Christ the Rock Community Church, Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study

This week’s reading November 18-24[1. If you are participating in the Saturday morning class, “The One Year Bible Challenge,” you should read the daily materials as set out in “The One Year Bible.” The verses listed on this page will include a couple of extra days each week.]
Ezekiel 39:1 to Daniel 2:23
James 2:18 to 1 Peter 4:6
Psalm 118:1 to 119:80
Proverbs 28:2 to Proverbs 28:14

Next Week’s Reading November 25 to December 1
Daniel 2:24 to Daniel 11:1
1 Peter 4:7 to 1 John 3:6
Psalm 119:81 to 121:8
Proverbs 28:15- to 28:28

Discussion Questions:

Old Testament

• Psalm 118:8-9 says it is better to take refuge in the Lord than in men or princes. Most Christians would probably say they understand and agree with this verse. But why do our actions sometimes indicate otherwise–that is, we place our trust in other people before we bother consulting God?
• In Ezekiel 47:1-12 the prophet explains his vision of the stream flowing out from under the “Temple” (some translations say “house”). Does this vision sound familiar? What does it mean?[2. Barnes Commentary suggests the river refers to the different states of the Christian Church; The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell talks about our walk as Christians being a process; Clarke’s Commentary says it may refer to our gradual discovery of God’s plan of salvation; and the Easy English Commentary says since every living thing needs water to live, perhaps this growing source of water is a sign of God’s kindness.] Compare to Rev. 22.1 (River of Life); John 4:10 (living water).
• Why did the Babylonians give new names to Daniel and the other three sons of Judah? Daniel 1:7.

New Testament

• Is it possible to have faith in God, and not do any good works? James 2:14-26.
• Is it a better strategy to avoid the devil or to resist him? James 4:7. See also, Proverbs 4:14-15 and 1 Corinthians 10:14.
• Some say James 5:12 prohibits the practice of habitually swearing oaths in ordinary conversations. This view holds that an oath required to be taken in a court proceeding is not prohibited. Does this interpretation seem reasonable to you?

FOOTNOTE:

Christ the Rock Community Church, Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study

This week’s reading November 4-10[1. If you are participating in the Saturday morning class, “The One Year Bible Challenge,” you should read the daily materials as set out in “The One Year Bible.” The verses listed on this page will include a couple of extra days each week.]
Ezekiel 12:1 to Ezekiel 23:49
Hebrews 7:1 to Hebrews 10:39
Psalm 105:37 to 109:31
Proverbs 27:3 to 27:13

Next Week’s Reading November 11-17

Ezekiel 24:1 to 38:23
Hebrews 11:1 to James 2:17
Psalm 110:1 to 117:2
Proverbs 27:14 to 28:1

Discussion Questions:
Old Testament

• God knew his people intentionally disobeyed him. He referred to the captives in Babylon as “the rebellious house, who have eyes to see, and don’t see, who have ears to hear, and don’t hear.” Ezekiel 12:2. Christ later quoted this passage as He spoke to His disciples. Mark 8:18. What about modern believers—do we (or YOU) see and hear the truth, but still rebel against God?
• God told Ezekiel to speak against false prophets. Ezekiel 13:1 Why would these false prophets follow their own spirit, rather than speak for God?
• People often want to punish the guilty to achieve justice. Is this God’s preferred way? Ezekiel 18:23. Would the world be different if we really preferred repentance over punishment?

New Testament

• Why is the new covenant with Jesus Christ better than the old covenant? Hebrews 8:6.
• Why does Hebrews 8:10-11 say God’s people “shall not teach, each one his brother”?
• What is the importance of Hebrews 9:22? Did Christ’s death and resurrection change the Law; or how the Law was implemented?

FOOTNOTE:

Christ the Rock Community Church, Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study

This week’s reading October 22-28[1. If you are participating in the Saturday morning class, “The One Year Bible Challenge,” you should read the daily materials as set out in “The One Year Bible.” The verses listed on this page will include a couple of extra days each week.]
Jeremiah 39:1 to 52:34
2 Timothy 1:1 to Titus 3:15
Psalm 90:1 to 100:5
Proverbs 26:1 to 26:19
Next Week’s Reading October 29 to November 4
Lamentations 1:1 to Ezekiel 11:25
Philemon 1:1 to Hebrews 6:20
Psalm 101:1 to 105:36
Proverbs 26:20 to 27:2
Discussion Questions:
Old Testament

• Why did Jeremiah tell King Zedekiah he should surrender to the Babylonians? What did King Zedekiah do, and why? See Jeremiah 38:17-22.
• What was the fate of King Zedekiah? Jeremiah 39:6-8. Did this king get what he deserved? Jeremiah 37:1-2 and Jeremiah 52:1-3.
• Jeremiah prophesies terror for the people of Egypt (Jeremiah 46:5), Moab (Jeremiah 48:43-44), Ammon (Jeremiah 49:1-5), and Kedar and Hazor (Jeremiah 49:28-29). Is terror an appropriate consequence for these people? Why?

New Testament

• Why did Paul mention the mother and grandmother of Timothy? What is the significance of these two women? 2 Timothy 1:3-5.
• What does 2 Timothy 2:11 mean? “Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him.”
• Why does Paul advise to avoid “foolish and ignorant discussions?” 2 Timothy 2:23. What type of discussion is he referring to? Has it been your experience this type of discussion causes trouble? If so, give some examples.

FOOTNOTE: