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Bible studies for you to use in your devotions as a follow-up to this week's sermon.

Written by Beth Crawford
May 10—11, 2008

Day One: Judges 6

1. How does the author summarize this time in Israel’s history (1a)? How does God try to get His people to repent (1b)? What do they face (2-5)? Where do God’s people finally turn (6)? How does He respond (7-10)? Why? Whom does God choose (11-12)? What is humorous about this (normally you thresh grain in an open space)? When have you felt small and vulnerable?

2. How does Gideon respond (13)? What does the Lord call him to do (14)? Why does Gideon object (15)? How does the Lord reply (16)? What proof does He give Gideon (17-24)? How does He want Gideon to obey Him (25-27; Baal & Asherah = pagan gods)? How does this test Gideon’s family (28-32)? What happens when their enemies invade (33-35)? How does Gideon still seem afraid (36-40)? Why might the Lord use someone who seems so weak? How willing are you to be used by the Lord today?

Day Two: 1 Samuel 16:1—13

1. Why has the prophet Samuel been mourning (1a; 15:26)? What does the Lord want Samuel to do (1b; animal horn with oil = to anoint a king)? What cover does the Lord give Samuel for his actions (2-3)? Why do the leaders fear him (4; 15:32-33)? How must the people prepare to worship (5; consecrate = avoid unholy things & wash to symbolize cleansing)? Why would this matter?

2. What does Samuel think about Jesse’s sons (6, 8, 9) How does the Lord see them (7)? Whom does the Lord choose to be king (10-13)? How might David seem the least qualified? How does our culture evaluate people? How do you usually size up people? Why? Ask the Lord to help you see people as He does.

Day Three: Jeremiah 1:1—10

1. Who is Jeremiah (1)? Where is his home (1; Anathoth = 3 miles south of Jerusalem)? How long did he prophesy (2-3; 627-585 BC)? What is God’s initial message to Jeremiah (4-5)? When have you had a sense that God had a purpose for your life? How has that been confirmed? How does Jeremiah reply (6)? What objections do you have when God calls you to serve? Why?

2. How does the Lord respond (7)? How does He want Jeremiah to obey Him (7)? What does the Lord promise (8)? How does the Lord touch Jeremiah (9)? Why? What authority does He give Jeremiah (10)? How will peoples’ and nations’ responses to Jeremiah’s prophecies impact their destinies (10)? How might your obedience to the Lord impact others today?

Day Four: Mark 14:1—11

1. What is about to begin in Jerusalem (1a)? What else are the Jewish leaders about to do (1b)? What do they want to avoid (2)? Where does Jesus have dinner (3; Bethany = under 2 mi. from Jerusalem)? Who is His host (3; his leprosy had probably been cured by now)? Who lavishes expensive perfume on Jesus (3b; nard = a fragrant plant which could be the basis for ointment and perfumes)? How freely do you give Jesus all you have?

2. How do the guests react (4-5)? Why? How does Jesus respond (6)? What opportunity has she taken (7)? Why does He defend her (8)? How does He honor her (9)? How ironic is it that we read Simon’s name but not hers? Who seems to be more concerned about money than Jesus (10)? Who in the story seems most like you? Why? How will you honor and obey Jesus today?

Day Five: 2 Corinthians 12:1—10

1. What is Paul doing (1)? Why (11:5, 12-13, 18)? How does he feel about boasting (1; 11:17)? When has someone challenged your authority or experience with the Lord? How did you feel? What does Paul retell (2-4)? What meaningful experiences have you had with the Lord? What is Paul willing to say about himself (5)? How do we know this man is actually Paul (6-7a)?

2. What has the Lord allowed (7)? How does Paul react (8)? How does the Lord respond to Paul (9a)? How have you seen the Lord’s grace sufficient for you or another person? What does Paul do in light of God’s promise (9b-10)? What difficulty are you facing right now? How are you responding to it? How might God’s strength be evident in your weakness? How will you lean on or trust in Him more today? How might that bring honor to Him? How might your trust in God point others to relying on Him as well?