week of October 18
Job 38:1-7; 34-41;
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Mark 10:35-45;
Hebrews4:14-5:1-10
1. How does God begin to address Job in verse 2—what does God ask? What is the opposite of light? So, how is Job described in verse 2? What does God say he will do to Job in verse 3? The term man is weak compared to the Hebrew term which means warrior, mighty man, or even hero. What questions doe God ask Job in verses 4-7 and 34-41, and what is God’s intent with these questions? Is there any sarcasm?
2. Do you think you have a complete understanding of God and God’s ways? What does the book of Job mean to you? What kind of relationship do you want with God?
3. Why is the psalmist blessing God (vv. 1-9)? What does the psalmist seem to understanding that Job may not have fully understood? Based on Psalm 104, what would be an appropriate name for God.
4. Do you ever wonder why God made certain creatures? How does the psalmist respond (v. 24)? Which creature seems to be the most powerful and yet the most destructive to self and other creatures? Why?
5. Who comes before Jesus and what do they ask (vv. 35-37)? Had the disciples ever argued among themselves who would be the greatest among them, and how did Jesus respond (Mark9:33-37)? How does Jesus answer James and John (v. 38)? Do you think they understood the baptism Jesus was about to undergo? What had Jesus by this time told his disciples would happen to him?
6. How do James and John answer (v. 39)? Does Jesus reaffirm their answer and do you think they understood (v. 39)? What answer can Jesus not give them and why (v. 40)? How do the other disciples respond (v. 41)? Why does Jesus say the disciples are not like the Gentile rulers (vv. 42-43)? But to be a follower of Jesus, what must they do (vv. 44-45)? How about you—are you willing to be a follower of Jesus?
7. According to the writer in Hebrews, who is the high priest (v. 14)? Why does the writer say we can approach the throne of grace with boldness (vv. 15-16)? Do you need mercy or have you been searching for unconditional love (v. 16)? Are high priests ever chosen from mortals and if so what is their duty (v. 5:1)? How is such a priest to relate to people who do not know or understand the Good News (v. 2)?
8. If the high priest is a mortal, is he free from sin, and if not what must he do (v. 3)? How does the writer describe the opportunity to be a high priest (v. 4)? Is the decision to become a high priest one a person can make by him/herself (v. 4)? How did Jesus become a high priest (vv. 5-6)? While a priest did Jesus gather riches and property? Instead, what does the author remind us about Jesus (v. 7)? Did Jesus do whatever he wanted (vv. 7-8)? How did Jesus learn obedience and what did it lead to (v. 9)? What did the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus create for you and me (v. 9)?
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, October 25, 2015
Job 42:1-6; 10-17;
Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22
Mark 10:46-52; Hebrews 7:23-28