It seems we will be covering a lot of books this week. But remember the Minor Prophets and many of the remaining NT books are short. Some are as short as one chapter.
The OT books we will read this week are: Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah. These books show the heart of God for all nations, not just the nation of Israel. Amos is an OT Minor Prophet. It is a book against social injustice. Social justice is a way to show our heart condition before a covenant God. The vision of the plumb line shows that God has a standard of measure that all must be measured against. He will not continually relent as people continue to deviate from his standard. Obadiah is a short book calling for the destruction of Edom due to their pride and self-centeredness. Edom is an interesting country as there is no record of any god they worshipped. They didn't need any other gods, as they were so full of themselves. Jonah is a missionary book. It shows the missionary heart of God for all people.
The NT books we will be reading are James, I & II Peter. James is a book that helps us understand a faith that is living and works. It has many practical and challenging instructions to live by. I & II Peter are encouragement for Christians who are dealing with persecution, suffering, and false teachers. They are books of hope. Peter has finally learned the lessons that Jesus tried to teach him while he was a disciple of Jesus'.
Have a great week of reading. Remember to start each reading out with a humble attitude. Ask God to help you understand his word and follow his teachings.
WEEK 49 OF THE WB READING:DAY ONE, DECEMBER 3 - AMOS 1-5
Chapters 1 & 2
Who wrote this book and at what time?
Who are the countries that God is giving warning?
How does this show that God is a God for the whole world?
NOTE: When God says, "For three sins ... even for four." It is a way to say patience has run out.
What are some of the sins and punishments for the nations?
Is God harder on some nations than others, if so why do you think that is?
Do you think it is really the specific sins that God is against or an attitude, habit, lifestyle that doesn't honor God? Why or why not?
Is there anything in your life for which God's patience has run out?
Would God be harder on you than someone else, if so why?
Chapter 3
This is the first sermon to Israel.
Why is Israel being punished?
How does that confirm some of your answers from the previous two chapters?
How is God saying in verses 1-10 that he is justified in punishing?
What is the judgment for Israel in verse 11-15?
Chapter 4
This is the second sermon. It has the same format as the first sermon - part one is judgment deserved and the second part is what the judgment will be.
Why is God justified in punishing Israel?
Did anything cause the Israelites to turn back to God?
What does it take for you to return to God when you have strayed?
What is the judgment?
If God uses the words in verse 12 ("prepare to meet your God") while speaking to you, how well will you be able to stand before him and why?
Chapter 5
This is the third sermon. It also has two parts - Deliverance is available and Judgment decreed.
What must the people seek to be delivered from?
What do you seek?
What will the Day of the Lord be like?
What do you think it means?
DAY TWO, DECEMBER 4 - AMOS 6-9
Chapter 6
Who is the "woe" to in the opening verse?
How have you been "complacent in Zion?"
What is God really speaking against here - luxury, pride, or false glory? Why?
Are there ways you look good on the outside but not on the inside where God sees?
Chapter 7
What is the first vision, how does Amos respond, and what does God do?
What is the second vision, how does Amos respond, and what does God do?
What is the third vision?
Why won't God relent?
What is the plumb line in your life?
How do you measure up to the truth of God's word in your life?
Was Amos always a prophet, if not what else did he do?
Is God taking you from one role to another in order for you to be used by Him?
Will you be obedient to that?
Chapter 8
What is the fourth vision and what does it mean?
What is ripe for God's timing in your life?
What additional insight do you get into the Day of the Lord from this chapter?
Chapter 9
What is the fifth vision?
What does it mean?
According to verse 8, how wide spread will the destruction be?
What does this say about the character of God?
Before the end, how do we always see God as the God of hope and restoration?
NOTE: God is a God of justice and mercy. We cannot assume on his mercy without realizing his justice first. As a perfect God, he cannot tolerate sin. But as a loving and merciful God he extends grace to some. We cannot assume on the character and patience of God. We have a responsibility in our relationship with him just as the Israelites did. When we don't follow the calling in chapter 5 to seek God and do good (obedience) then His mercy and patience will run out. The warning is clear.
Are you seeking God or are you assuming on his mercy and patience?
DAY THREE, DECEMBER 5 - JAMES 1-5
Chapter 1
This chapter teaches us how to persevere in life.
How should we respond to trials?
What is produced through trials?
What do we learn about wisdom in this chapter?
What do we learn about how to ask for things?
What do we learn about resisting temptation?
What is the importance of the Word of God, according to this chapter?
Chapter 2
This chapter teaches about true faith.
How does a person of true faith treat his fellow man?
How does God view the poor?
What are some outward behaviors that show a person's inner faith?
Can a person really have inner faith if there is no outward evidence? Why or why not?
Can actions alone show faith? Why or why not?
If someone looks at your life, what conclusion would he/she come to about your faith?
Chapter 3
This chapter is about restraint.
What is the warning to those who teach (or that others look up to)?
Who looks up to you as a role model and what exactly are you teaching them?
Why is it important to hold one's tongue in check?
How well are you handling your tongue?
What does wisdom from God produce?
What does wisdom from other sources produce and what are these "other" sources?
What kind of wisdom do you have in your life?
Chapter 4
This chapter is about submission.
What are the characteristics of those who are not submissive to God?
What are the characteristics of those who are submissive to God?
How do you submit to God?
If you are in submission to God, what is your view and behavior to others and your future?
Who controls your life?
Chapter 5
This chapter is about patience.
What happens to a person who acts out of greed and impatience?
What does a patient person "look" like even in the face of suffering?
In circumstance of our life (trouble, happiness, sickness, sin) were should we turn first?
What does this chapter teach us about prayer?
How does this book change how you look at life and action?
DAY FOUR, DECEMBER 6 - I PETER 1-5
Chapter 1
What is Peter's description of a believer found in verses 1-3?
How does Peter describe salvation and new life in Christ in this chapter?
What is the purpose of trials in your life?
Why must we be holy?
How do we become holy?
What does it mean to be holy?
Chapter 2
What behaviors must a follower of God rid him or herself of?
Who is the cornerstone or living stone?
How is a believer like a living stone?
How do some people stumble over Christ, the cornerstone?
What do verses 9-10 mean to you in a practical way?
What are some additional guidelines for submission that show you are striving to be living stones?
Chapter 3
What is God more concerned about - the inward or outward condition of your life?
How can your inner condition be reflected outwardly?
What is the "bottom-line" attitude that should be reflected in both the husband and wife in the way he/she treats the others?
What should our behavior be towards others?
How are we blessed?
What must we always be prepared to do?
What would you say to someone who asked you for the reason for your hope?
Why is it better to suffer for doing good?
Have you ever had to suffer for doing good?
Chapter 4
According to verse 2, how are we to live our life?
Is doing the will of God something you consider when you make decisions and choices?
What additional guidelines for living and treating others are found in this chapter?
What one(s) do you need to work on?
What hope and encouragement do you get from this chapter if you are suffering right now?
Chapter 5
What final words of encouragement and instruction do you find in these verses?
Do you remember how proud, rash, and self-center Peter was in the gospels?
How has Peter changed as he has learned to walk closer to God?
What hope does that give you in your Christian walk?
DAY FIVE, DECEMBER 7 - II PETER 1-3
Chapter 1
What does God give us for living a godly life?
Have you used what he has given you?
What must we keep adding to our lives?
What are we like if we don't?
How do we know that what we read in the Bible is true?
What are some of the views that "have their origin in the will of man?"
How are these views and thoughts different from God's?
Have you ever struggle with what was from God and what was from man?
Chapter 2
What do false teachers do?
Do you know of any false teaching around you today?
What will happen to those who hold to false teachings?
What are some of the characteristics of false teachers?
Are all their characteristics obvious?
Chapter 3
What are some of the warnings and instructions for the future?
What can we look forward to?
What is our responsibility as we wait for the end times?
Will you be ready when the end comes?
DAY SIX, DECEMBER 8 - OBADIAH 1
Who is the warning of this book for?
According to verse 3, what is the cause of their destruction?
How does pride play a part in your life?
What does verse 11 say was the attitude of Edom towards Israel and what does it progress to in verse 14?
How have you been guilty of being aloof to another's need?
Verse 15 is the key verse. What message is there in the verse that is good for all people?
DAY SEVEN, DECEMBER 9 - JONAH 1-4
Chapter 1
What did God tell Jonah to do?
What did Jonah do?
What did God do in response to Jonah's disobedience?
What has God had to do to you to get you to listen to him?
How did Jonah's sin effect others?
How has your sin effected others?
Why didn't Jonah throw himself overboard - what does that say about the condition of his heart?
Have you ever acknowledged your sin but still refused to repent?
What happened to Jonah?
Where has God placed you to try and get your full attention and cooperation?
Chapter 2
Where does Jonah finally turn?
What words show he has had a change of heart?
When his heart changed what did God do?
Have you felt release from your bondage when you turned back to God in praise, thanksgiving, confession, and obedience?
Chapter 3
What does Jonah do now when God tells him to "Go!"
How does Nineveh respond to the words of Jonah?
What does God do in response to the repentance of the people of Nineveh?
How does this show that God has a heart for all nations, not just Israel?
Chapter 4
NOTE: God began is relationship with Israel through Abraham. At that time God told Abraham he would be blessed to be a blessing to the nations. That mandate was not just for Abraham, but for all of Israel. Over and over Israel refused to be the blessing (witness) she was supposed to be to the nations.
How is Jonah's example here like most of Israel through out OT history?
How does God show Jonah His heart for all people through the illustration of the vine?
Does your heart reflect the attitude of Jonah or of God for those who are lost?
Is God asking you to bring his blessing (message of salvation) to someone?
How will you respond?
NOTE: God's will will be done regardless of our attitude or obedience. The question is whether you want the joy and blessing of participating with God obediently.
| DAY ONE | Dec-3 | LUKE 18 OR PROVERBS 3 |
| DAY TWO | Dec-4 | LUKE 19 OR PROVERBS 4 |
| DAY THREE | Dec-5 | LUKE 20 OR PROVERBS 5 |
| DAY FOUR | Dec-6 | LUKE 21 OR PROVERBS 6 |
| DAY FIVE | Dec-7 | LUKE 22:1-38 OR PROVERBS 7 |
| DAY SIX | Dec-8 | LUKE 22:39-71 OR PROVERBS 8 |
| DAY SEVEN | Dec-9 | LUKE 23 OR PROVERBS 9 |
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.