October 31, 2014

Read:  Genesis 47:25-27, Acts 16:23-36

Why was Paul put in jail in Philippi? How could this have challenged his confidence in God doing a work?

Describe how God provided for both Paul and Silas. What does this imply about God’s provision?

How could Paul have missed it based on expectations? What is God teaching you about paying attention?

October 30, 2014

Read:  Genesis 39:1-5, 39:20-23, 41:37-41, 47:27

Explain the different ways Joseph faced some very difficult changes. Be specific. How did God work?

Given the results, how does this reveal “when” God often works? Why is this important to understand?

What can happen to our spiritual vision when times get tough? How is God challenging your perspective?

October 29, 2014

Read:   1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Romans 12:4-10, Ephesians 4:11-13

What is a gift of the Spirit? What is the ultimate purpose of a spiritual gift? Why is this important?

What gift/gifts has God given you? How can you know for sure? (i.e. the test)

How does this relate to being able to recognize when God is working? Give an example in your life.

October 28, 2014

Read:   Acts 16:12-23, Matthew 5:11-23

How did God use Paul to plant a church in Philippi? What type of reaction did he get? Why?

How do these reactions indicate God is working? What would no reaction indicate?

In what way can this perspective be misunderstood? What is God teaching you about recognizing His work?

October 27, 2014

Read:   Genesis 39:1-5, 39:20-23, 41:37-41, 47:13-26

In what way did God use Joseph throughout his life? How did this impact others? Be specific.

What does this teach about recognizing when God is working? Why is this important to understand?

How do you think this currently applies to your life? Give an example. How does this encourage you?

October 25, 2014

Read:  Genesis 47:7-12, Romans 11:33-34, Ephesians 3:20-21

In what way did Jacob live out Ephesians 3:20? What does this teach you about expectations and God working?

How can a limiting perspective about God prevent you from seeing Him work? Give an example.

How has today’s devotion encouraged you? Be specific. How can you do a better job of seeing God work?

October 24, 2014

Read:  Genesis 47:7-12, 14:16-20, 48:13-16

Why did Jacob bless Pharaoh when he met him? What was this highlighting about Jacob’s gratitude?

How was God using the Pharaoh in Jacob’s life? What does this imply about God using non-Christians?

How does this challenge the way you picture God working in your life? How could this be happening now?

October 23, 2014

Read:  Genesis 12:10-12, 47:7-12

In what way would Jacob have been surprised by his encounter with Pharaoh? Why?

In what way would Pharaoh have been surprised by his encounter with Jacob? Be specific.

What does this highlight about how and when God works? How does this encourage you right now?

October 22, 2014

Read:  Matthew 7:1-29, Ephesians 1:16-20, James 1:5

Explain why Jesus amazed the crowd. How does this highlight Ephesians 1:17 and James 1:5?

In what way does this help clarify how God will often work? What has been your experience with this?

What is God teaching you about how he may be working in your life right now? Be specific.

October 21, 2014

Read:   1 Kings 3:7-28

How did Solomon handle an argument between two prostitutes? How did he prove God was working?

What is the difference between being smart and having supernatural wisdom? Give an example of each.

Why is this important when it comes to recognizing how God may be working in your life? Be specific.

October 20, 2014

Read:   Genesis 39:1-5, 20-23, 41:15-41, 46:28-47:6

How was Joseph able to succeed after being sold into slavery in Egypt? What was the common theme?

What prior training did Joseph have before arriving in Egypt? What does this imply about how God works?

In what way is it easy to overlook God working? How can you be more attentive to ‘Joseph moments’?

October 18, 2014

Read:  Genesis 46:1-27, Numbers 13:1-14:9 

Why were the Israelites struggling in the wilderness? How would Genesis 46:1-27 have encouraged them?

What does this teach about the importance of God’s word providing stability in times of change? 

How do you typically handle instability and fear? What steps do you need to take to grow in God’s word?

October 17, 2014

Read:  Genesis 46:1-7, Psalm 119:147-148, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:28, Eph. 3:20-21, Phil. 1:6

Explain the transition that takes place for Jacob after encountering God at Beersheba. Why?

How does the interplay between the names “Jacob” and “Israel” highlight this truth?

How does God’s word help with instability and fear of change? How does today’s reading encourage you?

October 16, 2014

Read:  Genesis 46:1-7, 12:10-20, 26:1-2

Why was Jacob afraid to go to Egypt? Be specific. (e.g. pagan, safety, etc.) How did God respond?

What impact did this have on Jacob? Why? What does this teach you about stability and God’s word?

How can this be applied to unexpected changes that are occurring in your life? Be specific.

October 15, 2014

Read:  Genesis 42:36, 45:25-28, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 4:4-8

What was Jacob’s mindset when first hearing about Joseph in Egypt? How did his history play into it?

How can self-pity/complaining become a comfortable place to stay? Why is this spiritually dangerous?

How can practicing 2 Cor. 5:10 help promote a godly response to the unexpected? What steps will you take?

October 14, 2014

Read:  Genesis 45:25-28, Luke 24:1-12, Romans 8:28

In what way did Jesus’ disciples respond like Jacob when they heard the news about a resurrection?

How do you typically respond to the unexpected change? Why? Give an example.

What is God teaching you about the way you process change? How does Romans 8:28 help you?

October 13, 2014

Read:  Genesis 45:4-9, 25-28

How did Jacob first respond to the news about Joseph? What convinced him differently?

How did Jacob’s imagination get in the way of faith? How did the same thing happen in Genesis 37:31-35?

What lesson does Jacob teach you about responding to change? How can you prevent a Jacob response?

October 11, 2014

Read:    Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:16, Colossians 3:17 & 23-24

How do these verses speak to the attitude we should have towards our actions?

What are some of the results of living out our lives like these verses? Where do you need to ask God for help?

How have this week’s devotional times helped you to get a clearer understanding of your “beliefs” & “actions?”

October 10, 2014

Read:   John 8:31-32, 14:12-14 & 15:1-5, 1 John 2:3-6 & 5:1-3

What is the correlation between “believing” and “doing” in these passages? What needs to be “believed?”

What is the “evidence/proof” given in these passages that you are “believing” the right thing?

What is the promise/reward given in these passages for those who believe & respond with their actions/life?

October 9, 2014

Read:  John 6:26-29, Hebrews 11:6, James 2:14-26, Ephesians 2:8-10

What do the Hebrews and Ephesians verses say about where faith comes from? Are they compatible? How?

How does the James passage draw together the importance of “deeds” and faith? Are they both important?

How can you very practically and specifically live out Ephesians 2:8-10 right now in your life?

October 8, 2014

Read:  John 6:26-29, 1:12 & 3:16-18, Phillipians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21 & 15, Galatians 2:20-21

List some common themes in these verses (i.e. believe, love, righteousness, faith, living) and how they relate?

Read message Point 2. What has Jesus done for you? What part did you play? What should your response be?

What are some specific areas in your life where you need to quit trying to “do,” and shift to “believe/trust”?

October 7, 2014

Read:   John 6:26-29, Hosea 6:6, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-12 & 22-24, Titus 3:4-6, Matt 11:28-30

What do all of these verses infer about the human condition & how God views “works” as a means to salvation?

Read message Point 1. How/where have you gotten this belief wrong in your life & view of God? (past/present)

Referring to the verses above, how does God address, respond to, & solve the problem of a works-based faith?

October 6, 2014

Read:  John 6

What is the context of this week’s passage (6:26-29) based on the entirety of Chapter 6? (vv. 2, 14, 40, 47, 68-69)

What were the people focused on (physical or spiritual; temporal or eternal)? What did the people really want?

Do you tend to focus more on the earthly or heavenly? What was Jesus trying to tell/show them? How about you?

October 4, 2014

Read:  Matthew 15:18, James 1:26, Matthew 12:36-37

What does scripture say about the connection of our words and heart?

When you reflect upon your speech patterns, what do you want God to change in your heart?

Pray through these scriptures and ask God to give you victory in this/these area(s).

October 3, 2014

Read:   Proverbs 12:18-19, 25; 15:1, 4, 23; 16:23-24; 17:9; 18:21; 25:11; 27:6

What insights do these proverbs bring into lacing your words with grace and truth?

Which one or two really speaks to you? Why?

Pick one to memorize and meditate on all day today.

October 2, 2014

Read:   John 14:1-7

How did Jesus describe himself? (v. 6)

Why did Jesus describe himself as the truth? How is that so?

How does truth help us? (v. 1) (Also see John 8:32)

October 1, 2014

Read:  Ephesians 4:25, 29-32

What are the three steps in v. 25 to becoming a truth-teller?

Make a list of the criteria found in vv. 29-32 in regards to how we should communicate with others.

Pray through this list and ask God to reveal any sins of the tongue in your life.