Got Questions? about Life, Faith or God?

The Science Question 

Monday, June 4                                               Genesis 1:1-31- 2:3
What is the order of creation? Make a "And God said..." list to consider each phase of creation; Think about God's creative process- what do we learn about God from this? Why does the Bible tell us what He created but not exactly how He did it? In whose image was man created? How does it make you feel to think of yourself created in His image? Are you drawn to know Him more? Why?
What does it say God does on the 7th day? What are we to do on the 7th day? Is this a punishment or a gift?

Tuesday, June 5                                                 Genesis 2:4-25
How is this section different from the Genesis 1? Why 2 different accounts? What are some details that stand out to you? What do 1:26-29 & 2: 7-25 tell us about our original nature? Our purpose & tasks? Our likeness to God?
How is Eden described? Who did God place in this perfect place? Find the 4 rivers discussed on a Biblical map & compare it to a current map. Verse 16 is God's first ‘commandment' to Adam - what is it? What is the 1st commandment that is broken (Gen 3: 11)? What is God's next gift for Adam?

Wednesday, June 6                                         John 1: 1-5, Col 1:16-18
Why does John begin "In the Beginning..." instead of with the birth of Jesus?
Who is "the Word"? Where & with whom was "the Word"? What does this say He had to do with creation (also see verse 10)? From all these thoughts, where was Jesus when the world was created? What was His part in it all?
In the Col verses, who is said to have created all things? At the end of verse 16 what is said about how & for whom all things were created?

Thursday, June 7                                   Romans 1:19-20 & Hebrews 11:3
Through what is God revealed? Have you ever experienced this, perhaps as a child or in a new place or part of the country? How is it we understand Him through experiencing His creation? What are the invisible qualities of God listed here? If we can see God in nature, why do we need to study His Word?
In Hebrews 11:3, to what do we attribute understanding creation? Heb 11:1 defines faith -rewrite this definition in your own words.

Friday June 8                          1 Chron 29: 11-12; Psalm 19: 1, 8:3-4; Isaiah 40:26
Within each of these verses, what heart is reflected in the praise being offered to God? Who is doing the praising?
Why do we often begin prayer with a praise/adoration section? Is it for God or for us to be reminded who He is & all He has done? What are circumstances that humble you in everyday life? Is it a good experience or disheartening? How does knowing God better bring deeper meaning or ‘realness' to praising, worshipping Him? How can ‘all creation sing His praises'? How does our earth/ His creation ‘groan' for renewal , for His return? 

The Heaven Question 

Monday, May 28                                               1 Thessalonians 4:13-17What does "asleep" mean in this passage? Who has no hope? What is the hope the speaker talks of? Who will be with the Lord forever? Do you believe you will be with the Lord forever? How can you get eternal life?

Tuesday, May 29                                                        Romans 8:18-25

What is your present suffering? Compare your suffering with your idea of the glory of heaven. What is that glory like? What is the creation in the passage? (see Genesis 3:17-19) Who are the sons of God? (see Romans 8:14)

Do you ever want to know what heaven will really be like? In this world of instant gratification do you have a hard time being patient? Try being patient and waiting for God to give you something you really want in His own time. Pray about it.

Wednesday, May 30                                     1 Corinthians 13:9,12-13; 4-8a

What does the speaker know and prophesy in part? What is perfection? What reflection do we see in the mirror? Who shall we see face to face? What or who will I know fully and who will fully know me? (Read John 17:3)

(Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a again) Imagine how God loves you like this. Try loving someone around you like the love described. How does your relationship change? What is their response? What would happen if everyone loved like that?

Thursday, May 31                                                            1 John 3: 1-3

God wants us to be His children. Do you have friends who do not understand your love for God and Jesus? Try and put your love for God and Jesus into words. Share with someone your love for God and Jesus.

How will we be when Christ appears? What do we have to do to be purified? What does this hope look like in your life?

Friday, June 1                                                                      John 5:24-29

Imagine you are living eternal life. God tells you all your sins are forgiven. How do you feel being free from condemnation? Think of people you know who do not know or believe in Jesus. What happens to people who do not know Jesus and believe God?

Knowing what their fate might be if they do not get to know Jesus and God do you feel compelled to tell them about Jesus and God? Find someone to share Jesus' words with.

The Tragedy Question

Monday, May 21                               Genesis 3:1-10
As you read through this story, what are the decisions that the man and woman make? What are the forces at work in those decisions (motives, characters, thoughts, etc)? Where do you notice these things at work in your life?

Read verses 11-24. What are the consequences of those decisions? Why do you suppose God reacts this way? How do you see these consequences playing out today? How do these passages help frame a discussion about bad things happening in our world? Is that callous, or helpful? Why?

Tuesday, May 22                                        John 16:26-33
What is the warning Jesus poses to the disciples here? What are His promises? When you've experienced trouble, are you quick to blame God, or accept it as predicted by Jesus? Why?

Its important in considering the warning that we not forget the first part of this passage. Read verses 26-27 again. What is Jesus saying? How is that helpful in the hard times you have (or might) faced?

Wednesday, May 23                             Luke 13:1-9
Read the first part of this passage. Clearly people have been dealing with the problem of bad things happening for all of history. What is the assumption that is made by those asking Jesus about the Galileans? Do you fall into that type of thinking when things go wrong (ie I must have done something to deserve this)? How can that be a good question?

What is Jesus' response? How can this be a bad assumption/bad question? What is the difference?

Thursday, May 24                            Romans 8:18-21, 28-32
This is an oft-referenced passage about trial and suffering - when bad things happen. What, in your own words, is the point of the first part? How does that work? How is that comforting?

Do you ask the question, "What is God doing in the midst of this tragedy? How can this change me to be more like Jesus?" Does that end justify the means? Why or why not? How do vs. 31-32 impact you?

Friday, May 25                                     Revelation 21:1-7
In light of considering the suffering and tragedy of this world, how does this passage make you long for heaven? How have we (as Americans) insulated ourselves from much of the suffering and tragedy in the world? How do you think this has impacted our perspective on these things?

Do you ever find yourself longing to see this promise fulfilled? Why or why not? How can you be more appreciative of this promised deliverance? Take some time to confess any ingratitude or lack of hope due to distraction. Pray for a deeper understanding of these truths.

The Prayer Question

Monday, May 14                                      1 Samuel 1:9-17

How does this passage describe Hannah's mental state? How does that influence her prayers? How can you identify with Hannah and the way she approaches God? What do you learn about dealing w/ (seemingly) unanswered prayer from Hannah's actions and attitude?

When you pray, at what level of urgency and passion do your prayers typically exist? Have you ever prayed for something the way Hannah prayed? Is there something now that you are praying about with that urgency? Should there be?

Tuesday, May 15                                                   James 4:1-3, James 5:13-18
Compare these two passages. What is each saying? What is the truth in each passage? How do they, together, present a full picture of prayer?

In the first passage, James warns that we often ask with wrong motives...what are some of those wrong motives? What are the right motives? What does the second passage say about motives and reasons for prayer?

Wednesday, May 16                                         Jeremiah 29:11-12
What does this passage promise? Is it hard or easy for you to trust that God has a plan for your life? How are you at trusting in that plan? Do your prayers reflect a submission to God's plan for your life? How do we pray for what we want and still pray that God's plan happens in our lives?

What is the difference between seeking God, and seeking an answer from God? Where do you land in your prayer life? Are you seeking God to find Him, or are you seeking God to get the answers you want?

Thursday May 17                                                John 11:1-44
This is the story of Lazarus' death. Even though Jesus hears about Lazarus' illness, he waits for two days before going to visit. What reason does He give? What does this tell you about prayer and our relationship with God?

Lazarus was loved by Jesus, just as we are, yet He did not go and solve the problem right away. When have you experienced this answer of "not yet" to your prayers? How did (does) it challenge your faith? Encourage your faith?

Friday May 18                                                   Daniel 9:20-23, 10:2-14
These passages can be confusing, but they illustrate two different responses to Daniel's prayer...what are those responses (or at least their timing)? What was Daniel's heart condition in each? What are the forces that opposed the second answer to prayer? Have you ever considered this as the reason for a delay in God's response to you?

In both instances, the answer required that Daniel LISTEN intently. How are you at actively listening for a response from God?

The Hell Question

 Monday May 7                                                        Luke 16:19-31

Compare the lives of the two men in the story. Did the rich man ever have pity on Lazarus? Who did the rich man want to pity him? Why is there a great chasm? The rich man never helped Lazarus yet he knew his name. Do you find that strange? Do you know a Lazarus?

Where do you find the words of Moses and the prophets? Have you ever read them? Make an effort to read the Old Testament.

Tuesday May 8                                                         2 Thessalonians 1:8-10, 12

What is the Gospel of Jesus? Do you obey that gospel? How well do you know God? What is he like?

Imagine being shut out from the presence of the Lord. Remember he created all that is good. What does that leave behind? How can we become God's holy people? In what ways do you glorify God?

Wednesday May 9                                                1 John 3:16-20

What does Christ do to show his love? How can we show our love for others? How does this glorify God? Imagine showing others love with actions and truth. Try and practice that kind of love on people around you.

(Read Acts 3:19-23) What does repent mean? What happens when we turn to God?
(Read 2 Peter 3:9) How many people does God want to give eternal life to?

Thursday May 10                                                   Matthew 5:21-24

How is anger similar to murder? How does our anger hurt others? How does sin hurt others or us? Does sin hurt God? Why does God not want us to hurt others even with words? If you have hurt someone with something you said, apologize and ask forgiveness.

(Read John 3:16-21) Who does God love? How does he show this? What is the prize for believing in Christ? Who does God want to save?

Friday May 11                                                        John 3:16-21

How much does God love us and others? Imagine giving your only child to die for a world that rejects you and your child. If God did not truly love us why would he pay this price?

What happens when we believe in Christ? What happens if you choose not to believe? Why does humanity fear the light? What happens when we live by the truth?

God's Heart, Jesus' Commitment and our Response

Monday April 30                                                                    Genesis 17:1-8, 15,16

Have you ever felt you were walking before God? What did that feel like? How does God bless Abraham? Sarah? Why does God change their names?

(Read Genesis 15:6) Why did God chose Abraham to receive His blessings? How should this example impact our lives today?

Tuesday May 1                                                                         Hebrews 4:14-16

Who is our "high priest"? What has he suffered with us? How was Jesus tempted? How did he fare? How are you tempted? How do you fare?

What should our response be to Jesus' understanding of our plight with temptations? Why? How can this help you when you are tempted?

Wednesday May 2                                                                      John 21:13-19

In a relationship has anyone ever questioned your love? How did that make you feel? Why does Jesus ask Peter three times "Do you love me?" (Read Luke 22:31-34) What kind of leader is Peter to become?

Imagine if someone told you how you were to die when you were older. If you were in Peter's place would you want to go on? What is Jesus final command? How are you at really following Jesus?

Thursday May 3                                                                     Hebrews 11:8-12

What does Abraham do because of his faith in God? How is your life on Earth like Abraham's home in the Promise Land? (v. 10) What are you looking forward to?

Imagine you are in Abraham's sandals. Is your faith strong enough to live as he did? How can our faith be strengthened? (Read Mark 9:23-24) Who can we ask for help to strengthen our faith? Take some time to do that today.

Friday May 4                                                                                Romans 5:1-8

What gives us access to God? Why should we rejoice in our suffering? What does God pour into us? Who did Christ die for? What does this show?

(Read Ephesians 2:7,8) How does God show his love? Is it by our own faith, by our works or by another way we are saved? Why is it this way?

The Big Question: Is God There?

Monday, April 23                                     Romans 1:18-21
If you were to restate this passage in your own words, what would you say? How would you explain it to a friend who is not connected to a church or Jesus? Read the paragraph right before this passage...how does this earlier passage inform the latter?

Verse 20 says that God's qualities are readily identifiable to anyone willing to look. Where do you see the glory and power of God in the world around you? What are the attributes of those things that remind you / point to God? Spend some time today thanking God for the gift of beauty.

Tuesday, April 24                                  Psalm 19
Read through this psalm again, slowly. What words or phrases jump out at you? Why? What do you think is the point of this psalm?

In verses 7-9, list the object identified, the quality of that object, and the value it brings (ex: in v. 7-object = the law; quality = perfection; value = reviving the soul). What does each tell you about God? Does it challenge your concept of law, commands, etc to think of them as reviving, trustworthy, and radiant?

Wednesday, April 25                           John 9:13-33
This is a long story about a blind man to whom Jesus restores sight. What does this man say in verse 25? This is his testimony about Jesus-he was blind, but now he sees. What blindness has Jesus cured in your life? Have you shared it?

The Pharisees are so caught up in their rules and the way they think things should be that they do not even marvel at this healing. Do you see parallels in our day and age? What about in your own life? We all miss what God is doing in our midst at times-though it might be clearly evident. Spend some time today praying that God would cure that blindness in you.

Thursday, April 26                           Philippians 4:4-7
What are the instructions in this passage? What are the results? How have you experienced the joy of the Lord? How have you experienced His peace in your life?

What does it mean that God will guard your heart? Your mind? How would you rate yourself in joy? Gentleness? How does knowing that the Lord is near contribute to these things?

Friday, April 27                             Acts 17:22-28
What is the context of this passage? What does Paul proclaim to the men of Athens? What does He attribute to God as common to all men? Why? (v. 27)How does this inform your perspective on people and how they search for God?