October 30, 2015
Acts 27:14-25 KJV
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let [her] drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship; 19 And the third [day] we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of [any man's] life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What happened to the ship that carried the Apostle Paul to Rome and what did those aboard the vessel do to make their journey smoother? (v.14-20)
2) Of what did the Apostle Paul remind those aboard the ship? (v.21)
3) What happened to the apostle, during the voyage, that gave him hope and caused him to encourage the other men on the ship? (v.22-25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) How do you encourage yourself during difficulties and trials that would otherwise discourage, or even frighten you?
LIFE LESSONS
5) During seasons of tumult, the greatest source of encouragement that believers have are the promises of God.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Hebrews 2:1-9 KJV
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; 4 God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the writer of Hebrews warn his readers about and why? (v.1-3a)
2) Who first revealed the message of salvation to us and through whom, or what, was it confirmed? (v.3b-4)
3) How does the writer compare our Lord Jesus with human beings and the angels? (v.5-9)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever sensed that you were drifting away from your faith in the Lord? If so, please describe one such time.
LIFE LESSONS
5) Our Lord not only proclaimed His salvation to all who would believe, but has given spiritual gifts to all believers to confirm our authority through Him.
Monday, April 13, 2015
1 Peter 1:8-12 KJV
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Though we do not see Him, how are we to be toward Him and because of Him? Why? (v.8-9)
2) What did the prophets search diligently to discern? (v.10-11)
3) What was revealed to the prophets of old, to those who would preach the gospel, and to the angels? (v.12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) To whom do you share the message of salvation?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The mystery of salvation is revealed by the Holy Spirit to those who need Christ's redemption.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Hebrews 1:1-9 KJV
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How did the Lord speak to the patriarchs of the faith, in the past? (v.1)
2) How does God speak to His children in this present age? (v.2a)
3) How is Jesus described? (v.2b-3)
4) Who is Jesus better than? Why? (v.4-7)
5) What does the Father say about Jesus? (v.8-9)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Do you know of anyone who worships or prays to angel? If so, why is this wrong?
7) What has Jesus done for you that no other entity or being can do?
8) How does the Lord speak to you?
LIFE LESSONS
The presence of the Lord is to be desired more than the presence of angelic beings.
Angels worship and serve God and His children.
Because God loves righteousness and hates iniquity, He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sin.
At the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow.
