What question (concern, objection) is Paul anticipating and addressing in this passage? (15:35) Why does he call the person asking it...
What are the reasons that Paul gives in this text for why the resurrection is so important? Why would our faith be in vain if...
How does the author describe the circumstances in Jerusalem in 5:2-14? How might this give us insight into his state of mind? 5:7 says...
What does Jesus mean when he says that the door of salvation is narrow (13:24)? Jesus says that many people will seek to enter through...
How does the author describe the contrast between Jerusalem’s former glory and her current circumstances? Describe the world that God...
What language does the author use to describe his circumstances in 3:1-18. Why is this significant? What does the author look to and...
The author is very clear in 2:1-8 that God, Himself, is behind all of the suffering of Jerusalem. Even these terrible circumstances are...
What does this chapter teach us about God’s holiness? What does it teach us about sin and judgment? What are some of the word pictures...
Describe the woman’s circumstances, and describe how Jesus responds to them. (13:11-13) Are there any words, phrases, concepts, or...
What is the main theme of this passage? What can we learn from it about God? What can we learn from it about ourselves? What can we...
How would you verbalize the main theme of this passage? What is Jesus trying to communicate to the people that He is speaking to?...
What does Jesus mean when he says that his hearers “do not know how to interpret the present time”? (12:56) Are there places in your...
What does Jesus mean when he says that he came to cast fire on the earth (12:49)? What is the baptism that Jesus is referring to in...
How would you describe the main theme of this psalm? Why? How does the psalmist describe his life experiences prior to God’s...
How would you summarize the main theme of this psalm? What is the psalmist seeking to communicate about God? The psalmist says that...
How might these proverbs speak to our relationships, and help us to relate to one another in a healthy way? At first glance, this...
Why do you think that Jesus insists so much on exhorting us against being anxious? What harm does anxiety cause? Spiritually (in our...
God’s relationship with His people seems to shift from the Old Testament to the New, illustrated by how Jesus repeatedly calls God...
How is mystery defined in scripture? (See Colossians 1:26-27) What previously hidden mystery(ies) were revealed in the birth of Jesus?...
What are the main points of this passage? John uses the phrase ‘practice sin’ and ‘practice righteousness’ multiple times in this...
Why is what we believe about who Jesus is so important? What does the Bible teach about who Jesus is and how does it differ from what...
What does it mean to be ready for Jesus’s return? How can we be actively preparing, and readying ourselves for it? How does Jesus...
What are the most significant causes of worry and anxiety in your life? Why do these things make you anxious? What illustrations does...
When you think about (or talk about) money, what are some of the emotions that you feel in your soul? (Fear, anxiety, embarrassment,...
In Luke 12:1-7, Jesus warned against identifying with him in public while denying him in private (hypocrisy). In Luke 12:8-9, he warns...
What is hypocrisy? Why is it so dangerous? Why does Jesus warn us against it? What does Jesus mean when he compares hypocrisy to...
Why do you think that Jesus accepted the invitation, and went and had a meal with the Pharisee? What does this show us about the heart...
Compare 11:33 with some parallel passages (Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16-18). What are the main themes of these respective...
Why does Jesus say that the generation of people that are present is an evil generation? What is wrong with what the crowds are doing?...
How would you summarize this Psalm? What are the main points? Do you find any statements to be particularly impactful? Why? Do you...
Why do you think that the religious leaders were threatened by Jesus’ power? Why do you think that they attribute Jesus miracles to...
What is the main point or lesson that Jesus is trying to get across in the parable in 11:5-8? Describe your prayer life. Do find it...
What implications are bound up in the reality that God is our Father? What does that say about God, and His character? What does it say...
Why does David describe God as his “rock”? What the implications of this term? How can these theological realities serve to encourage...
What does this Psalm say about God? How would you describe the Psalmist’s circumstances in 130:1-3? In 130:4, the Psalmist seems to...
What is Paul calling Timothy to flee? What is he calling him to pursue (6:11)? Why do you think that Paul refers to the Christian life...
What does it mean for a bondservant (or employee) to honor their master (or employer)? (6:1-2) Why does Paul say that this is so...
What are some of the instructions that this text specifies about how a church should relate to its elders? What are some ways that a...
What are some of the implications of 5:1-2? How should it inform how we treat: older men? older women? younger men? younger...
Why do you think that Paul goes out of his way to warn Timothy that some will depart from the faith? What does it look like for us, as...
Read Psalm 131. What kind of 'noise' do you struggle to quiet in your own soul? How do the three parallel lines of 131:1 compound...
Read Acts 6:1-4. What is the role of deacons in the local church? What are they called to do? What are some of the reasons why deacons...
Do you think that the terms pastor (shepherd), elder, and overseer all refer to the same office? Why or why not? (Consider the language...
How does this text sit with you, at first glance? Is it comforting? Unsettling? Offensive? Does it strike you as antiquated, or...
What kinds of prayer does Paul instruct Christians to in 1 Timothy 2:1-2? Who does he instruct them to pray for? What are the reasons...
Why do you think that Paul brings up his past sins of blasphemy, persecution, and opposition against God? How does Paul’s awareness of...
What does Paul instruct Timothy to do in this passage? Why? Why does the gospel need to be defended against “myths” and “endless...
What would you identify as the main theme of the book of 1 Timothy? (cf. 1 Timothy 3:14-15) Read the following texts: -Acts...
What can we learn about the temperament and personality of Martha and Mary (respectively), based on their actions in this text? ...
How would you describe the words, intentions, and heart posture of the lawyer? Why do you think that he asks the question “Who is my...
What do we see in 10:1-11 about the mission that God has called us into, as his people? What does Jesus mean when he says that there...
Why do you think that Jesus responds to the first man the way that he does? Why do you think that Jesus responds to the second man the...
Why was Jesus rejected by the Samaritans in the village? What does the response from James and John reveal about their hearts? What...
What are the reasons that Paul gives in this text for why the resurrection is so important? Why would our faith be in vain if Jesus...
How does David address sin and suffering in this psalm? What can we learn from him? How can you be working to be more honest in your...
How has God demonstrated His love for you in your life? What are some examples (from the recent or distant past) where He has shown...
What would you identify as the main theme(s) of the book of Zechariah? Zechariah’s hearers would have been Israelites, who had...
What is God’s Word to the people in Haggai 1? How to they respond? How would you describe the main themes of these sections? What...
How would you describe the overall theme of the book of Zephaniah? How does your soul react to the thought of the judgment of God? ...
How would you summarize Habakkuk’s first complaint (1:2-4)? How would you summarize God’s answer (1:5-11)? How would you summarize...
What would you identify as the main theme of the book of Nahum? How is God described in Nahum 1? What characteristics of His are...
In Micah 1, we read that Israel will be humiliated, and reduced to a heap of rubble. Why do you think that Micah uses such strong...
What are some of the things of this world that you find your soul clinging to for joy, satisfaction, fulfillment,...
Why does Jonah run from God’s call on his life in Jonah 1? What do you think the underlying motivation was for why he didn’t want to...
How would you summarize the main theme of the book of Obadiah? In Obadiah 1-4, God is angry at the pride and arrogance of the...
In Amos 1, Amos prophesies against the sins of Israel’s neighbors to the north, south, east, and west. In Amos 2, he turns the tables,...
What is the main theme of the book of Joel? How do each of the sections within the book speak to that main theme? What is the book...
In what ways is a marriage relationship between a husband and a wife analogous to the relationship between God and His people in the...
Why do you think that it is important for us, as Christians today, to be reading, and internalizing the Minor Prophets? What do you...
What are some of the ways that the psalmist recognizes that God is uniquely positioned (more so than any created thing) to...
Describe the difference between the world’s definition of greatness and Jesus’ definition of greatness. What does the disciples’...
Why are the disciples unable to cast the demon out? (Matthew 17:19-20, Mark 9:28-29) Describe the experience of this father—who...
Define the world “glory”. How would you describe “the glory of God”? Why is it significant that Moses and Elijah are there,...
Why is it so important that we believe rightly about the identity of Jesus? How can we be careful to ensure that we are...
How do we see Jesus’ heart for both public ministry and private ministry on display in this text? What does that tell us about...
In this text, Jesus: gathers his disciples to himself, and then empowers them for gospel ministry, and then sends them out to...
What does this passage, in conjunction with the 2 passages that precede it (Luke 8:22-25, Luke 8:26-39), tell us about the...
How do we see the sovereignty of God on display in this text? How do we see the love, and compassion, and grace of God on...
How do we see both the humanity of Jesus, and the divinity of Jesus, on display in this text? Why are both of those elements of...
In this text, Jesus says that His followers are a family. That the church is effectively one big family of God. What are the...
What is the main theme of this passage? How would you distill it down into one sentence? What should our takeaway be, as...
Describe the spiritual analogies in this parable. What is represented by: the sower? the seed? the hard path? the shallow...
Why is it important for us - as Christians, and as Christian families - to learn, understand, and teach God's word? How would...
According to Luke 8:1-3, Jesus’s invitation to follow Him was not only extended to his 12 male disciples, but to many women as...
Describe the differences between the heart of posture of the sinful woman, and that of Simon the Pharisee. How are those...
Have you had any experiences or circumstances over the course of your life that have caused you to question or doubt God?...
Why is the situation of the woman in this text so desperate? What are some of the details that the text points out that reveal...
How would you define authority? Would you argue that authority is inherently a good thing? A bad thing? Something else...
How would you describe your prayer life? What are you doing well in that area? What could you do to improve your prayer life?...
Why do you think that James asserts that patience is such an important virtue, and an important element of the Christian life?...
What are some of the lies about material wealth that James is confronting and correcting in this passage? Why do you think...
When you think about the future, what is it that you look forward to, and that excites you most? What is it that makes you...
Consider some conflict that you encountered recently. (Conflict that involved you, or that involved people you knew, or...
According to James, what is the difference between “wisdom from above” and “earthly wisdom”? The dictionary defines wisdom as...
As you read through this text, what are some of the reasons that James gives for why Christians need to be careful with their...
According to James 2:14-17, how does James understand the relationship between faith and works? What is the difference...
Do you ever feel a tug in your own life to show partiality? To love others selectively, only when it might benefit you...
Why do you think that God instructs His people to be “quick to listen”, and “slow to speak”? What heart postures are residing...
Why does James say that Christians should rejoice in their trials and suffering? (1:2-3) What are some strategies that...
Read the entire book of James. How would you summarize the main point of the entire book? Several times in the Gospels, we see...
Why do you think that Jesus refers in Luke 6:20-26 to poverty, and hunger, and sadness, and rejection as blessings? Why do you...
Psalm 46 paints a picture of a world that is full of calamity (46:2-3, 46:6), but a God is sovereign over it (46:5, 46:8-9),...
How would you describe this psalmist’s emotional state? Why would you describe it that way? The psalmist describes his seasons...
In Psalm 8, David looks out at the earth around him, and at the heavens above him. When he does, he is immediately aware of...
How does David’s song in 2 Samuel 22 demonstrate the sovereign grace of God? In 2 Samuel 23:3-4, David acknowledges his...
Summarize the main events that happen in 2 Samuel 13-19. How does this passage function as a fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy...
Read 2 Samuel 11:1-2. How do laziness and idleness cause David to be vulnerable to sin and temptation? How can you be building...
Why is it significant that David wants to show kindness to a member of Saul’s house? Why does he want to do it “for Jonathan’s...
Paul says that the Corinthians will be be saved by holding fast to the gospel, “unless they believed in vain”. What does it...
How do David, and the nation of Israel, exhibit commendable, exemplary excitement for the Word of God and the presence of God...
How does Saul react to David throughout this section of Scripture? Why do you think that he reacts this way? During the course...
How does the author of 1 Samuel describe Goliath? How is the animalistic imagery that he uses reminiscent of Satan (the...
In 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah responds to the gracious provision of God with a song of worship, and adoration, and praise. Why is...
How would you describe the main point of this Psalm? How is the glory of God evident in what God has made? (Psalm 19:1-6) How...
Why do you think that Jesus compares obedience to His Word to a healthy foundation on a house? What are some ways that we...
How can we, as Christians, have true, deep, real assurance of salvation? What are some counterfeit sources that we might...
What reasons does Jesus give as motivation for why Christians are to be slow to judge, and slow to condemn? What reasons does...
How would you describe the main theme of this passage? Why do you think that it is so difficult to obey the commands that we...
How do you think that Jesus’s words in Luke 6:20-26 would have been received by His audience in the 1st century? How do you...
What can we learn from Luke 4:12 about the importance of prayer? Why do you think that Jesus finds it necessary to spend time...
How would you describe the main theme of this passage? How would you summarize in one sentence what happens in the narrative?...
Why is a text like this one particularly timely to meditate on at Christmas time? According to Isaiah 53:2, Jesus came into...
What is David’s initial aspiration in 2 Samuel 7:2? Why do you think he has the intentions that he does? How does God respond...
Moses tells the people to anticipate a prophet that God will raise up. What is the significance of these 3 distinctions, that...
Genesis 3:1 refers to the serpent (Satan) as “crafty”. What are some of his tactics that you would describe in this way? How...
Why are the Pharisees so scandalized (Luke 6:2) by the actions of Jesus and his disciples (Luke 6:1)? Why do you think that we...
Why do you think that the Pharisees came to Jesus with the question that they did in Luke 5:33? What are we to make of Jesus’s...
In Luke 5, we have seen Jesus approach and/or interact with a fisherman, a leper, a paralytic, and a tax collector. Why is it...
Jesus speaks this word to people who are burdened, and weighed down, exhausted - trying to be good enough, and trying to build...
What is the main theme of this text? How would you summarize it in one sentence? What do you think is the main applicational...
How might this text be helpful for a person who is suffering? Someone who is hurting, or isolated and alone? What do you think...
What do you think that Peter and his colleagues might have thought when they heard Jesus’s instruction in Luke 5:4? Why do you...
Does your personality lean more toward being task-oriented, or toward being people- oriented? Why? What can we learn about the...
What are the most important things that this passage teaches us about Jesus? How do the people of Capernaum respond...
In Luke 4:17-19, Jesus stands in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah 61:1-2. Why do you think that he chose that passage? What...
Who is a person you know personally that you consider a spiritual role model? What fruit in them do you admire? What hinders...
What is the main theme of Psalm 67? How would you synthesize it down into a sentence or 2? What are the most significant...
What is the main theme of this Psalm? How would you describe what David is trying to communicate in a sentence or two? What...
What is the main theme of this Psalm? How would you describe the broad strokes of what David is trying to communicate? Why...
What is the main theme of this Psalm? How would you describe the broad strokes of what Asaph is trying to communicate? How...
What is the main point of this Psalm? How would you describe its main themes in a sentence or two? In Psalm 103:1, David...
How do you instinctively respond to authority in your life? Trust? Distrust? Something else? Do you find it easy to submit...
What is the significance of the language used in Psalm 1:1? walks in the counsel of the wicked stands in the way of...
How is the Christian life like a battle? Why is it important for us, as Christians, to see it as such? What does it mean to...
How would you describe your relationship with your parents? What is one way in particular that you can try and honor them this...
What does this text point out as our responsibilities toward other members of God's church? What would it look like,...
Why do you think the word “submission” carries such negative connotations our society today? How does Jesus model perfect...
What does it mean to be an imitator of God? How does God’s love for us enable us to imitate Him? What is the relationship...
Why do you think that Paul describes life apart from God as futile? How have you experienced futility when seeking contentment...
What does Paul mean when he instructs his readers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”?...
Why do you think God is so concerned with building a church that is diverse, and multiethnic? Paul understands Christians...
Why do you think that healthy relationships are so important to us as human beings? Why does Paul seem so intent on having...
How does Paul describe our life, prior to our coming to Christ? What about his description do you find to be most significant?...
According to this passage, what was Paul most grateful for? What are you most grateful for? According to this passage, what...
How does Paul understand and define blessing from God in this text? Why is this significant? What does it mean for God to...
How does the story of the church in Ephesus resemble and inform our story as Christians today? Why do you think that the...
Why is Jesus’s resurrection so important? Why is it significant that these two women are the ones who discover Jesus’s...
What about heaven do you look forward to most? What about heaven do you find most difficult to conceptualize, or to...
How does your soul react to the doctrine of Hell? What emotions do you experience when you consider it? How does Joel describe the...
What does this text tell us about the heart of God for all people? Especially for those people that society seems to overlook,...
What is the main theme of this passage? How would you describe this text to someone who has not read it? What does this text...
What is the main theme of this text? What does it mean to “rend your garments”? What does it mean to “rend your heart”?...
Why do you think Joel says that it is so important to prepare properly for the Day of the Lord (2:1)? Joel references darkness...
In what ways does the gospel bring comfort to God’s people? In what ways does the gospel bring affliction to God’s people? To...
When was the last time that you were legitimately sad? Joel is trying to help Israel see the significance of the severity...
Why do you think that each of these 3 temptations would have been so tempting for Jesus? Why were each of them so significant?...
What does Luke 3:21-22 tell us about the Trinity? Why is the Trinity such an important doctrine? What is the significance...
How does John the Baptist define repentance? What is significant about the language he uses - to “bear the fruit of...
What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’s active obedience? What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’s passive...
What does this text tell us about the humanity of Jesus? Why is it significant that Jesus entered our world as a human...
How would you describe the “indicative” component (the facts, the story) of the gospel? How would you describe the “imperative”...
If you could choose one word to describe your prayer life, what would it be? Why did you choose that word? What requests...
Why do you think that the Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod? (13:31) Why do you think that Jesus responds the way that he does...
Why do you think that the religious leaders were so concerned about whether Jesus healed people on the Sabbath? (14:1-5) How does...
Why do you think that Jesus told this parable? Who do each of these parables in the parable represent? The master of the house...
What does Jesus mean when he says that you have to hate your family in order to follow Him? What does it mean to “bear your cross” as...
Why do the Pharisees and scribes grumble at Jesus? What does their response reveal about their hearts? What does this passage (and the...
Who do the characters in this story represent, respectively? How do they embody their respective characteristics and heart postures?...
How did you experience this parable when you first read it? Did you find it surprising? Confusing? Why or why not? What does it mean...
Why do you think that the Pharisees were ridiculing Jesus (16:14)? Why do you think that the Bible warns against the love of money in...
Compare and contrast the the circumstances of the rich man and Lazarus - their life, their death, and after death. What are some of the...
How does 17:1-4 describe the responsibility of the Christian as it pertains to temptation and sin in our own life? How does 17:1-4...
What are some parallels between leprosy (that we see in this text) and sin? Is it conceivable to think of sin as a kind of “spiritual...
Jesus prefaces the most important law (12:30) and the second most important law (12:31) with a declaration of who God is (12:29). How...
What is an apostle? How can Paul claim to be an apostle? How does Paul describe his own apostolicity? What can we derive from the...
What do we learn about Paul and Timothy from this passage? What can we learn about their relationship? What do 1:3 and 1:5 show us...
What does Paul mean when he exhorts Timothy to “be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus”? (2:1) How can we seek to obey...
Do you notice any repeating themes in this passage? If so, what is their significance? Make a list of all the commands that Paul...
What are some common problems that unbelievers have with the church? Do you think those are well founded? Why or why not? Why do you...
What is something that you want to be true of your life? How do you hope that people will remember you after your life in this world?...
Why do you think that God has given us His Word? What does Paul mean when he says that Scripture is “breathed out by God”? (Consider...
What commands does Paul give to Timothy in this text? What do they mean? What connotations and implications are bound up in each of...
How would you describe Paul’s mood and tone in this passage? Compare and contrast how Paul describes these respective people in this...
What are some theological truths that you see embedded within this passage? 89:1-18 teaches that God is glorious and sovereign....
What does Jesus mean when he says that “the kingdom of God is in the midst of you”? (17:21) In 17:20, Jesus says that the coming of...
Why does Jesus tell this parable? What is the spiritual application? How does this particular story (of the unjust judge and the...
Who is Jesus telling this parable to, and why does he tell it? Compare and contrast the behavior of the two men in Jesus’s story....
How does our culture view children? How do we interact with children? Why do you think that the disciples rebuked the crowd, and tried...
What do you make of the ruler’s question (18:18)? What does it reveal about his understanding of God? What does it reveal about his...
What is the main theme of this Psalm? How would you articulate what the psalmist is trying to communicate? The psalmist says that even...
Do you think it is significant that there are women included in Jesus’s genealogy in Matthew 1? Why or why not? What does it tell us...
Why do you think that the New Testament commends Rahab for her faith (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25)? How do we see her faith on display in...
Do you find it remarkable that Ruth left her home and her life in Moab, in order to follow her late husband’s mother back to her...
How does Nathan’s story (2 Samuel 12:1-4) inform how we understand the incident between David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-5)? Read...
By and large, how has our culture come to understand Mary? What are some things that you may have heard or seen about Mary in your...
What words and phrases are repeated through this chapter? Why are they important? Why is it important that God speaks the entire...
This Sunday, we will continue our journey through the book of Genesis, looking at the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2. We will...
Genesis 1:26-27 says that God created man in his image. What does it mean to be created “in the image of God”? How is God’s special...
How does the serpent go about tempting Eve toward sin (3:1-6)? What correlations do you see between this and your own experiences of...
What are some examples of people who are being taken away to death? What are some examples of people who are stumbling to the...
What would you identify as the main point of Genesis 4-10? What can we learn about sin from the story of Cain (4:1-16)? What is God’s...
Much of the Cultural Mandate (Genesis 1:28) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) involve going - into the world to spread God’s...
What are the ways that God promises to bless Abram in Genesis 12:1-3? What is a Covenant? How do God’s covenants operate in...
This Sunday, we will continue working through Genesis, looking at Abraham and Sarah, in Genesis 12-20. We’ll see multiple accounts...
How are we to make sense of Abraham’s actions in 12:10-20 and 20:1-18? What is most concerning about it? What responsibilities...
What is so significant (and concerning) about Abram and Sarai’s actions in Genesis 16:1-6? What does it mean that Hagar "looked with...
Why do you think that God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as an offering (22:2)? What does this passage tell us about the heart of...
