Read: James 3:3-5a, Acts 2:37-41, John 11:38-44, 19:28-30
Consider the power of words in each of these biblical accounts and describe the result of each one.
What does this teach about the impact of words? What is God teaching you about your conversation?
How will you take godly steps of growth by considering the impact of your words? Give specific examples..
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
August 30, 2012
Read: James 3:3-5a, Psalm 34:12-13, Proverbs 18:21
What did James mean by equating the tongue to a horse bit or boat rudder? How does this relate to trials?
In what way have you personally experienced this truth in both a positive and a negative way?
How can verbally speaking God’s word be a spiritual rudder? What will you do to apply this truth?
What did James mean by equating the tongue to a horse bit or boat rudder? How does this relate to trials?
In what way have you personally experienced this truth in both a positive and a negative way?
How can verbally speaking God’s word be a spiritual rudder? What will you do to apply this truth?
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
August 29, 2012
Read: James 3:1-2, Romans 10:9-10, 14:10-12, 1 John 1:9
Why is God so concerned with verbal confession? (i.e. What does it reflect? How are words formed?)
How regularly do you verbalize your thoughts and heart before the Lord? Why or why not?
As you monitor your mouth, what is God teaching you about your spiritual condition?
Why is God so concerned with verbal confession? (i.e. What does it reflect? How are words formed?)
How regularly do you verbalize your thoughts and heart before the Lord? Why or why not?
As you monitor your mouth, what is God teaching you about your spiritual condition?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
August 28, 2012
Read: James 3:1-2, Matthew 12:30-37
How does Jesus confront the spiritual condition of the Pharisees? What were their words reflecting?
Explain the connection between your heart and your mouth. Why does this relate to spiritual growth?
What is God teaching you about the importance of your words? How do you need to grow?
How does Jesus confront the spiritual condition of the Pharisees? What were their words reflecting?
Explain the connection between your heart and your mouth. Why does this relate to spiritual growth?
Monday, August 27, 2012
August 27, 2012
Read: James 3:1-2, Matthew 28:19, 1 Timothy 4:6-16, 6:3-5
Why are teachers of God’s word singled out as being accountable before God? (i.e. judged more strictly)
How have you viewed the role of a pastor or bible teacher when it comes to spiritual responsibility?
In what way have you seen this role diminished today? Take time to pray for your PCC Pastors today.
Why are teachers of God’s word singled out as being accountable before God? (i.e. judged more strictly)
How have you viewed the role of a pastor or bible teacher when it comes to spiritual responsibility?
In what way have you seen this role diminished today? Take time to pray for your PCC Pastors today.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August 18, 2012
Read: James 2:26, Luke 9:18-27
Why did Jesus call people to deny/lose their lives in order to become Christians?
What does this imply about the experience of saving faith? (Hint: self sacrifice)
Why is this important for salvation and sanctification? What is your experience with this truth?
Why did Jesus call people to deny/lose their lives in order to become Christians?
What does this imply about the experience of saving faith? (Hint: self sacrifice)
Why is this important for salvation and sanctification? What is your experience with this truth?
Friday, August 17, 2012
August 17, 2012
Read: James 2:25, Joshua 2:1-21
Why was Rahab presented as an example of saving faith? What were her steps of faith?
What was ultimately at stake for Rahab? How could she have remained in a “dead” faith?
How do you see Christianity today falling prey to promoting a “dead” faith? How can this be avoided?
Why was Rahab presented as an example of saving faith? What were her steps of faith?
What was ultimately at stake for Rahab? How could she have remained in a “dead” faith?
How do you see Christianity today falling prey to promoting a “dead” faith? How can this be avoided?
Thursday, August 16, 2012
August 16, 2012
Read: James 2:20-24, Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-18
How did Abraham present his wife to powerful kings? Why? What was he afraid of? What was at stake?
How did Abraham’s behavior conflict with James 2:20-24? How does this encourage you?
What does this teach about how the walk of faith will “feel”? Why is this important?
How did Abraham present his wife to powerful kings? Why? What was he afraid of? What was at stake?
How did Abraham’s behavior conflict with James 2:20-24? How does this encourage you?
What does this teach about how the walk of faith will “feel”? Why is this important?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
August 15, 2012
Read: James 2:24, Hebrews 11
List five people of faith discussed in Hebrews 11 that you respect and admire. Why do you admire them?
Knowing that saving faith is confirmed by works, how do you see this playing out in Christianity today?
What is God teaching you about being a Christian? What will you do as a result?
List five people of faith discussed in Hebrews 11 that you respect and admire. Why do you admire them?
Knowing that saving faith is confirmed by works, how do you see this playing out in Christianity today?
What is God teaching you about being a Christian? What will you do as a result?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
August 14, 2012
Read: James 2:24, Genesis 22:1-19
Why would Abraham have been confused with God’s instruction? What does this imply about saving faith?
Knowing that Abraham had no scripture to guide him, what is God teaching you about walking by faith?
Write out a specific step of faith that God’s word is telling you to take. Talk to God about it and step out!
Why would Abraham have been confused with God’s instruction? What does this imply about saving faith?
Knowing that Abraham had no scripture to guide him, what is God teaching you about walking by faith?
Write out a specific step of faith that God’s word is telling you to take. Talk to God about it and step out!
Monday, August 13, 2012
August 13, 2012
Read: James 2:20-24, Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 4:1-12, Galatians 3:6-9
What circumstances led to Abraham being made righteous before God? What did he or did he not do?
In what way do you see “saving” faith in the Old and New Testaments the same or different?
How does this help explain James 2:20-24 and prevent misinterpretation? Why is this important?
What circumstances led to Abraham being made righteous before God? What did he or did he not do?
In what way do you see “saving” faith in the Old and New Testaments the same or different?
How does this help explain James 2:20-24 and prevent misinterpretation? Why is this important?
Saturday, August 11, 2012
August 11, 2012
Read: James 2:14-17, Matthew 7:15-23, Acts 8:1-25, 2 Corinthians 13:5
How were Jesus and Peter addressing the same spiritual problem? (i.e. purpose, plan, goal)
How can someone use God for his/her own benefit without actually being a Christian? Give examples.
What does this say about the dangers of self-deception? Take some time in prayer to examine your life.
How were Jesus and Peter addressing the same spiritual problem? (i.e. purpose, plan, goal)
How can someone use God for his/her own benefit without actually being a Christian? Give examples.
What does this say about the dangers of self-deception? Take some time in prayer to examine your life.
Friday, August 10, 2012
August 10, 2012
Read: James 2:19, Mark 1:21-28, Matthew 4:1-11, 25:1-36
What specifically was the place of hypocrisy Jesus was addressing when rebuking the Pharisees?
Given that the demons had a biblical understanding of Jesus, what does this say about the path to salvation?
How can a knowledge based Christianity create a false sense of spiritual security? How do you avoid this?
What specifically was the place of hypocrisy Jesus was addressing when rebuking the Pharisees?
Given that the demons had a biblical understanding of Jesus, what does this say about the path to salvation?
How can a knowledge based Christianity create a false sense of spiritual security? How do you avoid this?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
August 9, 2012
Read: James 2:14-17, John 14:15-31, 1 John 2:1-6, 3:7-10
Why would good deeds and righteous living be a natural result of becoming a Christian?
How have you experienced this truth? (i.e. changed heart, motives, actions) Give examples.
How can only determining your Christianity on “praying the prayer” be risky and even unbiblical?
Why would good deeds and righteous living be a natural result of becoming a Christian?
How have you experienced this truth? (i.e. changed heart, motives, actions) Give examples.
How can only determining your Christianity on “praying the prayer” be risky and even unbiblical?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
Read: James 2:14-17, Luke 6:46-49
Explain the central truth that both Jesus and James were teaching about faith and salvation.
Why did James use an example of compassion to prove his point? (c.f. James 1:27)
How have you typically determined your Christianity? What is God teaching you about faith and works?
Explain the central truth that both Jesus and James were teaching about faith and salvation.
Why did James use an example of compassion to prove his point? (c.f. James 1:27)
How have you typically determined your Christianity? What is God teaching you about faith and works?
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
August 7, 2012
Read: James 2:14-17, Titus 1:5-16
Explaine the problem that Titus was facing in the church at Crete. How did Paul counsel Titus?
How were Paul and James addressing the same issue within the church? Why is this important?
Give an example of how you see this being a problem in Christian churches today? What will prevent it?
Explaine the problem that Titus was facing in the church at Crete. How did Paul counsel Titus?
How were Paul and James addressing the same issue within the church? Why is this important?
Give an example of how you see this being a problem in Christian churches today? What will prevent it?
Monday, August 6, 2012
August 6, 2012
Read: James 2:14, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:21-26, 10:9-13
Explain what it means to be saved by faith. How does this differ from a works based salvation?
Why do you think there seems to be some confusion today when it comes to saving faith and obedience?
In what way can James 2:14 be misunderstood? Describe your testimony in light in James 2:14.
Explain what it means to be saved by faith. How does this differ from a works based salvation?
Why do you think there seems to be some confusion today when it comes to saving faith and obedience?
In what way can James 2:14 be misunderstood? Describe your testimony in light in James 2:14.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
August 4, 2012
Read: Acts 15:1-29
What was the primary struggle and confusion facing Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians? Why?
What was the result of their meeting? How were both sides able to compromise? Be specific.
How does this set a precedent for how Christians today should approach the Old Testament laws?
What was the primary struggle and confusion facing Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians? Why?
What was the result of their meeting? How were both sides able to compromise? Be specific.
How does this set a precedent for how Christians today should approach the Old Testament laws?
Friday, August 3, 2012
August 3, 2012
Read: Exodus 20:17, Matthew 5:21-23
In what way is the tenth commandment different than the other nine? How does it relate to the other nine?
How did Jesus and His Sermon on the Mount apply the same focus as the tenth commandment?
Why is this important for avoiding sin and spiritual protection?
In what way is the tenth commandment different than the other nine? How does it relate to the other nine?
How did Jesus and His Sermon on the Mount apply the same focus as the tenth commandment?
Why is this important for avoiding sin and spiritual protection?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
August 2, 2012
Read: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 22:34-40
How did Jesus contextualize the Ten Commandments? Why is this important for Christian living today?
Read Exodus 20:2-17 and list which commandments you need to contextualize and why.
Restate these commandments in a way that makes them relevant to your walk with the Lord.
How did Jesus contextualize the Ten Commandments? Why is this important for Christian living today?
Read Exodus 20:2-17 and list which commandments you need to contextualize and why.
Restate these commandments in a way that makes them relevant to your walk with the Lord.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
Read: Exodus 20:1-17, John 15:1-10
How does Exodus 20:1-17 and John 15:1-10 relate to one another and accomplish the same thing?
Explain how obedience to the law and obedience to the Lord are both the result of God’s grace.
How do you see this being misinterpreted today? (e.g. legalism vs. spiritual protection)
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