the Lord respond to her? (v.26)
6) What did the woman say to Jesus and what was His final response to her? (v.27-28)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Has the Lord ever refused a petition that you made to Him, in faith?
8) If so, why do you believe that our Lord refused your request.
LIFE LESSONS
9) The Lord is always willing to respond affirmatively to our petitions to Him, when we ask Him in faith (believing that He will provide our needs).
10) At times, our Lord does not respond to us exactly as we would like Him to, but He always responds for the good of all and for His glory
Friday, February 6, 2015
Luke 21:1-4 KJV
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did our Lord see after He looked? (v.1-2)
2) What did Jesus tell his disciples concerning what He saw? (v.3)
3) Why did Jesus make this statement about the widow? (v.4)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) How concerned are you about the amount of your offerings (time, talent, and/or treasure) to the Lord? Please explain.
5) Do you believe that the Lord is please with your offerings to Him? Why, or why not?
LIFE LESSONS
6) What we give is not as important as the spirit in which we give.
7) Our Lord is not pleased with the quantity of what we give, but the quality.
8) The heart that gives out of its poverty is of greater value, to the Lord, than the heart the gives out of plenty.
