July 31, 2014

Read:  Genesis 38:16b-30, Numbers 32:20-23

What sins did Judah seem to get away with? How did Judah’s backsliding ultimately end? Why?

What does this teach you about backsliding and God’s discipline? How can this be a good deterrent?

What secret compromises are you presently flirting with? How could God expose them? Pray now!

July 30, 2014

Read:  Genesis 38:1-16a, 2 Samuel 11:2-18, James 1:14-15

List the subtle compromises Judah makes by relocating to Adullam. Where did it ultimately lead?

In what way did David follow the same path as Judah and backslide with God? List 3 compromises David made.

What are some ways you can fall into the same trap? How will you protect yourself from backsliding?

July 29, 2014

Read:  Genesis 38:6-10, 6:5-7, 19:12-17, Romans 5:8-9

Why did God kill two sons of Judah? (i.e. Er and Onan) What does this highlight about God’s justice?

How does God’s grace and the cross relate to God’s judgment? Why is this important to emphasize?

In what way have you seen God’s judgment understated today? Why? How does this put others at risk?

July 28, 2014

Read:  Genesis 38:1-3, 26:34-35, 27:46-28:1, 33:18-34:25, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Why was Judah’s move to a Canaanite town a compromise? (Hint: His experience in Shechem)

Why was Judah’s marriage another compromise? (Hint: Esau) How could Judah have fooled himself?

What does this teach you about your potential to backslide? How is God challenging you?

July 26, 2014

Read:  Romans 14:11-12

Take time and mediate on today’s reading asking the Lord to help you see the global impact of The Gospel.

Make notes as God shows you how he wants you to see other nations, people groups, and cultures.

Identify one takeaway that God wants you to continue to pray about and apply here in San Clemente.

July 25, 2014

Read:  Psalm 22:8, 86:9, 105:1-2, 117:1-2 – All People Groups Will Worship the Lord.

Why do you think the book of Psalms continually highlights God’s international perspective?

What is the natural tendency for every people group? In what way does this offend God?

What steps will you take to stretch yourself and broaden your exposure to God’s international work?

July 24, 2014

Read:  Revelation 15:4, Psalm 22:27-28, 47:6-9 - God is The God of All Nations (Jew/Gentiles).

How is God’s plan of redemption primarily for non-Americans? (i.e. U.S. = 5% of world population)

What does this imply about what you will experience in heaven? How does this change your viewpoint?

In what way did God use the PCC and Iglesia El Camino combined Sunday service to speak to you?

July 23, 2014

Read:  Acts 15:1-35 - We will Have to Work Through Cultural Challenges to Minister to Others.

What were the primary challenges taking place between the two Christian groups in today’s reading?

How did culture and traditions create the conflict? What was required in order for them to agree?

How does this relate to pride and humility? In what way can you fall into the same trap? Pray about it now

July 22, 2014

Read:  Acts 10:1-28 - Peter And Cornelius (Prejudice Against others w/The Gospel)

Why did Peter struggle with the thought of going to Cornelius’ home? What did God teach him?

What do you find hinders your perspective about other people groups (i.e. politics, values, color, etc.)?

What does God think about your struggle? How can viewing all people as God’s creation help?

July 21, 2014

Read:  Genesis 18:18, Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8 - God’s Plan of Redemption for All Mankind

How does both PCC & IEC (Iglesia El Camino) demonstrate Gen 18:18?

In what way does Iglesia El Camino (PCC’s Spanish church) demonstrate God’s promise to Abraham?

How does this help your perspective about reaching Hispanics in San Clemente? What steps will you take?

July 19, 2014

Read:  John 15:18-19, 2 Corinthians 6:4-16

Why did Jesus warn His disciples about future struggles? How might they have misinterpreted them?

In what way do you see this same misinterpretation happening today? Give an example

How can you fall into this trap? Given this truth, how do you see God working in your life? Why?

July 18, 2014

Read:  Genesis 37:5-11, 18-20, Ephesians 6:10-18

How was Jacob in a spiritual battle and not just a personal battle with his brothers? (i.e. truth vs. sin)

In light of Eph 6:10-18, how does this challenge your view of opposition for your faith? Be specific.

What does a lack of spiritual opposition indicate? Take time to pray and ask God to reveal truth about you.

July 17, 2014

Read:  Genesis 37:5-36

Why did Joseph’s brothers want to kill him? (hint: v.19) How did this relate to God working in his life?

What does this highlight about how growing Christians will encounter a non-Christian mindset today?

In what way can this help I.D. God working in your life? Give an example. What is God teaching you?

July 16, 2014

Read:  Genesis 28:10-15, 35:6-7, 10-13, Colossians 3:16

How did God build Jacob’s confidence to walk by faith even though Esau was trying to kill him?

Explain the difference between trusting your circumstances and trusting God’s word? Give an example.

Why does the Bible always need to be your evidence for God working? How will you step into Col 3:16?

July 15, 2014

Read:  Exodus 14:1-31

In what way did it seem like God wasn’t working when Moses delivered the Israelites from slavery?

How were they surprised? What does this teach you about predicting what God will or won’t do?

How can you fall into this trap? What adjustment do you need to make about a “hopeless” situation? Pray!

July 14, 2014

Read:  Genesis 37:1-4, 27:42-45, 33:1-4, Genesis 30:25-39,43

What is surprising about Joseph’s life, knowing that God is raising him up to be #2 in all of Egypt?

How do you see this same truth happening in Jacob’s life? Give specific examples.

How does this encourage you in your walk with the Lord? How might you be currently misjudging God?

July 12, 2014

Read:  Job 11:7-9, Romans 11:33, Proverbs. 3:5-7

Why is it critical for Christians to recognize life won’t always make sense? How does this relate to faith?

How do you struggle with control and knowing? Give an example. What does this ultimately say to God?

Take time right now to pray, confessing any pride, and ask God to help you trust Him in the unknown.

July 11, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:10-11, 36:31-43, 1 Samuel 14:47-48, 1 Kings 11:14-17, Obadiah 1-20

How did God ultimately fulfill His promise to Jacob? Was it before or after Esau’s success?

How could the interim time have been confusing for Jacob? What does this say about the timing trap?

How can you fall into the timing trap with God? Give an example. How do you need to change?

July 10, 2014

Read:  Genesis 36, 25:23, 27:39-40, Hebrews 12:15-17

Explain how Genesis 36 reflects God fulfilling His promise to Rebekah. In what way did Esau deserve it?

How does this challenge your thinking? What does this teach about God’s promises and sinful people?

Why is this important when it comes to managing expectations and disappointments with God? Be specific.

July 9, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:16-29, James 4:13-16

Why did James address those who felt they had it all together? What did he tell them to do or not do?

What does this teach you about how to approach life? What does this tell you about keeping God in the loop?

In what way is complaining about struggles offensive to God? Take time to pray and repent if needed.

July 8, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:16-29, 2 Corinthians 11:23-31

List the unexpected challenges both Jacob and Paul faced when they were walking with the Lord.

How did they respond? Why is this important for every Christian to recognize? How can this get confused?

Specifically, how do your expectations need to be adjusted? (i.e. work, friends, children, etc.)

July 7, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:16-29, 28:10-22, 29:16-28

What took place right after both of Jacob’s Bethel experiences? What does this imply about life and God?

How can this get misunderstood or confused? How does this relate to unmet expectations with God?

In what way can your devotion to God be conditional on circumstances? How does Jacob help you?

July 5, 2014

Read:  Exodus 20:1-10, Deuteronomy 5:6-14

Why did God repeat the 10 commandments to His people? Explain the spiritual benefits of repetition.

How can a thirst for “new” spiritual truth actually hinder your walk with Jesus? Give an example.

Read a bible passage you are familiar with and ask God for new insight. Journal your experience.

July 4, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:6-7, 28:18-22, Revelation 2:4-5

Why did Jacob build God an altar in Bethel? How was this a repeat of 30 years prior?

Explain how this illustrates the truth of Revelation 2:5? What spiritual disciplines did you used to have in place?

What has been the result of stopping? In what way do you need to return and reconnect with Jesus?

July 3, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:6-14, 17:1-8, 28:10-22, 32:22-28

What specifically did God tell Jacob at Bethel? Why did He repeat Himself? (hint: past 10 years of sin)

What does this imply about God’s faithfulness? How does Romans 8:35-39 teach you the same truth?

In light of God’s faithfulness, how do you need to be more faithful? Be specific.

July 2, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:1-2, Leviticus 6:10-11, Ephesians 4:22-25, Colossians 3:7-10, 1 Peter 5:5

Why did Jacob tell his family to change their clothes? How was clothing used as a spiritual metaphor?

What is implied by putting on and taking off clothing with regards to sin? How are they similar?

How would you describe your favorite sin in terms of clothing? How does God want you to take it off?

July 1, 2014

Read:  Genesis 35:1-5, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:8-9

How was Jacob calling his family to repent before going to Bethel? Why? What did Bethel represent?

Describe your walk with the Lord. (i.e. thriving, apathetic, etc.) Is it better or worse than last year? Why?

How do you think God may be calling you back to Bethel? What specifically do you need to repent of?