November 30, 2017

Read:  Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 2:6-7, 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

How can prayers of thanksgiving help you overcome worry? 

Make a thanksgiving prayer list and thank God for everything He has given you recently. 

Thank God for the difficulties/challenges you are facing.

November 29, 2017

Read:  Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:9-13, Psalm 55:22, Proverbs 16:3 

What can we do instead of worrying? 

How are believers encouraged to pray? 

What changes do you need to make in your prayer life?

November 28, 2017

Read:  Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Peter 5:7 

What does the Bible say about worry/anxiety? 

What material things does Jesus tell us not to worry about? (Matt. 6:25-34) 

What are your top three worries? What worry will you entrust to God today?

November 27, 2017

Read:  Philippians 1:12-30, 4:1-9, Acts 16:22-24, 1 Thessalonians 2:2 

What were some of the challenges the Apostle Paul was facing in the book of Philippians? 

What was Paul’s attitude and response to his trials? 

How do you respond to the challenges in your life? What’s one way you can follow Paul’s example today?

November 25, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:56-57, Gen. 2:15-17, Rom. 6:23, Gal. 3:13-14, Heb. 2:14-15, 1 Pet. 2:22-25 

Why is the consequence of sin death? What does “the power of sin is the law” mean? Why is it important? 

In what way is Paul’s statement in 1 Cor. 15:56-57 a summary of the Gospel? Be specific. 

What does this teach you about the benefits of the Gospel both now and eternally? Thank God for this truth!

November 24, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:53-57, Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Revelation 20:14 

In what way does the resurrection reverse the consequences of sin? What is the long-term impact? 

How does this fulfill Isaiah’s and Hosea’s prophecies? In what way should this encourage all Christians? 

Describe how you think life would change if there is no death today? How does this encourage you?

November 23, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:53-58, Ephesians 6:10-18, Colossians 3:17 

What perspective does Paul use to motivate the Corinthian Christians in their walk with Jesus? 

What does it mean to be “steadfast” and “immovable”? How is this accomplished? Be specific. 

How does this motivate you in your walk with the Lord? What specific ways will you step into 1 Cor. 15:58?

November 22, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 24:36-41, Acts 1:6-7 

How did Jesus describe the signs of His return? What did he also say about knowing when it will happen? 

Explain the difference between anticipating the return of Christ and predicting it. Why is this important? 

How have you seen this truth overlooked in Christianity today? Give an example.

November 21, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:51-52, Matthew 24:3-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 19:11-21:8 

In what way does scripture describe the rapture? How quickly will it take place? Why is this important? 

Explain how the rapture will initiate the end of the age. What will take place after that? Be specific. 

How does this adjust your “end times” perspective? In what way does this encourage you?

November 20, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:50-52, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 12:13-21, Titus 2:11-13, 1 John 3:1-3 

What are the two ways a personal resurrection can take place? Why is this important to remember? 

What can happen if death is your only focus? How often do you think about the Lord’s return? 

In what way can this perspective help your walk with Him? What steps will you take to remind yourself?

November 18, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:44-49, Acts 7:55-57, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Ephesians 6:12 

How did Jesus experience a dual dimension after the resurrection? What does this imply about eternity? 

How do you see yourself spiritually inhibited today? Why? How will this ultimately change? 

Why is this important to remember? How can this be an encouragement to any Christian facing death?

November 17, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:44-49, John 20:26-29, Luke 24:28-31, 36-42 

In what way did the resurrected Christ experience both a natural and spiritual body? Give an example. 

How does this provide a more tangible picture for your eternal existence? Be specific. 

How does this help you respond to the idea that eternity is simply spirits floating around in heaven?

November 16, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:20, 44-49, Genesis 2:7, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Philippians 3:20-21 

Why did Paul compare Adam to Jesus in terms of natural and spiritual images? What was being implied? 

How is Jesus the example for this taking place? How does this help you picture your resurrection? 

In what way will you personally experience this? How does this help you get excited about eternity?

November 15, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:35-43, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 

What is implied by the way Paul describes our earthly body in 2 Corinthians 5:1? (i.e. tent) 

How does this compare to a resurrected body? (i.e. building) How does this relate to 1 Corinthians 15:42-44? 

Why does Paul describe someone who has died as “groaning”? How does this relate to a pre-resurrection?

November 14, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:35-43, Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 8:20-24, Revelation 21:4 

What are the three ways Paul describes a resurrected body will be different than our bodies today? 

In what way is it an upgrade? Be specific. How would this have adjusted a Corinthian perspective? 

What are some ways you would like a body upgrade? How does this help you anticipate eternity?

November 13, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:35-43, Genesis 1:1-27 

Why did Paul call the Corinthians fools when it came to the resurrection? What was their primary issue? 

In what way did Paul use a farming metaphor to refute their argument? How did he use natural creation? 

How does this explain concerns about a future resurrection? (i.e., age, decay) How does this encourage you?

November 11, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:29-34, Isaiah 22:13-14, Luke 12:13-21, 1 Thess. 5:4-11 

How does scripture address a “you only live once” perspective on life? What will ultimately be the result? 

Why was Paul so adamant on this issue with the Corinthians? How was it leading to a backslidden state? 

How can a daily focus on Easter prevent this from happening? What steps of prevention will you take?

November 10, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:33-34, Proverbs 13:20, 2 Timothy 2:16-18, Phil. 4:8-9, James 1:14-15 

What did Paul say to the Corinthians about the influence of others? Why? What was the solution? 

How can this be a dangerous issue today? Give an example. How has this happened to you? 

What relationships do you have in place for spiritual protection? How can you develop more?

November 9, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:33-34, Mark 10:32-34, Acts 2:22-24, Rom. 6:4, Eph. 1:19-23, Col. 2:11-15 

Why is the resurrection of Jesus central to being saved? What does this imply about denying it? 

In what way were the Corinthians in sin by saying there is no resurrection? Be specific. 

How did Paul address their cavalier view? Why is Paul’s same message important today?

November 8, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:29, Acts 2:38, Mat. 12:36, 25:31-46, Rom. 3:23-24, 14:10-12, Eph. 2:8-10 

Why did Paul highlight how people were practicing proxy baptism? How did he relate it to Easter? 

In what way can this same duplicity happen in today’s relativistic world? Give an example. 

Why is proxy baptism not biblical? What are some ways you can fall into is his same trap?

November 7, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:29-32, 19-20, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Thess. 5:9-11, Hebrews 10:24-25 

Why is the Christian life motivated by an Easter perspective? What happens if this isn’t the focus? 

In what way are Christians called to encourage one another? How does this relate to Easter? 

How would a daily focus on Easter help you? Be specific. How will you keep focused on Easter today?

November 6, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:29-32, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 11:24-29, Acts 19:23-41 

How would you describe Paul’s daily Christian life? How was he able to endure? (i.e. perspective) 

If there’s no resurrection, why would Paul have been a hypocrite? Be specific. 

How do you see this hypocrisy happening today? Give an example. How does this challenge you?

November 4, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 5:35-43, Luke 7:11-17, John 11:32-44 

Given that Jesus wasn’t the first one to experience a resurrection, how was His different than the others? 

Why is this distinction important? What does this imply about how to interpret 1 Cor. 15:20, 26? 

In what way has God expanded your perspective about Easter Sunday this week? Give an example.

November 3, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:24-28, John 3:16-17, 14:1-3, Romans 8:35-39 

How does the resurrection of Christ ultimately reflect God’s redemptive plan? Be specific. 

How does the resurrection of Christ ultimately reflect God’s unconditional love? Be specific. 

How can this be an encouragement during tough times? In what way does this encourage you today?

November 2, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Acts 1:6-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 20:1-21:1 

What did Paul mean when he said “then comes the end” in 1 Cor. 15:24? What was he skipping over? 

Based on today’s readings, how would you order the events leading up to “the end”? Be specific. 

In what way was Paul relating Easter to the end? How does this expand your perspective about Easter?

November 1, 2017

Read:  1 Cor. 15:20-23, Genesis 2:17, 3:6, John 5:21-24, Romans 5:12-21, 1 Tim. 2:5-6 

How did Paul compare and contrast Adam and Christ? Be specific. Why is this important? 

In what way does this elevate Jesus above other religious leaders? Give an example. 

How does the Adam/Christ comparison help you better understand God’s plan of redemption?