August 28, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – From Dead Bones to Godly Life

From Dead Bones to Godly Life

Ezekiel 37:1-14 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ² He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. ³ He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

⁴ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. ⁶ I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

⁹ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”.

Where did the hand of the Lord set Ezekiel (verse 1)?

What were the bones in the valley like (verse 2)?

How did Ezekiel answer the Lord’s question “son of man, can these bones live” (verse 3)?

What are the “dry bones” supposed to hear (verse 4)?

Who is going to make breath enter the bones (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why will the dry bones, after receiving tendons, flesh, skin, breath and life “know that I am the Lord” (verse 6)?

What happened while Ezekiel prophesied (verse 7)?

In your opinion, how would Ezekiel feel to see the miracle of the bones with flesh on them, but know that they were not alive because “there was no breath in them” (verse 8)?

What was Ezekiel to prophesy to (verse 9)?

What happened when Ezekiel “prophesied as he commanded me” (verse 10)?

Who says “our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off” (verse 11)?

What was Ezekiel to prophesy and say to them (verse 12)?

When will they know that “I am the Lord” (verse 13)?

What will the Lord put in them (verse 14)?

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

John 3:1-8 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Who was Nicodemus (verse 1)?

When did he come to Jesus (verse 2)?

Why did he know that Jesus was “a teacher who has come from God” (verse 2)?

How did Jesus reply (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what does the answer that Nicodemus gives show about his understanding of Jesus and the kingdom of God (verse 4)?

What has to happen before someone can enter the kingdom of God (verse 5)?

What gives birth to spirit (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus say “you should not be surprised at my saying, ‘you must be born again’” (verse 7)?

Where does the wind blow (verse 8)?

What can you not tell from hearing the sound of the wind (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what does Jesus mean when He says “so it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (verse 8)?

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

In your opinion, how is the breath going into the dry bones of Ezekiel 37:1-14 and giving them life similar to the Holy Spirit moving like the wind and bringing people into new life and the kingdom of God in John 3:1-8?

1 Timothy 1:12-17 - New International Version (NIV)

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What three things does Paul thank Christ Jesus for (verse 12)?

What was Paul shown even though he was once a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man (verse 13)?

How was the “grace of our Lord” poured out on Paul (verse 14)?

Why did Christ Jesus come into the world (verse 15)?

Why was Paul, the worst of sinners, shown mercy (verse 16)?

How does Paul describe the King (verse 17)?

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

In your opinion, how is the rebirth by the Spirit that Jesus says is necessary in John 3:1-8 demonstrated by Paul who says that the “grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly” in 1 Timothy 1:12-17?

In your opinion, how does the transformation of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14 anticipate the transformation of Paul described in 1 Timothy 1:12-17?

2 Peter 1:3-11 – New International Version (NIV)

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What has God’s divine power given us (verse 3)?

Why has God given us His “very great and precious promises” (verse 4)?

What are we to “make every effort to add” (verses 5-7)?

In your opinion, how will possessing “these qualities in increasing measure” keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 8)?

What are those who do not have these qualities forgetting (verse 9)?

What should we confirm (verse 10)?

What will we receive if we do these things (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, how does Paul’s discussion of the Lord’s grace being poured abundantly on him in 1 Timothy 1:12-17 show Jesus Christ saving sinners, and Peter’s instruction in 2 Peter 1:3-11 to make every effort to add to “faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” show how those sinners can confirm that calling and election?

In your opinion, how does Peter’s statement in 2 Peter 1:3-11 “so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” help us to understand about the rebirth that Jesus says in John 3:1-8 is necessary to see the kingdom of God?

In your opinion, how is God’s prophesy in Ezekiel 37:1-14 “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.” shown to have a new fulfillment in 2 Peter 1:3-11 by Peter’s statement that “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Ezekiel, John, 1 Timothy, Romans and 2 Peter tell us about being reborn and the living productive lives?

In your opinion, what do these passages show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to 2 Peter 1:12 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

August 21, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Grace and Peace

Grace and Peace

Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

² “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

³ What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?
⁴ Generations come and generations go,
    but the earth remains forever.
⁵ The sun rises and the sun sets,
    and hurries back to where it rises.
⁶ The wind blows to the south
    and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
    ever returning on its course.
⁷ All streams flow into the sea,
    yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
    there they return again.
⁸ All things are wearisome,
    more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
    nor the ear its fill of hearing.
⁹ What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun.
¹⁰ Is there anything of which one can say,
    “Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
    it was here before our time.

Whose words fill Ecclesiastes (verse 1)?

What is meaningless (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what do “people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun” (verse 3)?

What comes and goes while the “earth remains forever” (verse 4)?

Where does the sun hurry to (verse 5)?

What goes “round and round” (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why is the sea never full (verse 7)?

What does the eye never have enough of (verse 8)?

What is “new under the sun” (verse 9)?

In your opinion, is there really nothing about which one can say “Look! This is something new” (verse 10)?

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

Mark 3:13-19 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶ These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Where did Jesus go (verse 13)?

Who did Jesus call to him (verse 13)?

Why did Jesus appoint the twelve (verse 14)?

What authority did Jesus give to the twelve (verse 15)?

Who did Jesus give the name Peter (verse 16)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus give James and John a name that means “sons of thunder” (verse 17)?

What is distinctive about Judas Iscariot (verse 19)?

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

In your opinion, would the “Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem” of Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 think that the appointment of the twelve, including the traitor, and giving them authority to drive out demons in Mark 3:13-19 is “nothing new under the sun”?

Romans 3:21-26 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

What has been made known “apart from the law” (verse 21)?

What do the “Law and the Prophets” testify to (verse 21)?

What is given “through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (verse 22)?

Who has sinned and fallen “short of the glory of God” (verse 23)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he says “all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (verse 24)?

How was Christ a “sacrifice of atonement” (verse 25)?

What was God’s forbearance (verse 25)?

What did God demonstrate “at the present time” (verse 26)?

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

In your opinion, what is the difference between Jesus calling the twelve and giving them authority to drive out demons in Mark 3:13-19 and Jesus giving righteousness through faith to all who believe in Romans 3:21-26?

In your opinion, what is Paul proclaiming in Romans 3:21-26 that is something new that the Teacher of Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 did not know about?

2 Peter 1:1-2 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

² Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

How does Simon Peter describe himself (verse 1)?

What have the recipients of the letter received through the “righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (verse 1)?

What does Simon Peter want the blessings of grace and peace to be through (verse 2)?

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

In your opinion, how does Peter in his blessing of “grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” in 2 Peter 1:1-2 help us understand the importance of understanding righteousness and faith which both Peter and Paul in Romans 3:21-26 discussed?

In your opinion, what does it tell us that although Peter received authority to cast out demons from Jesus in Mark 3:13-19, he focuses not on Jesus’s power or authority, but on His righteousness 2 Peter 1:1-2?

In your opinion, what could the “Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem” who found everything “meaningless” in Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 have learned from 2 Peter 1:1-2 about what is meaningful?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Ecclesiastes, Mark, Romans and 2 Peter tell us about what is meaningless and what leads to grace and peace?

In your opinion, what do these passages show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to 2 Peter 1:3 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

August 14, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Compassion and Grace

Compassion and Grace

Jonah 4:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

⁵ Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. ⁶ Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. ⁷ But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. ⁸ When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Why did Jonah become angry (verse 1)?

What did Jonah know about God (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why did Jonah think it was better “to die than to live” (verse 3)?

What question did the Lord ask Jonah (verse 4)?

Where did Jonah sit and wait to “see what would happen to the city” (verse 5)?

What did the Lord God do that Jonah was very happy about (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why does the Scripture say that “God provided a worm” (verse 7)?

After “God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint” what did Jonah say (verse 8)?

What did God ask Jonah (verse 9)?

How did Jonah respond to God (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what point is the Lord making with the statement “you have been concerned about the plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow” (verse 11)?

How would you answer the Lord’s question to Jonah, “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals” (verse 23)?

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

John 18:7-11 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

¹¹ Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

What did Jesus ask (verse 7)?

How did they answer (verse 7)?

What was Jesus’ response (verse 8)?

Why did Jesus respond this way (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why did Simon Peter draw his sword and cut off the right ear of the high priest’s servant (verse 10)?

What did Jesus tell Peter to do (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what did Jesus mean by “shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me” (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, how are the motivations of Jonah in his anger against Nineveh in Jonah 4:1-11 and Peter in John 18:7-11 drawing his sword and attacking the high priest’s servant similar?

Ephesians 4:17-24 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

How does Paul say the Gentiles live (verse 17)?

What separates them from the “life of God” (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he says “having lost all sensitivity” (verse 19)?

What happens when the Gentiles have lost all sensitivity (verse 19)?

When did the people Paul is writing to learn a different way of life (verses 20 and 21)?

What were they taught about their former way of life (verse 22)?

Where were they to be made new (verse 23)?

How was the new self they were to put on created (verse 24)?

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

In your opinion, which verses in Ephesians 4:17-24 describe Peter’s behavior in John 18:7-11?

In your opinion, which verses in Ephesians 4:17-24 describe Jonah’s behavior and anger in Jonah 4:1-11?

1 Peter 5:12-14 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Who helped Peter write the letter (verse 12)?

What did Peter instruct the readers to “stand fast in” (verse 12)?

How are “she who is in Babylon” similar to the readers (verse 13)?

How were the readers to “greet one another” (verse 14)?

What blessing does Peter give to “all of you who are in Christ” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what do you think Paul, who discussed the “attitude” of the mind of the old self and the new self in Ephesians 4:17-24, would think about the “attitude” of Peter’s mind as revealed by the three verses from 1 Peter 5:12-14?

In your opinion, how is it possible that the same person who pulled the sword and attacked the high priest’s servant in John 18:7-11 also encourages people to stand fast in the true grace of God, greet with the kiss of love, and be blessed with peace in Christ in 1 Peter 5:12-14?

In your opinion, how is the grace and compassion of God that Jonah was angry about in Jonah 4:1-11 expressed by Peter in his words from 1 Peter 5:12-14?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Jonah, John, Ephesians and 1 Peter tell us about our old and new selves?

In your opinion, how should we apply these passages to ourselves today?

Next, back to 2 Peter 1:1 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

August 7, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Standing Firm without Anxiety

Standing Firm without Anxiety

1 Kings 13:13-24 – New International Version (NIV)

¹³ So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it ¹⁴ and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”

“I am,” he replied.

¹⁵ So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.”

¹⁶ The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. ¹⁷ I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

¹⁸ The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) ¹⁹ So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

²⁰ While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. ²¹ He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. ²² You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

²³ When the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the prophet who had brought him back saddled his donkey for him. ²⁴ As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying on the road, with both the donkey and the lion standing beside it.

What did the man say to his sons (verse 13)?

Who did he ride after (verse 14)?

Where did he find him (verse 14)?

What did he ask (verse 15)?

How did the “man of God” answer (verse 16)?

In your opinion, why had the Lord commanded the man of God not to “eat bread or drink water there or to return by the way that you came” (verse 17)?

How did the old prophet lie to the man of God (verse 18)?

What did the man of God do (verse 19)?

When did the word of the Lord come to the old prophet (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why was it the man of God and not the lying old prophet who “defied the word of the Lord” (verse 21)?

How will the man of God be punished (verse 22)?

What did the prophet do for the man of God (verse 23)?

Where was the body of the man of God after he was killed by the lion (verse 24)?

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

Luke 22:24-34 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

³⁴ Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

What were the disciples in dispute about (verse 24)?

Who calls themselves Benefactors (verse 25)?

How are the disciples to be (verse 26)?

In your opinion, why is Jesus among the disciples “as one who serves” (verse 27)?

Where have the disciples been when Jesus had trials (verse 28)?

What does Jesus confer on the disciples (verse 29)?

Where will the disciples eat and drink (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what does it mean for Satan to “sift all of you as wheat” (verse 31)?

What does Jesus say that He prayed for (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what does Jesus mean when He says “and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (verse 32)?

What was Simon Peter ready to do (verse 33)?

How did Jesus answer Simon Peter (verse 34)?

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

In your opinion, how does Jesus’ statement to the disciples that “Satan has ask to sift all of you like wheat” in Luke 22:24-34 help us to understand why the old prophet lied to the man of God in 1 Kings 13:13-24?

Philippians 4:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

How does Paul ask his “brothers and sisters” to stand (verse 1)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (verse 2)?

What had the women done with Paul, Clement and the rest of Paul’s co-workers (verse 3)?

When are we to “rejoice in the Lord” (verse 4)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “let your gentleness be evident to all” (verse 5)?

What should we do instead of being anxious (verse 6)?

What will guard our hearts and minds “in Christ Jesus” (verse 7)?

What are we to think about (verse 8)?

What are we to do with what is learned, received or heard from Paul (verse 9)?

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

In your opinion, how does Jesus and His prayer for Simon Peter who He knew was going to deny Him three times in Luke 22:24-34 demonstrate the gentleness that Paul commands the Philippians to let “be evident to all” in Philippians 4:1-9?

In your opinion, how would the old prophet’s behavior in 1 Kings 13:13-24 been different if he had been doing what Paul commands the Philippians in Philippians 4:1-9 and had thought about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy”?

1 Peter 5:5-11 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Who is to submit to “your elders” (verse 5)?

Why are all to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why will God’s mighty hand lift us up in due time if we humble ourselves (verse 6)?

What should we do with all our anxiety (verse 7)?

Who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (verse 8)?

How do we “resist him” (verse 9)?

What do we know about the “family of believers throughout the world” (verse 9)?

When will the “God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ” restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (verse 10)?

What does Peter pray for God to have “for ever and ever” (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, what can we learn from the fact that Paul, who had many difficulties as he followed the Lord, in Philippians 4:1-9 said to “not be anxious about anything” but to pray and Peter, who denied Jesus three times and had his own difficulties , in 1 Peter 5:5-11 says to “cast all your anxiety on him”?

In your opinion, how does the fact that Jesus told Simon Peter, who was going to deny Him later that night, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” in Luke 22:24-34 help Peter to say with confidence “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” in 1 Peter 5:5-11?

In your opinion, who was devoured in 1 Kings 13:13-24 by the devil that Peter says in 1 Peter 5:5-11 “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”?

In your opinion, what do these passages from 1 Kings, Luke, Philippians and 1 Peter tell us about anxiety, standing firm and resisting the devil?

In your opinion, what do these passages show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 5:12 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)