Devotional Bible Studies

• What choices did the following men make? Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4, Hebrews 11:8-10; Moses in Hebrews 11:24-27; Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33:1-6; 2 Chronicles 33:12-13; Jonah in Jonah 1:1-3; Daniel in Daniel 1:8; Peter in Matthew 19:27-30
• Which of these men had regrets for the choice he made? Which had no regrets?  Base your answer on Scripture.  Genesis 12:2-3, 21:1-7, Hebrews 11:11-12; 2 Chronicles 33:10-11; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; Jonah 1:4-17; 1 Peter 1:3-6, 2 Peter 1:16-18; Daniel 1:9-20
• What did Jesus Himself choose to give up in order to be obedient to His Father? Philippians 2:6-8
• Do you think Jesus had any regrets for the choice He made? Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 12:2
• What did Jesus say was necessary in order for us to be disciples? Luke 14:33
• What have you left or given up in order to be a follower of Jesus? What are you still clinging to that is hindering you from being a disciple?
• As you look back over your life, what regrets do you have regarding the choices you have made?
• If you have regrets, what encouragement do you receive from the following verses? Joel 2:25; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 4:1-7; 5:17; Galatians 1:13-16; 1 Timothy 1:15-16
• What choices do you need to make today to ensure you have no regrets tomorrow?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2017 Newsletter.

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

• What are three reasons we can rejoice about the future? Revelation 19:6-8
• How does Revelation 19:9 underscore our confident and expectant joy?
• List as many characteristics of Heaven as you can from Revelation 21:1-4.
• How does the Bible counter those who think Heaven is too good to be true? Revelation 21:5
• Give additional characteristics of Heaven from Revelation 22:1-5.
• What encouragement do you receive from Revelation 22:6?
• Would you tell someone what Heaven is like? Then ask them to secure a place there by putting their trust in Jesus?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2017 Newsletter.

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

Read 2 Chronicles 6:12-21

I. INTERCEDE WITH HUMILITY                6:12-13

• What was Solomon’s posture in prayer before God and all the people?  2 Chronicles 6:13
• Describe the posture in prayer of each of the following: the people and priests in 2 Chronicles 7:3; King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29:29-30; Elijah in 1 Kings 18:42; Daniel in Daniel 6:10; Ezra in Ezra 9:5-6; Jesus in Luke 22:39-44; Peter in Acts 9:36-41; Paul and the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:36-38.
• What attitude do you think is symbolized by this posture?
• What attitude is singled out as a condition for God to hear our prayers for our nation?  2 Chronicles 7:14
• How does God respond to this attitude?  Give phrases from: 2 Samuel 22:28; 1 Kings 21:29; 2 Chronicles 12:5-7; 33:1-2, 7-13; Psalm 18:27; 25:9; 149:4; Isaiah 66:2.
• What is your posture in prayer?  What does it reveal about your attitude?

II. INTERCEDE WITH CERTAINTY              6:14-15

• Name at least four characteristics of God that Solomon was certain of as he prayed. 2 Chronicles 6:14-15
• Give phrases within the following prayers that reveal certainty in who God is: Daniel 9:4-15; Nehemiah 1:4-5; John 11:38-44; Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 3:14-19; Jude 24-25.
• Why is certainty important?  Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 17:14-21
• On whom did Jesus teach us to place our confidence in prayer?  Matthew 6:9-10
• When you pray, on what is your confidence based?  The length or eloquence of your prayer?  Your spiritual maturity?  Your education or status or position?  Your church membership?  Would you place your confidence instead on who God is?

III. INTERCEDE WITH AUTHORITY            6:16-17

• What was it that gave Solomon’s prayer authority in Heaven?  2 Chronicles 6:16-17
• How did Jacob exercise this authority in his prayer of Genesis 32:7-12?
• On what did Elijah base the authority for his prayer in 1 Kings 18:36?
• On what did Elijah base the authority for his prayer in 1 Kings 18:41-42?  1 Kings 18:1?
• What was the basis of Daniel’s authority in prayer in Daniel 9?  Compare Daniel 9:2-4 with Jeremiah 29:10-12.
• How are we exhorted to pray in Psalm 119:49? 119:116?
• On what are your prayers based?  On what you want?  Or on His Word?

IV. INTERCEDE WITH CLARITY                 6:18-21

• What was Solomon asking of God in 2 Chronicles 6:18-21?
• How clear were the requests of Abraham’s servant in Genesis 24:12-14? Asa’s request in 2 Chronicles 14:11? Daniel’s requests in Daniel 9:16-19? Nehemiah’s requests in Nehemiah 1:11?
• What specific things did Jesus pray for in John 17? List the phrases with verses.
• When you pray, how will you know when God answers unless you pray clearly and specifically?

What is one thing you believe God wants to do for this nation?  Write out a prayer that follows the above pattern of humility, certainty, authority, and clarity.  Then use it to intercede for our nation.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2017 Newsletter.

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

Read Matthew 24:36-51

• What did the disciples ask Jesus in Matthew 24:3?
• How did Jesus answer?  Matthew 24:4, 42
• What two reasons are given by Jesus for us to keep watching?  Matthew 24:36, 42-44
• How important is it to keep watching?  Give phrases from these verses, then put them in your own words.  Matthew 24:43, 38-51

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2017 Newsletter.

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

What storm has struck in your life?  If you are God’s child through faith in Jesus Christ, He promises you and me five things.

Read Mark 6:45-52

I.  YOU HAVE HIS PURPOSE                Mark 6:45

• Give a phrase from v.45 that proves the disciples were in God’s will when the storm struck.
• From the following verses, list other storms that swept across the lives of those Jesus loved, who were also in God’s will: John 11:1-3; Acts 4:1-3, 7:55-60, 14:19-20, 16:22-24; 27:1-44; Revelation 1:9.
• Since storms come into the lives of everyone, what unique promise is given to those who belong to God by faith in Jesus Christ when they experience storms? See Romans 8:28.
• Would you ask God to give you a glimpse of the purpose for which He has allowed the storm to sweep through your life?

II.  YOU HAVE HIS PRAYERS                Mark 6:46

• What do you think Jesus was praying about in v.46? See John 6:14-15 for help with your answer.
• How is this same attitude a concern for prayer today?
• Who do you think Jesus was praying for?
• Give phrases from John 17 that reveal how Jesus prays for you and me, especially when we are in the midst of a storm.
• What does Hebrews 7:25 say about His prayers for you?
• Put into your own words what it means to you to know that Jesus is praying for you…now…while you are in the midst of your storm. Would you thank Jesus today for His prayers?

III.  YOU HAVE HIS PRESENCE               Mark 6:47-48

• After prayer, what did Jesus do?
• Give phrases from Mark 6:47-48; John 9:1; John 9:35; and John 11:33-35 that reveal Jesus is not indifferent to our storms. If these passages reveal Jesus is not indifferent to our storms, why do you think He is indifferent to yours?
• Which of the following promises is most encouraging to you, and why? Exodus 33:14; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-2; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5.
• Spend a few moments in quiet reflection on these promises until deep within your spirit you are reassured of His presence with you.

IV.  YOU HAVE HIS PEACE                Mark 6:49-50

• What did the disciples have to do before they could experience His peace? See verse 49 and John 6:21.
• Why do you think Jesus was “about to pass them by?” Relate this to Ezekiel 36:37 KJV and John 14:13-14.
• What do you have to do in order to experience His presence and His peace in the midst of your storm? Compare Hosea 7:14 with Psalm 18:3-19.
• Have you called out to the Lord? If not, what are you waiting for?
• What do the following verses tell us about peace in the midst of the storm? Luke 24:36-39; John 14:27; 16:33; 20:19-20; Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:6-7.
• Describe an experience in your own life of supernatural peace in the midst of a storm.

V.  YOU HAVE HIS POWER                Mark 6:51-52 

• From the following verses, how was the power of Christ revealed on the lake in Mark 6:51 & Luke 8:23-24? on the mountain in Mark 9: 2-7? in the valley in Mark 9:14-27? on land in John 9:1-7? at the tomb in John 11:38-44? at the end of human history in Revelation 19:11-21?
• Is this same power available to you and me today? See Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Timothy 1:7.
• Would you pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18-21 for yourself?

Storms can be sudden, fierce, ongoing until they seem to suck the life out of us.  We can become so preoccupied with storms, we are paralyzed by fear. Yet storms can be like God’s megaphone, getting our attention so we listen to what He has to say.  Remember…God speaks through storms.  Make sure you listen to what He has to say.

This Bible study has been adapted from one entitled, Five Things A Storm Can’t Destroy, published in Into the Word  by Anne Graham Lotz, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2010, page 65-69.  Used by permission.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2016 Newsletter.

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