October 31, 2015

Read:  Romans 9:1-29

Describe how predestination affirms God’s sovereignty and grace. Give examples from today’s reading.

In what way do other parts of your life actually reflect predestination? Give examples. (Hint: hair color)

How can this understanding help resolve some of the predestination tension? Be specific.

October 30, 2015

Read: Romans 9:14-17, Jonah 3:1-4:2, John 3:16-19, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 3:9

What terms does Paul use in Romans 9:14-17 to describe God’s motives behind predestination?

How does this help rebut any accusations about God not being just or fair? (Hint: grace vs merit)

How can this be a settling truth in light of predestination? How does this help you?

October 29, 2015

Read:  Romans 9:14-18, Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 8:15, 32, 9:1-17, 34, 10:1, 20, 27

What choice did God give Pharaoh when it came to releasing Jews? (c.f. Ex. 9:1-3) Be specific.

How does this coincide with God hardening Pharaoh’s heart? (c.f. Ex. 8:15, 10:1)

Why is this important for a discussion about predestination? How does this prevent a misunderstanding?

October 28, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:28-30, 9:1-13, 11:33-36, Deuteronomy 29:29, Job 11:7-8, 1 Corinthians 2:16

Why will you always be limited in your understanding of God? What biblical truth does this highlight?

How does predestination relate to your limited understanding? Give an example.

How do unanswered “why” questions make you feel? What is God teaching you about trust and humility?

October 27, 2015

Read:  Romans 9:1-13, Genesis 12:1-3, 18:10, 25:23, Luke 1:13, Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 1:11-12

List at least five ways that God orchestrated His plan of salvation. How does this relate to predestination?

Why is predestination important in order to preserve God’s sovereignty? How is the alternative unbiblical?

What do you find challenging about predestination? How can maintaining an elevated view of God help?

October 26, 2015

Read:  Isaiah 40:28, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:1-10, 147:5, Proverbs 15:3, Revelation 21:1-6

List the three primary attributes of God presented in today’s reading. Why is this important to understand?

What can happen when Christians overlook these attributes? (i.e. minimize God) Give an example.

How is your view of God being challenged? Ask God how you have minimized His role in your life.

October 24, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:1, 33-34, Zechariah 2:1-3:1, Revelation 12:10, 1 John 3:18-22

List two ways that Christians can feel condemned. How can this ultimately lead to worry or fear?

What specific biblical truth can every Christian rely on when it comes to guilt or condemnation?

In what way can this bring security when life gets tough? How is God encouraging you today?

October 23, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:33-39, Matthew 4:1-11

How did Satan try to tempt Jesus away from trusting the Father? How did Jesus respond?

What does this teach about God’s care and provision? How can tough times challenge this truth?

How are you currently tempted to doubt God’s love and care for you? How does today’s devotional help?

October 22, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:33-39, Jeremiah 29:11-12, Matthew 14:22-31, 28:18-20

How does God’s sovereignty relate to His unconditional love? Why is this important for the walk of faith?

In what way is worry or fear essentially a lack of faith in God’s love for you? Be specific.

How does Romans 8:37 encourage you to trust God in a current struggle? Pray about it right now.

October 21, 2015

Read: Romans 8:28-32, Genesis 37:12-28, 41:37-41, 50:6-20

Why did Joseph’s brothers mistreat him? How could Joseph have doubted God’s care for him?

How might you have felt if you were Joseph? In what way did Joseph experience Romans 8:28?

What has been your experience with this truth? How is God encouraging you to trust His plan?

October 20, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:28-32, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 5:7

What is the root cause of worry or fear? Why are Christians called never to worry or fear?

What does scripture tell Christians to do when tempted to worry? Why? How have you experienced this?

What typically causes you to worry? Why? What is God calling you to change in your response to worry?

October 19, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:28-32, 5:8,  John 6:44, Ephesians 2:8-9, Phil. 1:6, 2:12-13, 2 Thess. 2:13-14

What is the primary truth of Romans 8:28? How can this get misinterpreted? Why is this important?

How does a Christian’s salvation prove the truth of Romans 8:28? (i.e. God’s plan)

Describe a struggle you are currently facing? How does Romans 8:28 apply? Write out your answer.

October 17, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 26:37-46, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Why is being open to God’s will an important part of prayer? What can happen when you aren’t?

How does the Holy Spirit teach Christians how to pray? How will this help with pain management?

How is God challenging your prayer life? What specifically will you be doing to change this week?

October 16, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:26-27, John 14:25-29, 15:26-27, 16:7-14

Describe the various roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. List at least three.

In what way does the Holy Spirit’s role relate to pain management? How does this also relate to prayer?

How often do you rely on the Holy Spirit during tough times? Why? How does this encourage you today?

October 15, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:26-27, Luke 18:3-7

In what way did the Apostle Paul specifically encourage the Roman Christians when they were struggling?

How did it relate to prayer? In what way did Jesus provide the same encouragement to His disciples?

Why will giving up on prayer be a bad idea? What is God prompting you to pray about right now? Do it!

October 14, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:18-25, Isaiah 11:1-10, 1 Cor. 15:50-58, 2 Pet. 3:11-13, 1 John 3:2, Rev. 21:1-8

Why is “hope” a critical part of the Christian life? How can it be helpful when life gets tough?

How easy is it for you to lose hope? Why? What does this tell you about a needed perspective change?

Describe an area of your life that brings you pain. How does eternity relate? How can you find hope?

October 13, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:18-25, John 14:1-4, 2 Cor. 5:2-3, Colossians 3:2-4, 1 Thess. 5:8-11, Titus 3:4-7

How does today’s reading encourage Christians to think? How is this different than “positive” thinking?

Describe why this perspective is important for pain management in daily life. Give an example.

How often do you think about eternity? Why? How does this encourage you this week?

October 12, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 6:4-5, 11:23-28

In what way will pain and suffering always be a part of every Christian’s life? Give examples.

How have you seen this truth overlooked in Christianity today? Why is this dangerous?

How has today’s reading given you a new perspective in your current life struggles? Be specific

October 10, 2015

Read:  1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Hebrews 10:24-25

What are the action steps in the 1 Thessalonian verses?

Apply what Hebrews says: Consider how you might spur on a specific friend to strengthen their walk with God.

October 9, 2015

Read:  1 Samuel 23:15-16, Colossians 3:16-17

How did Jonathan act like a friend in the 1 Samuel passage? How does that help?

What important truth do you see in the Colossians passage?

Do you have spiritual conversations with your friends?

October 8, 2015

Read: 1 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 4:32

What are the practical behaviors associated with a tender heart in these verses?

Which of these behaviors do you see in your life?

How can you grow in this area?

October 7, 2015

Read:  Romans 12:15

When has someone made this level of connection with you? How did it help you?

When have you made this level of connection with a friend? How did it feel?

Ask God to reveal a friend who might need your input in one of these two ways.

October 6, 2015

Read:  Proverbs 25:19

Rewrite this proverb in your own words.

Remember a time you experienced this. How did it affect you?

Ask God if you have let a friend down in this area. Call them today and apologize.

October 5, 2015

Read:  Philippians 2:3-8

What are the descriptions of humility found in these verses?

What are some examples of how Jesus “emptied himself”?

How has a friend demonstrated this toward you? Call them today and thank them.

October 3, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Philippians 1:6, Titus 3:4-8

How will maintaining an eternal perspective be a good reminder about God’s love and care for you?

In what way does it also highlight the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? (Hint: glorified)

What can you do to either help or hinder this work? What is God teaching you that needs to change?

October 2, 2015

Read:  Romans 8:12-15, Matthew 14:32-36, Galatians 4:6, 1 John 3:2-7

Describe how a person’s perspective about God should change when they become a Christian. Why?

What specific truth does Romans 8:15 teach about God’s availability to you? How does this make you feel?

In what way are you indebted to God? Specifically, how will you apply this truth to your life this week?

October 1, 2015

Read: Romans 8:12-15, Ephesians 4:30-31, Galatians 5:19-26, 1 John 1:8-10

What challenge is facing every Christian on a daily basis? What happens when this challenge is ignored?

What is required in order to meet the challenge? (i.e. 1 John 1:9) How does this relate to the Holy Spirit?

What areas of your life is God prompting you to address? Take time right now to step into this process.