Tag: Bible Study

Hosea 8-14: A Call To Return

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(8-13) What words, phrases, and pictures does Hosea use to describe Israel’s sin?

8:1 –

9:1, 10 –

10:1-2, 13 –

12:1, 7-8 –

13:2 –

In what ways are we tempted to follow Israel’s example?

What “fruit of lies” are we tempted to eat (10:13)?

What has Israel become because of their sin (8:8, 9:10, 13:3)?

(10-14) God calls Israel to return to him.  What would such a return look like?

10:12 –

12:6 –

14:1-3 –

14:9 –

How is this different from the way many people think of repentance?

(11-14) Returning to the Lord is possible because of who God is.  How does God reveal himself in 11:1-12, 13:4, and 14:8?

How do these verses encourage you?

(11-13) How does 11:1 and 13:14 point forward to Jesus (see Matthew 2:15 and I Corinthians 15:55)?

 

Hosea 1-7: Whoredom and Hope

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) What does God tell Hosea to do, and why (v2)?

How might we be unfaithful today (see James 4:4-5, Revelation 2:4-5)?

What does God tell Hosea to name his children, and why?

(4) For what sins does God condemn Israel in v1-2?

Give examples of how we see these sins in our country.

How are we tempted to excuse some of these sins as lesser sins?  Does the church need to repent of some of these sins?

For what two main sins does God condemn Israel in v12-14?  How might the former sin lead to the latter sin?  How do we see this today?

What is the result of these sins in v3, and how might we see this today?

(4) The people don’t know God (v1,6).  Why not (v4-6)?

How might we apply this point to our homes, churches, and nation?

(2-7) In what way are the people seeking the Lord, and why does God reject it (2:11, 5:6-7, 6:6)?

In what way does God want them to seek him (5:15)?

What application is there for us?

(1-3) What hope is given 1:10-2:1?  How does this begin to play out in the New Testament (John 1:11-12, Ephesians 5:23)?

What further hope is given in 2:14-23?  How do we see this play out in the New Testament (Matthew 9:15, II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 7:15-17, 19:6-9, 21:1-9)?

Jonah 1-4: Mercy

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) God calls Jonah to go to a wicked people, but Jonah doesn’t want to go.  How does this contrast with Jesus?

What does Jonah attempt to do instead (v3, 4, 10)?  Why might we attempt to do the same?

How well does Jonah’s attempt work?  What happens?

The sailors try to save themselves.  How do people try to save themselves today?

What did the sailors need to do instead?  How does this point to Jesus?

(2) How would you describe Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish?

Where do you see his hope?

Why is there no hope for those who worship idols (v8)?

How might his prayer serve as a useful pattern for us?

What happens to Jonah?  What does this tell us about God?

How does Jonah’s experience point to Jesus (Matthew 12:40)?

(3) What message does Jonah give to Nineveh, and how do they respond?

How does God respond?  What does this tell us about God?

(4) How does Jonah respond?  What does this tell us about Jonah?

Jonah was grateful when God extended mercy to him (2:9), but grumpy when God extended mercy to Nineveh.  In what ways are we like Jonah?  Why?

What lesson does God want Jonah (and us) to learn?

Amos 1-9: Justice and Righteousness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-8) Amos begins by confronting the violence of Israel’s neighbors, but then turns his focus on Israel.  What sins does Amos confront?

2:6-8 –

3:9-10 –

4:1 –

4:4-5 –

5:7, 10-12 –

6:4-6, 12 –

8:4-6 –

How would you summarize the sins that Amos is confronting?  What does God want to see (5:24)?

How might we see these same sins in our country?  In our lives?

(2-9) How does Amos describe the judgment that is coming?

2:13-16, 3:11-15, 4:2-3, 5:1-2, 6:14, 8:7-10 –

4:12-13, 5:16-17, 7:7-9, 8:2-3 –

5:27, 7:17 –

5:18-20 –

8:11-12 –

9:1-10 –

(4-7) Our God judges sin, and yet he is also willing to show mercy.  How do we see his mercy in the following verses?

4:6-11 –

5:1 –

5:4-6, 14-15 –

7:1-6 –

How do we need to apply each of the above passages in our lives?

(9) What hope does Amos leave for the people?  For us?

v11-12 (see Acts 15:16-17) –

v13-15 –

II Kings 14-17 & II Chronicles 25-28: King & Exile

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(2K14-16) Trace the kings of Judah and Israel.  How long did each reign?  Did they do right or evil in God’s sight?  How did they die?

What observations or applications can you make from your summary of these kings?

The first three kings in Judah did right except…  What were the exceptions?  What are the exceptions in your life?

How do you see God’s control during this period (14:25-28, 15:10-12, 15:37 – see also II Chronicles 28:1-6)?

(2K17) This chapter records the exile of Israel.  What reasons are given for their exile?  Make a list.

What do these reasons tell you about God?  About people?

(2Ch25) How did Amaziah respond to God’s instruction through the prophet in v5-11?  What were the results?

How did Amaziah respond to God’s instruction through the prophet in v14-24?  What were the results?

What application might you draw from this contrast?

(2Ch26) How do v4-5 highlight the importance of godly instruction?  What applications can we draw for our own lives?  Our families?

What was Uzziah’s downfall (v16a), how was it expressed (v16b-19a), and what were the results (v19b-21)?

When are you tempted to be proud?

(2Ch25-28) How would you describe the heart of Amaziah (25:2)?  Uzziah (26:4-5)?  Jotham (27:2,6)?

How are these kings like us?

How do these kings point to the need of a greater future King?

II Kings 8-13 & II Chronicles 22-24: God’s Control & Godly Counsel

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(2K8-13) Summarize each of the following passages without any reference to what God is doing:

2 Kings 8 –

2 Kings 9-10 –

2 Kings 11-12 –

2 Kings 13 –

What descriptive words would you use to describe these stories?  What similarities do you see with our world today?

(2K8-13) Now notice what God is doing in these stories:

2 Kings 8 (v13, 19) –

2 Kings 9-10 (9:6-10, 26, 36; 10:17; 2 Chr 22:7) –

2 Kings 11-12 (11:2-3; 2 Chr 24:24) –

2 Kings 13 (v23) –

What application is there for us as we see what is happening in our world today?

How might 13:23 apply to us today?  Point to Jesus?

(2C22-24) Whose counsel did Ahaziah follow, and what did he do as a result (22:2-4)?

Whose counsel did Joash follow, and what did he do as a result (24:2, see also 2 Kings 12:2)?  Whose counsel did he follow later, and what did he do as a result (24:17-19)?

How do these stories highlight the importance of godly counsel?

Where can you and your family find godly counsel?  Is receiving and following godly counsel a priority in your life?

II Kings 1-7: Elisha

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) How does Ahaziah dishonor God in this chapter?  What is the result?  How might we dishonor God in the same way?

How do the first two captains dishonor God?  What are the results?

How does the third captain humble himself before the Lord, and what is the result?  What lesson is there for us?

(2) Elijah goes up to heaven, and Elisha becomes his successor.  How do the boys dishonor God, and what are the results (v23-25)?  What application is there for us?

(2-4, 6) Make a list of all the ways God uses Elisha to provide for other people.  Is any of this hard for God to do (see 3:18)?

How might these examples help us trust God today and strengthen our hope for the future?

(5) How does the young girl point Naaman to the Lord?  How might we point others to the Lord?  Do we look for these opportunities?

How does Naaman initially respond to Elisha’s instructions?  When are we tempted to act this way?

What happens when Naaman humbly obeys?  To what conclusion does Naaman come regarding the Lord (v15)?

How does Gehazi dishonor the Lord?  How might we dishonor the Lord in a similar way?

(6) A Syrian army encamps around the city where Elisha is staying. What does Elisha want his servant to know (v16) and see (v17)?

How can this knowing and seeing help us in our trials?

(6-7) Another Syrian army encamps around Samaria.  What word from the Lord does Elisha give (7:1)?  How does the captain dishonor God, and how does Elisha respond (7:2)?

How does God bring about his word?  What happens to the captain?  What do we learn about the importance of faith as it relates to receiving God’s provision?

II Chronicles 17-21: Jehoshaphat

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) How would you describe Jehoshaphat’s spiritual character in v3-6?

Why is courage necessary to follow the ways of the Lord (v6)?

(17, 19-20) What did Jehoshaphat do to encourage his people to follow the Lord (17:7-9, 19:3-4)?

Jehoshaphat also appointed judges throughout the land.  How were they to judge (19:5-11)?  Why (v7)?

What blessing did God grant Judah because of Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness (17:10)?

How does Jehoshaphat and his kingdom point forward to Jesus (Isaiah 9:6-7)?

How might we seek these same things for our own nation?

Despite all that Jehoshaphat did for his people, what sad verdict do we find in 20:33?  What lessons might we draw from this?

(18, 20-21) Despite his heart for God, Jehoshaphat was not perfect.  What serious mistakes did he make?

18:1, 21:1-20 –

18:2-19:2 –

20:35-37 –

What lessons can we learn from his mistakes (II Corinthians 6:14-18)?

(20) A large army comes against Judah.  How does Jehoshaphat respond (v3-12)?  Why is this a good response (v6)?

What word from God is given to Jehoshaphat and the people (v13-17)?  How do they respond (v18-19)?

In what unusual way does Judah’s army go out (v20-21)?  What does God do? (v22-30)?

What lessons can we learn from this incredible chapter?

I Kings 17-22: The Days of Elijah

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Elijah announces a drought because of Israel’s wickedness.  How does God provide for Elijah in v2-7?  In v8-16?

What are the miraculous results for the widow and her son (v8-23)?

To what conclusion does the widow come in v24?

How might people see and come to know God through us?

(18) What question does Elijah ask the people in v21?

When are we tempted to limp (falter, waver, hesitate) in this way?

The prophets of Baal literally “limp” around their altar (v26).  Why is trusting in something other than the Lord like limping? How have you seen this in your life or in other people?

Why does Elijah want God to send fire from heaven (v37)?  What happens when the fire falls?

(19) Elijah plunges from the mountain top of success to the valley of depression.  What outward event triggers his depression (v1-2)?

From the text, what do you think is going on inside Elijah that allows this outward event to trigger his despair?

What does God do so that Elijah will know the Lord (v11-12)?

What does God do to shake Elijah out of his depression?

(20) Back in Israel, Syria invades the country twice.  Both times, God defeats the enemy.  Why (v13, 28)?

(20-22) Despite all the evidence and all the opportunities for Ahab to know and follow the Lord, he continues to go his own way.  What are the results for those around him?  For him?

II Chronicles 13-16 & I Kings 15-16: Seek the Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-15, IIC-13) From his words in II Chronicles 13:8-12, how would you describe Abijah’s relationship with God?

How does that compare with his description in I Kings 15:3?

What applications are there for us as we think about the relationship between our hearts, our words, and our actions?

Despite Abijah’s heart and sins, God established him as king for David’s sake (I Kings 15:4-5).  How does this principle point us to Jesus (see Ephesians 1:3-14, etc.)?

(IIC-13-14, 16) What did Abijah and people of Judah do when they were surrounded in battle (13:13-18)?  Who won the victory?

What did Asa and the people of Judah do when they were outnumbered by the enemy (14:9-15)?  Who won the victory?

What should we do when we need help?  To whom should we look for victory?  Why (16:9)?  In what specific situation(s) do you need to apply this truth today?

(IIC-16) From where did Asa seek help when Israel came against him (v1-3)?  When he was sick (v12)?  What was Hanani’s assessment of Asa’s actions (v7-9), and why?

In what situations are we tempted to look elsewhere for help?  Where else are we tempted to look?  Why?

(IIC-15) What did Azariah call Asa to do, and what would be the result (v2)?

Do you believe this principle is still true today?  Why is the answer important?

How did Asa respond (v8)?  How did Judah respond (v10-15)?

Describe the intensity of their response.  What about yours?

(IK-15-16) Israel’s kings provide a stark contrast to seeking the Lord.  How would you describe their reigns?  What warning(s) do you see for us today?