February
1
2015
Bible Study, week of Feb 1
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
Mark 1:21-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
These are the scriptures from the lectionary for this week, to be discussed at Bible Study at 12 noon on Friday and 10 am Sunday.
1. The primary person delivering the word in Deuteronomy is Moses. What does Moses tell the people God will do and how are people to respond (v. 15)? Why did God decide to take this action (vv. 16-17)? What does God say God will raise up (v. 18)? And what will God do to this person or persons (v. 18)?
2. What is a prophet and what is the purpose of a prophet? What are the consequences for a person who does not heed the words of a prophet (v. 19)? What will happen to anyone who acting as a prophet for any other god or delivering a message not from God (v. 20)? How was Jesus described by many people in his ministry? How do you describe Jesus? What happens to anyone who does not heed the word of Christ?
3. Psalm 111 is both a hymn of praise and thanksgiving as well as composed for instruction. Where will the psalmist give thanks to God (v. 1)? How does the psalmist describe God (vv. 2-6)? How do you describe God? What has God done for you?
4. What does the psalmist describe as faithful and just (v. 7)? What are works of God’s hands? Is God’s commitment to God’s people limited in time (v. 8)? What is the beginning of wisdom (v. 10)? Who will understand (v. 10)? Why is it so difficult for us to be faithful to Christ? Does God give up on us?
5. After Jesus calls his first disciples, where does he go (v. 21)? What did Jesus begin to do in this location, and how did the people react (vv. 21-22)? How was Jesus described and what does it mean (v. 22)? Are you hungry to learn? Who teaches and speaks with authority today?
6. Who was in the synagogue who created a commotion (v. 23)? What did this person say (v, 24)? How does Jesus respond (v. 25)? What happens (v. 26)? How did the people in the synagogue respond (v. 27)? How did this early healing affect Jesus’ reputation (v. 28)? What needs to come out of you—envy, greed, anger, lust, fear, sadness, depression, illness, or something else?
7. What does knowledge provide us sometimes—power, prestige, blindness (v. 1)? But what builds up—that is serving the others (v. 1)? Can the knowledge of Christ be misused to endanger relationships?
8. In Greek culture at the time of Paul, food was offered to various idols by the people in Greece. How does Paul describe this food (v. 4)? What does Paul state that we recognize even today (vv. 5-6)? What are some of you idols or gods? Will eating food offered to idols bring people closer to God (vv. 7-8)? What advice does Paul have for believers who eat food offered to idols (vv. 9-13)? So, what are other examples of idols that could endanger someone if they saw you enjoying such idols?