The Bible 24/7 January 2, 2012

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24/7 Notes Week 21

May 21 - May 27, 2012

May 21

1. What is the first sign of Solomon’s extraordinary wisdom?
2. How is an alliance between Israel and Lebanon secured? 
3. What 2 items does Solomon add to the Holy of Holies?

 

May 22

1. What are the names of the two pillars in front of the temple?
2. What did “the sea” rest upon?
3. 3.   Where were all the bronze molds made?

 

May 23

1. Why might we think there was a mis-measurement of the Ark’s poles?
2. Where does God live, according to Solomon?
3. What will people receive by praying toward the temple?

 

May 24

1. Why did Solomon have to consecrate the central area of the courtyard?
2. What is God’s condition on establishing David’s throne forever?
3. How did Hiram feel about the towns of Galilee given him by Solomon?

 

May 25

1. Why did Solomon move his Egyptian wife out of Jerusalem?
2. What was the queen of Sheba’s chief reason for visiting Solomon?
3. 3.   Why were Solomon’s utensils never made from silver?

 

May 26

1. How numerous were the people of Judah and Israel?
2. Psalm 72: What is the wealthiest king in the world’s opinion of the poor?

 

May 27

1. Fools are destroyed by what?
2. Trust in the Lord and do not depend upon what?
3. “Don’t lose sight of common sense and ______________”

 

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

Who helps Solomon build the Temple? Are they Jews or pagans? Is it good for believers to co-operate with non-believers if they have common interests? Should Christian missionaries ever work with representatives of other religions under any circumstances? 

 

Why is the Temple so important to Solomon and the people of Israel? What will happen to the Temple if the people do not stay loyal to God?

 

The Lord blesses Solomon with great wealth. What are the benefits of wealth? What are the liabilities and temptations? 

 

How does wisdom reward those who seek her?

 

Proverbs 3:33 says “The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright”. How does this verse relate to the story of Job?

24/7 Notes Week 20

May 14 - May 20, 2012

May 14

1. Psalm 103: What is God’s view toward our sins?
2. Psalm 109: Who does David love and how is that love shown?
3. Psalm 110: Who is David’s “Lord” in this psalm?

 

May 15

1. Psalm 139: Which enemies does David not love?
2. Psalm 141: How are “delicacies” a temptation?
3. Psalm 143: Who is innocent before God?

 

May 16

1. Psalm 144: What line is repeated?
2. Psalm 88: Who is the psalmist’s closest friend?
3. Psalm 89: How long was David’s term as king supposed to be?

 

May 17

1. Psalm 50: What should be our actual sacrifice to God? 
2. Psalm 73: Who are the “fat cats” of whom this psalm speaks?
3. Psalm 74: Who are the “turtledoves”?

 

May 18

1. Psalm 75: What does the cup in God’s hand represent? 
2. Psalm 77: What is the psalmist’s central question?
3. Psalm 78: How does the psalmist feel about Israel’s anscestors?

 

May 19

1. Psalm 80: What does Israel drink “by the bucketfull”? 
2. Psalm 81: What does The Lord wish the people would do?
3. Psalm 82:  Why does the psalmist refer to the oppressors as “gods”?

 

May 20

1. For what request did Solomon have his brother Adonijah executed?
2. How did Joab attempt to avoid Solomon’s retribution?
3. How did Solomon seal a peace with Egypt?
4. For what gift does Solomon ask of The Lord?

 

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

What is your favorite Psalm and why? Or, if you don’t have a favorite, was there a Psalm that spoke to you strongly this week? which one and why?

 

What has troubled the writer of Psalm 73. How did he deal with this challenge? What comforts the writer now?

 

Take a look at Psalm 78. According to this Psalm, the work of devotion is also the work of the historian. Have you ever thought of remembering as a spiritual exercise? What memories are most important to you? 

 

Solomon asks God for wisdom. Why do you think he made that choice? What is the most important quality in a ruler to you and why?

24/7 Notes Week Nineteen

May 7 - May 13, 2012

May 7

1. Psalm 12: The Lord’s promise are what?
2. Psalm 14: Only fools say what? 
3. Psalm 16: What will God not allow? (V.10)
4. Psalm 21:3-7 seems to be talking about whom?

 

May 8

1. Psalm 22: Why should verse 1 sound familiar?
2. Psalm 22: 7-8 also familiar, why?
3. Psalm 22:16  What a coincidence?
4. Psalm 25: To whom is The Lord a friend?

 

May 9

1. Psalm 27: What does David want more than anything else?
2. Psalm 30: How does David compare God’s anger to His mercy?
3. Psalm 31: How do verses 10-11 fit Good Friday?
4. Psalm 32: What happened when David refused to confess his sin?

 

May 10

1. Psalm 35:  Where do you see David loving his enemies? 
2. Psalm 37: What does this psalm say about anger and rage?
3. Psalm 37: It is better to be godly and have little than what?

 

May 11

1. Psalm 39: What happens to David after he has been silent?
2. Psalm 40: In what does David take joy?
3. Psalm 58: How will the godly wash their feet?

 

May 12

1. Psalm 62: What should you do if your wealth increases?
2. Psalm 66: What was the effect of God testing His people? 
3. Psalm 66: What would have happened had David not confessed his sin?

 

May 13

1. Psalm 68: What does God do for the lonely?
2. Psalm 69: How is David affected by the insults of his enemies? (v.20)
3. Psalm 101: What is David’s “daily task”?

 

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

The book of Psalms is the Hymnal of ancient Israel. These were their songs of worship. When Jesus quotes Psalm 22 on the cross, he echoed the songs of thousands of Jews over hundreds of years. In what ways is this Psalm similar to our worship songs, in what ways is it different? How important is the verbal content of the songs we sing?

 

Read Psalm 58 together. To whom is the Psalm addressed? Does this Psalm look for justice in this life or the afterlife?

 

Read Psalm 65. It is an index of praise! What does the word “praise” mean? What is God praised for in this Psalm?

 

It is sometimes useful to categorize Psalms. A few of the categories are: Psalms of lament (expressions of sadness/grief/repentance), Psalms of prayer, and Psalms of praise. Psalms can be of more than one type, but find examples of each from the weeks reading and say why you chose them. 

24/7 Notes Week Eighteen

April 30 - May 6, 2012

April 30

1. What do the men of Israel and Judah argue over regarding David?
2. How did one wise woman save the town of Abel-beth-maacah?
3. What did Rizpah do that inspired David to acts of mercy?

 

May 1

1. How can we see Golgotha and Good Friday within David’s song?

 

May 2

1. How does God punish David for taking a census?
2. Why does David refuse Araunah’s generous offer?
3. What became of Araunah’s threshing floor?

 

May 3

1. What were the three responsibilities for which David divided the Levites? 
2. What specific instruments were sanctioned for the temple?

 

May 4

1. Name the 12 tribes of Israel aloud. Can you memorize them?
2. What role went to David’s Uncle Jonathan?
3. Under what conditions would Solomon’s kingdom “last forever”?

 

May 5

1. What does David personally give in order to have the Temple built?
2. Who was Abishag and what was her role?
3. Who attempts to usurp the promised kingship from Solomon?
4. What was Solomon’s first act of mercy as king?

 

May 6

1. What three lost books are mentioned?
2. In Psalm 9, what is “the fate of all the nations who ignore God”?
3. From Psalm 11, what does the Lord love?

 

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

May 2 tells of the census. There are two accounts of this census, one from 2 Samuel, and one from 1 Chronicles. In Samuel, God causes David to take the census, but in 1 Chronicles, Satan causes it. What accounts for this difference? Why do you think it angered God to take a census?

 

Why isn’t David allowed to build the Temple? What do you think the Temple meant to the people of Israel? What was so special about it? 

 

What are the divisions of labor within the Levites? What are the divisions of labor in our church? In what areas of service in the church might you be called?

 

Psalm 9 on May 6th is a cry for justice. However, justice is an elusive idea. First, what does justice mean in this Psalm and what specific examples are given? Finally, in what areas of your life do you most desire justice?

24/7 Notes Week Seventeen

April 23 - April 29, 2012

April 23

1. What caused Michal to feel contempt for David?
2. How does David justify his behavior?

 

April 24

1. Why should David not build a house for the Lord?
2. What is God’s promise to David through the prophet Nathan?
3. What became of the bronze David took from Tebah?

 

April 25

1. What was Mephibosheth’s bodily challenge?
2. How did Hanun humiliate David’s ambassadors?
3. What estranged the Arameans from the Ammonites?

 

April 26

1. Why was David so anxious to get Uriah to go home? 
2. What is David’s response to the news of Uriah’s death?
3. How does Nathan elicit a confession from David?
4. What is Solomon’s other name?

 

April 27

1. What turns Amnon’s obsession  with Tamar into rejection?
2. 2.   Who kills Amnon?
3. Why was David estranged from his son Absolom?

 

April 28

1. How did Absolom steal the loyalty of the people?
2. Why does David allow Shimei to curse him?
3. Why does Hushai’s advice triumph over Ahithophel’s?

 

April 29

1. What id Ahithophel do when his advice was not followed?
2. How does Absolom come to his end?
3. How does Joab rebuke David?

 

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

Re-read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. About whom are verses 12-16? Is it possible that this prophecy has more than one fulfillment?

 

What is God’s response to David’s request to build a house for God? For whom is the Temple really made? For whom are churches made?

 

“David and Bathsheba” has become a phrase synonymous with temptation. Who is responsible for the temptation? Does David’s sin surprise you? What makes us think our leaders and heroes are better than any other human?

 

How does Absalom steal the hearts of the people? What makes the people susceptible to this kind of manipulation? Are there cases where people are manipulated in this way today? Are you susceptible?

 

Re-read the episode in 2 Samuel 16:5-14 on April 28. What is David’s attitude here? What is Abishai’s attitude? Pick a word to describe each of their attitudes. How do we usually react when we are attacked? What do you learn from David about how to better respond?

24/7 Notes Week Sixteen

April 16 - April 22, 2012

April 16

1. What kind of men made up David’s assembled army?
2. Which priest survived Saul’s slaughter?
3. How does David learn that Saul will come to Keilah?

 

April 17

1. What delayed Saul from finding David in the wilderness of Maon?
2. What made Saul come to tears?
3. How did Abigail save Nabal’s life?

 

April 18

1. Why didn’t David kill Saul when he had the chance?
2. What was Samuel’s message from the grave?
3. Why wasn’t David allowed to fight with the Philistines?

 

April 19

1. How did David treat the 200 who did not fight the Amalekites? 
2. What happens to Saul and his sons?
3. How does David kill the Amalekite messenger?

 

April 20

1. Who does Abner proclaim as king?
2. 2.   What good did Abner’s speech to Joab do?
3. Who were “The Three”?

 

April 21

1. Why did Abner turn against Israel?
2. How did Recab and Baanah’s good intentions cause their destruction?
    

April 22

1. Where was the covenant made that established David as king?
2. How do David’s men enter Jerusalem in order to capture it?
3. What happened when Uzzah tried to keep the Ark from falling off a cart?
4. What did David do with the Ark after Uzzah’s episode?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

Read David’s funeral song for Saul and Jonathan. How does David feel about Saul? How should we speak of those who have died? What if you had to give a eulogy for someone who had been your adversary? could you do it?

 

April 18th features the strange tale of Saul and the medium of Endor. Why has Saul banned all mediums? Is the medium effective? Where does Samuel come from? Does this story reveal anything about the ancient Hebrew understanding of the afterlife?

 

 

Many of us understand God’s presence as comforting and safe, even romantic, think of the Hymn, “In The Garden” that goes: “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” Contrast that with the episode of Uzzah on April 22nd. Are we perhaps too comfortable with God’s presence, or not? What does it mean to you to “fear God”?

24/7 Notes Week Fifteen

April 9 - April 15, 2012

April 9

1. What was Eli’s first impression of Hannah?
2. What was wrong with the sons of Eli?
3. What is the Lord’s message to the young Samuel?

 

April 10

1. What is the meaning of the name Ichabod?
2. What happened when the Ark was placed next to the Philistine idol Dagon?
3. What were the 5 gold tumors and 5 gold rats all about?
4. What was Ebenezer?
5. What do the people demand from Samuel that he does not want to provide?

 

April 11

1. How does Samuel signify that Saul is to be king?
2. Why was Nahash called the “eye-gouger”?
3. Why was it wrong for Israel to want a king?

 

April 12

1. Why didn’t Israel have any blacksmiths? 
2. What foolish thing did Saul do and why?
3. How did Jonathan defy one of Saul’s orders?

 

April 13

1. What is better than sacrifice, according to Samuel?
2. 2.   What was the treatment for Saul’s tormented spirit?
3. What was David’s business in visiting the valley of Elah?

 

April 14

1. With what two weapons did David meet Goliath?
2. Who made David an army commander?
3. What was the odd dowry David paid for Saul’s daughter Michal?
4. What happened to everyone on their way to Ramah?

 

April 15

1. What  sign did Jonathan use to warn David of Saul’s anger?
2. What food did David and his men find in Nob?
3. How does David escape danger from King Achish?
4.  

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

Is Samuel a priest or a prophet or both? Normally in the Old Testament, the roles are separate and distinct. Discuss the differences in the roles based on what you have seen so far. How and by whom are these roles carried out in the church today?

 

What makes the people want a king? Do we have similar desires today? How does God feel about our desire to follow human kings?

 

What does Saul do to lose the favor of God? How does his sin compare to the sin of Moses and David? How do you feel about Saul as you read his story? Perhaps  disappointed, compassionate, disdain, or pity?

 

David lives what might be called a charmed life. The Bible puts it this way, "David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him." what other biblical characters does David remind you of? Does he remind you of anyone you know? Compare David to Moses as a leader, how are they similar or different? Who would you rather follow?

 

24/7 Notes Week Fourteen

April 2 - April 8, 2012

April 2

1. What kind of “swords” did the 300 men with Gideon use?
2. Why didn’t Jether kill Zebah and Zalmunna?
3. What happened as soon as Gideon died?
4. How did Abimelech secure his right to become king?

 

April 3

1. How did Abimelech meet his end?
2. Why was Jephthah originally rejected by his half-brothers?
3. What is Jephthah offered as a reward for his military leadership?

 

April 4

1. What was the custom for lamenting Jephthah’s daughter?
2. What is the difference between Shibboleth and Sibboleth?
3. Why was Samson’s hair uncut?
4. Where did Samson find honey?

 

April 5

1. What was Samson’s labor in the Gaza prison? 
2. Whom did MIcah hire as a live-in?
3. Where does Micah’s idol end up?

 

April 6

1. Of what earlier story does the first episode at Gibeah remind you?
2. What was the effect of the Levite’s “packages” to the 12 tribes?
3. How did the last of the men of Benjamin find wives?

 

April 7

1. What was the relationship between Ruth and Naomi?
2. Why couldn’t the “family redeemer” marry Ruth?
3. What is the ultimate reward for Ruth’s goodness?
4.  

April 8

1. Who was the great-grandmother of David?
2. What was the prayer of Jabez?
3. Why would Peninnah taunt Hannah?

Face-to-Face Questions

Judges repeats the line, “There was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes”. What is life like in Israel without a king? Do you think it will get better when there is a king? Without the authority of a king, people go astray, but, so do kings. Is it better to have a king, or does it just relocate the problem of human error onto one person?

 

Reflect on the story of Samson. Who are the women in his story and what are their experiences? What kind of man is Samson? Is he a hero? a fool? Does he deserve what happens to him?

 

As you reflect on the story of Ruth, read Genesis 19:30-38 for the background of the Moabites. Also Numbers 25. How do you imagine Naomi would have felt moving to Moab? How would she feel about her sons marrying Moabite women? What would you feel like, or have you ever felt uncomfortable living among people of different backgrounds from your own?

 

In what ways is God involved in the story of Ruth? Is God’s involvement direct or indirect? Do you see God working in your life through other people, or more directly? Can you think of examples of each?

 

24/7 Notes Week Twelve

March 19-25, 2012

March 19

1. Which curse from Ebal reminds you of Judas?
2. What were the blessings conditional upon?
3. Can Israel’s disobedience cause The Lord to reneg on any of His promises?(v.68)

 

March 20

1. To whom does this Mosaic covenant apply?
2. What promise follows even the scattering of God’s people?
3. Who succeeds Moses to take the people into Canaan?

 

March 21

1. In the Song of Moses, what happens to the people if they are too well-cared for?
2. What are the people to do with idols they find?
3. According to Psalm 90, what realization makes us grow in wisdom?

 

March 22

1. Who buried Moses’ body?
2. What does God expect Joshua to do “day and night”?
3. What sign would protect Rahab’s family from Israel’s army?

 

March 23

1. What happens when the priests with the Ark begin to cross the Jordan?
2. Who was “neither friend nor foe” to Joshua?
3. What knocked down the walls of Jericho?

 

March 24

1. How did Achan cause Israel’s army to fail at Ai?
2. 2.   What was written on the altar at Mount Ebal?
3. How was the Hivites’ deception rewarded?

 

March 25

1. Why did the five kings want to destroy Gibeon?
2. For what purpose were the sun and moon made to stand still for a day?
3. What was the fate of the five kings?

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

What is the penalty if Israel does not keep the law? Think of the circumstances in Israel at the time of Jesus. How would they understand their situation? Why would the Pharisees of Jesus’ day push for even stricter obedience to the law? 

 

Read Psalm 90 from March 21. How would you describe the tone of this psalm? How does it feel to read and think about God’s wrath? What does the psalm say about us? 

 

Who buries Moses? What happens when something Holy comes into contact with something unclean? Why do you think Moses’ grave is unknown and unmarked?

 

Rahab negotiates an arrangement with the Israelite spies. In spite of God’s command to destroy all the inhabitants of Jericho, Rahab lives. What makes Rahab special or different from the other inhabitants of the land? Does God honor the agreements made between humans? 

24/7 Notes Week Eleven

March 12-18, 2012

March 12

1. What was interesting about the descendents of Anak?
2. What is the meaning of “destroyed” according to the footnotes?
3. What had to happen before families could settle east of the Jordan river?

 

March 13

1. Why wasn’t Moses allowed to enter the Promised Land?
2. Re-read Deuteronomy 4:39. How is it a world-changer for ancient peoples?
3. What do the people request of God through Moses?

 

March 14

1. What must the people do to be counted as righteous?
2. What are the people to do with idols they find?
3. What is the basis for God’s goodness to the people of Israel?

 

March 15

1. Why is Israel to show love to foreigners?
2. By what actions were the people to commit themselves to God’s law?
3. How will the worship of Israel change in the Promised Land?

 

March 16

1. What is the rule for acceptable seafood?
2. What is supposed to happen every seventh year?
3. What is the “bread of suffering” at Passover?

 

March 17

1. What must a king write out for himself?
2. What is the test that reveals a false prophet?
3. What is the penalty for a false accusation?
4. What are the rules regarding trees during war?

 

March 18

1. What became of a son who was a “glutton and a drunkard”?
2. How are the Israelites to treat runaway slaves?
3. Why are more than forty lashes forbidden as punishment?

 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

 

 

Read Deuteronomy 15:12-18. What would it be like if we obeyed these laws in our society today? The command is to give generously. Is there any concern over why the poor became poor?

 

How do you distinguish true prophets from false? (Deut 18:15-22) Do we have prophets in the church today? How do we evaluate what is said in the name of God?

 

Read Deuteronomy 20:1-20. What effect would this have on the army of Israel? What does this reveal about the priorities governing war?

 

Deuteronomy 21:1-9 discusses what must happen when a murder goes unsolved. There is a procedure to absolve the community of guilt. Why would a community have guilt for the murder in the first place?

 

 

24/7 Notes Week Ten

March 5-11, 2012

March 5

1. What kind of branch is used to sprinkle the water of purification?
2. What was the purpose of the bronze snake?
3. What ancient book is named in today’s reading?

 

March 6

1. What was Balaam hired to do?
2. Why couldn’t Balaam complete his contract with Balak?

 

March 7

1. How did Phinehas save Israel?
2. What was the total census for Israel’s men, 20 or older?
3. How did this census differ from the first census?

 

March 8

1. What happens if a man has no sons to pass his inheritance onto?
2. Who was Moses’ successor?
3. Which of the festivals last for 7 days?

 

March 9

1. How did Balaam die?
2. How are metals ceremonially purified?
3. How much gold was collected after conquering the Midianites?

 

March 10

1. What was the request of the men from the tribes of Gad and Reuben?
2. What allowance was made for Gad and Reuben?
3. When the people of Israel crossed Jordan, what was their first duty?

 

March 11

1. [Find a bible map and check the boundaries of the Promised land]
2. What is a “city of refuge”?
3. What happens to the land of women who marry men of another tribe?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

What did Moses do wrong at Meribah? Why do you think God was so angry?

 

God says, that “offerings you present as special gifts are a pleasing aroma to me;” what offerings do you give to the Lord? Why is God pleased with our offerings?

 

Why do the tribes of Reuben and Gad want to build towns before they enter and conquer the land? Do you think Moses was right in allowing them to do as they asked?

 

In Numbers 33:4 (March 11), it says, “The Lord had defeated the gods of Egypt that night with great acts of judgment!” This verse seems to suggest that the gods of Egypt were real entities. How do you view the gods of other religions? do they exist in some way or are they constructs of human imagination?

 

24/7 Notes Week Nine

February 27-March 4, 2012

February 27

1. How many troops did Israel have (minus the Levites)?
2. For what were the Levites substitutes?
3. Where were Moses’ and Aaron’s tents?

 

February 28

1. What was the Kohathite’s greatest caution?
2. What were the main duties of the Gershonites?
3. What was the job of Merarites?
4. What was the test for suspicion of the unfaithfulness of a wife?

 

February 29

“Just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart.”   --Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945).

 

March 1

1. What were the prohibitions for a Nazrite vow?
2. What do the silver trumpets cause God to remember?
3. Why did Moses need Hobab?

 

March 2

1. How did God ease Moses’ leadership burden?
2. What do the scouts bring back from Eshcol?
3. What were the descendants of Anak like?

 

March 3

1. What is the people’s gripe this time?
2. Why “forty” years of wandering?
3. What happened to the man who gathered wood on the Sabbath?
4. What was the purpose of the tassels on clothing?

 

March 4

1. What was the substance of Korah’s rebellion?
2. Why did 14,700 die in a plague?
3. What happens to the staff of Aaron?
4. What was the “tithe of the tithe”?

 

On Feb 28, in Numbers 5:11-31, we read about protecting marital faithfulness. What is your reaction to these procedures? 

 

Numbers tells the story of the wandering in the wilderness. Many of the stories involve complaining. What do the people complain about? Is complaining wrong?

 

In the wilderness, the people express a longing for Egypt. They want to return to the past. Do you feel that the past was better than the present? why or why not?

 

On March 2nd, in Numbers 13:25-33, those who scouted the promised land give their report saying of the inhabitants, “next to them we felt like grasshoppers”. Are they underestimating themselves? What is the price they pay?

24/7 Notes Week Eight

February 20-26, 2012

February 20

1. What does the priest do with mildewed clothing?
2. After seeing a priest, what must a person with skin disease do for purification?
3. What does a priest do with the olive oil in his palm?

 

February 21

1. What happens to a house when mildew does not clear?
2. How does Aaron choose which goat to sacrifice and which to send off?
3. When must an extra Sabbath day be observed?

 

February 22

1. What is the penalty for sexual behaviors like those of the Canaanites?
2. Why should harvesters allow the edges of their fields to go unharvested?
3. How shall Israelites regard foreigners living among them?

 

February 23

1. What is considered “spiritual prostitution”?
2. What is the priestly rule for hairstyles?
3. What makes a sacrificial animal “perfect”?

 

February 24

1. What is the Festival of Firstfruits?
2. How long does the Festival of Shelters last?
3. What is the Year of Jubilee?

 

February 25

1. How are down on their luck Israelites to be treated?
2. What are Israel’s rewards for obedience?
3. What hope does Israel have even when it has disobeyed God?

 

February 26

1. What happens to a house dedicated to the Lord when it is not repurchased?
2. What percent of the produce of the land belongs to God automatically?
3. WHo is overlooked in the census?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

1. The past few weeks have discussed sin and guilt offerings and in Lev 23:28 the Day of Atonement is defined. Atonement means: to be made right with God. How are Christians made right with God? (Hint: Romans 3:25) Do you think of the cross as a “sacrifice of atonement”? Who offered that sacrifice?

 

1. On February 25 (Read: Lev 25:44-46) slavery is discussed. Is this text authoritative for us as well as ancient Israel? In what ways is this text God breathed and useful for useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness? (2 Tim 3:16)

 

1. The year of Jubilee was every 50th year (Leviticus 25:8-23, Feb 24th). On this year, all land, the principal source of wealth, was redistributed to the families/clans who originally owned it. In this way, the economy was reset and the playing field evened. How would this law impact the lives of the people? If this law were put into effect today, how would it affect you/us? Why would God regulate the economy of His chosen nation in this way?

 

1. Leviticus 25:35-38 (Feb 24th) prohibits the charging of interest between Israelites. Why do you think God made this law? Why do you think the law is given with a reminder that God brought them out of Egypt to bring them to the land of Canaan?

 

1. Do all of these laws make you think that God cares about economics? Does God care equally about how Christians manage their money?

 

24/7 Notes Week Seven

February 13-19, 2012

February 13

1. What were the lamp cups shaped like on the lampstand?
2. What are the curtains surrounding the courtyard made from?
3. How were the hems of Aaron’s priestly garment decorated?

 

February 14

1. On what day was the tabernacle completed?
2. What purpose did the washbasin outside the tabernacle serve?
3. How did the people know when to move camp?

 

February 15

1. Why did Moses give no oxen or wagons to the Kohathite division iof Levites?
2. For how many days did tribal leaders bring their offerings?
3. What did Moses hear from the space between the two angels atop the Ark?

 

February 16

1. God receives the Levites as substitutes for what?
2. If someone misses Passover or is temporarily defiled, what are they to do?
3. What is the rule regarding all fat and blood?

 

February 17

1. What happens if someone sins but doesn’t realize it?
2. What is required once one becomes aware of one’s guilt?
3. What happens to the meat from a sin offering?

 

February 18

1. What happens if you eat sacrificial meat after touching something “unclean”?
2. Why did the priests receive special portions of the sacrificial meat?
3. How long did Aaron and his sons stay at the entrance of the tabernacle?

 

February 19

1. What happened to the fat and burnt offering left on the altar?
2. What did Nadab and Abihu wrongly do to deserve death?
3. Which insects are kosher to eat?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

1. The presence of God is dangerous, remarkable, and quite demanding. The requirements for constructing God’s dwelling place, the tabernacle are demanding (see Feb 13). To enter God’s presence, priests had to wear ephods, chestpieces, robes, tunics, turbans, sashes and medallions. They had to follow strict regulations to keep themselves clean. To people used to this system, what would it mean to hear Jesus say, “wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I will be there”? 

 

1. What role do priests play according to Exodus and Leviticus? Do we have priests in the current church? If so, do they play the same roles or different ones?

 

1. In discussion of Sin and Guilt offerings, the law says that those who violate the law are guilty whether or not they realize they have done it. Are we aware of most of our sins or unaware? can you think of any sins of which we tend to be unaware?

 

1. In the Feb 17th reading (Lev 4:13) it says “If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty”. The word for this type of sin is “corporate” sin. It is sin perpetrated by an entire group, not an individual. The entire group is guilty, not just an individual. We are used to thinking of sin primarily as individual, but according to the Bible, corporate sin is quite real. What are the corporate sins in our church, community, and nation? are there corporate sins of which we might be unaware?  

 

24/7 Notes Week Six

February 6-12, 2012

February 6

1. What is manna and what are its properties?
2. How did Jethro help Moses?
3. What is Moses’ protest to God on Sinai?

 

February 7

1. What does Moses say the purpose of fearing God is?
2. Why should an altar not have steps?
3. If your ox gores a slave, what is the payment?

 

February 8

1. What are the three festivals celebrated to honor God?
2. What kind of treaties can Israel make with indigenous peoples?
3. What did the elders of Israel see once they climbed Sinai?

 

February 9

1. What is placed on the table for the tabernacle?
2. What metal is used for items outside the tabernacle?
3. What is on the front of Aaron’s turban?

 

February 10

1. What happens if the priests forget to wash their hands?
2. What similar restriction is placed on both oil and incense?
3. What crops were ruined by the hail?

 

February 11

1. How do the Levites “ordain themselves”?
2. How did God reveal His glorious presence to Moses?
3. What did Moses wear when not instructing the people?

 

February 12

1. What was the penalty for working on the Sabbath?
2. Who were Bezalel and Oholiab?
3. What was embroidered on the tabernacle inside curtains?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

Week 6

 

1. God chooses Moses to lead his people. We have only one story about Moses as an adult before his calling. It is the story in Exodus 2:11-15. What can you tell about Moses’ character from this story? (Compare Exodus 2:11 and Exodus 3:7 [Feb 1])   
2. Compare Exodus 2:11 and Exodus 3:7 [Feb 1]. Moses and God have in common their awareness of the suffering around them. How aware are you of the suffering around you? Does our modern media and culture make us more aware or less? Are we exposed to suffering or insulated? 

 

1. Moses and Aaron are charged with witnessing to Pharoah. They are prophets whose job is to communicate what God says to Pharoah. Does the church today have a similar role to play? How could the church fulfill its prophetic role?

 

1. The plagues are awful, and caused widespread suffering among Egyptians of every age including women and children. Should these plagues be mourned or celebrated?

 

 

 

24/7 Notes Week Five

January 30-February 5, 2012

January 30

1. At what point does the whirlwind use sarcasm?
2. Whose “majestic snorting” is “terrifying”?
3. Why does Job cover his mouth with his hand?

 

January 31

1. Where does the Behemoth lie?
2. What shoots from Leviathan’s mouth?
3. What was distinctive about Job’s daughters?

 

February 1

1. How did the Israelites go from prosperity to slavery in Egypt?
2. In what way were the Egyptian midwives heroic?
3. What is the name God reveals to Moses?
4. How many times does Moses try to avoid his calling?

 

February 2

1. What was Aaron’s chief task in accompanying Moses?
2. What was Pharoh’s response to Moses’ first entreaty?
3. What was the response to the staff-turned-serpent?

 

February 3

1. What does Pharoh promise after every plague?
2. How is each plague removed?
3. What crops were ruined by the hail?

 

February 4

1. What was the effect of the plague of darkness on the Egyptians?
2. What was to be sacrificed at Passover?
3. How long had the Israelites been in Egypt?

 

February 5

1. Whose bones did Moses carry into the Exodus?
2. How did the freed slaves feel about their new life?
3. What did the water look like as the Israelites passed through?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

1. 1. God chooses Moses to lead his people. We have only one story about Moses as an adult before his calling. It is the story in Exodus 2:11-15. What can you tell about Moses’ character from this story? (Compare Exodus 2:11 and Exodus 3:7 [Feb 1])   

1.  2. Compare Exodus 2:11 and Exodus 3:7 [Feb 1]. Moses and God have in common their awareness of the suffering around them. How aware are you of the suffering around you? Does our modern media and culture make us more aware or less? Are we exposed to suffering or insulated? 

1. 3. Moses and Aaron are charged with witnessing to Pharoah. They are prophets whose job is to communicate what God says to Pharoah. Does the church today have a similar role to play? How could the church fulfill its prophetic role?

1. 4. The plagues are awful, and caused widespread suffering among Egyptians of every age including women and children. Should these plagues be mourned or celebrated?

 

 

24/7 Notes Week Four

January 23-29, 2012

January 23

1. Eliphaz says: “The wicked people are heavy and ________”
2. Job proclaims he still has an advocate. Where?
3. According to Bildad, how will the wicked be remembered?

 

January 24

1. What does Job say will happen after his body has decayed?
2. How does Zophar connect wealth and evil?
3. Does Job say that prosperity is a sign of one’s righteousness?

 

January 25

1. What does Eliphaz ask Job to do?
2. According to Job, who is always watched by God?
3. Bildad says that compared to God, mortals are mere _________.

 

January 26

1. What vow does Job make?
2. Where is wisdom to be found?
3. What did Job formerly wear like a turban?

 

January 27

1. What haunts Job’s days?
2. What does Job proclaim regarding lust?
3. Why would Job proudly face his accuser?

 

January 28

1. Why was Elihu angry?
2. What does Elihu say about repentance?
3. Why does Elihu say that Job deserves the maximum penalty?

 

January 29

1. Do our sins affect God, according to Elihu?
2. Why did God send suffering to Job (acc. to Elihu)?
3. Elihu: All who are wise show God what? 

 

Face-to-Face Questions

1. Eliphaz says to Job, “Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.” What has your experience been? Does your experience agree with Eliphaz or disagree?
2. The book of Job is Wisdom literature, the same genre as the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs 10:16 says, “The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.” Ecclesiastes 9:2 says, “All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.” Which passage is true for Job? Are the passages contradictory? What do you make of them? (Keep in mind that in context, neither passage is talking about the afterlife, both are describing matters of the present world).
3. In summary, Job claims his suffering is unjust. His friends insist the opposite. Why do you think Job’s friends cannot accept Job’s claim? Have you ever had disagreements about God with your friends?
4. Remember a time in your life when you were suffering. Were your friends helpful or unhelpful? In what ways were they either helpful or unhelpful?

 

 

24/7 Notes Week Three

January 16-22, 2012

January 16

1. Joseph in disguise accuses his brothers of what?

2. What did Joseph do with the golden cup?

3. Who is responsible for Joseph’s slavery in Egypt?

 

January 17

1. How did Egyptians feel about Hebrews and shepherds?

2. Why was Goshen selected as a place for Jacob and his kin?

3. What puts the people of Egypt and Canaan into slavery?

 

January 18

1. What does Jacob take from Joseph?

2. How is Christ presaged in the blessing to Judah?

3. Where was Jacob buried?

 

January 19

1. How does Job respond to losing all he had in the world?

2. Why were Job’s friends silent for seven days?

3. Of what does Eliphaz blame Job?

 

January 20

1. Eliphaz: “Do not despise the _____________ of the Almighty”

2. According to Job, what do his “friends” wrongly assume?

3. Does Job hate God or just his own life?

 

January 21

1. What is Bildad’s basic advice to Job?

2. Does Job think God is good or just all-powerful?

3. What is Zophar’s assumption about Job?

 

January 22

1. What do the animals, birds, earth and fish know?

2. Job: “God might kill me, but I have ___ ________ ______.”

3. Why does Job wish to be hidden in a grave? 

Face-to-Face Questions

1. Joseph says, “Don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives” Gen 45:5. If you were Joseph would you be able to see things that way?

2. How does Joseph’s story fit into God’s plan? Hint: Gen 15:12-16. What reason is given for the period of slavery? Can you think of other reasons God might put His people through the experience?

3. God will later say of Job’s friends that they spoke wrongly and that God is angry with them. How do Job’s friends go wrong? Have you had your own versions of Job’s friends in your life? How did you handle them?

 

24/7 Notes Week Two

January 8-15, 2012

January 8

1. What are the meanings of Jacob and Esau’s names?

2. How does “heel” connect Jacob with Eden?

3. Where was Abraham buried?

 

January 9

1. How does Isaac echo Abram in dealing with his fear of kings?

2. What is Isaac’s blessing to his firstborn son?

3. How does Rebekah feel about the HIttite women?

 

January 10

1. What does Jacob do to deserve God’s blessing at Bethel?

2. What is Rachel’s relation to Jacob?

3. How does Laban get an extra 7 years’ labor out of Jacob?

 

January 11

1. How does Jacob engineer flocks to his benefit?

2. What does Rachel steal from her father Laban?

3. What is the covenant between Laban and Jacob?

 

January 12

1. How much is Jacob willing to give to have peace with Esau?

2. How does Jacob’s name change to Israel and what does it mean?

3. How do Simeon and Levi follow through with an agreement?

 

January 13

1. Who were the Edomites?

 

January 14

1. Why are Joseph’s brothers so resentful about his dreams?

2. Who is the father of Perez and Zerah? 

3. Why was Joseph imprisoned?

 

January 15

1. According to Joseph, by what power does he interpret dreams?

2. Who bails Joseph out of prison? 

3. To what level of authority did Joseph rise in Egypt?

 

Face-to-Face Questions

 

1. God ordains that Esau will serve Jacob. How does this plan work out? Who is responsible for the deceptions of Isaac and Esau that realize God’s plan?

2. Look at Jacob’s response to his dream at Bethel (Gen 28:20-22). Many Christians balk at Jacob’s conditional faithfulness, how do you feel about it?

3. The women of Genesis often outsmart the men. Can you think of examples? Which women do you most admire? Why?

4. Jacob comes “face to face” with God in Gen 32:22-32. What does it mean to wrestle with God?

5. Consider the story of Judah and Tamar in Gen 38. Why does God condemn Er and Onan? Do you agree with Judah’s final judgement that Tamar was more righteous than he? Why? 

6.  

 

Week One: 

 

24/7 Notes Week One

January 1-7, 2012

 

January 1

1. Is it more important to answer how the world was made or why and by Whom?

2. What might it mean to be made in “the image of God”?

3. What is the trail of blame for Adam and Eve’s disobedience?

4. What are the consequences of the Adam and Eve’s fall from obedience?

 

January 2

1. What motivates Cain to kill Abel?

2. Between Noah and Adam, who lived the longest?

3. Why does God choose to save Noah and his family?

 

January 3

1. How many pairs of “clean” animals does Noah take along?

2. God’s covenant with Noah echoes Eden and is sealed with what sign?

3. What did Canaan do to anger Noah?

 

January 4

1. What is the chief motive for building the tower in Babylonia?

2. What was God’s unilateral, unconditional promise to Abram?

3. How are Abram and Lot related?  Who is Melchizedek?

 

January 5

1. What does the torch do and what is promised to Abram?

2. What is the sign of the Abrahamic covenant?

3. Who is Abraham’s firstborn son?

 

January 6,

1. What does Isaac mean?

2. Why do Lot and his family hesitate to leave the town of Sodom? 

3. What the origin of the Moabites and Ammonites?

 

January 7

1. What is God’s promise to Hagar?

2. What does Abraham prove in Moriah? 

3. How does Isaac “mark” Rebekah as his own?