Monday, August 31, 2015
Matthew 6:9-15 NIV
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, what did our Lord teach them? (v.9-13)
2) What did Jesus tell His disciples about forgiving others who sin against them? (v.14)
3) What does Jesus teach about those who do not forgive the sins of others? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Are you quick to forgive others that offend you? If not, why not?
LIFE LESSONS
5) Since our Lord forgave us our sins, while we were still sinners, He expects us to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ the same way.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
How Shall We Return?
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Malachi 3:1-10 NIV
1 "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. 5 "So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty. 6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--your whole nation--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will the "messenger" do for the Lord and where will the Lord go to? (v.1)
2) What questions are asked of the readers? (v.2a)
3) How is the Lord described in this passage and what will He do for those who serve Him? Why? (v.2b-4)
4) Why will the Lord appear on earth? (v.5)
5) What does the Lord say about Himself and His relationship with His people? (v.6)
6) How have the people of God transgressed against the Lord, how can they be restored to Him and what will He do when they are obedient to His will? (v.7-10)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Do you tithe your time, talent and/or treasure? If not, why not.
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord blesses His people to be a blessing to all people, but espectially to those in the household of faith.
9) The Lord prospers those who bless His people with His overflowing goodness, mercy, and love.
Malachi 3:1-10 NIV
1 "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. 5 "So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty. 6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--your whole nation--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will the "messenger" do for the Lord and where will the Lord go to? (v.1)
2) What questions are asked of the readers? (v.2a)
3) How is the Lord described in this passage and what will He do for those who serve Him? Why? (v.2b-4)
4) Why will the Lord appear on earth? (v.5)
5) What does the Lord say about Himself and His relationship with His people? (v.6)
6) How have the people of God transgressed against the Lord, how can they be restored to Him and what will He do when they are obedient to His will? (v.7-10)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Do you tithe your time, talent and/or treasure? If not, why not.
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord blesses His people to be a blessing to all people, but espectially to those in the household of faith.
9) The Lord prospers those who bless His people with His overflowing goodness, mercy, and love.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
The Contrite and Humble in Spirit
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Isaiah 57:10-12 NIV
10 You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. 11 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring His idolotrous people had transgressed against Him, what else did the Lord say about His rebellious people? (v.10)
2) What does the Lord ask those who have transgressed against Him? (v.11)
3) What else does the Lord declare about His wayward people? (v.12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you know of any professing believer(s) who has (have) forsaken the way of the Lord to pursue their own way? If so, what do you think will become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord wants what is best for His people. Those who reject His will and His way, reject Him as Savior and Lord.
6) Do not dismiss the Lord because He has been silent. He has appointed a day of judgment for all who forsake Him.
7) The Lord will not remember the sins of those who are humble and penitent.
Isaiah 57:10-12 NIV
10 You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. 11 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring His idolotrous people had transgressed against Him, what else did the Lord say about His rebellious people? (v.10)
2) What does the Lord ask those who have transgressed against Him? (v.11)
3) What else does the Lord declare about His wayward people? (v.12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you know of any professing believer(s) who has (have) forsaken the way of the Lord to pursue their own way? If so, what do you think will become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord wants what is best for His people. Those who reject His will and His way, reject Him as Savior and Lord.
6) Do not dismiss the Lord because He has been silent. He has appointed a day of judgment for all who forsake Him.
7) The Lord will not remember the sins of those who are humble and penitent.
Friday, August 28, 2015
How Shall We Repent?
Friday, August 28, 2015
Jeremiah 6:26-30 NIV
26 Put on sackcloth, my people, and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. 27 "I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. 28 They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. 29 The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. 30 They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them."
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that Israel would be taken captive by an enemy nation because they rejected Him, what did the Lord tell the people to do? (v.26)
2) What does the Lord tell the Prophet Jeremiah about his his role in Israel's coming calamity? (v.27)
3) What is Jeremiah's assessment of Israel? (v.28)
4) Did the "refiner's fire" purge the people of Israel of their rebellion? (v.29)
5) To what is Israel likened? Why? (v.30)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Do you believe that God has rejected the United States? If so, why? If not, why not?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord never judges His people without repeatedly warning us of impending judgment.
8) Those people and/or nations that reject the Lord's warnings will be rejected by Him.
Jeremiah 6:26-30 NIV
26 Put on sackcloth, my people, and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. 27 "I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. 28 They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. 29 The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. 30 They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them."
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that Israel would be taken captive by an enemy nation because they rejected Him, what did the Lord tell the people to do? (v.26)
2) What does the Lord tell the Prophet Jeremiah about his his role in Israel's coming calamity? (v.27)
3) What is Jeremiah's assessment of Israel? (v.28)
4) Did the "refiner's fire" purge the people of Israel of their rebellion? (v.29)
5) To what is Israel likened? Why? (v.30)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Do you believe that God has rejected the United States? If so, why? If not, why not?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord never judges His people without repeatedly warning us of impending judgment.
8) Those people and/or nations that reject the Lord's warnings will be rejected by Him.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
How Shall We be Jugdged?
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Joel 3:9-16 NIV
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!" 11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, LORD! 12 "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. 13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!" 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After proclaiming judgment against the nations, what else does the Lord proclaim against the enemy nations and for His people? Why?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) Do you believe that the Lord will fight for the people of the United States? If not, why not? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
3) The Lord will fight for those who are obedient to His will and His ways, no matter where they live or worship Him.
Joel 3:9-16 NIV
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!" 11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, LORD! 12 "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. 13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!" 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After proclaiming judgment against the nations, what else does the Lord proclaim against the enemy nations and for His people? Why?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) Do you believe that the Lord will fight for the people of the United States? If not, why not? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
3) The Lord will fight for those who are obedient to His will and His ways, no matter where they live or worship Him.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
How Have We Spoken Against You?
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Malachi 3:11-18 NIV
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. 13 "You have spoken arrogantly against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' 14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.' " 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17 "On the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After entreating His people to return to Him, what will the Lord do for those who return and how will other nations react to His obedient people? (v.11-12)
2) What does the Lord accuse His people of doing against Him and saying about evildoers? (v.13-15)
3) Who will be the Lord's "treasured possession" and how will He treat them? Why? (v.16-18)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever thought, or said, that it is futile to serve the Lord? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is against the disobedient and rebellious, but blesses those revere Him.
Malachi 3:11-18 NIV
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. 13 "You have spoken arrogantly against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' 14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.' " 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17 "On the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After entreating His people to return to Him, what will the Lord do for those who return and how will other nations react to His obedient people? (v.11-12)
2) What does the Lord accuse His people of doing against Him and saying about evildoers? (v.13-15)
3) Who will be the Lord's "treasured possession" and how will He treat them? Why? (v.16-18)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever thought, or said, that it is futile to serve the Lord? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is against the disobedient and rebellious, but blesses those revere Him.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
How Shall We Treat Others
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Matthew 7:7-14 NIV
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In His Sermon on the Mount, what three things did Jesus tell His disciples to do and why? (v.7-8)
2) How do parents generally respond to the requests of their children? (v.9-10)
3) How willing is our Heavenly Father to give good gifts to His children? (v.11)
4) How are we to treat others? Why? (v.12)
5) What does our Lord Jesus tell His disciples about the path to destruction and the path to life? (v.13-14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What do you typically do when you have a need that you are unable to meet yourself?
7) How do you typically treat others? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord desires to meet our needs, but He cannot do so unless we ask Him for what we want.
9) The Lord commands us to love others as ourselves; not through our own power, but through His.
Matthew 7:7-14 NIV
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In His Sermon on the Mount, what three things did Jesus tell His disciples to do and why? (v.7-8)
2) How do parents generally respond to the requests of their children? (v.9-10)
3) How willing is our Heavenly Father to give good gifts to His children? (v.11)
4) How are we to treat others? Why? (v.12)
5) What does our Lord Jesus tell His disciples about the path to destruction and the path to life? (v.13-14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What do you typically do when you have a need that you are unable to meet yourself?
7) How do you typically treat others? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord desires to meet our needs, but He cannot do so unless we ask Him for what we want.
9) The Lord commands us to love others as ourselves; not through our own power, but through His.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Teach Me Your Paths, O Lord
[Psa 25:1-22 NIV]
1 Of David. In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. 18 Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. 19 See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. 22 Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In whom has the Psalmist David placed His trust? (v.1)
2) What does David ask the Lord to do for Him? Why? (v.2,3a-5)
3) What becomes of those who trust in themselves? (v3b)
4) What does David want the Lord to remember and to forget? Why? (v.6-7)
5) What does the Lord do for sinners and the humble? Why? (v.8-9)
6) Who is the Lord faithful to? Why? (v.10)
7) What else does David ask of the Lord? Why? (v.11)
8) Who does the Lord instruct and confide in? What becomes of them and why? (v.12-14)
9) Who does the psalmist look to in times of trouble? Why? (v.15-21)
10) What is the psalmist's final request of the Lord? (v.22)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
11) In whom, or what, have you placed your trust? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
12) The Lord desires that His people place their trust in Him and look to Him for all that they need to live prosperous lives in Him.
1 Of David. In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. 18 Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. 19 See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. 22 Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In whom has the Psalmist David placed His trust? (v.1)
2) What does David ask the Lord to do for Him? Why? (v.2,3a-5)
3) What becomes of those who trust in themselves? (v3b)
4) What does David want the Lord to remember and to forget? Why? (v.6-7)
5) What does the Lord do for sinners and the humble? Why? (v.8-9)
6) Who is the Lord faithful to? Why? (v.10)
7) What else does David ask of the Lord? Why? (v.11)
8) Who does the Lord instruct and confide in? What becomes of them and why? (v.12-14)
9) Who does the psalmist look to in times of trouble? Why? (v.15-21)
10) What is the psalmist's final request of the Lord? (v.22)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
11) In whom, or what, have you placed your trust? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
12) The Lord desires that His people place their trust in Him and look to Him for all that they need to live prosperous lives in Him.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
The Results of Not Listening
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Zechariah 7:8-14 NIV
8 And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: 9 "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.' 11 "But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry. 13 " 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty. 14 'I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.' "
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that obedience to the words of God, deliverered by former prophets, was more important than fasting, what did the Lord tell His people through the prophet Zechariah? (v.8-9)
2) What were God's people to refrain from doing? (v.10)
3) What did God's people do instead and what were the Lord's responses to their rebellion? Why? (v.11-12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever felt that the Lord did not hear you when you prayed? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) When we refuse to hear the words of the Lord, and to do them, the Lord will not hear us when we pray to Him.
Zechariah 7:8-14 NIV
8 And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: 9 "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.' 11 "But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry. 13 " 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty. 14 'I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.' "
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that obedience to the words of God, deliverered by former prophets, was more important than fasting, what did the Lord tell His people through the prophet Zechariah? (v.8-9)
2) What were God's people to refrain from doing? (v.10)
3) What did God's people do instead and what were the Lord's responses to their rebellion? Why? (v.11-12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever felt that the Lord did not hear you when you prayed? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) When we refuse to hear the words of the Lord, and to do them, the Lord will not hear us when we pray to Him.
The Lord Waits to be Gracious
Saturday, August 22, 1988
Isa 30:18-26 NIV
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19 People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!" 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Though the people of God continually rebelled against the Lord and His rule over them, what did the Lord long to do for them? Why? (v.18)
2) What was the Lord's promise to His willful children and how would He respond to them in their trouble? (v.19)
3) What had the Lord given His rebellious people and how would He provide for them despite His judgments against them? (v.20-21)
4) What did the Lord expect His people to do in response to His mercy? (v.22)
5) How else would the Lord demonstrate His great compassion for His people? (v.23-24)
6) What would happen in the "day of great slaughter" and when "the LORD binds" up the wounds of His afflicted people? (v.25-26)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) In what ways have you rebelled against the Lord?
8) How will you restore right relationship with Him?
LIFE LESSONS
9) Despite His chastening, the Lord longs to be gracious to His rebellious people.
Isa 30:18-26 NIV
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19 People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!" 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Though the people of God continually rebelled against the Lord and His rule over them, what did the Lord long to do for them? Why? (v.18)
2) What was the Lord's promise to His willful children and how would He respond to them in their trouble? (v.19)
3) What had the Lord given His rebellious people and how would He provide for them despite His judgments against them? (v.20-21)
4) What did the Lord expect His people to do in response to His mercy? (v.22)
5) How else would the Lord demonstrate His great compassion for His people? (v.23-24)
6) What would happen in the "day of great slaughter" and when "the LORD binds" up the wounds of His afflicted people? (v.25-26)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) In what ways have you rebelled against the Lord?
8) How will you restore right relationship with Him?
LIFE LESSONS
9) Despite His chastening, the Lord longs to be gracious to His rebellious people.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Pursue Justice and Only Justice
Friday, August 21, 2015
Deuteronomy 16:16-20 KJV
16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. 18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) During his review of the rules for the Passover, what did Moses remind the men of God to do each year, where were they to do this, what feasts were they to do it on, and how were they to appear before the Lord? (v.16-17)
2) Who were the people of God to appoint to rule over each tribe and what were they to refrain from doing? (v.18-19)
3) What were the people of God to follow? Why? (v.20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Why is fellowship among the men of your local church important?
5) Has the way of truth and justice ever been compromised during a fellowship gathering that you have attended? If so, what was done about it?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord encourages fellowship between His people to keep us encouraged, strengthened and united.
7) Disagreements during times of fellowship are inevitable, but are to be handled justly and impartially to prevent a perversion of truth against the innocent.
8) Our Lord Jesus is the only righteous judge of all matters involving His children because He alone knows the thoughts and intents of every human heart.
Deuteronomy 16:16-20 KJV
16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. 18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) During his review of the rules for the Passover, what did Moses remind the men of God to do each year, where were they to do this, what feasts were they to do it on, and how were they to appear before the Lord? (v.16-17)
2) Who were the people of God to appoint to rule over each tribe and what were they to refrain from doing? (v.18-19)
3) What were the people of God to follow? Why? (v.20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Why is fellowship among the men of your local church important?
5) Has the way of truth and justice ever been compromised during a fellowship gathering that you have attended? If so, what was done about it?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord encourages fellowship between His people to keep us encouraged, strengthened and united.
7) Disagreements during times of fellowship are inevitable, but are to be handled justly and impartially to prevent a perversion of truth against the innocent.
8) Our Lord Jesus is the only righteous judge of all matters involving His children because He alone knows the thoughts and intents of every human heart.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Walking in the Way
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Judges 2:16-23 NIV
16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD's commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did." 23 The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After Joshua's death, the children of Israel became increasingly rebellious against the Lord and His hand was heavy upon them causing them much distress. What did the Lord do to save His people from their ways? (v.16)
2) What did the people of God do, despite the Lord's provision for them? (v.17)
3) What did the Lord continually do to deliver His people from their enemies and how did His people continually respond to His provisions? (v.18-19)
4) What was the Lord's response to their continual rebellion? (v.20)
5) What did the Lord purpose to do to His people instead of delivering them? Why? (v.21-23)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What "enemies" are you presently facing in your life (e.g., financial, relational, marital, or health challenges)?
7) What, if anything, are you doing to eliminate those enemies from your life?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord allows His people to be tested to determine if we will continue to obey His will or do as we please.
9) When we refuse to accept the Lord's correction, He will allow our "enemies" to remain in our lives.
Judges 2:16-23 NIV
16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD's commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did." 23 The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After Joshua's death, the children of Israel became increasingly rebellious against the Lord and His hand was heavy upon them causing them much distress. What did the Lord do to save His people from their ways? (v.16)
2) What did the people of God do, despite the Lord's provision for them? (v.17)
3) What did the Lord continually do to deliver His people from their enemies and how did His people continually respond to His provisions? (v.18-19)
4) What was the Lord's response to their continual rebellion? (v.20)
5) What did the Lord purpose to do to His people instead of delivering them? Why? (v.21-23)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What "enemies" are you presently facing in your life (e.g., financial, relational, marital, or health challenges)?
7) What, if anything, are you doing to eliminate those enemies from your life?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord allows His people to be tested to determine if we will continue to obey His will or do as we please.
9) When we refuse to accept the Lord's correction, He will allow our "enemies" to remain in our lives.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Hope in God's Steadfast Love
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Psalm 147:1-11 NIV
1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is good for the people of God to do? Why? (v.1-6)
2) How else are we to minister to the Lord? Why? (v.7-9)
3) What does the Lord take pleasure and delight in? (v.10-11)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What do you do to minister to the Lord?
LIFE LESSONS
5) We minister to the Lord by praising and worshipping Him for all that He does in our lives.
Psalm 147:1-11 NIV
1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is good for the people of God to do? Why? (v.1-6)
2) How else are we to minister to the Lord? Why? (v.7-9)
3) What does the Lord take pleasure and delight in? (v.10-11)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What do you do to minister to the Lord?
LIFE LESSONS
5) We minister to the Lord by praising and worshipping Him for all that He does in our lives.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
I Call Upon the Lord
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
2 Samuel 22:1-7 NIV
1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-- from violent people you save me. 4 "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. 5 The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 7 "In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did David do after the Lord delivered him from his enemies? (v.1)
2) What did David sing about the Lord? (v.3-4)
3) What did the king sing about his season of testing and trial against his enemies? (v.5-6)
4) What did David do when he was overwhelmed by his enemies and how did the Lord respond? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has anyone ever attacked you, your character, or your integrity?
6) If so, how did you respond?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our best offense against the destruction that our enemies attempt to inflict on us is to praise the Lord.
8) There is no need to fight against our enemies. When the Lord is on our side, He will fight for us.
9) Praise is a spiritual weapon.
2 Samuel 22:1-7 NIV
1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-- from violent people you save me. 4 "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. 5 The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 7 "In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did David do after the Lord delivered him from his enemies? (v.1)
2) What did David sing about the Lord? (v.3-4)
3) What did the king sing about his season of testing and trial against his enemies? (v.5-6)
4) What did David do when he was overwhelmed by his enemies and how did the Lord respond? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has anyone ever attacked you, your character, or your integrity?
6) If so, how did you respond?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our best offense against the destruction that our enemies attempt to inflict on us is to praise the Lord.
8) There is no need to fight against our enemies. When the Lord is on our side, He will fight for us.
9) Praise is a spiritual weapon.
Monday, August 17, 2015
You Behaved Worse Than Your Ancestors
Monday, August 17, 2015
Jeremiah 16:9-13 NIV
9 For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place. 10 "When you tell these people all this and they ask you, 'Why has the LORD decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the LORD our God?' 11 then say to them, 'It is because your ancestors forsook me,' declares the LORD, 'and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook me and did not keep my law. 12 But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me. 13 So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.'
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord God tell His rebellious people to expect? (v.9)
2) How were the God's people to respond to those who questionned the disaster that would befall the people of God? (v.10-11)
3) What other calamity did the Lord declare over His people? Why? (v.12-13)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you believe that the United States will be judged by the Lord? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord's judgment against a people or nation, becomes progressively severe until the people or nation repent of their sins.
Jeremiah 16:9-13 NIV
9 For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place. 10 "When you tell these people all this and they ask you, 'Why has the LORD decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the LORD our God?' 11 then say to them, 'It is because your ancestors forsook me,' declares the LORD, 'and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook me and did not keep my law. 12 But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me. 13 So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.'
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord God tell His rebellious people to expect? (v.9)
2) How were the God's people to respond to those who questionned the disaster that would befall the people of God? (v.10-11)
3) What other calamity did the Lord declare over His people? Why? (v.12-13)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you believe that the United States will be judged by the Lord? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord's judgment against a people or nation, becomes progressively severe until the people or nation repent of their sins.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
The Person Who Sins Shall Die
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Ezekiel 18:1-3, 31-32 NIV
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: " 'The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ... 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord declare about the proverb quoted by His people? (v.1-3)
2) What did the Lord tell His people to do? Why? (v.31)
3) What is it that the Lord takes no pleasure in? What does He implore His people to do, as a result, and why? (v.32)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you believe the Lord to be a strict and unyielding God or a loving and merciful Father? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is a merciful Father. He is also a very just God.
Ezekiel 18:1-3, 31-32 NIV
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: " 'The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ... 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord declare about the proverb quoted by His people? (v.1-3)
2) What did the Lord tell His people to do? Why? (v.31)
3) What is it that the Lord takes no pleasure in? What does He implore His people to do, as a result, and why? (v.32)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you believe the Lord to be a strict and unyielding God or a loving and merciful Father? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is a merciful Father. He is also a very just God.
Walking in the Lord's Ways
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Hosea 14:1-9 KJV
1 Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion." 4 "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine-- Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me." 9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does Hosea implore the people of God to do? What has led to their downfall? (v.1)
2) What else does the prophet encourage the people of God to do? (v.2-3)
3) What does the Lord promise those who heed His instruction? (v.4-8)
4) What will become of the righteous? What will become of the rebellious? Why? (v.9)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Do you know people who have obeyed the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?
6) Do you know peoople who have rebelled against the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord has not issued commands to His people to make our lives difficult, or unrewarding; but, to bless us.
8) The Lord's commands for His people have been given to us because of His love for, and mercy toward, us.
Hosea 14:1-9 KJV
1 Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion." 4 "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine-- Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me." 9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does Hosea implore the people of God to do? What has led to their downfall? (v.1)
2) What else does the prophet encourage the people of God to do? (v.2-3)
3) What does the Lord promise those who heed His instruction? (v.4-8)
4) What will become of the righteous? What will become of the rebellious? Why? (v.9)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Do you know people who have obeyed the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?
6) Do you know peoople who have rebelled against the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord has not issued commands to His people to make our lives difficult, or unrewarding; but, to bless us.
8) The Lord's commands for His people have been given to us because of His love for, and mercy toward, us.
Friday, August 14, 2015
The Lord Weighs the Heart
Friday, August 14, 2015
Proverbs 21:2-8 NIV
2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. 8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does man think of his own ways, but what does the Lord weigh? (v.2)
2) What is most acceptable to the Lord? (v.3)
3) What will happen to the plans and the ways of the proud and the wicked? (v.4-8)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you known, or do you know of, anyone who has a haughty or wicked spirit? If so, what do you think will become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord tests the hearts of all people and will bless the upright in heart.
Proverbs 21:2-8 NIV
2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. 8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does man think of his own ways, but what does the Lord weigh? (v.2)
2) What is most acceptable to the Lord? (v.3)
3) What will happen to the plans and the ways of the proud and the wicked? (v.4-8)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you known, or do you know of, anyone who has a haughty or wicked spirit? If so, what do you think will become of them?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord tests the hearts of all people and will bless the upright in heart.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
The Consequences of Changing Behavior
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Ezekiel 18:21-28 NIV
21 "But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 24 "But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. 25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will become of the wicked person who turns from their sins back to God? Why? (v.21-23,27-28)
2) What will become of the righteous who turn from God and begin to act wickedly(sin) ? (v.24,26)
3) Are the ways of the Lord just? If so, why? (v.25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you, or anyone you know, turned from the ways of righteousness to behave wickedly? If so, what will become of them, according to this passage of Scripture?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is absolutely just in expecting His people to act righteously by obeying His commands.
6) In addition to physical death, the wicked will suffer spiritual death (separation from God).
7) The Lord promises to restore those who have forsaken wickedness and turned to righteousness.
Ezekiel 18:21-28 NIV
21 "But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 24 "But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. 25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will become of the wicked person who turns from their sins back to God? Why? (v.21-23,27-28)
2) What will become of the righteous who turn from God and begin to act wickedly(sin) ? (v.24,26)
3) Are the ways of the Lord just? If so, why? (v.25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you, or anyone you know, turned from the ways of righteousness to behave wickedly? If so, what will become of them, according to this passage of Scripture?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is absolutely just in expecting His people to act righteously by obeying His commands.
6) In addition to physical death, the wicked will suffer spiritual death (separation from God).
7) The Lord promises to restore those who have forsaken wickedness and turned to righteousness.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Avoiding a Parent's Negative Example
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Ezekiel 18:14-19 NIV
14 "But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: 15 "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife. 16 He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. 17 He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. 18 But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. 19 "Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that the soul of a sinful man will die, what does the Lord declare about the just child of the sinful (wicked) man?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) Are your children saved? If so, how do you know?
LIFE LESSONS
3) The children of those who have been justified, or condemned, will be judged, by God, according to their own righteousness.
4) The only way for any person to be declared righteous by God is through believing in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
5) Sinfulness and righteousness are not always generational.
Ezekiel 18:14-19 NIV
14 "But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: 15 "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife. 16 He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. 17 He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. 18 But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. 19 "Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that the soul of a sinful man will die, what does the Lord declare about the just child of the sinful (wicked) man?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) Are your children saved? If so, how do you know?
LIFE LESSONS
3) The children of those who have been justified, or condemned, will be judged, by God, according to their own righteousness.
4) The only way for any person to be declared righteous by God is through believing in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
5) Sinfulness and righteousness are not always generational.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Justice: A Joy to the Righteous
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Proverbs 21:10-15 NIV
10 The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. 12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. 14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What do the wicked crave and what becomes of their neighbors, as a result? (v.10)
2) What happens when a mocker is punished? (v.11)
3) Who takes note of the house of the wicked and what does He do to it? (v.12)
4) What happens to those who close their ears to the cries of the poor? (v.13)
5) What soothes anger and pacifies wrath? (v.14)
6) What happens to the righteous and to evil doers when justice prevails? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) How do you treat the poor when you are around them?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord blesses those who are merciful to the materially and spiritually impoverished.
Proverbs 21:10-15 NIV
10 The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. 12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. 14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What do the wicked crave and what becomes of their neighbors, as a result? (v.10)
2) What happens when a mocker is punished? (v.11)
3) Who takes note of the house of the wicked and what does He do to it? (v.12)
4) What happens to those who close their ears to the cries of the poor? (v.13)
5) What soothes anger and pacifies wrath? (v.14)
6) What happens to the righteous and to evil doers when justice prevails? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) How do you treat the poor when you are around them?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord blesses those who are merciful to the materially and spiritually impoverished.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Justice, Righteousness, and Repentance
Monday, August 10, 2015
Isaiah 1:24-28 NIV
24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." 27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring the wickedness of His people (Judah), what did the Lord declare that He would do to His people? (v.24-25)
2) What did the Lord declare He would do to His penitent people? (v.26-27)
3) What would God do to His rebellious people? (v.28)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What do you generally do when you become aware of sin in your life? Please explain why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) When the people of God commit sins against the Lord, He wants us to repent so that He may restore us. But, if we refuse, He allows trials to correct us.
Isaiah 1:24-28 NIV
24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." 27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring the wickedness of His people (Judah), what did the Lord declare that He would do to His people? (v.24-25)
2) What did the Lord declare He would do to His penitent people? (v.26-27)
3) What would God do to His rebellious people? (v.28)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What do you generally do when you become aware of sin in your life? Please explain why?
LIFE LESSONS
5) When the people of God commit sins against the Lord, He wants us to repent so that He may restore us. But, if we refuse, He allows trials to correct us.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Let Me Dwell With You
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Jeremiah 7:1-15 NIV
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 "Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: " 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD. 3 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9 " 'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"--safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD. 12 " 'Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. 14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.'
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord tell Jeremiah to do? (v.1-2a)
2) Who was the Lord's message to? (2b-2c)
3) What was the Lord's message to His people? (v.3)
4) What five (5) things did the Lord command His people to do, or refrain from doing, to continue to live in the land of their ancestors? (v.4-7)
5) What did the Lord accuse His people of doing? (v.8-10)
6) What question did the Lord ask His people and what did He declare? (v.11)
7) What did the Lord tell His people to do? Why? (v.12)
8) What did the Lord do for His wayward people and how did they respond to Him? (v.13)
9) What would the Lord do to His house and to His people, as a result? (v.14-15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) Have you, or anyone you know, forsaken the Lord to do what you pleased instead?
11) If so, what was the result of that disobedience?
LIFE LESSONS
12) The Lord longs to be gracious to His people and gives us every opportunity to repent of our transgressions. But, when we refuse to return to Him, we forsake His presence.
God Abandoned Shiloh
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Psalm 78:56-62 NIV
56 But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes. 57 Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow. 58 They angered him with their high places; they aroused his jealousy with their idols. 59 When God heard them, he was furious; he rejected Israel completely. 60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans. 61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy. 62 He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How did the people of God "put God to the test"? (v.56)
2) Who did the psalmish compare them to? Why? (v.57)
3) How did the Lord feel when His people rebelled against Him and what did He do about their transgressions? (v.58-62)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What difficulties (hardships) has the Lord allowed in your life when you willfully rebelled against Him?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord allows His rebellious people to be afflicted to correct us (to bring us back into alignment with His will for our lives).
Friday, August 7, 2015
Amend Your Ways and Your Doings
Friday, August 7, 2015
Jeremiah 26:8-15 NIV
8 But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, "You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the LORD's name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?" And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. 10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the LORD and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD's house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, "This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!" 12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the people of God do to the prophet Jeremiah after he hold them all that the Lord told Him to say to them? Why? (v.8-9)
2) What did the religious leaders do after hearing what God's people had done to the prophet? (v.10-11)
3) What did Jeremiah prophesy to God's people and their religious leaders? (v.12-15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you know of any modern day prophets of God who have been ignored and/or persecuted by the people of God because they spoke of impending judgment on a church and/or nation?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord always raises up prophets to forewarn His people of impending judgment. Those who ignore God's prophets and continue to rebel against the Lord will face God's wrath.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
If You Will Not Listen
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Jeremiah 26:1-7 NIV
1 Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: 2 "This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD's house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. 4 Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, 5 and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.' " 7 The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was Jehoiakim the son of and what happened early in his reign? (v.1)
2) What did the Lord say to Jeremiah the prophet? (v.2)
3) What did the Lord tell the prophet to say to His people? Why? (v.3-6)
4) Who heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you ever heard a prophetic word, from the Lord, concerning yourself, your church, and/or your nation?
6) if so, what do you generally do in response to those prophecies?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord sends His servants (the prophets) to warn His people of impending judgment to allow them to repent of their transgressions against Him.
8) When the people of God repent of their sins, the Lord God will relent from allowing calamity to befall them.
9) When God's people refuse to heed the words of the prophets, judgment is certain.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Judgment for the Disobedient
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Ezra 7:21-28 NIV
21 Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you-- 22 up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit. 23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God. 25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates--all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. 27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king's powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) As the captivity for the people of God was ending, and after Ezra the scribe returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, what did King Artaxerxes include in his letter to the scribe concerning the building of the temple? Why? (v.21-23)
2) What did the king write concerning Ezra's authority to impose taxes on the workers of the house of God? (v.24)
3) What did the king give Ezra authority to do, according to the wisdom of God? (v.25)
4) What would be the punishment for those who did not obey the law of the Lord and the king? (v.26)
5) What was Ezra's response after reading the king's letter to him? (v.27-28)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Has the Lord ever been very gracious to you after you have sinned against Him and subsequently repented? If so, please describe one such instance and your response.
7) Have you ever refused to forsake your rebellion against the Lord? If so, what happened?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord God is always willing to restore grace and favor to those who have strayed from the truth, but have returned to His commands and ways.
9) The Lord will judge those who refuse to relent and continue to rebel against Him.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
My People Have Forgotten Me
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Jeremiah 18:11-17 NIV
11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' 12 But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.' " 13 Therefore this is what the LORD says: "Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard anything like this? A most horrible thing has been done by Virgin Israel. 14 Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Do its cool waters from distant sources ever stop flowing? 15 Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up. 16 Their land will be an object of horror and of lasting scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. 17 Like a wind from the east, I will scatter them before their enemies; I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their disaster."
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
After the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, the Lord God told the prophet to go to the potter's house. The Lord told the prophet that He would relent from causing calamity to befall those who forsook evil, but would relent from blessing the disobedient (rebellious).
1) What was the word of the Lord to His people through His people, at this time? (v.11)
2) How did the Lord declare that His people would respond? (v.12)
3) What else did the Lord tell His servant Jeremiah to do? (v. 13a)
4) What questions did the Lord have for the nations and why? (v.13b-14)
5) What did the Lord declare about His people? (v.15-16)
6) What did the Lord declare that He would do to His people (v.17)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Do you know of any individual(s), church, and/or nation that has forsaken the Lord? If so, how have they rebelled against Him?
LIFE LESSONS
8) All those who rebel against the commands of the Lord will be forsaken by Him, until and unless they relent from doing that which is evil in His sight.
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