February
8
2015
week of February 8
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Mark 1:29-39
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
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. Where are the people of Judah and Israel living when this passage from Isaiah is read? What questions does Isaiah ask the people (v. 21)? How would you answer the question? What answer does Isaiah give the people (22-23)? Who clearly does not have the control and power (vv. 22-24)? Has anything changed today and we know more? To whom is God to be compared (v. 25)?
2. Do the people in exile think God has abandoned them or does not know their plight (v. 27)? How does Isaiah answer (v. 28)? Do you think you can hide anything from God? Who does Isaiah say will receive power and strength (v. 29)? Will times be difficult (v. 30)? But who will receive salvation (v. 31)? Who do you turn to in difficult times? Are you willing to wait for God to help you or do you think you can do it by yourself?
3. What form of Psalm is 147 (v. 1)? Why is the psalmist praising God (v. 1-3)? Why would it be important for the people of Jerusalem to remember what God has done (vv. 4-6)? What comfort, if any, do you receive from reading this Psalm?
4. What does the psalmist call the people to do (v. 7)? What do we do in many worship services? How does the psalmist describe God in verses 8-9? In what does the psalmist say God does not delight, but in what does God take pleasure (vv. 10-11)? In today’s culture, how is success defined? Do you think God takes pleasure in that success?
5. Where did Jesus and the disciples go immediately after teaching in the synagogue and healing the man of his unclean spirit (v. 29)? Who was ill and what was Jesus’ response (vv. 30-31)? In the evening did Jesus just kick-back with the disciples (vv. 32-34)? Who knew who Jesus was and what was the response of Jesus (v. 34)?
6. Do you think Jesus might have been tired or even challenged after all this work? What does Jesus do early next morning (v. 35)? Is this the only time we are told Jesus needed to pray? How often do you take the time to pray? What does praying mean to you? Who came looking for Jesus and why (vv. 36-37)? How did Jesus respond and why (v. 38)? Where did Jesus go (v. 39)? Did his action indicate he wanted to start a new religion?
7. Does Paul proclaim the gospel as a form of boasting (v. 16)? So, why does Paul proclaim the Gospel (vv. 16-17)? What if Paul does it of his own will, what does he receive and how would you define what he receives (v. 17)? What if it is not of his own will, what happens (v. 17)? So, what is Paul’s reward (v. 18)? How about you, do you proclaim the gospel, and if so how?
8. What does Paul mean that he is free with respect to all (v. 19)? How does Paul describe himself (v. 19)? What does Paul feel called and obligated to do (v. 19)? So, how does Paul relate to different people and what does that mean (vv. 19-22)? What does Paul want to share and you (v. 23)?