February 27-28

Enjoy catching up this weekend!

1 Corinthians 12-16

1. What discussions of Paul suggest that there was a fair amount of division in the church?

2. How can a variety of gifts in the church bring unity rather than division?

3. What impact can love have on division?

4. What is the importance of resurrection?

1 Corinthians 6-11

1. What issues do the Corinthians struggle with that Paul addresses?

2. How does Paul regard temptation?

3. How does marriage help to address temptation?

4. What is Paul's general approach toward the use of created things?

Acts 18; 1 Corinthians 1-5

1. What do you learn about wisdom from Paul?

2. What problem happens when comparing men's wisdom?

3. What is Paul's solution for unity in the church?

2 Thessalonians 1-3

1. What concerns have come up for the Thessalonians that this letter addresses?

2. What does it look like to stand firm?

3. What temptations could get in the way of moving ahead in faith according to Paul's letter?

Acts 17; 1 Thessalonians 1-5

1. What do you notice about Paul's regard for the Thessalonians?

2. What impact did his brief visit with them have?

3. How does Paul encourage the Thessalonians to continue to grow in their faith?

4. What particular issues might they struggle with, based on the specifics of the letter?

February 20-21

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! as you catch up on your reading.

Philippians 1-4

1. What evidence do you see that the Philippians heard some of the same teaching as the Galatians?

2. How does Paul's experience in Philippi (Acts 16) give weight to what he tells the Philippians?

3. What is Paul's overarching attitude in this letter?

4. How does that help him to encourage the Philippians?

Acts 15-16

1. How does the fledgling church work out its theological disputes?

2. What evidence is there of other disputes?

3. How does God continue to guide his church?

4. What evidence is there of continued joy in the church (not just disputes)?

Galatians 1-6

1. What is the main problem Paul is addressing in his letter to the Galatians?

2. How does the gospel of Christ change the understanding of following the law?

3. What does it mean to be a new creation?

4. How can believers confuse law and freedom in Christ today?

Acts 13-14

1. What similarities do you see between Paul's and Peter's ministries? What do you see that's different?

2. What is Paul's goal? How does he go about it?

3. What personal difficulties does Paul face in the process?

Acts 7-12

1. Jesus told his disciples that they would face persecution just as he had. How does Stephen's life and death parallel Jesus'?

2. How does God jumpstart the spread of his gospel?

3. What people are surprises in turning to the gospel?

4. How might we limit God's work by our own understanding of who he might save or not save?

February 13-14

Enjoy catching up this weekend!

Acts 1-6

1. What helps the followers of Jesus to understand the big picture a little better?

2. What enables them to continue Jesus' ministry with power?

3. What obstacles do they face compared to Jesus?

4. What practical considerations do the disciples have to deal with?

John 19-21

1. In the midst of suffering in his last days, who does Jesus express concern for?

2. How do his last days demonstrate love for God and love for others?

3. Jesus' resurrection is the greatest miracle of all described in the book of John. What evidence does John give to support it?

4. What is the purpose of describing the miraculous signs in the book of John (see John 20:30-31)?

John 13-18

1. What are the plans Jesus has for his disciples?

2. How will they (we) find our way?

3. What does Jesus' prayer for us suggest that we will face along the way?

4. How does his own destination point ahead to what we will face?

John 7-12

1. What seems to be the purpose for Jesus' miracles?

2. What kinds of responses does he get?

3. How does he demonstrate care for the people around him?

4. What does it take for you to believe?

John 1-6

1. Why did Jesus make the world his destination for a time?

2. What means did Jesus use to prove he was not of this world?

3. What did Jesus want people to understand about the world we live in?

January 6-7

Congratulations! If you've made it this far, you've gotten through the portion of the Old Testament that we're reading through.

Malachi 1-4

1. What evidence do you see in Malachi that Nehemiah's influence was short-lived?

2. Who are God's criticisms mostly aimed at?

3. What sort of sacrifice and worship does God require of us today?

4. What would he find today as he scrutinizes our offerings?

Nehemiah 8-13

1. As the people came together in Jerusalem, what different elements were part of their celebration?

2. What effect did the Word of God have on the people?

3. What was necessary to keep the people following God's ways?

4. How do you regard Nehemiah's role in all of this; whose favor was he most concerned about?

Nehemiah 1-7

1. What do you learn about leadership from Nehemiah?

2. What kind of circumstances can deter God's work from proceeding?

3. What can overcome such circumstances?

4. How can some of these principles apply in your own circumstances?

Ezra 8-10; Haggai 1-2

1. What does it mean to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem?

2. What changes are required of the Israelites once they return to the Promised Land?

3. What can they expect if they don't change? If they do?

4. How does God provide leadership to the people so they know what must change?

Ezra 1-7

1. How does God work through a foreign king?

2. What difficulties do the Israelites face in trying to rebuild the temple?

3. How does God smooth the way?

4. What is similar and what is different to the previous building of the temple?