LESSON #15 (Week ending 04/04/10)

LUKE 19:28 – 22:62

19:28-44: The Triumphal Entry (see also Matt. 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-15)

Ø What is the significance of Jesus riding on a colt into the city?

Ø What is the significance of the disciples placing their cloaks along the road before Jesus?

Ø Had the crowds not proclaimed the arrival of the King, who/what would have?

Ø Do the events leading up to Jesus entering the city leave any doubt as to His identity? Is there application for people today?

Ø Think about verse 41. What does this tell you about Jesus?

Ø Did the majority of the people recognize Jesus for who He was? Application for today?

19:45-48: At the Temple

Ø Is this the only time Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple? (See John 2:13-22)

Ø Why was He so upset with the money changers?

Ø Why were the religious leaders of the day trying to silence Jesus? If there application for us?

20:1-8: Jesus' Authority Questioned

Ø What was Jesus teaching that caused the religious leaders to question Him? Were they correct in confronting Him?

Ø Why didn't Jesus give them a straight forward answer to their questions?

Ø Is there ever a time when we are questioned about our faith that we should keep silent or not answer?

20:9-19: The Parable of the Tenants

Ø To whom does the vineyard owner refer?

Ø Who are the farmers who rented the vineyard? What is the significance of the vineyard being rented rather then owned by the farmers?

Ø Who are the servants of the vineyard owner?

Ø Who is the son of the owner?

Ø What does this parable teach about the character of God?

20:20-26: The Internal Revenue Service

Ø What were the dishonest questioners trying to get Jesus to do in this passage?

Ø Does Satan use that tactic today? How should we as believers respond to questions that try to trap us or make us look hypocritical?

Ø What does the answer Jesus gave tell us about our responsibility and/or allegiance to human government?

20:27-40: More Questions Aimed at Trapping Jesus

Ø Notice how absurd hypothetical question is that was asked of Jesus. When witnessing today, do people still asked absurd questions to get you off track? How should we answer them?

Ø Does Jesus' answer teach that the dead in Christ will become angels? What does it teach?

Ø Why is there no marriage in heaven?

20:41-47: Is Christ the Son of David?

Ø What is the argument Jesus is making for Christ being the son of David?

Ø What application does Jesus draw from His question for His listeners?

Ø What application is there in this passage for us?

21:1-4: The Widow's Mite

Ø Is the human value of the widow's offering (about 1/8 of a cent) what Jesus sees?

Ø Does God need our money?

Ø What is this passage teaching us about giving?

21:5-38: Signs of the End of the Age

Ø To what future event did the disciples understand Jesus to be referring in this passage?

Ø What did Jesus tell His disciples would happen to them before the events listed in verses 8-10?

Ø He speaks of the "times of the Gentiles being fulfilled" (v. 24). To what is He referring?

Ø When will the events spoken of in verses 25-28 take place?

Ø What did Jesus mean when He said "this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened"? (v. 32)

Ø What did He mean that heaven and earth will pass away?

Ø What does this passage teach us about being ready?

22:1-38: The Passover

Ø How could Satan "enter" Judas?

Ø Why did/do the Jews celebrate Passover?

Ø What was Jesus teaching His disciple about Himself when He broke the bread and passed the cup?

Ø After Jesus' beautiful picture of the Passover Lamb, what was the response of His disciples? Application for today?

Ø Why did Jesus tell His disciples to buy a sword?

22:39-62: Prelude to Crucifixion

Ø How did Jesus prepare for what He knew was coming?

Ø What does His prayer indicate about His humanity?

Ø How well did the disciples do in holding Jesus up in prayer? Application to us?

Ø Notice how Jesus continued to show compassion even when He was being arrested. What does that example teach us?

Ø Why did Peter deny his Lord? Most of us have never been in a situation like Peter where his life was in danger if he sided with the Lord. Yet, we too often deny our Lord. What "tools" do we have at our disposal to help us stand firm in our faith and to stand up for Jesus?

LESSON #14 (Week ending 03/28/10)

Gen. 43:1 – 50:26

Chap. 43: Back to Egypt

Ø Who steps up to the plate to take responsibility and take charge? How has God changed Judah?

Ø What happened when Joseph saw Benjamin? Why?

Ø What do you think was going through their minds when they noticed that they had been seated according to age? Does God have a sense of humor?

Chap. 44-45: More Pressure and Then A Startling Revelation

Ø Did any of the attempts to purchase food or to bargain with Joseph earn his favor? Application for us?

Ø Once Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he makes a remarkable statement. See vs.7-8. Of which N.T. passage does this remind you?

Ø What can we learn about the way God works in the lives of His people from this passage?

Ø What can we learn from the way Pharaoh and the Egyptians responded to Joseph being reunited with his family?

46:1-47:12: A Family Reunited

Ø Are there instances when God leads His people into Egypt (the world)? For what purpose?

Ø When God led His people into Egypt, how were they received by the Egyptians?

Ø Are there any circumstances that your can think of where God would use that strategy today, leading His people into the world?

47:12-31: Because of Joseph, Egypt Prospers

Ø Why did God prosper Egypt during the time of Joseph?

Ø Can the blessings of God on His people "spill over" to the world? Remember Gen. 12:2-3?

Chap. 48: Manasseh and Ephraim

Ø What was the significance of Jacob adopting Joseph's two sons? Did this adoption alter the number of tribes of Israel? Why? Why not? (See 1 Chron. 5:1-2)

Ø Notice that the blessing of Joseph's sons repeated a theme that had begun three generations earlier. Now for four consecutive generations this reversed pattern was followed: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh. What does this show us about how God does things?

49:1-28: Jacob Blesses His Sons

Ø Did Reuben, the first born, receive a blessing? Were there consequences to his sin?

Ø Did Simeon and Levi receive blessings? Why? What became of the tribe of Levi?

Ø Who replaced Reuben, Simeon, and Levi in the listing of the twelve?

Ø What is the significance of Joseph being elevated to the position of first born?

49:29-50:21: The Mantle is Passed to Joseph

Ø Did the dream that Joseph had so many years earlier comes to fruition?

Ø How did Joseph respond to the fear of his brothers after Jacob's death?

Ø Notice v. 20 – "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." What does this teach us about forgiveness?

Ø Is there application for us today in verse 20?

50:22-26: The end of an Era

Ø What happened to the people of God while they were in Egypt?

Ø When Joseph was about to die, to whom did he direct his brothers for guidance? How many times did he do this? Is there a lesson for us here?

Ø Notice how Genesis began with creation and ended with a coffin. Is there any question as to the consequences of sin?

LESSON #13 (Week ending 03/21/10)

Gen. 34:1 – 42:38

Chap. 34: Conflict with the World

Ø What action precipitated the conflict between Jacob's family and the Shechemites?

Ø What can we learn from this event? Does the world play by the same rules that God's people observe?

Ø Is there a difference between the actions of Dinah's brothers and how we as Christ followers are to respond today?

35:1-9: Return to Bethel

Ø Perhaps had Jacob gone to Bethel immediately after reuniting with Esau, the events of Chapter 34 would not have happened. How often do we find ourselves in trouble when we wander from the path God has given us?

Ø What did Jacob and his clan have to do before being consecrated to God?

Ø Why did God change Jacob's name to Israel?

Ø What happened at Bethel?

35:10-29: Birth and Death

Ø Benjamin was the twelfth son of Jacob and these twelve sons would make up the twelve original tribes of Israel.

Ø What was the significance of Reuben sleeping with one of his father's concubine? Were there consequences?

Ø As Isaac passes from the scene, God's promises are confirmed and passed on the Jacob.

Chap. 36: Esau's Descendants

Ø God's blessing of many offspring given to Abraham is continuing through both lines of Isaac – Jacob and Esau.

Ø What country does Esau's line become?

Ø What is the relationship between Israel and this country?

Chap. 37: Dreams Cause Division

Ø What started the problems between Joseph and his brothers?

Ø Noticing a trend here with the fathers that we have studied so far? Application for us?

Ø Culturally, why were the dreams of Joseph so difficult for the brothers to accept?

Ø Is God constrained to follow man's customs and traditions when choosing those through whom He desire to work? Application for today?

Ø Did the actions of Joseph's brothers frustrate God's plan for Joseph? Is God still in control? Do you really believe that???

Chap. 38: Judah and Tamar

Ø Who was the instigator in the selling of Joseph to the Egyptians?

Ø What was the nationality was the woman Judah married? Is there a pattern here?

Ø What were the consequences to Judah's sons of his going against the will of the Lord?

Ø We will read later that "the sins of the fathers are carried down to the third and forth generations". Notice how the sin of deceit has been perpetuated through the generations from Isaac.

Ø If God's will is ignored or disobeyed, are there consequences? Why did God want His people to keep separate from the world? Does He want that for us? Why?

Chap. 39: Potiphar's Wife

Ø Why did Joseph prosper in Egypt? Are there times when God leads His people into Egypt? For what reason?

Ø How was Joseph able to resist the advances of Potiphar's wife?

Ø Did the Lord leave Joseph when he was arrested and placed into prison?

Ø Did God use Joseph in prison? Do our circumstances and/or location limit how the Lord can use us?

Chap. 40: The Cupbearer and the Baker

Ø Who provided the means for Joseph to get out of prison? Could Joseph take any credit for the opportunity?

Ø When God uses us in the lives of the unbeliever, should we expect anything from that individual?

Ø What should be the motive for helping/ministering to others?

41:1-40: Pharaoh's Dreams

Ø How long after the cupbearer promised Joseph he would put in a good work for him with Pharaoh did he remember and do it?

Ø When Pharaoh asked Joseph if he could help him, what was Joseph's response? What does that tell you about Joseph?

Ø Notice how God exalted Joseph because of his obedience!

41:41-57: Joseph in Authority

Ø How old was Joseph when he entered into Pharaoh's service? Significance?

Ø Was Joseph a "type" of Christ? In what way?

Chap. 42: Joseph's Brothers

Ø Why did Joseph hide his identity from his brothers for so long?

Ø Were the brothers experiencing the consequences of their sin of so many year ago?

Ø Was this a fulfillment of Joseph's earlier dreams?