Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Luke 8:19-25 KJV
19 Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him [by certain] which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why couldn't our Lord's mother and brothers get to Him? (v.19)
2) What was our Lord's response when told that His blood family wanted to see Him? (v.20-21)
3) Who suggested that the disciples go to the other side of the lake? (v.22)
4) What happened as they were sailing? (v.23)
5) How did Jesus' disciples respond? (v.24a)
6) What happened after the disciples awoke the Lord? (v.24b)
7) What did our Lord ask His disciples? (v.25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) Have you ever been in trouble and wondered why the Lord did not respond immediately to your situation? If so, briefly describe one such time.
9) What do you typically do when waiting on the Lord to answer your prayers?
LIFE LESSONS
10) Our Lord allows trouble in our lives to test our faith in Him.
11) The greatest test of our faith is learning to wait on the Lord when we desperately need His intervention.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Psalm 11:1-7 KJV
1 [[To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.]] In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Despite his declaration of trust in God, what does David ask himself? (v.1)
2) What are the wicked doing, according to the psalmist? (v.2)
3) What question does David ask concerning the righteous? (v.3)
4) Where is the Lord and what is He doing? (v.4-7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What do you do when your knowledge of God and your soul are not in agreement?
6) What are the dangers of living by sight (sensory perceptions) rather than faith?
7) How do you know if you are among the righteous or the wicked?
PRINCIPLES
8) The Lord tries His people to reveal hidden sin and/or falsehood that could hinder our spiritual growth
9) The Lord tests all people to reveal what is in their heart.
10) Those who delight in deceit, treachery and wickedness against the righteous are hated by God and will not stand in the day of judgment.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Psalm 38:9-15
9 Lord, all my desire [is] before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 They also that seek after my life lay snares [for me]: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf [man], heard not; and [I was] as a dumb man [that] openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth [are] no reproofs. 15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the psalmist declare is not hidden from the Lord? (v.9)
2) What is gone from the psalmist? (v.10)
3) Who stands afar off from the psalmist? (v.11)
4) What do the psalmists enemies do? (v.12)
5) What does the psalmist do and why? (v.13-14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What do you typically do when you're in trouble and the Lord seems to be distant?
7) How likely are you to worship the Lord during such times?
8) How likely are you to cave in to your carnal desires when you are being tested?
PRINCIPLES
9) The Lord often distances Himself to test our faith in Him.
10) When we wait upon the Lord, before acting, God is glorified.
11) The blessings that come with waiting on the Lord outweigh our seasons of trial.
