December 31, 2014

Read:   Proverbs 1:20-33

Why do you think wisdom is personified here? Have you ever thought of wisdom as being an entity?
Does that make pursuing wisdom easier, more attainable, or more difficult to comprehend?

What is the description of those who are described as foolish? What is their destination? Why do they remain foolish?

In what ways can you look like this description of the foolish? How can you answer the call of wisdom?

December 30, 2014

Read:   2 Chronicles 1:8-12, Proverbs 15:22

Who do you go to for wise counsel? Who is on your “advisory board”? If you don’t have anyone, why not?Who could you ask? Will you?

What do you think was the result of those kings who sought the advice of Solomon? What would be the difference between seeking Godly counsel or going alone? What examples of that have you seen in your life?

December 29, 2014

Read:   1 Kings 3:5-14, James 1:5

If you were asked the same question by God what would you ask for? Why do you think God was so pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom?

Why is wisdom such an important trait? What can we do to grow in wisdom?

Is wisdom something you consistently pray for? Why or why not? In what ways would being more wise help you in your life?

December 27, 2014

Read:  Revelation 12:10-12, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

Explain the type of victory Jesus provides for Christians that trust and follow Him. Be specific.

How does this relate to Christmas? What does this imply about Satan’s only option and approach?

How do you see this playing out today? Give examples. How can you be more spiritually protected?

December 26, 2014

Read:   Revelation 12:10-12, Genesis 3:15, John 12:30-37, Matthew 1:23

Why was there a celebration in Revelation 12:10-12? In what way did God predict this celebration?

Explain how the first Christmas was both a declaration of war and a declaration of victory.

Why is this critical for spiritual warfare? How does this make you feel in your spiritual battle?

December 25, 2014

Read:   Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20, Revelation 12:1-5

What message did the angel send to both Mary and Joseph? How does this highlight Revelation 12?

In what way did the arrival of Jesus signal salvation? (i.e. from what?) How does this point to the cross?

Take time and thank God for His Christmas gift of salvation to you. Make sure you tell others today!

Advent Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18, 1 Thessalonians 3:13

December 24, 2014

Read:  Revelation 12:1-5, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:8-11

How often do you think about spiritual warfare? Why? In what way can Christmas be a reminder?

How does spiritual protection take place? Give examples. How do you need to be more protected?

In what way can you incorporate spiritual protection into your Christmas celebration? Be specific.

Advent Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 2:10-11

December 23, 2014

Read:  Revelation 12:1-5, Matthew 2:1-19

What steps did Herod take to try to kill the baby Jesus? What was the result?

How does this highlight Revelation 12:4? How does this same dynamic take place in Christian life today?

In what way does this elevate Christmas beyond a “happy holiday”? How is God encouraging you?

Advent Reading: Matthew 12:15-17, 16:16, 17:5, Luke 4:16-21, 20:9-13, Galatians 4:4-7

December 22, 2014

Read:  Revelation 12:1-5, 9, Genesis 3:16, 37:9, Isaiah 14:12-15, Matthew 1:20-21

What three options are there for interpreting the sign of the woman? Who is the red dragon?

What does this imply about the first Christmas and spiritual warfare? Why is this important?

How do you see this being overlooked today? How does this challenge your Christmas perspective?

Advent Reading: Colossians 1:15-23, Galatians 4:4-7, Romans 8:14-17, 1 John 3:1-2

December 20, 2014

Read:   Matthew 1:18-25, Genesis 37:5-11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

How did God speak to the two Josephs? How did this impact the way they responded to life’s challenges?

How does God speak to Christians today? How should this impact the way Christians respond?

In what way do you think this is happening today? Why? How is God challenging you to know His word?

Advent Reading: Isaiah 35:4-6, 53:4-5, Malachi 4:2, Matthew 4:23, 9:20-22, John 11:45-48, Mark 12:24

December 19, 2014

Read:  Matthew 1:21-25, Luke 2:4-7, Matthew 2:13-15, 4:1-11

As the foster parent of Jesus, describe the ways in which Joseph was challenged. How did he respond?

How could he have responded? What would have happened?

How does both Joseph and Jesus provide a model for obedience? What steps does God want you to take?

Advent Reading: Matthew 2:13-16, 19-23, Luke 2:25-32

December 18, 2014

Read:   Matthew 1:21-25, Luke 1:5-20

How did Joseph respond to God’s direction? How does this compare to Zechariah’s response to God?

What does this say about timing and obeying God? Why is this important for success?

How do you typically respond to a challenging moment? How do you need to be more like Joseph?

Advent Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:10-11

December 17, 2014

Read:  Matthew 1:18-20, Luke 1:26-33

How were both Mary and Joseph described spiritually? Why is this important to consider during a struggle?

How can this get confused? (i.e. “good people have easy lives”) Why is this unbiblical thinking?

In what way have you experienced this truth? What current struggle do you need to rethink? Be specific.

Advent Reading: Job 38:4-7, Romans 8:38-39, 12:16, 1 Peter 1:10-12

December 16, 2014

Read:  Matthew 1:18-20, Genesis 37:17-28, 45:4-8, James 1:2-4

How did the two Josephs experience similar struggles? What was the end result? Why is this important?

In what way does this redefine something that is “bad”? What does this teach about avoiding a struggle?

How might God be using a current struggle in your life for the good? Be specific.

Advent Reading: Luke 2:8-20

December 15, 2014

Read:  Matthew 1:18-20, John 8:1-5, Luke 3:23, John 6:42

Why did Joseph want to divorce Mary? What would have been the cultural implications toward Mary?

How would the ministry of Jesus been impacted had Joseph gone through with a divorce? Give an example.

What does this teach about challenging times? How does this challenge you in a current struggle?

Advent Reading: Isaiah 9:6, Mark 1:4, 7-8, Luke 2:1-7

December 13, 2014

Read:  Matthew 6:31-33, 11:28-29, John 14:27, Romans 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Phil. 4:19

List the different ways God promises to care for you in today’s reading. How does this make you feel?

Which promise stands out given your current situation? Why? How will memorizing the promise help?

Over the next month, commit to memorizing one of God’s promises each week. Journal your experience.

Advent Reading: Luke 1:57-66, 80, Luke 3:3-6, John 1:6-9, 15

December 12, 2014

Read:   Genesis 50:22-26, 2 Peter 1:4, Hebrews 8:6-12, 9:15, John 14:1-4, Matthew 28:20

Why does God make promises? (i.e. for who?) What would happen if He didn’t?

What connection is there between knowing God’s promises and spiritual growth? Give an example.

List as many of God’s promises that you can remember. What is God teaching you about spiritual growth?

Advent Reading:  Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, James 4:6

December 11, 2014

Read:  Genesis 50:22-26, 48:21, Exodus 13:17-19, Joshua 24:32, Hebrews 11:22

What promise was Joseph looking forward to when he died? Why? When do you think it was fulfilled?

How can God’s promises bring strength and keep you trusting in Him? What can happen if you forget?

How can timing cause you to doubt God’s promises? How can you step into a God promise this week?

Advent Reading:  Luke 1:5-20, 22, 24

December 10, 2014

Read:   Matthew 12:46-50, 1 Timothy 3:1-5, Ephesians 5:22-32

What connection is made between family and church in today’s reading? How do they model each other?

How can an unhealthy family lead to an unhealthy church and vice versa? Give examples.

What are you currently modeling in your approach to family? How is God challenging you to change?

Advent Reading:  Ezekiel 34:11-15, Psalm 23:1, Matthew 9:36, John 10:11, 14-17, 27-29, 1 Peter 2:25

December 9, 2014

Read:  Genesis 50:22-26, Matthew 1:1-23, Acts 2:38-39, 1 Corinthians 7:13-14

Why did Matthew present the genealogy of Jesus leading up to His birth?

In what ways does this connect Genesis & Christmas? What does this teach about the value of family?

What can happen when this is overlooked? How can you make your family more of a priority?

Advent Reading:  Psalm 23:1-3, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 4:7, 9-11, 13-14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 7:17

December 8, 2014

Read:  Genesis 50:22-26, 1:26-28, 9:8-11, 12:1-3, 26:1-6, 28:10-15

List the families represented in today’s reading. What was God’s common message to them?

What does this tell you about God’s plan of redemption and how it will be accomplished?

How do you see culture challenging this today? How is your perspective being challenged?

Advent Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7, Mark 10:45, Romans 5:6-8

December 6, 2014

Read:  Psalm 100

This is a song written to give thanks to God. What method(s) does it suggest to use?

How does the song make you feel? Thank God for the truths that bring those feelings.

Read this again tomorrow morning. Ask God to help you live this out during the worship service at church

December 5, 2014

Read:  Psalm 103

Make a list of all the things mentioned in this passage that God has done to bless us.

Make a list of all the character traits of God mentioned in this passage.

Pray through both lists and thank God for what He has done and who He is.

December 4, 2014

Read: Romans 8:18-39

Read this passage and underline or write down words/phrases that speak to you.

How does verse 29 elaborate on verse 28? Meditate on God’s purpose revealed here.

Read through the passage one more time. Stop and thank God every time you are prompted by a thought.

December 3, 2014

Read:   Habakkuk 3:17-19

Reword verse 17 in what might be our modern day equivalents.

In spite of his woes, what was Habakkuk focusing on in verse 18 that created a positive response toward God?

What does he say in verse 19 that helps him move forward? Try personalizing this and pray it today as your own.

December 2, 2014

Read:   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Write down the three imperatives. Now read the passage in the opposite order starting with verse 18.

Consider how they are connected to each other. What did you discover?

Try doing it. Observe how living out verses 18 and 17 results in verse 16 happening throughout your day.

December 1, 2014

Read:  Ephesians 5:18-20

What words or phrases jump out at you? Write them down and meditate on them.

What questions do you have for the text? Write them down and meditate on them.

What verbs are used to suggest action to be taken or avoided? Pray for specific ways to act them out today