November 6, 2017 – Moses and Jesus and Us – Suffering and Rejoicing

Suffering and Rejoicing

Exodus 5:22-6:12 - New International Version (NIV)

²² Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? ²³ Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

² God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them. ⁴ I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. ⁵ Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

⁶ “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. ⁷ I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

⁹ Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

¹⁰ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹¹ “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”

¹² But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

To whom did Moses ask “why have you brought trouble on this people” (verse 22)?

What has the Pharaoh brought to “this people” (verse 23)?

Why will the Pharaoh “drive them out of his country” (verse 1)?

How did the Lord appear “to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob” (verses 2 and 3)?

Where did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob reside as foreigners (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why does God say “I have remembered my covenant” (verse 5)?

Who is going to bring the Israelites “out from under the yoke of the Egyptians . . . and redeem . . . with mighty acts of judgment” (verse 6)?

When will the Israelites know that “I am the Lord your God” (verse 7)?

Where will the Lord bring the Israelites (verse 8)?

Why did the Israelites not listen to Moses (verse 9)?

What was Moses to tell the Pharaoh (verse 11)?

Why didn’t Moses think the Pharaoh would listen to him (verse 12)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Luke 4:14-30 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵ He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

²³ Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. ²⁵ I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. ²⁷ And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

²⁸ All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

How did Jesus return to Galilee (verse 14)?

How did everyone there react to Him (verse 15)?

What was Nazareth to Jesus (verse 16)?

Which scroll was handed to Jesus (verse 17)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus pick this particular Scripture to read (verses 18 and 19)?

What did Jesus do when He finished reading (verse 20)?

How did Jesus begin (verse 21)?

In your opinion, why did the people who heard and were amazed by Jesus say “isn’t this Joseph’s son” (verse 22)?

What did Jesus say the people in Nazareth would want Him to do (verse 23)?

Where is no prophet accepted (verse 24)?

How long was the sky shut in Elijah’s time (verse 25)?

Where was Elijah sent (verse 26)?

Who was cleansed from leprosy (verse 27)?

How did the people in the synagogue react to what Jesus said (verse 28)?

What were they going to do with Jesus (verse 29)?

What did Jesus do (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the reaction of the Israelites to Moses in Exodus 5:22-6:12 similar to the reaction of the people in the synagogue in Nazareth to Jesus in Luke 4:14-30?

Hebrews 10:32-39 – New International Version (NIV)

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. ³³ Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. ³⁴ You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. ³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

³⁸ And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

What does Paul want the Hebrew Christians to remember (verse 32)?

Who was “publicly exposed to insult and persecution” (verse 33)?

Why were the Hebrew Christians able to joyfully accept “the confiscation of your property” (verse 34)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean by “do not throw away your confidence” (verse 35)?

What does Paul say they need to do in order to “receive what he has promised” (verse 36)?

What will happen “in just a little while” (verse 37)?

How will the righteous one live (verse 38)?

What happens to those who “shrink back” (verse 39)?

What happens to those who “have faith” (verse 39)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the reaction of the people of Nazareth to Jesus in Luke 4:14-30 similar to the reaction of the Hebrews to the Hebrew Christians that Paul was writing to in Hebrews 10:32-39?

In your opinion, what is similar about the Israelite people, when they were called from their slavery to the Egyptians, in Exodus 5:22-6:12 and those who “had received the light” in Hebrews 10:32-39?

1 Peter 4:12-19 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What are the dear friends” that Peter wrote not to be surprised at (verse 12)?

Why are they to rejoice (verse 13)?

Who rests on you “if you are insulted because of the name of Christ” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why should we not suffer “as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler” (verse 15)?

How should we react if we “suffer as a Christian” (verse 16)?

What is it time for (verse 17)?

In your opinion, “if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner” (verse 18)?

What should “those who suffer according to God’s will” do (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what can we learn from the fact that both Paul in Hebrews 10:32-39 and Peter in 1 Peter 4:12-19 write about Christians suffering?

In your opinion, how does the quote from Isaiah that Jesus claimed as His own in Luke 4:14-30 help us to understand the quote of Peter from Proverbs in 1 Peter 4:12-19?

In your opinion, how is the rejection of Moses, and God, by the Israelite people when their suffering increased after they were called from their slavery to the Egyptians in Exodus 5:22-6:12 significant to Peter’s call for us to “rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ”?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Exodus, Luke, Hebrews and 1 Peter teach us to expect from the reactions of the unsaved toward Christ and His followers?

In your opinion, how do these passages prepare Christians for suffering?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

October 22, 2017 – Moses, Jesus, and Us – Challenges to a Godly Life

Challenges to a Godly Life

Exodus 5:1-21 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”

² Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”

³ Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

⁴ But the king of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!” ⁵ Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.”

⁶ That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: ⁷ “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. ⁸ But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ ⁹ Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”

¹⁰ Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you any more straw. ¹¹ Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.’” ¹² So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. ¹³ The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, “Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw.” ¹⁴ And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, “Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?”

¹⁵ Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why have you treated your servants this way? ¹⁶ Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.””

¹⁷ Pharaoh said, “Lazy, that’s what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ ¹⁸ Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.”

¹⁹ The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.” ²⁰ When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, ²¹ and they said, “May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

What did Moses and Aaron tell the Pharaoh that “the Lord, the God of Israel” says (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why did the Pharaoh say, “Who is the Lord” (verse 2)?

Who did Moses and Aaron say the Lord might strike if they did not journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices (verse 3)?

What did Pharaoh want Moses and Aaron to do (verse 4)?

How did the Pharaoh describe the “people of the land” (verse 5)?

What extra work does the Pharaoh want the Hebrew people to do (verses 6 and 7)?

Why did the Pharaoh think the people are crying out (verse 8)?

What in not being reduced while the Hebrews have to get their own straw (verses 10 and 11)?

Where did the people go to gather stubble to use for straw (verse 12)?

Who beat the Israelite overseers (verse 14)?

Who did the Israelite overseers appeal to (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the Pharaoh truly upset about when he calls the Hebrews lazy and then talks about their saying “let us go and sacrifice to the Lord” (verse 17)?

What did the Israelite overseers realize (verse 19)?

What did the Israelite overseers want the Lord to do to Moses and Aaron (verses 20 and 21)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Luke 4:1-13 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;
¹¹ they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹² Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Who led Jesus into the wilderness (verse 1)?

What happened to Jesus for forty days (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why did the devil say, “if you are the Son of God” (verse 3)?

How does Jesus answer the devil (verse 4)?

What did the devil show Jesus (verse 5)?

What does he claim he has and can give “to anyone I want to” (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why did the devil say, “if you worship me” (verse 7)?

How does Jesus answer the devil (verse 8)?

Where was Jesus standing when the devil said, “if you are the Son of God throw yourself down from here” (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what can we learn from the fact that the devil used Scripture to tempt Jesus (verse 10)?

How does Jesus answer the devil (verse 12)?

When was the devil going to return to Jesus (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the Pharaoh’s attitude toward the Lord in Exodus 5:1-21 similar to the devil’s attitude toward Jesus in Luke 4:1-13?

1 Corinthians 10:12-17 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

What should we do if we think we are standing firm (verse 12)?

What will God do when we are tempted (verse 13)?

How should we react to idolatry (verse 14)?

In your opinion, how are temptation and idolatry related (verses 13 and 14)?

In your opinion, why does Paul want “sensible people” to “judge for yourselves what I say” (verse 15)?

What is the cup of thanksgiving (verse 16)?

Why are “we, who are many” one body (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how do the temptations that Jesus faced in Luke 4:1-13 help us understand the temptations that are “common to mankind” that Paul said God would provide a way out of in 1 Corinthians 10:12-17?

In your opinion, how is the Pharaoh’s reaction to the command from God in Exodus 5:1-21 an example of what can happen if we fail to “flee from idolatry” as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 10:12-17?

2 Timothy 3:10-17 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What did the Lord do for Paul (verses 10 and 11)?

What will happen to everyone “who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus” (verse 12)?

Who will “go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (verse 13)?

Why is Timothy to “continue in what you have learned” (verse 14)?

What is able to “make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (verse 15)?

How much Scripture is “God-breathed” (verse 16)?

Who does the Scripture thoroughly equip “for every good work” (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the persecutions Paul talks about in 2 Timothy 3:10-17 related to the temptations and idolatry he talks about in 1 Corinthians 10:12-17 and what do the Scriptures reveal about our responses to all three?

In your opinion, how are Jesus’ responses to the devil in Luke 4:1-13 a demonstration of one of the ways that Scripture equips servants of God as Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:10-17?

In your opinion, how is the persecution of the Hebrew people by the Pharaoh in Exodus 5:1-21 an example of how “evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse” as Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:10-17?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Exodus, Luke, 1 Corinthians and 2 Timothy teach us about the reaction of evildoers and impostors to Christians efforts to be godly?

In your opinion, how do the passages help Christians resist idolatry and temptation?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

October 15, 2017 – Moses and Jesus and Us – Now Go

Now Go

Exodus 4:10-17 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

¹¹ The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

¹³ But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

¹⁴ Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. ¹⁵ You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. ¹⁶ He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. ¹⁷ But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

How did Moses explain his inadequacy (verse 10)?

Who gives humans mouths and sight (verse 11)?

What will the Lord teach Moses (verse 12)?

Who does Moses want the Lord to send (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why does “the Lord’s anger” burn against Moses (verse 14)?

What will Moses do for Aaron (verse 15)?

What will the Lord do for Moses and Aaron (verse 15)?

What will Aaron do for Moses (verse 16)?

Why was Moses supposed to take the staff (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Luke 3:7-18 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

¹¹ John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

¹³ “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. ¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸ And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

Who did John say were the “brood of vipers” (verse 7)?

What can God raise children for Abraham from (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that “the as is already at the root of the trees” (verse 9)?

Who asks, “what should we do then” (verse 10)?

What should a person with two shirts do (verse 11)?

What should tax collectors to do (verses 12 and 13)?

Who is not to extort money and be content with their pay (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why were the people “wondering in their hearts if John might possible be the Messiah” (verse 15)?

What will the one who is coming do (verse 16)?

Where will the wheat be gathered into (verse 17)?

What did John proclaim to them (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what are the similarities between Aaron in Exodus 4:10-17 and John the Baptist in Luke 3:7-18; and what are their differences?

1 Corinthians 3:5-15 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

What has the Lord assigned to Apollos and Paul (verse 5)?

Who made the seed grow (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean by “neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything” (verse 7)?

How will the one who plants and the one who waters be rewarded (verse 8)?

What are Apollos and Paul (verse 9)?

How did Paul lay the “foundation as a wise builder” (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that “no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid” (verse 11)?

What will “the Day” bring to light (verses 12 and 13)?

What will fire test (verse 13)?

Who will receive a reward (verse 14)?

How will the builder whose work is burned up be saved (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what is the difference between the unquenchable fire that John the Baptist says will “burn up the chaff” in Luke 3:7-18 and the fire that Paul says will “test the quality of each person’s work” in 1 Corinthians 3:5-15?

In your opinion, how can the relationship of Apollos and Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-15 help us understand the relationship of Moses and Aaron in Exodus 4:10-17?

James 2:14-26 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

What question does James ask the “brothers and sisters” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what does James mean by his illustration of the one who says, “go in peace; keep warm and well fed” (verses 15 and 16)?

What is dead (verse 17)?

How will James show his faith (verse 18)?

What do demons believe and shudder about (verse 19)?

What was working together when Abraham offered his son Isaac on the alter (verses 21 and 22)?

Who was call “God’s friend” (verse 23)?

In your opinion, what does James mean by “a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (verse 24)?

Who was considered righteous when they “gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction” (verse 25)?

What is faith without deeds (verse 26)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what can we learn by comparing James’s discussion about showing faith through deeds in James 2:14-26 with Paul’s discussion about the testing of our work in 1 Corinthians 3:5-15?

In your opinion, how is the proclamation of John the Baptist to the “brood of vipers” in Luke 3:7-18 expanded by James in his discussion of living and dead faith in James 2:14-26?

In your opinion, what can we learn about faith and deeds from the words of Moses in Exodus 4:10-17 and how does God’s reaction to Moses in Exodus help us to have a greater understanding of James’s discussion of faith and deeds in James 2:14-26?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Exodus, Luke, 1 Corinthians and James teach us about living faith?

In your opinion, how does the baptism that John the Baptist promised Jesus would baptize with, “the Holy Spirit and fire”, change us today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)