Tag: Bible Study

II Chronicle 9-12 & I Kings 11-14: Finish Strong

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-11) Solomon started strong.  How was he led astray (v1-8), and what were the results (v9-43)?

What can we learn from this story about choosing a spouse, and the influence of family?

What could Solomon have done to finish strong (v3-4, see also Proverb 4:23)?

(IK-12, IIC-10) Rehoboam started strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

(IIC-12) Despite his folly, Rehoboam still followed the Lord.  What further led him astray (v1), and what were the results (v2-12)?

What did Rehoboam need to do to finish strong (v14)?

(IK-12, 14) Jeroboam started strong.  How was he led astray (12:25-33), and what were the results (14)?

What did Jeroboam need to do to finish strong (see also Proverb 3:5-6)?

(IK-13) The prophet started out strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

What warning is there for us in this story?

What did the prophet need to do to finish strong (see also Psalm 119:105)?

How might the example of these four men encourage us to finish strong?

What further principles do we learn in Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 15:1-5 that can help us finish strong?

In what ways are you being tempted to go astray?  How do you need to apply the principles of this lesson to your situation?

 

II Chronicles 1-8: The Temple of God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(3) Where is the temple built (3:1, I Chronicles 21, Genesis 22), and why is this location significant?

How do the events at this spot point to Jesus?

(2-4) What words would you use to describe the temple?

Why did the temple have to be “great” (2:5, Revelation 21:22)?

(2, 6) What was the purpose of the temple (2:6, 6:21)?

How might this point us to Jesus (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:26, John 15:16)?

(1-2, 5-7) The glory of God filled the temple (5:14, 7:1).  What do you learn about this God from the following verses:

1:1 –

1:11-12 –

2:5 –

5:13 –

6:4 –

6:14 –

6:18 –

6:30 –

7:14 –

(1, 6-7) In response to God, what kind of heart should we have (1:11, 6:7-8, 6:14, 6:36-38, 7:10)?

(1, 6-7) Another response to God in our text is prayer.  What might we learn from Solomon’s prayers (1:7-10, 6:13-21)?

What more can we learn about prayer in 7:14?

(5, 7) A third response to God is praise for his goodness and steadfast love (5:13, 7:3).  His goodness and love are a constant refrain in the Psalms as well (100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1).  How have you seen this refrain over your life?

How might your heart change if you regularly pondered and praised God for his goodness and love in your life?

I Chronicles 22-29: Where Is Your Heart?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(22, 28) What is David doing in these two chapters?

What instructions does David give to his son Solomon (22:6-16, 28:10-21)?

What do David’s actions and instructions tell us about his heart?

(22) What action should flow from our minds and hearts in v19a?  What would that action look like?

What are we to do with our minds and hearts to make this action happen (v19a)?  How might we do this?

(23-28) We are also to serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind (28:9).  What are some ways that you serve the Lord?

Why is the heart so important in serving God?  How do our beliefs, desires, motives, and attitudes affect our service?

When are you tempted to serve grudgingly instead of joyfully?  How might you overcome that temptation?

Chapters 23-27 give us long lists of various people’s roles and responsibilities.  Everyone had a part to play.  How might that encourage you in your service?

(29) How does v9 describe their giving?  Why is the heart again so important?

(29) In v17, David has an upright heart.  What would that look like in your life?

(28-29) In what ways does God interact with our hearts in 28:9, 29:17, and 29:18?  How should we respond to these truths?

(29) David begins his prayer with praise (v10-13).  What do his words tell you about David’s heart?

How might David’s words about God spur us on to seek, serve, give to, and obey God more?

I Chronicles 17-21: Good Covenant, Bad Choice

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Once again we are presented with the Davidic Covenant:

God was with David through all his trials (v8).  When have you especially seen that in your life?  How might his presence encourage you today?

We spend a lot of effort trying to make a name for ourselves, but God will make a name for David (v8).  What does that suggest for us?

God will subdue all of David’s enemies (v8-10).  What battles are you facing today that you need to look to the Lord for help?

(17) David wants to build God a house, but God will build David a house, raising up one of David’s offspring.  List all the things that God promised for this offspring in v11-14.

How are they fulfilled in part by Solomon?  How are they finally fulfilled in Jesus?

(17) How does David respond in v16-27 to God’s promises and blessings?  What applications might we draw for our lives?

(18-20) How do these chapters flesh out God’s promise in 17:8-10?

(21) God wins victory after victory for David, but what does David start to trust in (v1-2)?

When do we tend to look to our own strength instead of God?

How did Joab respond?  When have you been in a similar situation?  What should we do in that situation?

(21) David’s sin affects his people, just like our sin affects the people around us.  What choices of punishment does God give David?  Which does he choose and why?

Why does the plague stop?  What does David offer to do?  What is David told to do instead?

What does David insist upon?  What does his example suggest for us when we have sinned?

(21) Read 22:1.  Why is chapter 21 included in I Chronicles?

I Chronicles 11-16: Life & Worship Before The Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(11-12) Three times we read that Israel made David their king “according to the word of the Lord” (11:3, 11:10, 12:23).  What is the significance of that phrase?

What would it look like for us to live this way?

(14) What did David do each time the Philistines attacked?  Who then received credit for the victory?

For what situations in your life do you need to seek God’s guidance?

What are some ways God guides us today (14:10, Psalm 119:105, Proverb 9:10, 20:18, etc.)?

(13-15) How would you describe their worship in 13:5-8?

What was missing (13:9-12, 15:13)?

What did Israel do differently the second time as they sought to bring the ark to Jerusalem (15:11-15)?

What do both stories teach us about how we should worship today?

(15) Again, describe their worship in v25-28.  What does this suggest about David’s heart?  What does v29 tell us about Michal’s heart?  Why is the heart so important for worship?

(16) What words are used to describe their worship (v8-13, 35-36)?

What reasons are given for worshiping the Lord (v14-34)?

How might you use this psalm in your personal worship?

(16) Verse 11 calls us to a three-fold seeking.  How do we seek the Lord?  Why would we seek the Lord?

In what situations do you need to seek his strength?

God is always with us, so what does it mean to seek his presence?  What would our lives look like if we sought his presence continually?

I Chronicles 1-10: Walking By Faith

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-9) I Chronicles begins with nine long chapters of genealogies.  What is the purpose of all these genealogies (see Ezra 2:59-63 and Matthew 1:1-17)?

What should we not do with the genealogies (I Timothy 1:3-4)?

(1-10) A repeated refrain in these first ten chapters is that the people broke faith with God.  How did the following people break faith with God and what happened?

  • Achan (2:7) –
  • Tribe of Manasseh (5:25) –
  • Tribe of Judah (9:2) –
  • Saul (10:13) –

How might we be tempted to break faith with God in these same ways today?

What are some other ways that we might be tempted to break faith with God?

(1-10) Despite the many who broke faith with God, many people in these genealogies showed incredible faith in God.  How did each of the following show their faith in God and how did God respond?

  • Noah (1:4) –
  • Abraham (1:28) –
  • Joseph (2:2) –
  • Moses (6:3) –
  • Aaron (6:49) –
  • Joshua (7:27) –
  • Boaz (2:12) –
  • David (2:15) –
  • Jonathan (8:33) –

In what ways might we follow their example today?

In what situations might we struggle to trust God?  How can the example of those who have gone before us (and God’s response) encourage us in our faith?

Job 36-42: God Speaks

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(36) How would you describe Elihu’s attitude (v1-4)?  What warning is there for us?

What is his argument (v5-23)?

(36-37) How would you summarize his words about God in relation to his creation?

(38-41) Finally God speaks.  From where does he speak (38:1)?

How would you describe his words?  What is he doing?

What do God’s words convey about Himself?  About us?

(38-41) Does God explain Job’s suffering?  Does God recount his discussion with Satan from chapters 1-2?

Do God’s words address the issue of suffering at all?  How?

How might his response be helpful for us as we suffer?

(40, 42) How does Job respond?

How should we respond as we read this?

(40, 42) What was Job’s fault in this book (40:6-9)?

How might we share his fault?  Will we repent like he did?

And yet, what does God call him four times in 42:7-8?  How might that encourage you?

(42) What must Job do for his friends?

Who do you know that has been living in folly or that has wronged you that you need to intercede for?

(42) How does the story end?  How will our story end?  How can that encourage us in our suffering?

Job 29-35: Overcoming Sin and Discouragement

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(29-30) How does Job describe his life before his suffering began?

How does Job describe his life now?

Count the number of times Job uses the words “I,” “me,” and “my.”  What does this suggest to you about Job?  What do you think Job needs right now?

(31) List the sins that Job says he has avoided.

In what ways does our culture tempt us with these sins?

Are we serious about overcoming these sins?  Are there any of these sins that you need to repent of?

(32) How would you describe Elihu?

Elihu felt that he must enter the conversation and correct all the wrong thinking.  When are you tempted in this way?  What is needed to overcome?

(33) According to Elihu, what does God do to turn people from evil?  Do you think Elihu is right?

How must people respond to God’s drawing?

(34) What is Elihu’s argument in this chapter?  Where have you heard this before?

(34) What is Elihu’s point in v21-22?  How might this truth help us overcome sin and discouragement?

(35) What does God do for us in v10?  How would this help us to overcome discouragement?  Have you ever experienced this?

Job 22-28: God and Our Suffering

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(22) Of what does Eliphaz accuse Job (v5-9)?  What counsel does he give (v21-30)?

In what way is v24-26 good counsel?  Why is delight in riches at odds with delight in God (see also Matthew 6:24)?

(23) Job is still groaning in his suffering (v2).  What does he still want (v3-7)?

In response to the accusations of Eliphaz (and his friends) what does Job still maintain (v11-12, see also 27:5-6)?

(23) What does Job teach us about God in v8-10?  How might this help us in our suffering?

What more does Job say about God in v13-16, and how does he feel about it?  Do you ever feel this way?  Why?

(26) In response to Bildad’s speech, what does Job say about God in v6-13?

In verse 14?  How might v14 in particular be important for us to grasp in our suffering?

(21, 24, 27) How does Job’s thinking about the wicked progress from chapter 21 (from last week), to chapter 24 (see especially his conclusion in v24), to chapter 27?

How does his progression compare to Psalm 73?

Why is it important for us to come to the same conclusions?

(28) For what do people diligently search in v1-11?  What is more valuable (v15-19)?  Do you believe it?

Where can we find wisdom (v12-14, 20-28)?  Why is this important to grasp in our suffering?

Job 15-21: Weary with Slivers of Hope

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(15, 18, 20) How would you summarize each man’s point?

Eliphaz (15:17-35) –

Bildad (18:5-21) –

Zophar (20:4-29) –

(16, 19, 21) How does Job respond to their efforts to “comfort” him (16:1-5, 19:1-5, 19:22, 21:1-3)?

What warning is there for us here as we try to comfort others?

What does Job really need from his friends (19:21, 21:5)?

(21) How does Job counter his friends’ main point?

When have you seen this?

How does Asaph resolve this in Psalm 73?

(16-17, 19) How does Job describe what has happened to him (16:7-17, 17:1-16, 19:6-22?  How does he feel?

Have you ever felt this way?

Why is hope (17:13-16) so important as we face trials?

(16, 19) In the midst of suffering and weariness, Job holds on to a sliver of hope.  What is his hope (16:19, 19:25)?

How might this hope help Job?  Help us?

Who is our Witness and Redeemer?

(19) What further hope does Job mention in v26-27?

How might this hope help Job?  Help us?