52

Stories of the Bible

(Reflection Questions)




by Dr. Bill Mounce

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 Table of Contents

1. Creation and God (Genesis 1) ...............................................................................................................4

2. Creation and Us (Genesis 1) ..................................................................................................................6
3. The Fall (Genesis 3) .................................................................................................................................7
4. The Flood (Genesis 6-9) ..........................................................................................................................9
5. Abrahams Covenant (Genesis 12, 15) ...............................................................................................10
6. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) ..........................................................................................................................11
7. Moses and the Plagues (Exodus 1-14) ................................................................................................12
8. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)...............................................................................................13
9. The Presence of God (Exodus 33) .......................................................................................................14
10. Leviticus and the Holiness of God ...................................................................................................15
11. Sold Out to God (the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-5) ....................................................................16
12. Faith is Not Genetic (Judges 1-2) ......................................................................................................17
13. God is King (1 Samuel).......................................................................................................................18
14. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) ......................................................................................................19
15. Gods Provision and Protection (Psalm 23) .....................................................................................20
16. Confession and Forgiveness (Psalm 51) ..........................................................................................21
17. The Wise and the Foolish (Solomon) ...............................................................................................22
18. Job and Human Suffering ..................................................................................................................23
19. Elijah and Syncretism .........................................................................................................................24
20. Isaiah and the Holiness of God .........................................................................................................25
21. Isaiah and the Suffering Servant ...................................................................................................26
22. Micah, Judgment and Salvation ........................................................................................................27
23. Hosea and Unfaithfulness to God ....................................................................................................28
24. Habakkuk, Righteousness and Faith................................................................................................29
25. The New Covenant (Jeremiah and Ezekiel) ....................................................................................30
26. Lamentations, Confession and Faith ................................................................................................31
27. The Birth of Jesus ................................................................................................................................32
28. John the Baptist ...................................................................................................................................33
29. Nicodemus and Rebirth .....................................................................................................................34
30. Beatitudes .............................................................................................................................................35
31. The Lords Prayer ................................................................................................................................36
32. Seeking God .........................................................................................................................................37
33. The Deity of Christ ..............................................................................................................................38
34. Discipleship..........................................................................................................................................39
35. The Greatest Commandment ............................................................................................................40
36. Eschatology ..........................................................................................................................................41
37. The Holy Spirit ....................................................................................................................................42
38. The Lords Supper...............................................................................................................................43
39. Jesus Death and Resurrection ..........................................................................................................44

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40. The Great Commission .......................................................................................................................45
41. Pentecost ...............................................................................................................................................46
42. The Church...........................................................................................................................................47
43. Justification by Faith ...........................................................................................................................48
44. The Grace of Giving ............................................................................................................................49
45. The Christians Joy ..............................................................................................................................50
46. Humility ...............................................................................................................................................51
47. All Scripture is God-Breathed ...........................................................................................................52
48. Assurance and Perseverance (Hebrews) .........................................................................................53
49. The Tongue (James) ............................................................................................................................54
50. 1 Peter ...................................................................................................................................................55
51. Christian Love .....................................................................................................................................56
52. Revelation .............................................................................................................................................57

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Reflection Questions

1. Creation and God (Genesis 1)

Memory Verse for the Week

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth(Genesis 1:1).

In talking about the days of creation, please stay away from the discussion of literal 6 days.
Focus on things that we can agree on.
1. Share your experiences in the debate of science and religion over creation. What have been
some of the common arguments? Which ones are stronger? Weaker? Have these discussions
enlarged your faith? Made you disgusted?
2. Have you thought much about the relationship between your view of creation and your
view of God? What were some of your ideas before listening to this talk?
3. Does the world feel to you like it is orderly, created with purpose? If not, how would it
affect you if it were orderly and purposeful? What would it look like? (Well be getting more
into this topic in two talks.)
4. Does your view of God mesh with the first three days of creation? Is he this big, or is he
smaller? If so, what has happened in life to him in your thinking diminish? (It is really
important to be honest with this question. Hiding behind a religious mask wouldnt help.)
5. How different would your life be if in fact you were not the rest of Gods direct creative
work? What if the fish crawled up on the land all by itself?
6. Saying that Gods is the Creator of heaven and earth is such a common phrase. How can
we help one another to see the immensity of the statement? God speaks, and time begins.
7. Have you ever talked with someone who truly believes in their horoscope? What was it like
to talk with them about it? Why do they think that the stars control their lives?
8. One of the byproducts of a godless form of evolution is that people feel lost, empty, without
meaning, an accident of nature. How could you tell them the biblical story of creation in
such a way that it would help them. Perhaps you should do a little role playing in your
group.
9. Many people believe that they are inherently good. In other words, they dont see that their
goodness is derived from Gods creative activity and proclamation that he makes them
good. Have you ever asked them why? It might be a helpful discussion. Why do they think
they are good, especially in light of history that chronicles one devastating war after
another.
10. Share some stories about how the world around you, whether it be school or the media,
attacks the idea that our God alone created all things. How could you move the

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 conversation to the point that you could tell them they are responding to sin in their hearts
(other than very carefully)?
11. Share times in your life when God has become so small that the gods of this world seem
stronger and more inviting. Please be honest. What were the effects on you and perhaps on
your family? Were you happy?
12. Now share times when God became so great in your eyes that he was your greatest joy and
powerful enough to destroy all your enemies. Were you happy?

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Reflection Questions

2. Creation and Us (Genesis 1)

Memory Verse for the Week

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
created them (Genesis 1:27).

1. Can you remember the order of creation? Using the chart from last week will help.
2. Does it make sense to say that the apex of creation was Day 6 and the creation of Adam and
Eve? How does the world work against this teaching? How do you feel about animal rights?
3. Have you ever known anyone who believes in evolution and that they are here by some
cosmic mistake? Explain to the others in your group how this core belief impacted their
beliefs in other areas? How did they look for significance and meaning? What is it like to
think your very existence is a fluke?
4. What are some of our human qualities that most help us reflect Gods image to the world?
Which of these qualities are you most thankful for?
5. Learning to derive our dignity and sense of worth from creation can be a difficult task. I
shared the story of the young lady with anorexia to help you move into application. What
are some other ways in which the world has destroyed your sense of God-given worth? One
example that I did not cover was the issue of sexual abuse and its devastating effects on self-
image. Are there others?
6. I wanted you to see that we were created in Gods image, and some day we will look like
him. But in the meantime, the path of discipleship should be seen as a journey towards
Christ-likeness. Does this image help? How does it encourage spiritual transformation?

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Reflection Questions

3. The Fall (Genesis 3)

Memory Verse for the Week

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).

There is a lot to process in Genesis 3. I would really encourage you to spend time together going
through these questions this week and asking how they apply to us.
1. What are some examples from our own lives where a temptation was clearly based on a
misrepresentation of Gods goodness and character and motivated by our lack of faith? My
guess is that it will be hard to find a temptation that is not based on this misrepresentation.
2. Why ultimately is all temptation trying to remove the distinction between God and
creation?
3. Sin always moves from the heart to the hands, and yet so much of what we try to do in
church is to fix the outward appearances (the hands) and not deal with the real issue (the
heart). What would a church or small group look like that took this seriously? What does
Jesus say about this?
4. What are your thoughts about Adams passivity?
5. Sin causes us to do silly things; but when we are in the midst of them, they dont appear
silly. How can we become sensitive to the effects of sin and learn to just accept the blame
and Gods forgiveness?
6. How have you blamed God for your sin? This is a really important question, and it can cut
deeply into our hearts, so be careful in how you answer this. Many people have suffered
such intense evil done against them that it is almost impossible to see how God could love
them.
7. What are the silliest (and true) examples of you blaming someone else for your own
problems?
8. It is easy to think of God in stereotypical terms as an angry father bent on judgment. How
can the example of judgment and redemption going hand-in-hand in the Garden encourage
us to think of God properly today?
9. The other interpretation of the curse on Eve is that despite the pain of childbirth she will still
desire to be with her husband (not just sexually), and the order of creation will still be
maintained with Adam as the head of the marriage. Do you prefer this interpretation or the
one I gave in the sermon?

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10. I dont think of heaven that much. As I get older, I certainly think about it more. How can
we encourage one another towards love and good works with the image of heaven in
Revelation 21 and 22, and the tree of life?

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Reflection Questions

4. The Flood (Genesis 6-9)

Memory Verse for the Week

Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:22).

1. Adam and Eve walked in the very presence of God. Eight generations later, the entire earth
(except for Noah) was devoid of anything good. How does that happen? Have you ever
seen the decay into unrighteousness over even a few generations?
2. So often God is seen as an unhappy, vengeful old meanie. How would you take the idea of
sin grieving the heart of God to explain the necessity of punishment to someone?
3. When was the last time you thought that a certain sin wasnt that big of a deal (and I am not
talking about speeding or not coming to a full stop at a stop sign)? Why did you feel that
way? Has anything changed?
4. How could you tell the story of the flood to your children and properly balance Gods
judgment and redemption?
5. This is a good time for a little role playing. One of you is God. One is Noah. Another is his
wife (and perhaps children). The rest in your group are Noahs neighbors. Tell the story and
bring out the radicalness of Noahs faithful obedience.
6. How do you think Noahs neighbors reacted when it started to rain. First day of rain, then
the second day, etc.
7. How can we learn to see rain as a reminder of Gods judgment? If any of you have
experienced a full storm in the southern part s of the United States, tell the rest of the people
what they are like, how horrifying constant thunder can be. Maybe it will help them
visualize the Flood story better.
8. What is God asking you to do right now that seems silly, especially to those around you, but
you know that he is calling you to respond in faith? Can you think of any historical
characters other than Hudson Taylor and Noah who found themselves in this situation?

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Reflection Questions

5. Abrahams Covenant (Genesis 12, 15)

Memory Verse for the Week

Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

1. What do you think about the connection between faith and faithful action? Think of
Abraham as the biblical paradigm for faith, and then think about perhaps what you have
been taught or what you have experienced. How do they line up?
2. Have you ever questioned God as an expression of your faith? How were these experiences
different from those times you cried out to God because you lacked the faith?
3. How would you define faith? Use only terminology that a non-Christian would
understand.
4. What are some of the things we substitute for faith? In other words, what are some of the
things that replace faith and keep us from having to really have faith in God?
5. Much of American Christianity historically has emphasized faith but has had very little to
say about faithful obedience. Now that you have thought through some of these issues, how
do you think the paradigm of Abrahams faith measures up to yours?
6. What are some areas in which God is calling you to trust him? What is the world telling you
to do instead? Why is trust in God so hard (at least some of the time)?
7. Share some times in which you cried out, I believe. Help my unbelief! What drove you to
this point, and how did it all turn out?

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Reflection Questions

6. Joseph (Genesis 37-50)

Memory Verse for the Week

You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).

1. Have you had any bad experiences with people who emphasized the sovereignty of God?
Share them with your group. It is important not to throw the biblical concept away because
it is misused by some.
2. How do you feel about the biblical definition of sovereignty: God does whatever he
pleases? Is that encouraging or discouraging? Do you feel that it contradicts any other
beliefs you hold?
3. When we are in the midst of pain or injustice, there is a tendency to doubt Gods goodness,
presence, and power. How can the story of Joseph be an encouragement to you in the midst
of your struggles?
4. Have you gone through any experiences where you can identify with Joseph? How did your
responses compare to his? What can you learn?
5. What would you have done in Josephs shoes when his brothers stood before him?
6. What good is God working in your right now as you go through difficult experiences? How
are the difficult times helping you look more and more like Jesus?
7. The Joseph story calls us to respond in faith. What would faith look like right now in the
midst of the difficulties of your life?

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Reflection Questions

7. Moses and the Plagues (Exodus 1-14)

Memory Verse for the Week

God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And he said, Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has
sent me to you (Exodus 3:14).

1. In what ways does the world attack the doctrine of the uniqueness of God? In what ways
does it try to relegate our God to a place of equality with other gods, or even below the gods
of this world?
2. I dont spend much time talking about the immutability of God, but it is worth reflecting on.
What would it be like it God were changeable? How would it impact our understanding of
him and how he relates to us?
3. God keeps his promises. We talked about this last week, and it is one of the central
teachings in this passage as well. How can a knowledge of the exodus encourage us to
respond to God in faith, even in the midst of difficult times?
4. What do you think of God hardening Pharaohs heart? Was he fair to do this and still hold
him responsible. (Please do not respond with the quick churchy answer, but answer out
of your heart and theological convictions.) Does God ever hardened your heart or the heart
of others that you know? Why did he do that? What was the consequence?
5. I rarely (if ever) use a movie to illustrate a biblical point, but if you have access to the recent
cartoon movie of Joseph, you may want to watch the ending. Be sure to keep the volume
turned up. It is a helpful tool to show us the awesomeness of the parting of the Red Sea.
6. How can we help each other remember Gods past faithfulness? When our friends are
getting short-sighted and not seeing the glory of God past faithfulness, how can we help
them look back to Gods faithfulness in their past, and even further to Gods faithfulness on
the banks of the Red Sea?
7. Have you ever struggled with the idea of God being most interested in his own glory? As
strange as it might sound to some, it is a (if not the) central theme of the Bible. How
would you explain the idea in your own words? How would you keep God from sounding
like an egotistical maniac?
8. No present-day author does this better than John Piper, pastor at Bethlehem Baptist in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you have ready any of his books, help the people you are with to
understand his message. If you have not yet read his books, please read Dont Waste Your
Life. It is his best book to help you understand this concept. His main book is Desiring
God. Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. This is a phrase he has developed (out of
Jonathan Edwards) to show that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in
him.

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Reflection Questions

8. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

Memory Verse for the Week

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
slavery. You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:23).

1. Why did God give the Israelites the Ten Commandments? What was the purpose?
2. How do the Ten Commandments relate to God's Covenant with Israel?
3. In what way is there a conditional element to the covenant with God? How do Ten
Commandments relate to this?
4. In response to God's faithful enacting of His side of the covenant with Israel, what are the
expectations as to Israel's response?
5. What does it mean that Yahweh is a 'jealous' God? How is this relevant to us today?
6. Calvin calls all men "manufacturers of idols". What do you think he meant by this?
7. How are all the 10 commandments contained in the summary to 'love the Lord your God
with all your heart, mind & soul?
8. Why should we be glad that God is not willing to share us, that He is in fact jealous?
9. The heart that does not covet does not kill? How do these commandments tie in to each
other?
10. Holiness ALWAYS matters. Discuss.

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Reflection Questions

9. The Presence of God (Exodus 33)

Memory Verse for the Week

The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:11).

1. All people, but especially younger people, struggle to know their place in the world. Why
are they here? Where do they fit in? What kind of answers would you get if you asked ten
people this question (and not especially religious people)?
2. Now ask the same question to someone who has gone to church. Why are they on earth?
What is their purpose? Apart from the religious language they may use, are their answers
really any different?
3. How can you explain to a non-religious person that God desires to live in relationship with
his creation? What kind of language would you use? What would you expect their answers
to be? Have they ever heard of this, or is their view of Christianity basically what people do
in buildings called churches?
4. How do you explain the failure of the Israelites to remain true to Yahweh? How can a
person go through a series of miracles as astonishing as the Plagues and the Crossing of the
Red Sea and then not remain faithful? And yet, before we get too hard on the Israelites, have
we done the same thing?
5. If we conceived of Christianity primarily as a friendship with God (and hence a friendship
with our brothers and sisters), how would it change our language, church, goals,
priorities, activities, and many other things? This is an important question and one that is
often ignored because it questions too many of our cherished religious activities. So be
honest.
6. Moses would rather live in the desert with Gods presence, than to live in the land flowing
with milk and honey yet without Gods presence. Need to reflect on this one for a bit. Are
you more like Moses or more like the Israelites? Why? Does this affect your thinking about
being a friend of God?
7. Are you defined more by external criteria (like David the tour guide) or more by internal
criteria. Again, please be honest. Perhaps I should ask the question this way: how do
external criteria still define who you are. I am a person who goes to church rather than, I
am a person who longs for the friendship of God and my family.

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Reflection Questions

10. Leviticus and the Holiness of God

Memory Verse for the Week

It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).

1. Have you ever read through Leviticus? If not, why? If you have, what were your general
impressions?
2. Okay. So maybe the illustration of Fluffy is a bit over the top, but how would you convey
to your friends the lessons of the sacrificial system in a way that wouldnt lessen the horror
of sin?
3. Have you thought about Gods holiness being the root cause of the need to punish sin? If
not, why did you think sin had to be punished? What are some other reasons why
punishment is necessary?
4. How does a knowledge of the holiness of God and the subsequent necessity of punishment
affect how you talk about sin and punishment and judgment to a non-believer?
5. What it take to really come to an understanding that all sin, ultimately, is against God? How
can we so personalize our sin so that we may flee from it?
6. What are we going to do about white lies? Where do we draw the line? Do we shade the
truth so as to avoid the consequences? Do we come to a complete stop at a stop sign? What
should we do about those times in our lives when we are not rigorously honest?
7. The Old Testament is full of Gods condemnation of religious rituals done apart from a heart
cleansed of sin. It would be foolish, would it not, to assume that this is true of everyone else
except our church? How can we come to a deeper and truer understanding that religious
rituals undertaken by a heart full of unconfessed sin (gossip, slander, anger, lack of
forgiveness, pride, etc.) make God sick to his stomach?

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Reflection Questions

11. Sold Out to God (the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Memory Verse for the Week

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Hebrews 10:45).

1. Please read Deuteronomy 6:4-5 if you are planning on reading through these Reflection
Questions before the sermon. Saying that God is One is an affirmation of monotheism,
that there is only one God. And if there is only one God, then all idolatry is wrong. Most of
the questions come out of this truth as expressed in these verses.
2. How would you define god? What were the gods of Israels day, and what are the gods of
today?
3. Taking an honest look at your heart, day-timer, and wallet, what are the gods (or idols if
you prefer) that you struggle with? Your friends struggle with?
4. What safeguards can we put in place to help us worship the one true God and not our
modern idols?
5. Many people, if we are honest, probably are not that concerned about their habit of
worshipping idols. They do their religious service to Yahweh and then get on with the really
fun work of idol worship, thinking that all Yahweh desires is their token appearance at a
building on Sunday morning and lip service throughout the week. How can we pray, and
how can we act, so as to break this pattern of idolatry?
6. Fully devoted disciples of Jesus are those who not only go through the gate but walk the
path of discipleship. Is it possible to truly love God and not walk the walk? Is it possible to
be a part-time follower of Jesus and end up in heaven? Are you sure? Are you willing to bet
your eternity on your answer? You are!
7. Christianity is so often seen as just another set of rules. How can we break this pattern of
thinking and see that what God desires is a heart fully committed to him and in love with
him, and then see that a heart so inclined is going to show itself in our day-to-day lives?
8. Do you really believe that Gods desire is to bless? Take a long look at the image of God that
you carry around with you; is he the type of father whose greatest desire is to bless? If so,
why do you truly feel that way? If not, why do you think the way you do about him? (By
the way, if you answer that first question Yes, I would ask you if you are being honest.
For most of us, our image of God is mixed; I dont know if I have ever met anyone who truly
and fully understands that Gods desire is to bless and not to curse.)

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Reflection Questions

12. Faith is Not Genetic (Judges 1-2)

Memory Verse for the Week

And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who
outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel (Judges
2:7).

1. What are some of the things that you if you have children have passed on to your
children, both physical and spiritual?
2. Do you know of any families or churches that can be described as, The Best of Times?
What criteria are you using to measure their success? What have they done? What have
they not done? What is it about their character that makes them stand out as a model?
3. Do you know of any families or churches that fell, even though the older generation were
(or seemed to be) godly? What led to this failure?
4. We measure what is most important. What measurement tools do you use for your family
and your church? What do those measurement tools tell you about your priorities? How do
you measure spiritual growth? Is it possible?
5. If it is true that I cannot impart (to others) what I myself do not possess, then it starts with
me. How can we as a community of believers form a culture in which a persons spiritual
growth is the most important thing? What stands in the way? What churchy things
clamor for attention, clamor to be the more important things? How does the way we do
church elevate these false goals to a place of pre-eminence?
6. If you are not sure how to answer these difficult questions, ask a young person in your
church what he thinks is important to the church. This is not to say that young people have
the right answers, but they do tend to pick up what the institution thinks is important. You
might be surprised as to their answers. You could also find a older person who is a new
believer. This is not a question of what ought to be. It is a question of what appears to be.
7. Do you wear an apron or a bib? Why do you think so?
8. Who has made the greatest impact on your life spiritually? Why? Are you doing the same
for others?

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Reflection Questions

13. God is King (1 Samuel)

Memory Verse for the Week

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not
by might shall a man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9).

1. What is your first thought when you read God is King?

2. What are ways in which you have praised God for who he is? What he has done?
3. Do you really, truly, believe that God blesses his faithful ones? What fights against this in
your life? What are some examples of blessing in your life (and dont use any examples of
prosperity)?
4. How have you learned that protection does not finally lie in external realities but only with
God?
5. Why dont people get the point, even when it is preached and taught over and over and
over again? What have you been slow to learn? What were the consequences?
6. How in our lives have we denied God's ultimate Kingship to our hurt?
7. What lessons do you take away from this story of Hannah, Samuel & Israel's choosing a
king?

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Reflection Questions

14. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

Memory Verse for the Week

Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a
javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45).

1. Its really hard to not look on the outside, isnt it? It is hard to remember that what the Lord
values is what is inside, issues of character and faith and not what the world values. Have
you discovered any habits that help you not draw quick judgments based on externals?
2. Is the fearful response of the Israelite armies that surprising? Even though they had
experienced Gods power in the past, their fear overcame them in the present. Has that ever
happened to you? Why do you think you werent able to draw strength from Gods past
faithfulness?
3. What would it take for you to learn to respond in faith like David? What would it take for
you to be the kind of person who does not react in fear?
4. How will you retell the story of David and Goliath and move the attention properly to the
main player of the drama, to God?
5. Have you ever played it safe and later realized that you lost a great opportunity to respond
in faith? How do you feel about it now?
6. What are some ways in which God is calling you to step out in faith, but still inside your
comfort zone?
a.
b.
c.
7. Is God calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How?
a.
b.
c.

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Reflection Questions

15. Gods Provision and Protection (Psalm 23)

Memory Verse for the Week

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).

1. Have you ever experienced the kind of betrayal that David did at the hands of Saul? How
did it make you feel? What did you want to do? What did you do?
2. Have you ever thought it couldnt get worst, and then it did? Were you surprised? How did
you deal with the pain? How did your faith show itself in the more difficult time?
3. It would be nice at one level if God would keep us out of difficult times, but it is in the
midst of the trying times that our faith can really show itself and grow. Do you have any
stories of victory in which your faith did grow? Did not grow? What was the difference?
4. When have you felt most cared for by your Shepherd? What did you learn from the
experience?
5. Recount the times when God made you lie down in green pastures? What were those
pastures? In what ways was your soul restored?
6. It is easy to feel unprotected, but have you ever had the experience where you thought you
were unprotected, but later realized that God was in fact protecting you? In what specific
ways will you take that lesson forward to help you trust him the next time you are in a
difficult situation?
7. How has God abundantly provided for you? A friend of mine, who translated the Bible in
Africa for two decades, once said that if you have carpet, you are rich. How do you feel
about that? Really feel about that?
8. Do you understand the ABCs of how to become one of Gods sheep?

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Reflection Questions

16. Confession and Forgiveness (Psalm 51)

Memory Verse for the Week

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from
your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51:1012).

1. What are some examples of good people falling into sin? (Dont enjoy this part of the
discussion too much, or spend much time on it.) How does seeing their failure help you
think about your own failures? (Please, no excuses.)
2. Have you ever been confronted in your sin? Who was your Nathan? How did you respond?
What have you learned about yourself by how you responded?
3. How have you partially confessed? How does a person admit sin, but not totally?
4. What are some ways in which we paint sin as gray? How can we learn to see sin as it is? Can
you think of any times in which Gods forgiveness was as complete as your confession?
5. Why do you think you should be forgiven? If you are honest, how have you bargained with
God? Be sure to end
6. What are some examples of the difference between total forgiveness and ongoing
consequences?
7. It is said, isnt it, when a person decides to dig his or her heels in and refuse to confess. Do
you know of examples of people (and be kind) whose lives were fundamentally damaged
by a refusal to confess what everyone else knew to be true? What were the consequences?
And do you know of people whose defining moment was the full confession of sin and the
ensuing consequences (be lavish in your praise)?
8. Have you ever been so aware of your sin that all you could do was open Ps 51 and read it?
What were the effects (short- and long-term) of the experience?

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Reflection Questions

17. The Wise and the Foolish (Solomon)

Memory Verse for the Week

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction
(Proverbs 1:7).

1. If you could ask God for anything, honestly, what would it be?
2. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write
them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3). How would you bind them? If you could
have anything bound to your heart, would it be steadfast love and faithfulness, or
something else?
3. We could talk about a lot of the proverbs, but this one is especially convicting. A tranquil
heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot (Proverbs 14:30). Are you
tranquil? How has it impacted your physical health? What about the reverse; how has stress
rotted your bones?
4. How would you define wise?
5. Are you wise or a fool? In honesty, we are probably a mixture of both. In what ways are you
wise? In what ways are you foolish, not listening to God but to your friends?
6. Do you tend to look at the long term or short term? What have you found to be the
disadvantages of short term vision?
7. Do you really believe God knows best? How have your actions shown that, and how have
they not shown that?

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Reflection Questions

18. Job and Human Suffering

Memory Verse for the Week

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2).

1. Have you ever read Job before? What did you think of it then?
2. Do you ever wonder if Satan might be right about you? Are you a Christ-follower because
he has blessed you? What would happen if you lost all your family and wealth? Hard to
know the answer to that.
3. Have you ever been in a situation in which the pain caused you to wonder if God could
really be trusted? Share it with the group. What in particular made you question God? What
helped you work through it (either in the past or the present)?
4. Has your faith ever been questioned because of the suffering you were experiencing? How
did it make you feel. What did you say in that situation? Would you say something different
now?
5. Do you think it is okay to cry out to God? To get mad? To get mad at God? To ask him why?
To blame him? To accuse him? At what point do you walk over the line, like Job?
6. Have you ever been Elihu to someone? Has anyone been Elihu to you? Share the
circumstances. Was it helpful?
7. How can we work toward a vision of God in all his wisdom and power so that when
difficult times come, we will respond properly? Like Job we probably would prefer to learn
these lessons before the trials come.
8. What stops us from accepting the fact that God owes us nothing and we are not on his level
and in fact have no rights before him? Do you agree or disagree with that statement?
9. How has God not information about him but a vision of who he is been the answer for
the suffering in your life, or has he?

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Reflection Questions

19. Elijah and Syncretism

Memory Verse for the Week

How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow
him; but if Baal, then follow him (1 Kings 18:21).

1. Review the terms we learned and be able to locate them on a map.

2. Review the ways on which Jeroboam altered Mosaic religion but kept some of its forms.
3. What are standards of success that we may tend to use that do not agree with Gods
standards?
4. What are ways in which the world belittles Gods standards of success?
5. Can you think of any modern examples where it started with syncretism but slid down the
hill to paganism?
6. What do you think of Elijahs rather crass verbal attack on the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings
18:20-21? I am sure we would agree that it was accurate, but was it appropriate? Is there
ever a time in which we can mock false teaching and its teachers?
7. Can you think of any other verses in the Bible that emphasize that mixing anything with
true worship is wrong? In other words, are there any other anti-syncretistic verses?
8. In what ways have you seen the purity of the gospel message diluted and watered-down by
the teachings of the world? I am thinking here specifically of things taught in the church.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

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Reflection Questions

20. Isaiah and the Holiness of God

Memory Verse for the Week

Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of
unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 6:5).

1. What is the main point of this lesson?

2. What are some ways that we can describe the might and authority and power of God?
Avoid using religious language that may be so familiar that it means almost nothing.
3. Try to describe the glory and holiness of God without using those same words. What
pictures can we pain in our minds eye that will help?
4. Gods glory is all around us, in the infinite variety and splendor of His creation. Go out in
nature, even if it is your back yard, and identify 20 things you see, hear, smell, and touch, all
of which are common, but if seen through the attentive eyes of faith, proclaim the glory of
God. Dont keep it to yourself, but share it with a friend, co-worker, or family member.
5. How big is your God? What personal tendencies do you have that make God seem small?
Worry? Busyness? Past hurts? What are you going to do about it?
6. Have you ever been faced with the glory and majesty of God so that all you could see is
your sin? What happened? Are you still as keenly aware of your sin, or have the images and
feelings drifted into the past?
7. Share the story of your conversion with someone. Do your children know? Neighbors?
Friends? Have you thanked God recently for the knowledge that you have been forgiven,
saved, and restored? Has your salvation propelled you into a life of service to the King,
regardless of your specific job? What would it look like if you said to God, Here I am. Send
me, and He did?

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Reflection Questions

21. Isaiah and the Suffering Servant

Memory Verse for the Week

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the
LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

1. What was the main point of the sermon today?

2. It is helpful to check your cross references and see how Jesus fulfilled every verse in the
Servant passages. How do you think your friends would respond to the claim that 700 years
before Jesus died, Isaiah saw it?
3. What are some ways in which the exaltation of Jesus is made even greater when compared
to his humiliation? What specific events in the New Testament may make this clearer for
you? For me, it is being beaten by the soldiers before the crucifixion.
4. Can you think of any other ways to help understand what it means that Jesus died for my
sins?
5. Without becoming morbid, how can you help yourself and others understand the
horribleness of Jesus being crushed for our sins?
6. Do you know of any stories of people who think their past sins were so bad that God could
not forgive them? Have you ever done the same sin over and over to the point that you give
up asking for forgiveness?
7. What are ways in which people try to pay the penalty for their own sins? How can you help
them see that Gods chastisement was laid on Jesus, not them, and that Jesus became their
sin?

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Reflection Questions on the Sermon:

22. Micah, Judgment and Salvation

Memory Verse for the Week

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do
justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).

1. The human tendency is to think that Scripture applies to the other person but not to
yourself. Is there a possibility that you think, at least in some areas of your life, that God will
ignore sin because you are doing religious things in other areas of your life? This is a good
time for self-examination.
2. Although I did not spend a lot of time on the topic, Gods punishment for social injustice is a
dominant theme in Micah. The prophets often speak about injustice in terms of oppression
of the fatherless and widows. Look at James 1:27 and spend time reflecting on how this
might affect you.
3. Is it possible that you think you are somehow special and not subject to Gods judgment
when you sin?
4. Have there been any events in your life when you thought certain sins would be ignored
because you go to church?
5. How can we hold out hope to those in the midst of Gods judgment, to let them know that
some day it will be over and there will once again be joy?
6. Reread Isaiah 1:11-7 and ask yourself if the prophets message has any application to you or
to someone you know.
7. Go to the lake, have fun, and prepare for church Saturday night.

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Reflection Questions

23. Hosea and Unfaithfulness to God

Memory Verse for the Week

Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down,
and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).

1. How did you feel as Hosea goes back and forth between judgment and forgiveness? Did the
rhythm show you anything?
2. What are some other object lessons other than marrying a prostitute that can help drive
home the point of our faithlessness and God's willingness to forgive?
3. Think back over those times when you have not been willing to forgive. What did it feel
like? What drove you to that point? How did you feel as you continued in that state?
4. In contrast to our lack of willingness to forgive, think back over those times when God
surprised you with his willingness to forgive. What was different between your situation
and God's behavior?
5. Have you ever seen a perfect husband (or wife) who is willing to forgive anything? How do
your situations here help the group understand the character of God?
6. I am sure we have all experienced the downward spiral of sin. As I list the different stages,
what did each feel like. What kept you from breaking out of the spiral into forgiveness?
a. Idolatry
b. Luxury
c. Children
d. "Useless"
e. Forgiveness is impossible without judgment
7. Individually we are not married to Christ. But together we are the bride of Christ. Ladies,
help the men understand what this is like.

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Reflection Questions

24. Habakkuk, Righteousness and Faith

Memory Verse for the Week

The righteous shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

1. What is the Problem of Evil? What are some examples you have personally experienced?
2. Have you ever seen God use an evil person/thing to punish another evil person/thing?
What did you think of it at that time? After reflection, would you think differently of it
now?
3. Has God ever asked you to believe something, even though years later you still have not
seen the fulfillment of His promise? What are some things you can do to help yourself
continue in your faith over the years?
4. What are ways in which the world tells us God is wrong and we are challenged to believe
God is right? This is the hard question. Try to be specific, thinking of whatever situation you
live in school, neighborhood, work, etc.
5. What are some ways in which you have struggled to be faithful to God?
6. What does a life permeated with faith look like?

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Reflection Questions

25. The New Covenant (Jeremiah and Ezekiel)

Memory Verse for the Week

I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and
they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33).

1. What are some examples in your own life that show how the heart is primary, and that
actions follow the heart? Does your family understands this concept?
2. It is hard to think that apart from Christ the heart the center of our will and emotions
is wicked. For those who are Christians, look back to what you were like and reflect on this
truth.
3. While it is the Holy Spirits job to convict the non-Christian of their sin the evilness of
their heart how would you go about discussing this fact with a non-believer? Without
acknowledging this, it is doubtful they will ever accept the necessity of a new heart.
4. Only God has the power to truly change the human heart. And without that change
everyone is doomed to hell. How can you explain this to others?
5. If Gods Spirit has the ability to breathe life into a valley of dry bones, he has the power to
breathe spiritual life into your friends, especially those for whom you have been praying for
a long time or perhaps seem unapproachable. How does Ezekiel give you new strength to
continue in your prayer and witnessing to them?
6. How did Christs work on the cross and the Spirits work at Pentecost bring about the New
Covenant? How is that work replicated in your own life?
7. How does God want you to be involved in His work of changing peoples heart and lives?

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Reflection Questions

26. Lamentations, Confession and Faith

Memory Verse for the Week

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23).

1. Have you ever known sin to go unpunished? Has there ever been sin without
consequences? We know ultimately all sin will be fully punished at judgment, but doesnt
most of it get punished to some degree while the person is still alive?
2. Have you ever seen true lamenting? How did it make sin and confession more real to you?
3. Have you ever sat down and given thought and structure to your pain before expressing it?
If you have been a little more deliberate, would it have had any different impact on you?
4. What happens when you are not honest about sin and its obvious devastation? Can you
think of a time in which you tried to ignore it and it wouldnt go away?
5. It is part of our basic makeup to play the victim, to blame anyone and anything except for
ourselves. How can we learn to be absolutely, painfully honest about our own responsibility
in our own sin and the God-ordained punishment?
6. Has blaming God ever helped you? How can you help someone who is in the midst of pain
and blaming God to direct attention to himself or herself?
7. Think through some difficult time in your life, perhaps even right now, and discuss how
affirming your faith in God in the midst of pain would be the right and best and most
helpful think to do.

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Reflection Questions

27. The Birth of Jesus

Memory Verse for the Week

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke
2:14).

1. How does it encourage you to know that God made promises centuries before Jesus was
born, and that He kept his word?
2. Do you or anyone you know struggle with the idea of the virgin birth? If you or they believe
in God, why do you think this is an obstacle for some?
3. Jesus came to save us from our sins. Do you think you need to be saved from your sins? If
not, then what can you give in exchange for your sin and soul?
4. In what ways is the presence of God a blessing beyond compare?
5. Have a great Christmas. Please dont forget to read the Christmas story especially to your
children. A relationship with a God who desires to be with us is more significant and joyful
than presents, is it not?
6. How can you know for sure that you have received Gods mercy and are now at peace with
him?
7. What has Jesus done for you that was possible only because he is both God and human?

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Reflection Questions

28. John the Baptist

Memory Verse for the Week

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I,
whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire
(Matthew 3:11).

1. What promises from Scripture are especially important to you? How does knowing what
God has promised to do affect how you live your life here and now?
2. Every one of us, probably, to one extent or another, thinks that we deserve to be saved.
What could some of those reasons be?
3. If you do not think that you deserve to be saved, what events in your life and what
teachings helped you understand this?
4. How is Johns baptism like Christian baptism? (I didnt say it in the sermon, but Johns
baptism is the model for Christian baptism.)
5. Have you ever experienced true repentance and it hasnt shown, in one way or another, in
your life? What are ways that true repentance has shown itself in your life?
6. How can we talk about the necessity of fruit without becoming a legalistic church? How can
we keep from thinking our fruit earns us favor with God?
7. Many people in the church have been taught that it is okay to be a carnal Christian, that it
is okay to live in sin because you did, at one time, raise your hand or prayed the sinners
prayer. How can we start to fix this problem, again, without becoming legalistic and
judgmental?

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Reflection Questions

29. Nicodemus and Rebirth

Memory Verse for the Week

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should
not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

1. What are some practical illustrations of how people think they can move smoothly into
Gods kingdom?
2. Being born again is such a common metaphor that people often forget how powerful an
image it is. What are some ways in which you can be reminded of its basic message that
life must start over?
3. What are some examples of Gods cleansing power in conversion?
4. What are some examples of Gods renewing power in conversion?
5. How can we help people see that they can never move from flesh to spirit without God?
6. How can we help people think of believing in(to) Christ not as an isolated event but more
in terms of abiding in Christ?
7. What characteristics of the life of the age do you most relish on earth? Which ones do you
look forward to the most in heaven?

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Reflection Questions

30. Beatitudes

Memory Verse for the Week

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).

1. Are you truly willing to be counter-cultural? Are you willing to come out from among the
people and be different? What would stop you?
2. Define poor in spirit in your own words. What does it look like in day-to-day living?
3. In your own life, how does the first beatitude show itself to be fundamental, basic, to all you
do?
4. Give examples of the difference between confession and contrition.
5. What does hungering and thirsting after Gods righteousness look like in daily living?
Are you satisfied in God? Are you nibbling and sipping?
6. Think of some situations in your daily life where you are called to be a peacemaker, but you
are struggled knowing whether it was peace at all costs.
7. What would motivate you to rejoice and be glad when you are persecuted because of
your hunger and thirst for Gods righteousness? What might this look like, practically?

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Reflection Questions

31. The Lords Prayer

Memory Verse for the Week

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on
earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew
6:9-13).

1. As we look at our own prayers, what are we saying about the character of God? Who do our
prayers show him to be? List both positive and negative examples.
2. Do you struggle with the idea of God being a father? Why? What can we do to help you
have a helpful, positive view of God?
3. Do you struggle with the idea of God being majestic and awe-inspiring? Why? What can we
do to help you have a balanced view of God?
4. What am I doing in my day-to-day life that proclaims Gods holiness, reign, and perfect will
to those around me?
5. What am I doing in my day-to-day life that runs counter to my prayer for Gods holiness,
reign, and perfect will?
6. How do I balance working hard and yet trusting God to give me what I need?
7. Is there anyone I have not forgiven? Is there anyone who has sinned against me, who hasnt
even admitted the sin, but yet one whom I am called to forgive, as Christ forgave those
crucifying him and as Stephen forgave those stoning him?

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Reflection Questions

32. Seeking God

Memory Verse for the Week

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you (Matthew 6:33).

1. Give ten examples of times when you worried about something, and the worrying actually
worked. Give ten examples of times when you worried about something, and it only made
it worse.
2. How can we come to a deeper understanding of the fact that if we are the right type of
person (e.g., poor in spirit), that therefore we will be able to live a life free from faithless
worry?
3. How can we learn to see God in creation? What practical steps can we take? How does the
secular world fight against us doing this?
4. What are ways in which God supernaturally sustains his creation in both mundane and
unexpected ways?
5. Why do non-Christians (i.e., the Gentiles) worry so much about the necessities of life?
Does this give us any inroads in witnessing to them?
6. What are some practical ways in which we seek for God? What tends to distract and
discourage us from doing so?
7. Have you ever known a believer for whom God did not provide sufficient food and
clothing? Is there ever a time when God will not do so, and if so how would you deal with
the situation?

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Reflection Questions

33. The Deity of Christ

Memory Verse for the Week

I and the Father are one (John 10:30).

1. Although it is not a central part of the sermon, it is interesting to think about election. Some
of you may come from traditions that dont preach it, but it is throughout the Bible. Think
through all the advantages of knowing that Gods sheep were given to Jesus to save and
that no one lives unprotected.
2. In what ways are Jesus and his Father different? It is helpful to read John 5-10 to answer this
question and Tuesdays.
3. In what ways are Jesus and his Father the same?
4. How can you try to describe the Trinity? How will you make allowances for the inadequacy
of all language and analogy to describe God?
5. How does the fact that Jesus is the Great I AM help us understand the truth of the I am
sayings?
6. How would our lifestyles change if we really believed Jesus is God, and our sin wasnt
sanding at the door fighting against this belief?
7. What are some things that have happened in your life to help you see the greatest and
wonder and divinity of Christ?

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Reflection Questions

34. Discipleship

Memory Verse for the Week

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me
(Mark 8:34).

1. I believe this is one of the most important set of reflection questions I will ever hand out.
Please be sure to think through the issues raised by the biblical passage.
2. What terminology do you use to describe the process of becoming, being, and dying as a
Christian? Are they biblical? Are they accurate?
3. How can we help ourselves and others think through the fact that as Christians and
believers we are primarily disciples, follower?
4. What are the hardest things in your life to deny?
5. What does it look like to take up your cross? Do you think we really do this?
6. Discipleship is a matter of life and death (Mark 8:36-37). Why do you think we tend to
gamble with our life by sloughing off on our discipleship?
7. I am sure that in all of us there are unbiblical notions floating around, especially when it
relates to this issue of discipleship and salvation. How can we become sensitive to this?
8. How can this type of passage lead you to despair? How will you prevent that?

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Reflection Questions

35. The Greatest Commandment

Memory Verse for the Week

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-
31).

1. Ask yourself (or your family) what is the most important thing you can possibly do. This
may be a moot point after the sermon, but walk through the discussion. Encourage them to
be honest. Have they even thought about their priorities?
2. When you think of love being an emotion (along with other things), what ideas do you
associate with it? Good or bad associations?
3. Define what it means to love a spouse, child, parent, or good friend. Try to get some
definition to the idea of love.
4. Define what it means for God to love you. You will probably want to use a concordance.
5. What does it specifically look like for you to love God?
6. What good things related to God do you tend to love instead of God himself?
7. How will Gods love for you move through your love to him and out to other people? How
will you love your neighbor, friends, brothers and sisters?

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Reflection Questions

36. Eschatology

Memory Verse for the Week

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over
much. Enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25:21).

1. Read Matthew 24-25 with your sermon notes. Mark your Bibles as to what question is being
answered or discussed.
2. Are you experiencing tribulation for your faith? If not, it is helpful to read about the fate of
Christians in other countries where they are dying for Christ. If you have children, make
sure they know about this.
3. How can we avoid being tricked by false prophets and false Christs? (Hint: the latter
question is easier than the former.)
4. Try to imagine what it will be like when Gods angels comes, without warning or advance
notice, to gather you to Christ. How will you feel about your neighbors and friends?
5. How will your master respond to your handling of his wealth?
6. How will your master respond to your handling of the time he has given you?
7. What can we as a church do to encourage one another to be faithful stewards? What do you
think about the 10% we tithe to outreach and missions as a church?

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Reflection Questions

37. The Holy Spirit

Memory Verse for the Week

When he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment
(John 16:8).

1. Do you think of the Holy Spirit as God, as equal in essence and perfection with the Father
and the Son? Or do you think of him as an impersonal force? How can we change this?
2. How does it help you deal with the issues of life knowing that the Holy Spirit is on your
side, fighting for you, and will never leave?
3. How does it free you up knowing that it is not your job to convict the world of sin? In what
ways do we try to do the Holy Spirits job?
4. When has the Holy Spirit whispered to you? Were you listening? Did you obey?
5. When has the Holy Spirit hit you over the head? Were you listening? Did you obey?
6. Share how you have seen the Holy Spirit convict someone of their sin.
7. Share how you have seen the Holy Spirit convict someone of their need for Christ
righteousness.

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Reflection Questions

38. The Lords Supper

Memory Verse for the Week

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he
comes (1 Cor 11:26).

1. What are some specific ways in which we can use the Lords Supper as a time to teach our
children (and ourselves) of Gods faithfulness and salvation?
2. In practical terms, what does it look like for Gods Spirit to have written Gods law on our
hearts?
3. How often do you think we should celebrate Passover? Dont answer from tradition but
from an theological understanding of the event.
4. How can we conduct Communion such that it does not become a meaningless ritual? How
can we encourage one another to look through the bread and cup to the body and blood of
Christ?
5. How does communion help you look to the past, present, and future, practically speaking?
6. It is easy to over-emphasize one aspect of the gospel over another. The picture in
Communion helps us balance Gods work and our participation. What does that look like in
everyday terms for you?

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Reflection Questions

39. Jesus Death and Resurrection

Memory Verse for the Week

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians
15:17).

1. List as many Old Testament promises as you can that were fulfilled by Jesus on the cross.
2. Think of the temple veil being torn in two. How does that impact how you live your daily
lives?
3. How does Jesus resurrection help you understand that fact that you are can be forgiven?
4. How does Jesus resurrection help you understand that fact that you can be born again?
5. How does Jesus resurrection help you understand that fact that you can become more like
Jesus?
6. How does Jesus resurrection help you understand that fact that you also can be raised from
the dead and live forever with your Creator?
7. What are the ABCs of salvation?

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Reflection Questions

40. The Great Commission

Memory Verse for the Week

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to
the end of the age (Matthew 28:1820).

1. So often we become fearful when presented with the opportunity to share Christ with
someone. How would the statement of Jesus authority encourage you?
2. Do we really see God as sovereign, even over the little things? Arent there things out of
control in our world? Please dont give the churchy answer.
3. How have you seen Gods sovereignty over:
a. the natural world?
b. the spiritual world?
c. world religions?
d. every person?
4. In light of that, why do we still question his sovereignty when we are in the midst of
challenging times?
5. Have you rationalized the Great Commission such that you feel making new disciples
doesnt apply to you? How can you be an evangelist even without the gift of evangelism?
6. What would it take for you to teach all that Jesus has taught? Or to be honest, do we think
that is the role of the pastor and elders?
7. How have you taught people to observe? What experiences have you had modeling this
part of the Commission?
a. Family
b. Friends
c. Nations

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Reflection Questions

41. Pentecost

Memory Verse for the Week

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

1. How are you with the speakers exegesis that the tongues in Acts 2 are unlearned, human
languages? If not, explain to the group (if you are in one) as to why.
2. It is critical that you remember the four parts to the kerygma. It will inform much of what
you believe and do. For review, they are:
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. How would you tell someone unfamiliar with the gospel what each of these four parts
mean? Dont use Christian-type language; your audience may not understand it.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4. If someone objects to the notion that they have to repent, that who they are isnt good
enough to gain access to God, what would you say?
5. In your own words, what does it mean to repent of who you thought Jesus was (before
conversion)? So often we think of repentance as being from bad actions, but here Peter is
primarily concerned with who we think Jesus is. What are the ramifications in your own life
and understanding of the gospel?

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Reflection Questions

42. The Church

Memory Verse for the Week

There is one body and one Spiritjust as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your
call one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through
all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

1. What are some ideas or terms that you have used to describe the church that are not based
in the New Testament? How does thinking the building is the church move you away from
biblical thinking?
2. How have you seen the headship of Christ in a church maintained or ignored? How could a
biblical understanding of church have helped to solve the problem?
3. List all the different needs of Christs body that are currently being met. This should
encourage you.
4. List all the different needs of Christs body that are currently not being met. This should
challenge you.
5. What are some practical steps we can take to stir up one another to love and good works?
How can we encourage one another not to set our mind on the things of the flesh give
examples other than TV and movies and how can we encourage one another to set out
mind of the things of the Spirit? What dog are you going to feed?
6. What will help you move into the worship service of Revelation 5? What keeps you from it?

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Reflection Questions

43. Justification by Faith

Memory Verse for the Week

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith for faith, as it is written, The righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17).

1. What is there about the gospel that causes us to be embarrassed? How does that
embarrassment show itself in daily life, especially in the little things?
2. How does knowing that the resurrecting power of God is flowing through the words of the
gospel encourage you in your life and sharing?
3. What does Gods righteousness look like? How would you describe it to a child or non-
Christian?
4. What are ways in which you have seen others, perhaps subconsciously, trying to earn their
salvation by works and not by faith? What about you?
5. What are some success stories of people who have relied on faith to be made righteous?
What does that look like in day-to-day existence?
6. How will you explain to the nice non-Christian that their heart is dark and ugly in
Christs eyes? When you answer, be thinking of a specific person.
7. Why is there salvation in no other name than Jesus?

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Reflection Questions

44. The Grace of Giving

Memory Verse for the Week

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all
times, you may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

1. Give examples in your life of how Gods grace saves? Do the same with Gods sustaining
grace. Make sure you understand the concept.
2. How can we stir up one another to the good work of understanding our need of Gods
sustaining grace?
3. Have we set discussion of wealth and possessions to the side and made it an untouchable?
Are you sure? If so, why, and how can we reverse this situation?
4. We often use our own lack of money as an excuse not to give? How can we forever dismiss
this excuse?
5. How do you feel about proving your faith? To whom do we prove it? Should we?
6. How can we, like the Macedonian Christians, learn to give generously, using the biblical
principles in 2 Corinthians 8-9?
7. Are you taking, or taking and giving?

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Reflection Questions

45. The Christians Joy

Memory Verse for the Week

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to
come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:3839).

1. What are ways in which it is easy to get the order of justification and sanctification mixed
up? How are you going to show people who say justification doesnt necessarily lead to
sanctification that they are wrong?
2. How can the objective reality of peace and reconciliation cut through the emotions of your
life to give you stability in difficult times?
3. Give practical examples of how our hope, our confident anticipation, helps us endure
through difficult times.
4. How can you explain the concept of glory to other people? What is the difference between
my glory and Gods glory?
5. It is easy to turn chapter 6 into a negative set of Dos and Donts. How can we express the
fact that we have been set free from sin and have become slaves of Jesus as a positive, joyous
thing?
6. How can we change our way of thinking such that we see ourselves as part of Gods family,
groaning for the finalization of the adoption process?
7. Why do we so often forget that God is for us, so who cares who is against us?

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Reflection Questions

46. Humility

Memory Verse for the Week

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to
will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

1. How can we think of ourselves as citizens of heaven and not citizens of the earth? What
specifically does that look like?
2. Share what it was like when you tried to live a life worthy of the gospel on your own
strength. How does this look different from relying on the Lords strength?
3. What are some examples of how a church can lose focus on God and the gospel?
4. How can Tozers metaphor of the tuning fork be applied at Shiloh Hills Fellowship?
5. How can we help each other understand biblical humility, not a false servility but an honest
desire to set the needs of others ahead of our own?
6. How does seeing Christs humiliation and exaltation encourage you toward humility?
7. What are practical ways in which we can work out the consequences of our salvation,
understanding that God has given us the desire and the ability to do so?

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Reflection Questions

47. All Scripture is God-Breathed

Memory Verse for the Week

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every
good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

1. What parts of Scripture are easy for you to believe, and which ones are difficult?
2. How would you explain the origin of Scripture to a non-Christian? In other words, how
would you describe breathed out by God?
3. Are there any personal actions, beliefs, or attitudes that might suggest you really dont
believe all the Bible is from God?
4. Is it possible to believe the Bible comes from God and not let it be the authority in your life?
5. Thursday and Why do you believe the Bible comes from the very mouth of God? Do you?
What do you think about these four reasons?
a. Who we learned it from
b. Convinced through lifes experiences
c. Makes better sense than the alternatives
d. I simply believe it
6. Men, will you rise to the biblical challenge and preach the word? What might this look like
in your situation?

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Reflection Questions

48. Assurance and Perseverance (Hebrews)

Memory Verse for the Week

We share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

1. How can we encourage ourselves and others to see the glory and magnificence and pre-
eminence of Christ such that to set our hearts on something else would be just plain foolish?
2. Can you come up with your own wording for the doctrines of perseverance and assurance?
3. What are some specific examples of how people have drifted away from their faith?
4. How are you going to balance your presentation of the believers assurance while at the
same time showing the implicit warning?
5. Review again the two bases of our assurance from Hebrews. What do these look like in your
day-to-day life?
6. What were the other bases of assurance? What do they look like in your day-to-day life?
7. Who in your life is drifting away from Christ? How are you going to talk with them? What
objections will they raise? How will you answer them? I encourage you to roll-play.

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Reflection Questions

49. The Tongue (James)

Memory Verse for the Week

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).

1. Is it clear how Paul and James use the term works to mean different things? Define how
each man uses it.
2. What are some examples of a tongue being a world of unrighteousness restless evil, full
of deadly poison?
3. What are some examples of the tongue significantly affecting the entire course of a persons
life? Give both good and bad examples.
4. Has your tongue ever betrayed your heart? Share examples, and please be honest.
5. Without falling into gossip and slander, what are some examples of things we have said that
were true but hurtful? Have you ever responded to someone who hurt you by slandering
them? How did it make you feel? Did it accomplish what you wanted it to do?
6. How can we work toward our hearts being full of grace, thankfulness, and humility? What
are some examples of how this will affect our tongue?
7. Share a time when you dealt with a person or situation without gossip, and in looking back
realize that you did the right thing in the right way.

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Reflection Questions

50. 1 Peter

Memory Verse for the Week

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has
caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead (1 Peter 1:3).

1. Try to work through the emotion of the testimonial and list the basic points that Rick and
Shelly make in their story of Scott. Notice that they did not dwell on his death but moved
through it to evangelism and faith in God.
2. If you knew your green card (since you are a resident alien) was going to be cancelled next
year and you were going to be deported, how would your life change today?
3. Are your hopes the things you are confident in Christ that lie ahead for you about
which you are the most excited? Bless one another by sharing your hopes.
4. In what ways have you seen yourself guarded by God?
5. Are you living as if the earth is your home? How can that change?
6. While we are in the midst of pain, how can we remind ourselves that life (and its pain) is
but for a moment?
7. What have you learned through painful experiences that probably could not have been
learned any other way? As you look back on the event, perhaps years later, can you see how
you were blessed in the midst of the pain and suffering?

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Reflection Questions

51. Christian Love

Memory Verse for the Week

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for Gods seed abides in him, and he cannot
keep on sinning because he has been born of God (1 John 3:9).

1. How do you define love? How do you keep it separate from sentimentality?
2. In the church, how do we keep love from being watered down to like?
3. What is Gods definition of love? How does that compare to our normal definition?
4. When the speaker say that love has a concrete definition, what does he mean?
5. Gods love flows through us; it must flow through us. How do you respond to this
statement?
6. This is such an easy topic to superficially pass over, so please be as concrete as possible. And
as honest as possible. What are some concrete ways in which he should love one another?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

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Reflection Questions

52. Revelation

Memory Verse for the Week

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his
people, and God himself will be with them as their God (Revelation 21:3).

1. Work through the overall structure of the Bible. Think of the major events and how they fit
into the flow of the drama.
2. How can you describe something that has no earthly analogy? How can you describe
something as magnificent as heaven? You have to make partial and incomplete
comparisons. Look at some of the imagery in Revelation and see if you can figure out the
realities that lies behind the images.
3. What are the three points I made about the central message of Revelation? Which of these
truths have you already experienced in life? Can you picture yourself in the midst of
Revelation?
4. How did it impact you when you heard that Jesus has sealed you, that he has set his mark of
ownership and protection on each of his children?
5. Who do you know and care for that may end up in the Lake of Fire? How does that make
you feel? Do you really believe in hell?
6. Is someone persecuting you right now. How do you feel about them burning in the lake of
Fire?
7. Who are you in love with? A God who is coming again, or this world? What is your most
precious possession that is going to burn?

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