Sunday, January 31, 2010

Jesus By the Book, (Revelation) Bible Study & Discussion Questions




As Lamb , Jesus provides reasons for us to say come .

Read Revelation 1:1-8.



[Q] What is revelation? In this case, who is being revealed? By whom? For what purpose?



[Q] What descriptions of God are given in verse 4 and 8? Why is this significant?



[Q] What descriptive titles for Jesus are used in verses 4 and 5? What are three things Jesus accomplishes on our behalf revealed in these verses? What significance does this have for you? (be specific)



“Lamb” is the title used for Jesus twenty-nine times in Revelation. What other descriptive titles of Jesus are used in the book of Revelation?



Revelation 1:13—



Revelation 1:17—



Revelation 1:18—



Revelation 2:18—



Revelation 3:7—



Revelation 3:14—



Revelation 5:5—



Revelation 19:13—



Revelation 19:16—



Revelation 22:13—



Revelation 22:16—



Revelation 22:21—





[Q] In light of who Jesus is revealed to be in the book of Revelation, in what ways is God calling you to change (repent)?



Spend some time worshiping Jesus for who he is.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Jesus by the Book, (John) Bible-Study Questions for Discussion and Reflection


John clearly states his purpose for writing this gospel, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” John 20:31.

Read John 3:1-15.

[Q] What can be learned about Nicodemus from John 3:1-2?

[Q] What are some reasons bible scholars give for Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night? (John 3:19-20; Ecclesiastes 1:18)

[Q] What did Nicodemus believe about Jesus? According to John 2:23-25, what was the basis for this belief? Why did Jesus find these beliefs lacking?

[Q] What was Nicodemus’ initial response to Jesus? What progression does John 7:49-51 and John 19:38-40 show in Nicodemus’ response to Jesus?

Read John 4:1-38.

[Q] What can be learned about this woman from John 4:1-26?

[Q] By the mid-way point of their conversation (verses 19-20), what did this woman believe about Jesus?

[Q] Based on her response to Jesus, how did these beliefs change?

[Q] What did Jesus mean when he said to his disciples in verse 32, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about”?

[Q} What similarities are there in how Jesus addressed both a religious lost person and an irreligious lost person? What differences are there? What can we learned from these conversations that will better equip you to share the gospel?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Jesus By the Book, (Luke) Bible Study & Discussion Questions

Luke’s gospel emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. As a man, Jesus was dependant on the Father and prayed. Prayer was such a significant part of the life of Christ that the only time we observe his disciples ask him to “teach us…” was when they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). For Jesus, prayer demonstrated His dependence. What do the following passages from the Gospel of Luke reveal about the occasions and reasons that prompted Jesus to pray?

Luke 4:1-2—

Luke 6:28—

Luke 9:18-21—(In Matthew’s account of this same occurrence, Matthew records that when Peter answered Jesus’ question with “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, Jesus replied, “My Father revealed” that to you (Matthew 16:17). Based on this, what can we assume Jesus was praying for in this situation?

Luke 12:49-50—

Luke 22:39-42—

Jesus’ disciples had a “front row seat” to Jesus’ prayerful dependence and were still often too slow at following his example. What does Luke reveal about the progression of learning to pray by the disciples in the following passages?

Luke 5:16—

Luke 9:18—

Luke 11:1-4—

Luke 22:40,46—

Acts 1:14—

How does Jesus’ example influence how we are to teach others (children,

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Jesus by the Book, (Mark) Bible-Study Questions for Discussion and Reflection


Read Mark 10:35-45.

Here Jesus Christ describes himself as a servant. The word used for servant/slave in Mark 10:44 is the Greek word “doulos” designating the lowest ranked servant. This person under Roman law had no rights and belonged completely to his master. Jesus laid aside his rights in order to serve humanity. Jesus’ death is the supreme example of servanthood.

[Q] What were James and John ultimately asking by requesting of Jesus to sit at his right and left in glory?

[Q] What motivated James and John to make this request of Jesus?

[Q] What did Jesus mean when he asked, “Can you drink the cup I drink”?

[Q] In your opinion, is the indignation expressed by the other disciples justified?
How does Jesus use their reaction as an opportunity to teach?

[Q] In what ways does what Jesus’ statement in Mark 10:45 answer the question he asked in Mark 8:37?

The message, Jesus by Mark reveals five ways in which Jesus provides a model of a servant: submission, empathy, sacrifice, urgency, and training. Which of these characteristics are evident in the following encounters with Jesus?

Mark 2:1-12—

Mark 3:1-6—

Mark 5:21-43—

Mark 7:24-30—

Mark 8:1-10—

Mark 10:46-52—

Mark 15:33-41—

[Q] In light of Jesus’ model of a Servant how are you being challenged to grow a servant?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Winter Equip 2010-- Under Investigation



The Winter Equip class, Under Investigation kicks off at ZCC TONIGHT, 6:30-8:00.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Jesus By the Book, Reading Plans

Kick off 2010 focused on Jesus. 1. Select your level of challenge. If you are newer to Christ or have never read through the entire Gospel of John, then the first track is ideal for you. The Gospel of John contains more of Jesus’ teachings than the other gospels. Track 2 is ideal for those with some familiarity of the gospel story. This track will take you through the major events in Jesus’ life and ministry in chronological order with readings from all four gospels. Track 3 is the most rigorous. Following this track you will read every word of all four gospels (3-4 chapters a day) in 29 days.

2. Set aside a time of day and place where you can be uninterrupted for 30 minutes to an hour. If you miss a day to not become discouraged and quit, simply pick up the next day where you left off.

3. In a notebook or journal: a). Pick one verse or short passage that has a spiritual significance to you and write it down word for word at the top of the page. Copy it down a second time on a 2x4 card and place it somewhere where you will see it throughout the day (your desk, bathroom mirror, car dashboard, kitchen sink, etc.) Try to memorize this verse by meditating on it throughout the day.

4. Answer the following questions of the passage you read: What is the setting of the passage? (The 5 “W’s”: Who, What, When, Where, and Why?) Who are the key players in this passage? What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? What application is there for my life? How will I go about making application happen?

January 3 The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-34
 January 4 Jesus’ First Disciples John 1:35-51
 January 5 Water to Wine John 2:1-11
 January 6 Jesus Clears the Temple John 2:12-25
 January 7 You Must be Born Again John 3:1-36
 January 8 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman John 4:1-42
 January 9 The Father is Always at Work John 4:43-5:30
 January 10 Testimonies About Jesus John 5:31-47
 January 11 Jesus the Bread of Life John 6:1-59
 January 12 Many Disciples Turn Back John 6:60-71
 January 13 Is Jesus the Christ? John 7:1-53
 January 14 The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony John 8:1-59
 January 15 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:1-41
 January 16 The Good Shepherd John 10:1-42
 January 17 Lazarus Raised from the Dead John 11:1-44
 January 18 The Plot to Kill Jesus John 11:45-57
 January 19 The Triumphal Entrance John 12:1-19
 January 20 Jesus Predicts His Death John 12:20-50
 January 21 The Last Supper John 13:1-38
 January 22 Jesus is the Way to the Father John 14:1-31
 January 23 The Vine and the Branches John 15:1-16:33
 January 24 Jesus Prays John 17:1-26
 January 25 Jesus Arrested John 18:1-11
 January 26 The High Priest Questions Jesus John 18:12-27
 January 27 Jesus Before Pilate John 18:28-19:16
 January 28 The Passion John 19:17-37
 January 29 The Burial and Resurrection John 19:38-20:9
 January 30 Jesus Appears to His Disciples John 20:10-31
 January 31 Jesus Reinstates Peter John 21:1-25

Track Two... 29 Days with Jesus

 January 3 The Birth of Jesus Luke 1:1-2:20
 January 4 John the Baptist Matthew 3:1-4:11
 January 5 Water to Wine/Samaritan John 2:1-11; 4:1-26
 January 6 Jesus Rejected Luke 4:14-30
 January 7 Jesus’ Disciples Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 9:9-13
 January 8 Sermon on the Mount Luke 6:17-46
 January 9 Centurion, Widow’s Son Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7:11-50
 January 10 Encounters with Pharisees Matthew 12:1-13;22-45
 January 11 Parable of Sower/Weeds Matthew 13:1-43
 January 12 Jesus the Healer Luke 8:22-25; Mark 6:45-56
 January 13 Jesus Calms Storm Mark 5:1-43
 January 14 Feeding of 5000 Mark 6:30-56; John 6:1-24
 January 15 Jesus Transfigured Matthew 17:1-11; Luke 17:1-8
 January 16 Healing of a Boy Mark 9:14-32
 January 17 Teachings and Parables Matthew 17:24-18:20
 January 18 Teachings and Parables Matthew 18:21-19:15
 January 19 Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:17-31
 January 20 Disciples Sent Luke 10:1-24
 January 21 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
 January 22 How to Pray Matthew 5:5-18; Luke 11:1-13
 January 23 Lazarus Raised John 11:1-44
 January 24 Triumphal Entry Matthew 21:1-27
 January 25 The Last Supper John 13:1-17; Matthew 26:17-35
 January 26 Disciples Comforted John 14:1-15:27
 January 27 Jesus Arrested Matthew 26:36-75
 January 28 Jesus’ Trial John 18:29-19:16
 January 29 Jesus’ Passion John 19:17-42
 January 30 Jesus’ Resurrection John 20:1-21:25
 January 31 The Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:50-53

Track Three... 29 Days through the Gospels

January 3 Matthew 1-3
January 4 Matthew 4-6
January 5 Matthew 7-9
January 6 Matthew 10-12
January 7 Matthew 13-15
January 8 Matthew 16-18
January 9 Matthew 19-21
January 10 Matthew 22-24
January 11 Matthew 25-26
January 12 Matthew 27-28
January 13 Mark 1-3
January 14 Mark 4-6
January 15 Mark 7-10
January 16 Mark 11-13
January 17 Mark 14-16
January 18 Luke 1-3
January 19 Luke 4-7
January 20 Luke 8-11
January 21 Luke 12-15
January 22 Luke 16-18
January 23 Luke 19-21
January 24 Luke 22-24
January 25 John 1-3
January 26 John 4-6
January 27 John 7-9
January 28 John 10-12
January 29 John 13-15
January 30 John 16-18
January 31 John 19-21

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Jesus by the Book, (Matthew) Bible-Study Questions for Discussion and Reflection

As King , Jesus calls us to continually change our mind about His kingdom .

Repentance is central to the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus’ first sermon began, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance leads to salvation, but does not end there. The moment we begin a relationship with Christ, we are invited into a lifestyle of ongoing repentance.

[Q] The following passages from the Gospel of Matthew record teachings by Jesus about repentance. What can be learned about repentance from these scriptures?

Matthew 4:16-18—

Matthew 11:19-21—

Matthew 12:40-42—

Matthew 21:31-33—

[Q] What is the relationship between repentance and the kingdom?

[Q] In what ways does God’s kingdom seem “already here” in your life? In what ways does it seem “yet to come” in your life?

[Q] What are some things in your life that God is calling you to change (repent) in 2010?