Hello everyone!
Welcome once again to the BIBLE 101 Challenge! In case you haven't been here before this blog is a simple way to get into your bible. Just read the bible selection of the day and answer the question in a journal of some sort. We encourage you to read the verse, work the verse (by looking up things that strike you, answering questions, or trying to memorize a portion), then pray it. Ask God what he is trying to teach you, and what you should be learning from this.
This week if you answer any of the questions and leave a comment here, you will be entered to win your Rush registration costs!
If you are here for the first time and plan to participate leave a comment! We would love to hear there are people stopping by!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 25, 2009
October 26-November 1
October 26: Psalm 113
Psalms 113-118 are called the Egyptian Hallel. These passages were sung at Jewish festivals. This Psalm is about God's mercy to us. It also calls us to praise, ALWAYS. Morning till night. What does it mean to praise God?
October 27: Psalm 114
Why does it say 'tremble O earth at the presence of the Lord'? What does it mean to fear God?
Interested in reading more read this!
October 28: Mark 1 and 2
I'm struck today, how Jesus was having a successful ministry in a town, healing people, driving out demons and preaching to thousands but had to keep moving (1:38). He had to move on because 'that is why he came'. Often we are distracted by seemingly good things, but they still distract us from our primary call, to love God, love people, preach the good news. What are some 'good things' that distract us from the great things?
October 29: Mark 3 and 4
I love this image of Jesus calming the storm. Often I get fearful. I need to hear Jesus say "Why are you afraid, do you still have no faith?". What scares you? What do you need to trust Jesus to take care of?
October 30: Mark 5-6
Throughout our study of Luke and Mark, God has really impressed on me the need to seek quiet and rest. Life is SO busy and there is always noise...cell phones, text messages, friends, computers, chat, ipods, games, parents, etc. etc. etc. None of these things are bad, it just makes it really hard to hear from God. How can you find quiet in the midst of noise? How can you find a more solitary space?
October 31: Mark 7-8
What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross?
November 1: Mark 9-10
Jesus called the people that brought the demon possessed boy an "unbelieving generation"
What do you think Jesus would call this generation?
Comment below and answer any of these questions for your chance to win your RUSH registration costs! YES!
Psalms 113-118 are called the Egyptian Hallel. These passages were sung at Jewish festivals. This Psalm is about God's mercy to us. It also calls us to praise, ALWAYS. Morning till night. What does it mean to praise God?
October 27: Psalm 114
Why does it say 'tremble O earth at the presence of the Lord'? What does it mean to fear God?
Interested in reading more read this!
October 28: Mark 1 and 2
I'm struck today, how Jesus was having a successful ministry in a town, healing people, driving out demons and preaching to thousands but had to keep moving (1:38). He had to move on because 'that is why he came'. Often we are distracted by seemingly good things, but they still distract us from our primary call, to love God, love people, preach the good news. What are some 'good things' that distract us from the great things?
October 29: Mark 3 and 4
I love this image of Jesus calming the storm. Often I get fearful. I need to hear Jesus say "Why are you afraid, do you still have no faith?". What scares you? What do you need to trust Jesus to take care of?
October 30: Mark 5-6
Throughout our study of Luke and Mark, God has really impressed on me the need to seek quiet and rest. Life is SO busy and there is always noise...cell phones, text messages, friends, computers, chat, ipods, games, parents, etc. etc. etc. None of these things are bad, it just makes it really hard to hear from God. How can you find quiet in the midst of noise? How can you find a more solitary space?
October 31: Mark 7-8
What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross?
November 1: Mark 9-10
Jesus called the people that brought the demon possessed boy an "unbelieving generation"
What do you think Jesus would call this generation?
Comment below and answer any of these questions for your chance to win your RUSH registration costs! YES!
Monday, September 28, 2009
September 28 - October 4, 2009
Sept. 28: Luke 11
I like this book of Luke...Lots of red ink (JESUS TALKING!). In vers. 11:8 Juesus urges us to be bold. So often we are afraid to ask great things of God. NOW is the time. What is a bold prayer you have asked of God? How did he respond?
Sept. 29: Luke 12
Worry. Luke 12:28 'O ye of little faith'. Ouch. Jesus says directly that worry is a result of lack of faith. What do you worry most about? How can you be more faith 'full' in that area?
Sept. 30: Luke 13
Verse 13:6. God is patient with us but one thing he HATES for sure is when we are lukewarm Christians (Rev. 13:6). God wants Christians who produce fruit.
What does good fruit look like? Read John 15:1-8 for more info of what God is looking for!
Oct. 1: Luke 14
Ouch. Verse 25 is harsh. Bible commentaries call this 'hyperbole'. Meaning God wants to be SO first in our lives that other affections fall far behind. Count the cost. Jesus does not want people to follow him blindly or without knowing it is hard! WHat is some of the cost you have had to pay to follow Jesus? How has he rewarded you?
Oct. 2: Luke 15
How awesome is it that we have a God that searches for us until we are found, then CELEBRATES!
Write in your journal about how it makes you feel that the God of the universe is on a mission to win YOU to himself! That HE celebrates you!
Oct. 3: Luke 16
Verse. 16:15. What in our culture is 'highly valued among men but is detestable to God'?
Oct. 4: Luke 17
I like this book of Luke...Lots of red ink (JESUS TALKING!). In vers. 11:8 Juesus urges us to be bold. So often we are afraid to ask great things of God. NOW is the time. What is a bold prayer you have asked of God? How did he respond?
Sept. 29: Luke 12
Worry. Luke 12:28 'O ye of little faith'. Ouch. Jesus says directly that worry is a result of lack of faith. What do you worry most about? How can you be more faith 'full' in that area?
Sept. 30: Luke 13
Verse 13:6. God is patient with us but one thing he HATES for sure is when we are lukewarm Christians (Rev. 13:6). God wants Christians who produce fruit.
What does good fruit look like? Read John 15:1-8 for more info of what God is looking for!
Oct. 1: Luke 14
Ouch. Verse 25 is harsh. Bible commentaries call this 'hyperbole'. Meaning God wants to be SO first in our lives that other affections fall far behind. Count the cost. Jesus does not want people to follow him blindly or without knowing it is hard! WHat is some of the cost you have had to pay to follow Jesus? How has he rewarded you?
Oct. 2: Luke 15
How awesome is it that we have a God that searches for us until we are found, then CELEBRATES!
Write in your journal about how it makes you feel that the God of the universe is on a mission to win YOU to himself! That HE celebrates you!
Oct. 3: Luke 16
Verse. 16:15. What in our culture is 'highly valued among men but is detestable to God'?
Oct. 4: Luke 17
17:12 How many men who were ill met him in the village? Where did they stand?
17:13 What did they cry out to Jesus? What did they call Jesus to show they respected him?
Friday, September 18, 2009
September 21-27
September 21: Luke 4
Jesus was tempted just like you and I. Luke 4:13 says 'the devil left him until an opportune time'.
What opportune times does the devil try to tempt you?
How can you avoid putting yourself in those situations?
September 22: Luke 5
Luke 5:16 says Jesus went off by himself to find a quiet place to pray. Do you find it difficult to find a place/time to pray? What are some things you do to help you? Check out amazing blog about making prayer central to life.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/09/how-to-build-house-of-prayer.html
September 23: Luke 6
Luke 6:12: Again we see Jesus alone praying all night before he makes a major decision. I don't have a question here. I just wanted to point it out after yesterday!
Anyways...what I really wanted to talk about was Sabbaths.
What does Sabbath mean to you?
Are you careful to protect it in your own life?
Interested in reading more? Check this:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1985/510_Remember_the_Sabbath_Day_to_Keep_it_Holy/
September 24: Luke 7
Jesus says who has the biggest debt canceled loves more. This feels true for me for sure. When I felt most convicted and forgiven, my love increases.
Write privately about a time you felt most forgiven by God.
September 25: Luke 8
How do we ensure our hearts are 'good soil'?
What are things that could 'choke' Gods word in our lives?
September 26: Luke 9
Jesus goes off to pray by himself again...just sayin. This is what we call a 'theme' this week!
What does it mean to 'take up your cross'?
Does being a Christian ever seem to hard?
How can we encourage one another?
***Also hardcore readers...How awesome is this bible reading plan? I love how it ties the word and precepts of God all together. Example from today: Ezra 2-3 describes people celebrating the 'Feast of Tabernacle'. Psalms 113-118 were the songs traditionally sung at this feast!
BONUS PRIZE THIS WEEK: WHAT IS THE FEAST OF TABERNACLE????
September 27: Luke 10
Mary & Martha...who do you relate to more?
Do you find it easier to DO things for God? Or to sit with him and LISTEN?
God does want us to serve him, but from a place of total dependence on him, and he wants us to HEAR him first. To me that was the strongest theme this week. We need to make time and space to hear from God, before we run out and serve him.
PRIZE QUESTION: What are some changes you are going to make in your life that will equip you to hear from God on a more regular basis? Or how are you going to add more prayer to your life? Comment below and we will randomly draw a winner!
Jesus was tempted just like you and I. Luke 4:13 says 'the devil left him until an opportune time'.
What opportune times does the devil try to tempt you?
How can you avoid putting yourself in those situations?
September 22: Luke 5
Luke 5:16 says Jesus went off by himself to find a quiet place to pray. Do you find it difficult to find a place/time to pray? What are some things you do to help you? Check out amazing blog about making prayer central to life.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/09/how-to-build-house-of-prayer.html
September 23: Luke 6
Luke 6:12: Again we see Jesus alone praying all night before he makes a major decision. I don't have a question here. I just wanted to point it out after yesterday!
Anyways...what I really wanted to talk about was Sabbaths.
What does Sabbath mean to you?
Are you careful to protect it in your own life?
Interested in reading more? Check this:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1985/510_Remember_the_Sabbath_Day_to_Keep_it_Holy/
September 24: Luke 7
Jesus says who has the biggest debt canceled loves more. This feels true for me for sure. When I felt most convicted and forgiven, my love increases.
Write privately about a time you felt most forgiven by God.
September 25: Luke 8
How do we ensure our hearts are 'good soil'?
What are things that could 'choke' Gods word in our lives?
September 26: Luke 9
Jesus goes off to pray by himself again...just sayin. This is what we call a 'theme' this week!
What does it mean to 'take up your cross'?
Does being a Christian ever seem to hard?
How can we encourage one another?
***Also hardcore readers...How awesome is this bible reading plan? I love how it ties the word and precepts of God all together. Example from today: Ezra 2-3 describes people celebrating the 'Feast of Tabernacle'. Psalms 113-118 were the songs traditionally sung at this feast!
BONUS PRIZE THIS WEEK: WHAT IS THE FEAST OF TABERNACLE????
September 27: Luke 10
Mary & Martha...who do you relate to more?
Do you find it easier to DO things for God? Or to sit with him and LISTEN?
God does want us to serve him, but from a place of total dependence on him, and he wants us to HEAR him first. To me that was the strongest theme this week. We need to make time and space to hear from God, before we run out and serve him.
PRIZE QUESTION: What are some changes you are going to make in your life that will equip you to hear from God on a more regular basis? Or how are you going to add more prayer to your life? Comment below and we will randomly draw a winner!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Welcome to Bible 101!
Welcome here! A burden has been placed on my heart for you guys! I think that we need MORE OF HIM! The other day I was talking to someone and I realized some really basic skills about bible study and prayer, were lacking. God used this to impress on me the need to get us all in our bibles MORE AND MORE. We need to be able to discern what is right. We need to be able to quote scripture at the devil to make him FLEE! Here you will find a list of readings and related questions for each day. I will post each weekend for the coming week. Let me know your thoughts as we go! I'm super pumped on this!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Wednesday September 16 - Sunday September 20
Sept. 16: Read Psalm 128
Has walking with God meant only blessing?
What does Matthew 5:4 say about this?
"In God's economy even those who mourn are blessed. the Greek word translated 'blessed' in Matthew 5:4 beautifully expresses the essense of the blessed life. "Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life. The hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose, and thus, in a sense such a person lived coram Deo (before the face of God). Sometimes the circumstances of our suffering may not change, but the circumstances of our hearts are changed in midst of them through a keen sense of God's presence and a lively perception in His activity.
Blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps their life in Him, and follows His ways. He/she doesn't just look to God in spiritual or religious matters. They look to Him in every matter. He's not just the most important part of her life, He is her life. The result of this divine invasion is that the life operates overall at optimum earth satisfaction, joy, and purpose and without the crushing burdens of self-glory and sin. In other words, their life actually works." (Beth Moore, Stepping Up pg. 99)
Leave a comment responding to the above questions for a chance to win sweet Bible 101 kick off prizes!
Sept. 17: Read Revelation 22
Verse 8 is a strong warning against idolatry (worshiping anything other than God). Definitions of worship include adore, love or admire inordinately. What are the things in your life that you are tempted to worship other than God?
Sept. 18: Read Luke 1
In verse 38, Mary says, "I am the Lords servant, may it be to me as you have said". Scary thing to say. Have you ever had yes to God to a scary thing?
Sept. 19: Read Luke 2
Even Jesus had to increase in wisdom. What does that mean for us? What are some ways that we can?
Sept. 20: Read Luke 3 and Psalm 130
Take some time and think about Psalm 130:7. Write about what that means to you!
Has walking with God meant only blessing?
What does Matthew 5:4 say about this?
"In God's economy even those who mourn are blessed. the Greek word translated 'blessed' in Matthew 5:4 beautifully expresses the essense of the blessed life. "Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life. The hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose, and thus, in a sense such a person lived coram Deo (before the face of God). Sometimes the circumstances of our suffering may not change, but the circumstances of our hearts are changed in midst of them through a keen sense of God's presence and a lively perception in His activity.
Blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps their life in Him, and follows His ways. He/she doesn't just look to God in spiritual or religious matters. They look to Him in every matter. He's not just the most important part of her life, He is her life. The result of this divine invasion is that the life operates overall at optimum earth satisfaction, joy, and purpose and without the crushing burdens of self-glory and sin. In other words, their life actually works." (Beth Moore, Stepping Up pg. 99)
Leave a comment responding to the above questions for a chance to win sweet Bible 101 kick off prizes!
Sept. 17: Read Revelation 22
Verse 8 is a strong warning against idolatry (worshiping anything other than God). Definitions of worship include adore, love or admire inordinately. What are the things in your life that you are tempted to worship other than God?
Sept. 18: Read Luke 1
In verse 38, Mary says, "I am the Lords servant, may it be to me as you have said". Scary thing to say. Have you ever had yes to God to a scary thing?
Sept. 19: Read Luke 2
Even Jesus had to increase in wisdom. What does that mean for us? What are some ways that we can?
Sept. 20: Read Luke 3 and Psalm 130
Take some time and think about Psalm 130:7. Write about what that means to you!
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