Devotional Bible Studies

During the last few months, God has showered me with blessing after blessing. This Thanksgiving I will be counting them one by one and overflowing with praise to the One who is the Fountainhead from whom all blessings flow.

I. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE FATHER

Read Numbers 6:24

• What two things are revealed about God the Father in this verse?
• How are these two characteristics reflected in God’s title given in Psalm 80:1 and described in more detail in Psalm 23?
• List the things the Shepherd does for His sheep in Psalm 23. Which is most meaningful to you?
• List as many blessings as you can from Ephesians 1:3-14 that come from God the Father.
• What five blessings from this list are most meaningful to you? Thank Him for them.

II. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE SON

Read Numbers 6:25

• What two characteristics of God the Son are revealed in this verse?
• What did Jesus Christ claim in John 14:9?
• Give phrases that use these characteristics to describe Jesus Christ as God the Son in John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 1:14-17.
• What is there about Jesus that makes you love God the Father more?

III. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Read Numbers 6:26

• What two characteristics of God the Spirit are revealed in this verse?
• How does the Spirit turn God’s face towards us? John 14:15-17, 16:13-15; Romans 5:1-5; John 14:26
• Where does real peace come from and how do you experience it? Isaiah 48:17-18; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 8:6, 14:17; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18
• In what area of your life do you lack peace? Would you ask God to reveal to you why? Then surrender everything to the control of God the Holy Spirit, opening your heart to His river of peace that passes all understanding.

Take a few moments now to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God from whom all blessings flow.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2019 Newsletter.

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

Have you ever felt lonely—even in a crowd? Without companionship? Especially when facing a death, or disease, or divorce, or some disaster? In the past three years, I have become a widow…and an orphan…while at the same time facing some of my life’s greatest challenges. Yet I have experienced the companionship of the Holy Spirit in a deep, vibrant relationship that has been a constant source of joy, peace, and comfort. It’s worth getting to know the One who is Jesus in me…and in you.

I. HIS COMPANIONSHIP BRINGS COMFORT

Read John 16:5-16

• From John 16:5-7, why did the disciples need comfort? Put their feelings into your own words.

A. COMFORT OF HIS PERSON

• What pronouns—and how many—does this passage use in speaking of the Holy Spirit? What does this teach you about the Holy Spirit?
• What do the following passages tell us about names in Scripture? Genesis 32:27-28; Matthew 1:21; Matthew 16:17-18
• List four names for the Holy Spirit from John 16:6, 7(KJV),13, and 14:26.
• Give the dictionary definition for each name, then write out in your own words how it describes an aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work or character.
• Assign each of the following verses to one of the names of the Holy Spirit, and apply each verse to your own life: 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; James 1:5.
• Which of His names is most meaningful to you, and why?

B. COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE

• What promise did Jesus give His disciples in John 16:7? 14:16-17? From the following verses, how would this be different from the Old Testament experience of the Holy Spirit: Numbers 11:25; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13 with Psalm 51:11?
• Did Jesus keep His promise? Describe the scene in Acts 2:1-21.
• Although Pentecost was an historical event never to be repeated like the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, when does the Holy Spirit come into a person’s life? See Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14. Once you have received the Holy Spirit, is His presence temporary or
  permanent, according to these verses?

II. HIS COMPANIONSHIP BRINGS CHANGE

• What difference did the Holy Spirit make at Creation? Compare Genesis 1:2 with 1:3-31. Do you think His power is less today?

A. HE CHANGES ME

• From the following verses, how does the Holy Spirit bring about change in our lives: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 7:6; 8:5-6; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, Ephesians 6:17-18; Philippians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Jude 20; Revelation 2:29?
• What command does Ephesians 4:30 give us in reference to the Holy Spirit? Explain this command in your own words. (If we only grieve for those we genuinely care about and love, what does this tell you about the Holy Spirit’s relationship with every believer?)
• What command does God give us in Ephesians 5:18? Give phrases from Ephesians 5:1, 2, 10, 15, 17, and 20 that help us understand how to obey this command.
• From Galatians 5:22-25 and Acts 4:31, what evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling should others be able to see in our lives?

B. HE CHANGES OTHERS

• How does the Holy Spirit change others, according to Jesus in John 16:8-11? Based on these verses, do you think guilt is a good or a bad thing?
• Of what three things does Jesus say the Holy Spirit convicts the world? Put each of them into your own words. Apply this to the unsaved people on your prayer list.
• If the Holy Spirit’s responsibility is to convict the world of guilt and convince the world of truth, what would be the most effective way to bring about change in another person’s life?
• Describe the change in Peter’s life before he received the Spirit from John 18:15-18, 25-27 and after he received the Spirit in Acts 4:8-13.
• If God the Holy Spirit can transform Peter, why do you think He cannot change your loved one?

Ask the Father now to give you a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit as your life’s companion.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2019 Newsletter.

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

Read 2 Timothy 2:8-10

I. BE CONVINCED OF THE MESSAGE              2:8-9

• What two facts about Jesus are we challenged to remember in verse 8?
• What is significant about these facts?
• How are these same 2 facts described in: John 1:1-3, 14? Romans 1:2-4? Give phrases for each fact.
• In your own words, explain the Gospel.
• Are you convinced the Gospel is true? John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16
• In what way are you bound…to a job? By poor health?  Etc.
• If you are bound, how are you encouraged by verse 9? Apply it to your situation.

II. BE COMMITTED TO THE MISSION              2:10

• What is our mission? Matthew 28:18-20
• Will fulfilling the mission be easy? 2 Timothy 1:8, 2:10; 2 Corinthians 11:22-29; John 15:20; Revelation 1:9
• What was Paul’s motive for enduring trials, suffering, persecution, hardship, etc.? 2 Timothy 2:10
• What is the promise in 2 Timothy 2:12a that is repeated in Romans 8:17? Revelation 20:6?
• How are you encouraged by Galatians 6:9? Romans 10:17?
• If you are truly committed to the mission, what will you choose to do about fulfilling it?

If all Christians were like you, would Paul have said the Word was bound? If you are convinced of the message and committed to the mission, what will you do to turn the Word loose?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2019 Newsletter.

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

I. He Helps
* Which verses in Psalm 63 imply that the Psalmist was experiencing trouble?
* What phrase refers to the Psalmist’s sleepless nights? Why do you think he couldn’t sleep?
* What keeps you up at night?
* When sleepless, what did the Psalmist do? What do you do?
* What encouragement do you receive from the following verses? Psalm 10:14; 18:35; 28:7; 30:2; 46:1, 5; 94:7; 118:13
* If you need God’s help, what do you need to do? Matthew 8:5; 15:25; Luke 4:38; John 15:7

II. He Hides
* Where did the Psalmist say God hid him?
* How is this same thought expressed in Ruth 2:12; Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 61:4; 91:4? Give phrases.
* What does this thought mean to you? Psalm 25:1; 32:10; 56:3; 62:8

III. He Holds
* How was the Psalmist held?
* What is the significance of the right hand? Exodus 15:6, 12; Psalm 16:11; 17:7; 18:35; Isaiah 62:8
* In light of the significance of God’s right hand, write out Isaiah 41:10 in your own words.
* Is there any danger that God’s grip will loosen, or that He will let go of you? John 10:29
* When things get worse, what encouragement do you receive from Isaiah 41:13? 46:4? Deuteronomy 1:31?

When things get worse, place your faith in the God who is there to help, hide, and hold you.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2019 Newsletter.

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

• From the following verses, describe the various world-changing events that took place without prior warning: Luke 2:13-14; Luke 24:1-8; Matthew 28:1-10; Acts 1:1-11; Acts 2:1-4, 14-17
• If these major events involving the life of Jesus took place suddenly, is it possible future world events involving Him will also take place in the same way?
• What future events does the Bible say will take place suddenly? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 24:36-39; Mark 13:36-37; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
• What do you need to adjust in your life to insure that you are ready for these sudden changes, whenever and however they occur? Make those adjustments now.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2018 Newsletter.

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