Devotional Bible Studies

Read Psalm 23 with Acts 22-28

• Trace the Psalmist’s progression of his life’s journey in Psalm 23:1-6.
• How did his journey begin? Psalm 23:1-3
• What pain, persecution and problems are alluded to in Psalm 23:4-5?
• What phrase in Psalm 23:4 indicates that as the journey became difficult, it was also slow
• How did Paul’s 4th journey begin? Acts 21:17-26
• What pain, persecution, and difficulty did Paul encounter? Acts 21:27-32; 22:22-25; 23:6-10; 23:12-15; 24:5-9; 25:23-24; Acts 27:1-2, 27-44; 28:1-6
• Read Acts 22-28. Underline the phrases and give verse numbers for each reference to a passage of time, indicating Paul’s journey was also slow.
• Explain how Psalm 23:4 is confirmed by Paul’s experience in Acts 23:11; Acts 27:21-26;
  2 Timothy 4:16-17.
• Where did Paul’s 4th journey end? Acts 28:15-16, 30-31
• Where did Paul’s life journey end ultimately? 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18
• How did the Psalmist describe his journey, and where did it ultimately end? Psalm 23:6
• Think through your life’s journey from the time you met Jesus until today.  – How did it begin?
  – What difficulties have you experienced?
  – How long did you experience suffering, pain, problems, etc.?
  – Describe how the presence and promises of God have sustained you.
  – As a child of God, what will be your ultimate end? 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Revelation 21:3-4
• What was the attitude of Jesus as He traveled on this journey? Hebrews 12:1-2
• What is your attitude?

Take a moment to thank Jesus for His example that reveals we can experience joy…even on the fourth missionary journey…as we anticipate our journey’s ultimate end.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2024 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

Read Mark 5:22-24, 35-43

With Strong Friends

• From the following passages, describe the difference that strong friends made: Exodus 4:12-16; Exodus 17:8-13; Ruth 1:3-9, 16-18, 2:1, 13-17; 2 Kings 2:1-2, 9-14; Jeremiah 38:1-13; Daniel 1:1-20; Daniel 3:1-30; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 13:1-5
• From the following passages, describe the difference that weak friends made: Genesis 19:1-9, 23-25; Judges 16:4-21; 1 Kings 11:1-4; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19
• Apply the following wisdom to your choice of friends: Proverbs 12:26; 18:24

With Sharpened Focus

• How does your focus affect your spiritual success? Joshua 1:7-8; Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 6:33
• How does your focus affect your desires and priorities? Matthew 6:19-24
• On whom are you to stay focused? John 21:18-23

With Steadfast Faith

• What difference does faith make? Mark 9:14-29; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6; James 1:5-8; 1 John 5:4
• Which is more important, the amount of faith you have, or the object of your faith? Luke 17:6; John 7:38; John 11:25-26, 38-44
• How do you “get” faith? Romans 10:17
• Based on your personal Bible reading and study, how likely is it that you will “get” faith?

Using the above criteria, are you developing into a disciple of Jesus?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2024 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

When pressures or problems or pain envelop our lives, we tend to trust God…plus our doctor or our lawyer or our counselor or our banker or our leaders or our own effort or our  (fill in the blank). Yet God seems to demonstrate His power and glory to those who trust in Him alone. Which is why He often allows us to reach the end of our human resources or run the limit of conventional wisdom before He steps in and does the impossible. The miraculous. So when you are at your wits’ end…

Trust God

• Read Psalm How many desperate situations are described? How was each one resolved? What was the final outcome of each? What were the people exhorted to do at the conclusion each time?
• How do the following verses encourage you to trust God? Write out descriptive phrases from: 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 56:3-4; Psalm 20:7; Psalm 18:1-19; Psalm 31:14-16; Isaiah 26:3-4; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalm 62:5-8; Isaiah 59:1.

Trust God Alone

• What blessings are reserved for those who trust in God alone? 1 Chronicles 5:20; Psalm 28:6-7; Isaiah 25:8-9; Romans 15:13.
• How do the following examples encourage you to trust God completely? Hebrews 11:11-12, 11:17-19; Exodus 14:10-22; 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 32-50; Daniel 6:1-23.
• What is the greatest example of complete trust in God? Luke 23:46. What was the result? Ephesians 1:19-23.
• Can you remember a time when you cried out in desperation to God, and He answered? Write out a brief description.
• When you are desperate, do you think you need to help God out? What miracle could you be missing because you are not trusting Him alone?

When you are at your wits’ end, cry out to God…then trust Him to hear and answer!

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2024 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

*How important is your physical focus when walking or driving or even watching TV?
*How important is your spiritual focus when walking with God and seeking to live for Him?
*What do you think it means to walk with God? See 1 John 1:6-7; Ephesians 4:1-3; Micah 6:8.
*As we walk with God, how critical is it for our focus to be clear? Ephesians 5:15 (NASB); Ephesians 5:2 (NASB); Galatians 5:16 (NASB); 1 John 1:6-7
*What difference do you think focus made in Enoch’s walk in Genesis 5:21-24?. In Noah’s walk in Genesis 6:8-18 and 7:23? In Abraham’s walk in Genesis 18:16-19? (Use your imagination based on the circumstances surrounding each of these three characters.)
*Apply each of the above situations to your own focus as you walk with God and the difference it makes.
*What is required in order to be spiritually focused? 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6
*Describe the One on whom we are to focus from John 6:48; 8:12; 10:9; 10:14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:5; John 1:1-5, 15; Hebrews 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-20
*How does the hope of seeing Jesus sharpen your focus according to 1 John 3:3? Romans 14:11-12? 1 Corinthians 13:12?

As you begin 2024, what are some practical things you need to do to adjust and/or sharpen your focus so that your walk is pleasing to Him?

* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are based on ‘78 NIV.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2024 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

Revelation 19:1-9

*How many times does the universe raise a hallelujah in Revelation 19:1-9? Give verses.
*Who is the focus of the thunderous, universal praise? Give verses.
*What are some of the stated reasons for raising these hallelujahs? Put them in your own words, with the verses.
*What are four reasons for the last hallelujah? 19:7-9
*Is there any doubt that one day the Bride will be ready as she enjoys the wedding feast with the Bridegroom? Give the phrase and the verse
*What further insight do you gain from Matthew 24:42-44? Matthew 25:1-13? Ephesians 5:25-27, 32?
*Are you ready to meet the Bridegroom? Five minutes before you do meet Him, what will you wish you had done differently?
*As you daily live out the difference with the expectancy of seeing Him face to face, list as
many reasons as you can for raising a hallelujah now. Then don’t stop…

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2023 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.