Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Matthew 14:22-33 KJV
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After feeding the five thousand, what did Jesus constrain his disciples to do? (v.22)
2) What did Jesus do after the multitudes departed? (v.23)
3) What was happening to the ship that the disciples had boarded? (v.24)
4) How and when did Jesus go to them and how did they respond when they saw Him? (v.25-26)
5) What did Jesus say to them to calm them? (v.27)
6) What did Peter say to the Lord? (v.28)
7) How did the Lord respond and what did Peter do? (v.29)
8) Why did Peter begin to sink and what did the Lord do in response? (v.30-31)
9) When did the wind cease and what did the disciples do and say to the Lord, in response? (v.32-33)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) What do you do when everything seems to be going wrong in your life?
11) What risks are you willing to take, to draw closer to our Lord, in faith?
LIFE LESSONS
12) Our first response during troubling times should always be to pray to the only One who has the power to assail our fears and to right whatever is troubling us.
13) The Lord allows storms in our lives to test our faith in Him.
14) The Lord expects us to hold fast to our faith in Him, no matter how dire our circumstances may appear to be.
15) When we keep our focus on the Lord, we will not be overwhelmed by the trials and troubles of this life.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Romans 8:31-39 KJV
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What questions does the Apostle Paul ask the readers in this passage of Scripture? What (v.31-35)
2) What does Paul conclude about the trial that we suffer in this life? (v.36-38)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) What, if anything, can seperate you from the love of God?
LIFE LESSONS
4) There is no trial, hardship, or suffering that is able to separate from God's love. Not even death!
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Acts 6:7-15 KJV
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the Hellenists complained about the distribution of provision to their widows, the apostles charged the disciples to find seven spirit-filled men to serve all of the widows. What else was happening, in the early church, during this time? (v.7)
2) What was notable about Stephen? (v.8)
3) Who disputed with Stephen? (v.9)
4) What were those who were opposed to Stephen unable to resist? (v.10)
5) Why did people oppose Stephen and what did they do to stir up antagonism against him? (v.11-14)
6) How did Stephen appear to the Jewish council? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have your motives and/or actions ever been questionned by others in your local church or among other religious leaders? If so, please briefly explain.
LIFE LESSONS
8) Those who follow Christ will face much opposition and even persecution.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Romans 8:31-39 KJV
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul write concerning the heirs of salvation? (v.31)
2) Why does the Lord "freely give us all things"? (v.32)
3) What is the result of our justification? (v.33)
4) Who can condemn us? Why not? (v.34)
5) What can hardships in life does the apostle write about? Can those hardships separate us from the love of Christ? Why not? (v.35-36)
6) What is the apostle persuaded of? (v.37-39)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Were the hardships or difficulties that you've faced in your life able to separate you from the love of God?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The love of God is freely given to the heirs of salvation, despite the trials that we endure in this life.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Psalm 31:1-8 KJV
1 [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. 2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3 For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou [art] my strength. 5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. 6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; 8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does David ask of the Lord and why? (v.1-4)
2) What does the psalmist do and why? (v.5-8)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) What have you trusted the Lord with and why?
LIFE LESSONS
4) The Lord is our strength and deliverer. We can trust Him to help us in every situation that we face in life.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Matthew 14:22-36 KJV
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What three things did Jesus do after feeding the five thousand? (v.22-23)
2) What happened to the ship? Why? (v.24)
3) What did the disciples see and how did they respond? (v. 25-26)
4) What did Jesus say to them? (v.27)
5) How did Peter respond? Why? (v.28-30)
6) What did Jesus do and say to Peter? (v.31)
7) What happened next? (v.32-36)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) What is your typical response to trouble? Describe one such time?
9) How do you typically respond when the Lord delivers you out of trouble?
LIFE LESSONS
10) At times, it is the Lord's will for His children to go through trouble to grow our faith.
11) The safest place on earth to be is in the center of God's will.
12) The best and only acceptable response to God, in troubled times or good, is worship.
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.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Romans 5:1-5 KJV
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are we justified by? (1a)
2) What is the result of our justification? (1b)
3) Who and what grants us peace with, and access to, God? (1b-2)
4) Why do we "glory in tribulations"? (v.3-5a)
5) What does the indwelling Holy Ghost do for us? (v.5b)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you typically respond to trouble in your life?
7) Give one example of how the Lord used your trouble(s) to conform you to the image of Christ?
LIFE LESSONS
8) We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.
9) By faith in the Lord Jesus, we have access to God and His grace.
10) By the grace of God, we can endure the trials of life.
11) God uses trials to grow patience, experience, hope, and the love of God in our hearts, through His Holy Spirit.
12) The Lord uses the trials of life to transform us to the image of Christ.
Friday, November 21, 2014
1 Peter 1:1-7 KJV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was the Apostle Peter writing this epistle to? (v.1)
2) What made them the "elect" and how did that effect them spiritually? (v.2)
3) What has the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ done for all who have been born again? Why? (v.3-4)
4) What are we kept by and through? (v.5a)
5) What does our faith lead to? (v.5b)
6) What should be our response to so great a salvation? (v.6a)
7) What may happen instead, as a result of our faith? (v.6b)
8) Why are our trials so precious? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) What is your typical reaction to the trials that you face in life?
10) Has your faith in God ever faltered, since you believed? If so, what happened?
11) To whom, or what, do you attribute your faith in God today?
PRINCIPLES
12) We are saved by grace, through faith, in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13) We were chosen by God for sanctification that leads to soul salvation.
14) All who belong to the Lord have an eternal inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven.
15) Trials are used by God to test our faith and to bring glory to our Lord.
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.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Job 1:13-21
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What were Job's children doing on the day before calamities befell him? (v.13)
2) What did the first messenger tell Job? (v.14-15)
3) What did the second messenger tell Job? (v.16)
4) What did the third messenger tell Job? (v.17)
5) What did the fourth messenger tell Job? (v.18-19)
6) How did Job respond to all of that had happened? (v.20-21)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What is the worst news that you have ever received in your life?
8) How did you respond to the news?
9) Were you able to worship the Lord despite your trouble?
PRINCIPLES
10) The Lord deserves to be worshipped in whatever situation we face, whether good or bad.
11) The Lord does not cause trouble, but He will allow it to test our faith.
12) Nothing that we have in this life belongs to us, we are merely stewards of the things and people that the Lord blesses us with.
