Can you think of something that everyone needs? Something that would bless everyone who receives it? Forgiveness is a gift of mercy; a gift without which we cannot survive (eternally); a gift we all desperately need. Because, what do you have to do to be forgiven? Sin. And we all do that very well. As…
From Hamlet’s soliloquy, Dean explores our own “be’s” of boasting, background, building, and blessing to challenge us to be a perfect member of God’s army.
I PETER 3:13-17 Hope motivates you to be zealous to do good (v.13-14). How bad is your suffering when you are living with hope? (Hebrews 12:2) How are we being blessed by suffering that has come from doing good? How is your hope protecting your heart from fear? Hope sanctifies Christ as Lord in our…
EPHESIANS 1:18-21 We need to pray for enlightened hearts to know the hope of our calling (v.18). What enlightenment will help us better know the hope of our calling? Why is it important that our hope is not separated from our calling? Our hope is related to the glorious riches of His inheritance (v.18b). Why…
II CORINTHIANS 9:12-15 Our gifts of service must be overflowing in thanksgiving (v.12). How has your service supplied the needs of God’s people? How have others been blessed by your overflowing gift? People are praising God because of your service (v.13). How have you been proved faithful by your service? How do you feel about…
JOHN 17 This is how Jesus prayed for Himself (v.1-5). For what purposes was Jesus praying for Himself? For what purposes should we be praying for ourselves? This is how Jesus prayed for His disciples (v.6-19). Why does Jesus choose to not pray for the world? Why pray for protection, unity, joy and sanctification? What…
LUKE 16:1-15 The shrewd manager was not making friends with his master (v.1-2). When you don’t do your job well, what are you doing to your boss? How does responsible behavior at work build true friendships? The shrewd manager made friends with his customers (v.3-7). Since the manager is not accused of theft, how is…
II KINGS 25:1-7 Zedekiah had been told how to be saved (Jeremiah 21:8-9, 38:2). Why would the king choose rebellion instead of surrender? Why do we choose rebellion instead of surrender? Zedekiah was afraid of the cost of obeying God (Jeremiah 38:17-20). What was the basis of Zedekiah’s fear? What is the basis of our…
JEREMIAH 20 People of God are often in conflict with religious leaders (v.1-6). How much did it cost Jeremiah to share God’s message? How much will it cost us to share God’s message? How much does it cost those who reject God’s message? Like it or not, the message of God demands to be shared…
PROVERBS 23 Apply your heart to instruction (v.12). What happens to hearts that are not specifically trained to love what is important? To what kind of instruction do we need to be applying our hearts? If your heart is wise, then the hearts of those who love you will be glad (v.15). How do parents…