LESSON #24 (Week ending 06/13/10)

NOTE: There is no lesson for the week ending 06/06/10

ACTS 15:36-18:17

15:36-16:5 Disagreement and Division

• What caused the dissention between Paul and Barnabas?
• If both men were committed to Christ and intent on following Him, how could there be such a strong disagreement?
• How did this division help the cause of the Gospel?
• Why did Paul pick Timothy to go with him?
• Why did Paul require Timothy to be circumcised?

16:6-18:17: Paul's Second Missionary Journey

• 16:6-10: Off to Macedonia
  • Why were Paul and his companions in Galatia rather than in Asia (Ephesus)?
  • Why was Paul not allowed to enter Mysia?
  • To what area was the Spirit of the Lord leading Paul? Does God still lead His people into specific ministries?

• 16:11-15: Ministry in Philippi
  • In what Macedonian city did Paul first preach?
  • Apparently there was not a synagogue in the city because Paul, on the Sabbath, looked for a place to pray. It was here that Lydia was saved.
  • How did Lydia's conversion happen?
  • What was the role of baptism in Lydia's conversion? Application for today?

• 16:16-40: Persecution in Philippi
  • The original language indicates the slave girl had a "spirit of divination". (Literally, "The spirit of a Pythoness.")
  • If the spirit in the girl was not of God, how could it know the purpose and ministry of Paul? (See Mark 3:12; Luke 4:34; James 2:19)
  • Why, if she was professing the ministry of Paul, did he call the demon out of her?
  • Rather than rejoicing that the girl was now free from the evil spirit, her masters were angry. Why? Application for today?
  • If Paul and his brothers were persecuted for preaching the Gospel and setting people free from oppression, why should we feel that the same will not happen to us?
  • How did Paul and Silas respond to their brutal treatment?
  • Did God use their testimony in the lives of those around them in the jail?
  • How was the jailer saved?
  • How does the experience of Paul and Silas apply to us?

• 17:1-9: Ministry in Thessalonica
  • What method did Paul use in the synagogue to share the Gospel? Does the situation, or audience, ever dictate the way we ought to share the Gospel?
  • Why did the religious leaders react so negatively against Paul and Silas?
  • Should we expect Satan to "play fair"?
  • Is there ever a time to move on to new ministry opportunities? How do we know when and where to go?

• 17:10-15: Ministry in Berea
  • How did the Berean people respond to Paul's teaching? Application for us?
  • How did Paul and his fellow missionaries handle the persecution in Berea as compared to Thessalonica?
  • Is every ministry situation the same? How can we know how we are to handle each situation?

• 17:16-34: Ministry in Athens
  • Why did the intellectuals in Athens want to hear what Paul had to say about God?
  • Did Paul adjust his presentation of the Gospel to fit the situation?
  • In verses 22-31 Paul gives an excellent presentation of the Gospel. How can we adapt his words to fit our situation?
  • Are we comfortable enough with sharing the Good News that we can adjust to whatever situation in which God places us?

• 18:1-17: Ministry in Corinth
  • How did Paul support himself on this missionary journey?
  • How did Paul respond to abusive opposition in Corinth? When people reject our presentation of the Gospel, do we have any further obligation to those people? Who is the One who convicts and saves?
  • Why did Paul stay so long in Ephesus in light of the opposition there?
  • Has God changed? Is He still able to protect and bless our ministry when we are in His will?

LESSON # 23 (Week ending 05/30/10)

ACTS 13:1-15:35

13:1-12: The Church Grows

Ø How did the believers at Antioch know to send Paul and Barabas on a missions trip?

Ø Does the praying and laying on of hands indicate a commitment on the part of those doing the sending?

Ø How did Paul deal with the false prophet who was trying to hinder their ministry?

Ø What can we learn from Paul's handling of that situation?

13:13-52: Paul's First Missionary Journey

Ø As Paul and Barabas traveled to new cities, where in the city did they go to share the Good News?

Ø Why did Paul recount Israel's history and what did the hearers learn about Paul form this?

Ø Did Paul modify the Gospel so as not to offend his hearers? Why? Why not?

Ø Application for us?

14:1-28: The Journey Continues

Ø Did Paul and Barabas experience any opposition when sharing the Gospel? Should we expect any less?

Ø What happened when God used sign miracles to authenticate Paul and Barabas?

Ø Did Paul or Barnabas revel in the accolades of man?

Ø How serious did the persecution of these Apostles become?

15:1-35: The Jerusalem Council

Ø Over what was the division that created the need for the Jerusalem Council?

Ø Do believers today put stipulations on new converts? If so, give examples.

Ø The Jerusalem Council asked the new believers to "abstain for food sacrificed to idols, from blood, and from sexual immorality." Are there any things today from which new believers are required to restrain themselves?

LESSON #22 (Week ending 05/23/10)

Exodus 10:1 - 20:26

10:1-12:30: The Contest Continues

Ø Plague #8 – With the plague of the locusts, God indicated to Moses another reason for the plagues. What was it?

Ø Plague #9 – Darkness fell over all the land. This plague came without warning and demonstrated God's power over Re, the sun god.

Ø Plague #10 – This final plague was catastrophic for Egypt and redemptive for Israel. How did God protect the first born of Israel from the Death Angel?

Ø The Passover of the Death Angel began a new chapter in the history of Israel, freedom from the bondage of the world. Did Israel do anything to make this deliverance happen?

Ø From that time forward Israel celebrated Passover by sacrificing a lamb as a remembrance of God's deliverance. Who is the ultimate Passover lamp?

12:31-13:16: God Wins

Ø Why were the Israelites able to plunder the Egyptians?

Ø The Egyptians lost all their first born sons. What did God require the Israelites to do with their first born son?

Ø What is the significance of this and is there application for us today?

13:17-14:31: Victory at Sea

Ø Why did God lead the people through the desert?

Ø What was God's purpose in the events surrounding the Red Sea encounter?

Ø Do we believe that God can protect/sustain us in the face of satanic and worldly assault?

Ø Do we live our lives as though we belief He is our protector?

15:1-21: Song of Praise

Ø As the reality of what had transpired registered with Moses and the Israelites, does their praise indicate that they understood who their Deliverer really was?

Ø Re-read Moses' song of praise. Do you see any application to your life and how God has delivered you? Is praise part of your daily conversation with the Lord?

Ø Israel soon returns to grumbling and complaining because of where the Lord has taken them. Do we? Or are we able to continue in our praise of the Lord even long after He does something special in our lives?

15:22-27: Bitter Water

Ø After God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, where did God lead the Egyptians, again?

Ø How long did it take the Israelites to go from being on "the mountain top" to complaining and grumbling?

Ø Why are the "desert" experiences so important in our growth as followers of God?

Ø Did God abandon them when they hurled insults at Him? Isn't the love and grace of God amazing!

16:1-17:8: Food from Heaven

Ø Notice how quickly the people wanted to return to Egypt when things got a little difficult. The world always has a façade that looks good and so easily entices. Does what the world offers ever measure up to that God offers?

Ø Did God provide exactly what the people needed for food? Did they appreciate it? Has anything changed in human nature over these past 2500 years? What is our manna?

Ø Did God bless the efforts to horde food? Why not?

Ø Does He promise us more than we can use? See Phil. 4:19.

17:9-16: Uplifted Hands

Ø This is the first encounter the Israelites faced with the inhabitants of the land.

Ø What is the significance of Moses' uplifted hands during the skirmish?

Ø Is there any application for us as we fight the "Amalekites" in our lives?

18:1-27: Advice for Moses

Ø Was the advice Moses received from his father-in-law from God? Why or why not?

Ø Up to this point, other than Aaron who God used as Moses' mouth-piece, had God ordained anyone else to serve in a role of leadership?

Ø Had God been able to lead His people without a hierarchy under Moses?

Ø Is the world's system of doing things – programs, methods, advice – beneficial to God and His program?

Ø Does this apply to us? See 1 Cor. 3:18-19.

Ø An interesting footnote to the establishment of these elder/leaders is that it leads to what was later called the Sanhedrin, the religious group who plotted the death of Jesus.

19:1-25: God Meets Moses on Mount Sinai

Ø Three months after God led Israel out of Egypt He made a covenant with them. The basis of that covenant is the Ten Commandments.

Ø Why was it necessary of Moses to consecrate the people before God entered their presence?

Ø How was the "fear" of the Lord seen in the people's response to God?

Ø When we saw that we "fear" the Lord what are we saying? Do we really fear Him?

20:1-26: The Ten Commandments

Ø What is a commandment? Is it a suggestion?

Ø To whom were these Ten Commandments given? Is there further application?

Ø The preamble (vs. 2) tells why God is able to make these commands of His people.

Ø The Ten Commandments divide into two groups: The first four are directed toward Israel's relationship with God:

ü Have no other God before you

ü Do not make any idols

ü Do not misuse the name of God

ü Remember the Sabbath

Ø The other six are directed toward Israel's relationship to one another:

ü Honor you parents

ü Do not murder

ü Do not commit adultery

ü Do not steal

ü Do not lie

ü Do not covet

Ø How has the impact of these Ten Commandments reached beyond the people to whom they were given?

Ø What do these commandments tell you about the nature of God?

LESSON #21 (Week ending 05/16/10)

Exodus 1:1 - 9:35

Exodus Background

Ø The book was written by Moses around 1446 B.C. probably during the 40 year wanderings

of the Israelites in the desert.

Ø The themes:

ü The birth of a nation.

ü God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

ü God's covenant relationship to Israel.

ü The Ten Commandments

Ø A Summary of Exodus: "After coming to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan (Gen. 46), the Israelites endured 400 years of bitter servitude (1:1–14). God had told Abram this would happen (Gen. 15:13–21) but that after the 400 years Israel would return to Canaan as his instrument of judgment against the Canaanites ("Amorites," Gen. 15:16). Exodus records the story of how God supernaturally freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, formed them into a nation governed by his law, and began leading them back to their homeland in Canaan."^[1]

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1:1-22: Israel Oppressed

Ø Why did Israel and his sons go to Egypt in the first place?

Ø Did God bless the Israelites after that move?

Ø What is a frequent response of the world to God's people when He blesses them?

Ø Does worldly persecution thwart God's plans and blessings?

Ø Do we have to stay a slave to the world or worldly habits?

2:1-25: The Birth and Early Years of Moses

Ø What does the preservation of infant Moses teach us about the protection and providence of God?

Ø Do you see any similarities between the birth of Moses and the birth of Christ? Is Moses a type of Christ? How?

Ø How did God use the years that Moses life?

Ø What usually has to happen to a child of God before God can use him?

3:1-4:17: God Calls Moses into Full Time Service

Ø Is the method God used to call Moses into His service normative?

Ø How can we know if God is calling us into His service?

Ø Notice Moses' response to God's call and God's response back to Moses (3:11-12). What does this tell us about Moses and about God?

Ø Did all the miraculous signs that God showed Moses convince Moses to take on this ministry? Why not?

Ø Were their later consequences for Israel because of Moses disobedience and the insertion of Aaron?

Ø How does the interaction between God and Moses apply to us when we are called into ministry?

4:18-31: Moses Prepared for Ministry

Ø How do you explain the statement from God: "I will harden his heart"?

Ø What is the significance of verses 24-26 where the text says that "the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him?

Ø Is God concerned about the details of our obedience toward Him and His commands?

Ø If we neglect to live out, teach, and walk our faith before our families will that hinder how we teach, live out, and walk our faith in our other ministries?

5:1-21: God Prepares His People

Ø Why did God make the situation worse for the Israelites?

Ø How did the people respond to Moses and Aaron after their situation worsened?

Ø Does God still use that method in dealing with us?

Ø How do we respond when things get more difficult for us?

5:22-6:27: God Promises Deliverance

Ø Since he first questioned God's call in his life, Moses continued questioning or complaining to God either about His leading or about the fact that the people God wanted Moses to lead were obstinate.

Ø Is it wrong to question God? How does God usually handle our objections?

Ø God views our situation and circumstances from a perspective that we cannot fathom. Why is it so difficult for us to believe that He is in control and wants the best for each of us?

6:28-7:7: Moses and Aaron Sent to Pharaoh

Ø What is the significance of the Lord saying to Moses: "I have made you like God to Pharaoh"?

Ø Again we see God saying that He will harden Pharaoh's heart. What does this mean?

Ø What happened when Pharaoh's heart was hardened toward God?

Ø Application for us?

7:8- 9:35: Let the Contest Begin

Ø We now witness the war between God Almighty and Pharaoh god of the Egyptians.

Ø How were the sorcerers able to replicate the miracles of God?

Ø Plague #1 – turning the Nile into blood. How did the Egyptians view the Nile? What was God demonstrating to Pharaoh and the Egyptians??

Ø Plague #2 – Frogs over the entire country. What did frogs represent to the Egyptians? What was God demonstrating with this plague?

Ø After this plague the sorcerers could no longer duplicate the powers of God.

Ø Plague #3 – Swarms of gnats. This plague came without warning. Why?

Ø Plague #4 – Swarms of flies. None of the plagues affected the Israelites, just the Egyptians. Application?

Ø Plagues #5, #6, and #7 – Death of livestock; boils; and hail. These plagues affected the economy of Egypt. Application?

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^[1]Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (43). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

LESSON #20 (Week ending 05/09/10)

ACTS 9:1-12:25

9:1-19: Saul Becomes Paul

Ø Was Saul ambivalent (lukewarm) toward Jesus and His followers? (See Rev. 3:16)

Ø Was Saul seeking after Jesus? Who found whom? Application?

Ø Why was Saul's conversion so dramatic?

Ø Did Ananias question the Lord about the ministry He had for him? Did he obey anyway?

Ø Application for us?

9:20-31: Challenges and Growth of the New Convert

Ø Was Saul quiet about his new found faith?

Ø Who were more suspicious of Saul, the Jews or the Church?

Ø What great "advantage" did Saul have over other recent converts?

Ø What can we learn from Saul's experience that might help our ministry/testimony?

9:32-43: More Signs and Wonders

Ø Why did God continue to give the apostles powerful sign gifts at this time in history?

Ø Did Peter take any credit for the healings and miracles?

Ø What was the result of Dorcas being raised from the dead?

10:1-8: A Gentile Calls for Peter

Ø Did Cornelius understand about Jesus and salvation through Him?

Ø Was God aware that Cornelius' heart was open and receptive?

Ø When God prepares an individual's heart to receive Him can He use you to take that person the message? Are you willing to be the messenger?

10:9-23: God Speaks to Peter

Ø Why was it necessary for God to have a "special" meeting to prepare Peter for the ministry to Cornelius?

Ø What is the significance to Peter seeking the vision three times? Notice the other "threes" of Peter: John 18:17, 25-27; 21:15-17.

Ø Notice that even though Peter was questioning of the Lord, he was willing to be taught.

Ø Do we have a teachable spirit or are we set in our ways?

10:24-48: God Shows No Favoritism

Ø Was Peter willing to accept the praise/adoration of Cornelius?

Ø How did Peter explain his reticence at meeting with these Gentiles?

Ø What was Peter's great revelation?

Ø Notice Peter's clear testimony in verses 34-43.

Ø How does these Gentile conversions compare with the outpouring of the Holy Spit on the day of Pentecost?

Ø After Peter lead these people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, did he leave them on their own? Application?

11:1-18: Peter Questioned

Ø Why was Peter questioned when he returned to Jerusalem?

Ø Notice his response to his fellow Christian Jews now that God had removed his prejudice.

Ø Application for us?

11:19-30: The Church at Antioch

Ø What is significant about the makeup of the believers in Antioch?

Ø What does it mean to be called "Christians"?

Ø How was the love of the disciples in Antioch demonstrated toward other members of the church? Application?

12:1-25: Herod's Last Gasp

Ø Why was Herod able to martyr some of the disciple but not others/

Ø What did Peter's miraculous release from prison do for the church?

Ø Did Herod's persecution slow down the plans of God for His church?

Ø Who proved to be more powerful, Herod or God?

Ø How does that apply to rulers of every age?

Ø What does that teach us about continuing the work of God for as long as He leaves us on earth?