week of February 15

2 Kings 2:1-12

Psalm 50:1-6

Mark 9:2-9

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 

 

 

These are the scriptures from the lectionary for this week,

to be discussed at Bible Study at 12 noon on Thursday and Friday.

1.         Who are Elijah and Elisha? From what location have the two of them departed (v. 1)? Where is Elijah going and who has told him to go there (v. 2)? What command does Elijah give Elisha as they leave Gilgal (v. 2)? How does Elisha respond and how is this response to be understood (v. 2)? Who came out to see Elisha and what was there message to him (v. 3)? How does Elisha respond (v. 3)? Again, what command does Elijah give Elisha, and how does Elisha respond (v. 4)? Again, how did the prophets respond (v, 5)?

2.         To where has God directed Elijah to go, and what is the significance of this location (v. 6)? What does Elijah do when he arrives at this location, and again what is the significance of his action (v. 8)? What does Elijah ask Elisha in verse 9, and how does Elisha respond? What exactly is Elisha requesting (v. 9)? Who is to make the ultimate decision on Elisha’s request (v. 10)? What does Elisha see happening (v. 11)? How does Elisha respond (v. 12)? What might this account foreshadow?

 

3.         How is God described in verse 1 of Psalm 50? How isZiondepicted (v. 2)? How is God described in verses 3-4: complacent or active)?

 

4.         Who is called by God (v. 5)? What form of covenant do you think God was looking for (v. 5)? This Psalm was probably used in a worship service; what form of service do you think was being held? What form of covenant do you have with God?

 

5.         Read Mark 8:31—what did Jesus tell the disciples, and how do you think Jesus might have felt? What happened six days later (Mark 9:2)? What happened to Jesus on the mountain and what does it mean (vv. 2-3)? Who appeared next to Jesus and what did they say to him (v. 4)? Why would you say this mysterious action occurred?

6.         Who saw what happened and how did he respond (vv. 5-6)? What do you think Peter was thinking? What did God have to say (v. 7)? Is the statement to God still relevant today? Do you obey? What does Jesus tell Peter not to do and why (v. 9)?

 

7.         To fully understand what Paul is writing in 2 Corinthians, it is important to know that Paul had opponents in the early movement of Christianity who challenged Paul throughout his life. Some people even stated Paul was distorting the Good News. So, how does Paul respond in 2 Cor. 4:3? How does Paul describe what has happened to his opponents (v. 4)?

 

8.         Are people today ever blinded to the truth (v. 4)? Has anything ever blinded you so that you cannot see the glory of Christ—what other gods challenge you? What does Paul say he proclaims as compared to his opponents (v. 5)? Are there people today who proclaim themselves before Christ and are slaves to other gods? Will Christ give up on them (v. 6)?

 

First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2015

Genesis 9:8-17

Psalm 25:1-10

Mark 1:9-15

1 Peter 3:18-22