We cover a lot of ground this week. We finish up the book of Nehemiah, complete the book of Esther, and begin the book of I Corinthians. There are many different truths and emphasis in these readings. I hope you will enjoy the variety. Through all the various books one really sees the protection of God, His desire for his people to be set apart in holiness, and His concern for his people's character and growth.
The book of Esther is only one of two books in the Bible named for a woman. It tells of the preservation of God's word and people. The first part of the book is the plot to destroy the Jews. The second part of the book is how God intervenes through the obedience and courage of Esther, the counsel of Mordecai, and the prayers of his people. It is also an encouraging book for all of us because it reminds us that God has placed each of us where he wants us for his purpose. My favorite line is, "For who knew you where placed here for such a time as this." The paraphrase is mine.
We will begin reading the book of Corinthians toward the end of the week. The city of Corinth was a trade and commerce city. So there was a lot of activity. It also had numerous temples to Aphrodite (the goddess of love) therefore it was know for open sexual immorality. They also valued the Greek philosophy of wisdom. In a sense the city was very much like many cities today. The culture and the problems of the city infiltrated the church. That is the reason that Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthian Church. The church was gifted but struggling and immature in their faith. They needed farther instruction from Paul. Many of the churches and Christians today can benefit from the instructions of Paul to the Corinthians.
I am sure you will have thought provoking reading this week!
THE WB READING FOR WEEK 31:DAY ONE, JULY 30 - NEHEMIAH 12-13
Chapter 12
What type of celebration did they have for the dedication of the wall?
Challenge: How would you define joy? (Hint: verse 43 might help)
When was the last time you felt joy?
Chapter 13
Where weren't the Ammonites and Moabites supposed to be?
Why was this to be?
What did that attitude show about their view of God and his people?
What did Eliashib do in direct contrast to that?
How susceptible are the people to their old ways?
Challenge: Why is it important to keep the Sabbath day Holy?
How can we keep the Sabbath day Holy today?
How important is it to marry someone who is also a believer?
What are possible consequences if someone does not do that?
DAY TWO, JULY 31 -- ESTHER 1-2
Chapter 1
When in history did this event happen?
Describe the party?
What got Queen Vashti in trouble?
How did the King respond?
How did this effect every household in the land?
What happens in a home where control issues become the standard?
How safe do you think a person would feel coming into that situation?
Chapter 2
What do you know about Esther from this chapter?
How do you think Esther felt?
Do you think that this was just fun or did Esther have a lot of fears? Why?
After reading verse 11, how comfortable do you think Mordecai was about this arrangement?
Why do you think Esther wasn't to let on that she was Jewish?
How do Esther and Mordecai find even more favor in the eyes of the king?
Have you ever been in a situation that you knew was prestigious but also was not a place you felt safe?
DAY THREE, AUGUST 1 - ESTHER 3-5
Chapter 3
What did Mordecai refuse to do? Why do you think he acted that way?
How did this action endanger all the Jews?
Would you ever endanger your life and the life of others to give honor only to God?
How did Haman misuse his position for his own desires?
Have you known someone to (or have you) misused a position for evil and/or selfish desires?
How aware of the situation was the king really?
Why were the people bewildered?
Chapter 4
What did Mordecai want Esther to do?
How dangerous was it for Esther to do that?
What do you think the phrase, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this," mean?
How could the same thing be said about you - what have you come to this place to do?
Are you willing to do it?
How does Esther respond to Mordecai?
What can we learn from this?
Chapter 5
What happens when Esther approaches the king?
What does she request?
After you read verse 7, why do you think Esther did what she did - was she chickening out or was it something else? Why do you say that?
Describe Haman according to verses 9-14.
DAY FOUR, AUGUST 2 - ESTHER 6-8
Chapter 6
What did the king find out about Mordecai from the chronicles?
How does Haman answer the kings regarding how a man should be honored and why does he respond this way?
What does Haman have to do for Mordecai?
How do you think he felt?
How does this show that God honors his people and brings dishonor on those who do wickedness?
How do you see God preparation and protection in this whole event?
Chapter 7
What does Esther finally tell the king?
What is his reaction?
What is the fate of Haman?
How does God show his sustaining power to his people and to various individuals who follow him?
Chapter 8
What is the day that the Jews could defend themselves?
Read 3:13-14, what was originally supposed to happen on that day?
How do the details of this historical event show the way God cares for his people down to the tiniest detail?
How do the Jews respond showing that they understood God's character and deliverance of his people?
DAY FIVE, AUGUST 3 - ESTHER 9-10
Chapter 9
What happened to the enemies of the Jews?
Why don't you think they took the plunder? What does that mean?
According to verse 22, what do the Jews celebrate Purim and how do they celebrate it?
How has God given you relief from your enemies?
How has God turned your mourning into joy?
How are you responding to God's favor?
Chapter 10
Why was Mordecai honored?
How do you work for good and speak up for Christ-followers?
DAY SIX, AUGUST 4 - I CORINTHIANS 1-3
Chapter 1
Who wrote the book of Corinthians and to whom was it written?
Why does Paul thank God for the Corinthians and how does he describe them?
What seems to be the problem with the church?
How have you seen people causing divisions in churches today?
What is the cross to various people groups?
What does the cross of Jesus mean to you?
According to this passage, how would you define foolishness, wisdom, weakness, and strength?
According to this, are you wise or foolish, strong or weak?
Chapter 2
What comfort do you get out of the opening verses of this chapter?
Do you have to use great words to let others know about Jesus?
According to verse 10 and following, how do we know the things of God?
Have you prayed for the Holy Spirit to make things clear to you?
If we are Christians, who's mind do we have?
What difference does it make in this world if we have the mind of Christ?
Chapter 3
According to the opening verses of the chapter, what happens if we do not grow in wisdom and spiritual maturity?
On whom must we depend in order to grow?
What are some of the things that God calls us? What picture do you get with each analogy?
How much care should be taken at growing in Christ and working in the kingdom of God?
What happens to our work if we don't take it seriously and build correctly with God's wisdom and truth?
What do you think this means?
How do you feel knowing that you are God's temple and house the Holy Spirit?
DAY SEVEN, AUGUST 5 - I CORINTHIANS 4-6
Chapter 4
Whose approval and judgement should we seek?
According to verse 6, what must we be careful not to do?
How are we to look at ourselves (and others) in comparison to another? Why?
How does pride enter into the picture regarding the attitudes that Paul is talking about in this chapter?
NOTE: much of this chapter Paul seems to be speaking sarcastically or in irony. If you read it with that tone the chapter (especially after verse 7) might make more sense to you.
What is the way of life in verse 17 that Paul is talking about?
According to verse 20, how would you describe the kingdom of God?
Chapter 5
NOTE: this is a hard passage for us to read in a world that believes truth is relative, and open-mindedness and tolerance is the way.
What has the Corinthian church's attitude become towards sin?
What is Paul calling them to do about sin in their midst?
Why is it important to address the problem of blatant sin?
What two characteristics must be found in the church according to verse 8?
Challenge: why is Paul so concerned about the association of Christians who are not living according to God's standards (verses 9-11)?
What is this saying about church discipline?
Are there friends in your life right now that you need to talk to about the truths if this passage?
Chapter 6
What is Paul saying about how to handle disputes between Christians?
Why is going to court a bad witness to unbelievers?
If one Christian is going to court against another Christian, why are they "completely defeated already?"
What do you think verse 12 means and how does it apply to your life right now?
What is this passage saying about sexual behavior?
How is that different than what is being taught by the world today?
What changes do you need to make in your life after reading this chapter?
| DAY ONE | July-30 | II TIMOTHY 3 |
| DAY TWO | July-31 | II TIMOTHY 4 |
| DAY THREE | Aug-1 | TITUS 1 |
| DAY FOUR | Aug-2 | TITUS 2 |
| DAY FIVE | Aug-3 | TITUS 3 |
| DAY SIX | Aug-4 | PHILEMON 1 |
| DAY SEVEN | Aug-5 | HEBREWS 1 |
Always begin your time of God with prayer. Ask him for understanding and insights. You can pick out a verse, thought or feeling from the passage and think on it (mediate) on it all day. Meditating on God's word means to digest it, put it into your mind, think on it, and concentrate in different ways on the passage.
Some ways you can do this is:
1. Put yourself into the scene.
2. Emphasize different words in the verse.
3. Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
4. Pray the passage back to God if it is a prayer, song, poem, etc (personalize it).
5. Use SPACE PETS acrostic to ask some standard questions.
S - Sins to confess? Do I need to make restitution?
P - Promises to claim? Have I met the conditions(s)?
A - Attitudes to change? Am I willing?
C - Commands to obey? Even if I don't feel like it?
E - Examples to follow? One to copy or avoid?
P - Prayers to pray? Is there something I need to tell God?
E - Errors to avoid?
T - Truths about God or the Bible I need to believe?
Adapted from 12 Dynamic Bible Study Methods (Chapter 1) by Richard Warren and William A. Shell.