November 30, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:9b-11, John 8:1-11 

How did the religious leaders respond to the woman caught in adultery? How did Jesus respond? 

What was Jesus modeling in John 8:11? (Hint: “truth in love”) How is it a model for every Christian? 

In what way does a focus on Jesus always provide spiritual stability? How will you apply it today? 

Advent Reading: Psalm 130:1-8, 146:5-10

November 29, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:9b-11, Mark 1:15-16, John 1:43, 10:22-28 

How did Jesus recruit the disciples? In what way was it personal rather than religious? 

Why is this important to recognize? What can happen if this perspective isn’t maintained in church? 

How can you fall into this trap? Spend some time praying in order to reestablish that personal connection! 

Advent Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

November 28, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:9b-11, Ephesians 2:17-22, 1 Peter 2:4-8, Hebrews 12:1-2 

Explain why Jesus is the “foundation” of Christianity. How were the Corinthians missing this truth? 

What have you seen replace Jesus in Christianity today? Why will this lead to spiritual instability? 

What has been your experience with this truth? How is God challenging you to refocus today? Be specific. 

Advent Reading: Psalm 80:1-7

November 26, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:3b-9a, 1:10-13, Galatians 5:19-24, Matthew 9:35-38

What specific sin did Paul address in the Corinthian church? How did he help them see the problem?

What does this highlight about the way to chart spiritual growth? (i.e. time and truth)

As you measure your Christianity against God’s word, what do you see? What growth steps will you take?

November 25, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3a, Hebrews 5:13-6:2, Psalm 119:103-104, Matthew 4:4 

What specifically does the metaphor of spiritual milk and solid food relate to? Give an example of each. 

What two other metaphors are used in today’s reading to apply to the same thing? 

How would you currently describe your spiritual diet? In what way will you eat more “solid food”?

November 24, 2016

Read:  Psalm 106:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Philippians 1:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 5:18 

What specifically does scripture teach about being thankful? Why is this an important practice? 

In what way are Christians called to be thankful to God and for others? Who are you thankful for? Why? 

How can you express a thankful heart today as you celebrate Thanksgiving? Be specific.

November 23, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3a, Matthew 25:14-30 

How was success measured in the Parable of the Talents? In what way was time a key element? 

What does this imply about God measuring your spiritual growth? How did Paul highlight the same truth? 

How long have you been a Christian? What do you think God expects by now? How will you change?

November 22, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3a, Hebrews 5:12, 1 Peter 2:1-2 

How did Paul measure spiritual growth in the Corinthian church? How did time play a factor? 

Why is this important for measuring spiritual growth? What happens if this is missed? Give an example. 

How does your walk with the Lord in 2016 compare to 2015? Specifically what is God revealing?

November 21, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3a, John 15:1-5 

What promise does Jesus make to every Christian? How does this relate to spiritual growth? 

In what way was Paul teaching the Corinthians the same truth? (i.e. “solid food” vs “much fruit”) 

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

November 19, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Galatians 5:16-24, 2 Corinthians 13:5 

List the ways Gal 5:22-24 highlights the work of the Spirit? How does it compliment 1 Cor 2:10-16? 

Why is it critical for Christians to examine themselves in order to identify the work of the Spirit? 

What is at stake? Pray and ask God for insight about your walk with Him. Be sure to follow His lead.

November 18, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:15-16, Psalm 139:23, John 16:5-11, Ephesians 3:14-19, Galatians 5:25 

What does it mean to have the “mind of Christ”? What does this imply about a behavior change? 

In what way does the Holy Spirit help with this process? How will this be different for a non-Christian? 

How have you experienced the work of the Spirit in this way? How can you do a better job of yielding?

November 17, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:13-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12 

What is God’s purpose for scripture in the life of a believer? How will this be different for a non-believer? 

In what way does this identify the work of the Holy Spirit when reading the Bible? Give an example. 

What happens to you personally when you read the Bible? Be specific. What does this reveal?

November 16, 2016

Read:  1 Cor 2:13-14, Matthew 16:13-20, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:10-12, 2 Peter 1:21 

In what way were the biblical authors inspired when they wrote down scripture? Be specific. 

How does this make the Bible different than other religious documents? Why is this important? 

How does this elevate your view of scripture? What practical steps will you take as a result of this truth?

November 15, 2016

Read: 1 Cor 2:10-12, John 3:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, Ephesians 1:13-14, Titus 3:4-7 

What terms are used in scripture to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? 

How does this relate to motives, values and insight? What is implied if this doesn’t happen? 

How have you experience this truth? Give an example. Why is this important to identify and remember?

November 14, 2016

Read:  1 Cor 2:10-12, Ex 35:30-35, Ps 51:10-11, John 14:16-17, 15:26-27, Gal 4:6, Romans 5:5 

Explain how the Holy Spirit worked with people in the Old Testament? What was the result? 

In what way did this change with New Testament Christians and the church? (i.e. anoint vs. indwell) 

How do Christians today have an advantage? What does this imply about victorious Christian living?

November 12, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:6-9, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 

What was Paul highlighting in 1 Cor. 2:6-7 when it comes to supernatural revelation and wisdom? 

How could this also relate to difficult biblical doctrines? Why is this important to balance with faith? 

In what way can difficult biblical doctrines distract from the Gospel? How can this be avoided?

November 11, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:6-9, Luke 18:15-17, 2 Peter 1:5-9 

Why is it important to always keep the Gospel simple? How simple does Jesus say the Gospel should be? 

What does this highlight about the necessary balance between knowledge & faith needed to become a Christian? 

How will godly wisdom develop and mature over time? (i.e. growth) How have you experienced this?

November 10, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:6-9, Hebrews 11:1-6, Colossians 1:21-23 

What does it mean to have faith? Why will faith always be required in order to become a Christian? 

What does this imply about the limitations of apologetics? How does this relate to protecting the Gospel? 

In what way has faith been equated to naivety? Why is this faulty thinking? How does this challenge you?

November 9, 2016

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, Matthew 2:1-16, 26:57-68, 27:15-26 

Who was Paul most probably talking about in 1 Cor. 2:8? What was their response to Jesus? Why? 

In what way were they using a worldly approach to receiving the Gospel? Why won’t this ever work? 

What happens if the Gospel message is adjusted to accommodate worldly thinking? How is this avoided?

November 8, 2016

Read:  1 Cor. 2:1-5, Gal. 2:20-21, Col. 2:13-14 , Mat. 26:26-29, 1 Tim. 2:5-6, Heb. 9:13-15 

What was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross? Why is the cross central to the Gospel message? 

What will happen to the Gospel if the cross isn’t central? How have you seen this take place today? 

How easy is it for you to talk about the cross? Why? In what way do you need to start protecting The Gospel?

November 7, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Acts 17:1-18:12 

Describe Paul’s experience in Athens when he shared the Gospel. How could he have felt defeated? 

How does it appear to have impacted his approach in Corinth? What was the result? 

What does this imply about a simple Gospel message? How can you be tempted to overcomplicate the Gospel?

November 5, 2016

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, 2 Cor. 5:21, Romans 10:4, Philippians 3:9, 2 Cor. 12:7-9 

Explain what it means to be “righteous” in Christ. How was it accomplished through the cross? 

In what way does every Christian experience this truth? How will this perspective prevent spiritual pride? 

What is required in order to “boast in the Lord”? What steps will you take to boast about Jesus this week?

November 4, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:27-30, Philippians 2:1-11, Mark 6:1-4, Acts 4:8-13 

Why does God choose the foolish, weak, and despised to follow Him and spread the Gospel? 

In what way was Jesus the ultimate example? Why will this always clash with the world’s values? 

How does this truth challenge your current value statement? Pray and ask God how you need to change?

November 3, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:25-29, Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 5:5 

What is required in order for anyone to become a Christian? Why will this be countercultural? 

In what way had the Christian Corinthians drifted from this truth? What was the result? 

What are some ways you can or have drifted from this truth? Be specific. How will you get back on track?

November 2, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:22-24, Matthew 12:38-40, John 6:25-35, Acts 17:16-33 

How did both the Jews and Gentiles put conditions on receiving the Gospel? What did this reveal? 

In what way do you see this same approach being used by non-Christians today? What is the answer? 

Why is this dynamic important to recognize for successful Christian living? How does this challenge you?

November 1, 2016

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 3:18, Romans 1:18-23, James 3:13-18 

What two types of wisdom did Paul discuss in 1 Cor. 1:18-21? How was he protecting the Corinthians? 

What does this imply about how the Gospel will be received in today’s world? Give an example. 

How do you typically respond to spiritual opposition? Why? How is God convicting you to change?