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What the Issue Is (and Isn’t) (vv. 8-10; Jeremiah 29:4-9) The Wisdom of the Cross (vv. 11-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31) The Life of Exiles (vv. 18-21) Discussion Starters Monday—Why do we need to learn about what life in exile was like for the Jews? Is America more like Israel or Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome? Tuesday—Daniel was offered a Babylonian education, Babylonian food, and a job in the Babylonian government. Which is the only one he refused? Why? What does this teach you about living in exile? Wednesday—What was the point of Daniel’s ten-day test of eating only vegetables and water?Should he have been fatter at the end of ten days? How was this an act of faith? Thursday—Why did God bless Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah with wisdom and understanding? How did he want them to use it? Why? What gifts has God given you to serve the world around you? Friday—What is “the wisdom of the cross”? How does the Lord’s Supper teach you what the life of an exile looks like?

Off to Shinar (Babylon) (vv. 1-2) The Appeal of the World (vv. 3-7) Remembering To Whom We Belong (Matthew 4:8-10; John 7:7; 17:14-16; 18:36; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11) Discussion Starters Monday—What’s your experience with the book of Daniel? Do you have favorite parts? Which ones? Do any parts confuse you or make you uncomfortable? Which ones? Tuesday—Why did God hand his people over to Nebuchadnezzar? Was it because God was unable to protect them? What was his goal? Wednesday—How did Nebuchadnezzar try to win the Israelites over to being loyal to Babylon? How does the world do that with us? Thursday—What did Jesus mean that his kingdom is not of this world? (John 18:36) Where is his kingdom? Does that mean it has no bearing on life in this world? Friday—What does it mean that you are an exile this world? What does it look like to be in the world, but not of it?

The Second is Like It (Matthew 22:34-40) Christianity is a Team Sport (1 Corinthians 12:12-24) The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:25-27; Ephesians 2:14-16) Discussion Starters Monday—What is fellowship? What does it mean to “have things in common”? What does it mean to invest in others? Tuesday—How is the second great commandment (loving neighbors) like the first (loving God)? Can you love God without loving your neighbor? Why or why not? Wednesday—What are some of the “one-anothers” of scripture that you can remember? Why are there so many in the Bible? What are they calling us to? Thursday—What does it mean that we are baptized into one body? (1 Cor 12:13) Does the Bible ever present the image of a Christian living apart from being invested in and accountable to a local church? So why has it become common in our day? Friday—Are you present when the church gathers? What keeps you from being there more often? Are there lies that you need to confront with God’s truth?

What Prayer Is Why We Pray (Philippians 4:4-7; Hebrews 4:14-16) For Whom We Pray (James 5:13-18) Discussion Starters Monday—What is prayer? (WSC 98) How do our common assumptions about prayer conflict with this definition? Tuesday—What is anxiety? Why is prayer God’s answer to our anxiety? Wednesday—For whom should you pray? What should you pray for? Thursday—When praying for someone who is sick, one are the two things you should ask? Which is easy to forget? Which is more important? Friday—How does prayer nurture your soul? What are some opportunities for prayer that you can be taking advantage of?

Ephesians 4:10-16—Calm Seas of Truth (Steve Baugh) Steve Baugh Download

Faith Comes by Hearing (Romans 10:13-17; James 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Luke 6:40) Faith Grows by Hearing (Galatians 3:1-3; Deuteronomy 8:1-3) The Word of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39; 6:25-35; Acts 8:30-35; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Acts 17:11) Discussion Starters Monday—How important is it to care for your soul? What happens if you don’t nurture your soul? Tuesday—Why does the Bible draw an analogy between our bodies and souls and eating physical food and spiritual food? Where do you find spiritual food? Wednesday—Why is preaching so important for bringing someone to faith? (Rom 10:13-17) Why does the Bible warn us that not many people should be teachers? (Jam 3:1) Thursday—Is the way we grow in faith different from how we come to faith? (Gal 3:1-3) So what do you need if you are going to grow in your faith? Friday—What are some different ways (and places) where you can learn to understand God’s word better? Are you taking advantage of those opportunities? curse? Does success in this life prove that God is pleased with your obedience and rewarding you?

Faith Comes by Hearing (Romans 10:13-17; James 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Luke 6:40) Faith Grows by Hearing (Galatians 3:1-3; Deuteronomy 8:1-3) The Word of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39; 6:25-35; Acts 8:30-35; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Acts 17:11) Discussion Starters Monday—How important is it to care for your soul? What happens if you don’t nurture your soul? Tuesday—Why does the Bible draw an analogy between our bodies and souls and eating physical food and spiritual food? Where do you find spiritual food? Wednesday—Why is preaching so important for bringing someone to faith? (Rom 10:13-17) Why does the Bible warn us that not many people should be teachers? (Jam 3:1) Thursday—Is the way we grow in faith different from how we come to faith? (Gal 3:1-3) So what do you need if you are going to grow in your faith? Friday—What are some different ways (and places) where you can learn to understand God’s word better? Are you taking advantage of those opportunities? curse? Does success in this life prove that God is pleased with your obedience and rewarding you?

Blessings, Curses, and the Confusion We Have (vv. 1-6) Jesus—Cursed and Blessed Fearing the Lord (vv. 1, 4-6) Discussion Starters Monday—Is fear powerful? What are some things that fear makes us do? Does this mean that fear is bad? How can fear be a good thing? Tuesday—Why are the three blessings listed in this psalm (labor, children, and long life) important? How do they relate the curses pronounced in Genesis 3:16-19? Wednesday—Was Jesus rewarded with earthly success, a family, and a long life? Does this mean that he wasn’t righteous? Where did he receive his rewards? How does this show us where to look for ours? Thursday—What does it mean to fear the Lord? Why is it the beginning of knowledge? (Prov 1:7) How does godly fear lead to hope? Friday—Do hardships in this life prove that God is angry with you and that you are under his curse? Does success in this life prove that God is pleased with your obedience and rewarding you?

Psalm 11—The Problem of Evil (David Chilton) David Chilton Download

Alienated (vv. 11-12) Jesus, our Peace (vv. 13-16; 2 Samuel 7:1-17) The New Temple (vv. 17-22) Discussion Starters Monday—Why is peace so important to us? Why kinds of peace do we seek? Which is the most important? Tuesday—Why were the Gentiles alienated from the Jews? Why weren’t they allowed into the temple? What is the great impediment that keeps us from God’s presence? Wednesday—How does Jesus deal with our sin? Why couldn’t the animal sacrifices of the temple truly deal with that sin? Thursday—How did Jesus remove the hostility between Jews and Gentiles? If that’s no longer what divides people in this world, what is? Friday—What does it mean that Jesus is our Solomon? What is he building? What does it look like? How is it being built?

Echoes of the Garden (Genesis 1-3) Building Temples (2 Samuel 7; Matthew 16:13-20) Work and Worship Discussion Starters Monday—Why do we people like formulas when it comes to work, health, and family? What’s the danger of thinking that God simply rewards our obedience or punishes our disobedience? Tuesday—Why does Ezekiel call the Garden of Eden a sanctuary (temple)? What three things were Adam and Eve called to do in the Garden? Wednesday—Have you ever made an idol out of work, security, or family? How? How are we called to surrender these to God’s glory (not ours)? Thursday—Why does the New Testament call the church a temple? How is Jesus building that temple? How is he populating it? Friday—What are some ways we can we surrender God in our work and worship? Does trusting him to build his church mean indifference? What does it mean?

The Restored Temple (vv. 1-4) The Resurrected Son (John 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23) Sowing in Tears (vv. 5-6) Discussion Starters Monday—Do you ever read the account of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, wishing that he would just do something to stop it all? Why didn’t he stop it? Tuesday—What was the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews taken away into captivity in Babylon? What did the restoration of the temple tell God’s people about God’s plans for them? Wednesday—Why is Jesus’ body called a tabernacle (John 1:14) and a temple (John 2:19)? How did the destruction and rebuilding of the temple prepare God’s people for what would happen to the Messiah? Why do you think that, despite all the Old Testament said, his disciples were still surprised by his death? Thursday—What does it mean to “sow in tears”? What is the promise of scripture for all who are willing to suffer with Jesus in this life? (Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:12) Friday—How must Christian worship reflect this pattern of tears, then joy? What is the danger of neglecting that reality as we gather for worship?

The Quest for Security The Dangers Christians Face (v. 3) The Source of our Confidence (vv. 1-2, 4-5) Discussion Starters Monday—Have you ever read about Israel’s constant return to the ways of the world and wondered what was wrong with them? Do you ever feel like you are a lot like Israel and wonder what’s wrong with you? Tuesday—What are some different ways we seek security? What is the most important type of security we need? Wednesday—What danger is being addressed in verse 3 when it talks about reaching out and doing wrong? Why can the world and its ways be enticing to Christians? Thursday—What is the Christian’s source of confidence in the face of the attacks of the world? Does truly trusting the Lord mean you will never struggle or stumble? (2 Timothy 2:11-13) Friday—Are you taking advantage of the opportunities you have to feed your soul privately and with the church? As the fall approaches are there some that you need to start participating in?

Hello, World! Genesis 1:1, 1 John 4:7-17—A World of Love (Andrew Davis) Andrew Davis Download

“If it had not been the Lord…” (vv. 1-6) Delivered through Death (vv. 3-7) Boasting in our Weakness (vv. 1, 6) Discussion Starters Monday—Why do you think we are attracted to strength? How do passages in the Bible about boasting in weakness strike you? Tuesday—What are the people confessing in Psalm 124 when they say “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side…” (vv. 1-2) Where would we be without the Lord? Wednesday—Who are your greatest enemies? Where did Jesus conquer those enemies? Thursday—Does the Lord’s deliverance typically go around the threat or through it? Why? How does that help shape our expectations in hard times? Friday—How should worship help us learn to boast in our weakness and the Lord’s strength? Does boasting in weakness lead to despair or comfort?