God doesn’t just want you to know things. He wants you to be wise. Learn what wisdom is and how you can begin to achieve it as we look to the book of Proverbs.

Sermon Questions: Proverbs

1. Proverbs are short sayings of wisdom. Give some examples of modern day proverbs. Now try to be more specific and give examples of proverbs from the following topics: Finances, Vehicles, Safety, Relationships.

2. Proverbs are not absolute rules. They have exceptions. Try to think of some exceptions to the proverbs you just listed.

3. Read Proverbs 1:1-7. Why does God want us to be wise? How do we gain wisdom (see vs. 7).

4. Reflection questions on the fear of the Lord (vs. 7): How healthy is your current fear of God? How much of your life is based around this fear? How is it dangerous to have no fear or nothing but fear in regard to God. Can people around you tell that you fear God? Why or why not.

The book of Psalms is a collection of songs prayers and poems that focus on our life lived in the presence of God. To do life well, we must commit ourselves to following the Word of God.

Questions:

1. The form of poetry used in Psalms is called parallelism. How does parallelism work? How does knowing parallelism help us better understand the meaning of Psalms?

2. What does the first Psalm mean when it says we don't "walk, stand or sit" with the wicked?

3. What kind of blessing is a tree planted by streams of water?

4. How are those without God in their life like chaff?

Job is a story of trusting God's justice even when we don't understand why life's circumstances are the way they are. In this sermon we gain just a bit of insight as to God's view of Job, Himself, and us.

Questions

1. What can we learn from Job's story?
2. How has your life related to that of Job's?
3. Do you see yourself as a trophy that God could take out of his trophy case and show the devil and ask 'have you considered my servant, _______?'
4. Do you believe God does see you that way? Why or why not? Can you think of any scripture that supports your answer?

Have you ever watched a movie that started well but left you a bit disappointed at the end? The books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are like this. If the story stopped there we’d wonder why. Fortunately, there’s much more to the story of these books than most people realize.

Sermon Questions: Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther

1. What movie have you watched that started off well, but disappointed you in the end? Why was it disappointing how it ended?

2. Why did Zerubbabel get a mixed response when he started rebuilding the temple? See Ezra 3:10-13.

3. Why did Ezra command divorce? Was it really something God wanted? Read Ezra 10:10-12 & Malachi 2:13-16. Has sin ever gotten you into a difficult situation? If you are willing, share a personal story.

4. The fact that the rebuilding of the Temple, Walls and Order of Jerusalem ended so poorly only shows us that God ultimately had something different in mind. What did He have in mind and how can we appreciate it? See Galatians 3:26-29 & Hebrews 12:22-23.

The book of Chronicles it gives glimpses that God is looking for people to find guidance in Him and to look to the promised hope in future. In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 we see that when we humble ourselves towards God that God gives grace.

Questions

1. Have you ever read Chronicles? If so, what stood out to you from the reading?
2. We cry out to Jesus to just come back and take us to heaven.. Why do you think Jesus doesn't come back from heaven right when we are going through something hard?
3. What does it mean to turn out eyes on Jesus?
4. When in your history have you seen God fighting your battles?

Share your story with a friend or small group to show God's glory and faithfulness.

Summary: 1&2 Kings covers the history of the end of the United Kingdom through the deterioration of the divided kingdoms. The main characters are Solomon, Elijah and Elisha. Neither extreme of ritualism or emotionalism are what God wants, but instead it's who we are and what we do that matters to Him.

Questions:

1. Why do we find so many miracles in 1&2 Kings?

2. What preconceived ideas get between us and God?

3. How does pride prevent a person from following God? Has pride hindered your relationship with God?

4. What caused Solomon's downfall?

The things in the Old Testament were written for our benefit. When God's Word spends more time talking about a person, we need to pay attention. See how three specific people in the books of Samuel show us an important lesson about ourselves.

Sermon Questions: 1 & 2 Samuel

1. Read 1 Samuel 8:1-7. Why were the people so desperate for a king? How did their request come back to bite them? Have you ever asked for something that came back to bite you?

2. King Saul cared more about pleasing people than God. How much is people pleasing a struggle for you? How do you balance between serving and not depending too much on what others think of you?

3. Why was king David a man after God's own heart even though he committed many awful sins (adultery, murder, etc.)?

4. How can/should you be more like David?

Summary: the old testament book of judges is an historic illustration of Galatians 6:7

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Questions:

1. What is the cycle that is repeated throughout the book of Judges?

2. How does the very first story of the book prepare readers for the rest of the book?

3. Why did God keep Gideon's army so small?

4. What choice do we have to recommit to making in order to prevent moral decline in our lives?

When Joshua was told to destroy the Canaanites it may not mean what you think. The battles Joshua fought are far more than historical. They actually mirror a fight we are all in today. Are you winning the battle?

Sermon Questions:

1. Read Joshua 5:13-14. When Joshua asked if God was for him or his enemies why did God say “neither”? What does this teach us? [Answer: we are on God’s side, not God on our side]

2. What caused Rahab to follow God? (see Joshua 2:1 & 8-11) How does this same thing cause people to follow Jesus today? Has it been a motivator for you? How so?

3. Why did God not fully drive out all the Canaanites? See Judges 2:21-23. How is God using this same test in your life? How are you doing with it?

4. How well are you taking the spiritual fight to the enemy? (See Matthew 16:18 & Ephesians 6:10-18) Focus on this as you pray for each other today.

Notes on the destruction of the Canaanites:

• God is Allowed (Gen. 1-2)
• They Deserved It (Lev. 18)
• They had 430yrs to Repent
• To Spare Some from Future Suffering (I Kings 14:10-13)
• Only Military Outposts Taken (some scholars suggest)
• He didn’t Kill all of Them (Joshua 10:36-39 & 15:13-15)

Deuteronomy - The Good Covenant - Mark Bourne

Main text: Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Summary: The Pentateuch ends with Moses repeating God's law for a new generation about to enter the promised land. They were given a choice between obedience which leads to life and disobedience which leads to death. We too must choose life and the way God wants it to be lived.

Questions:

1. Why did Moses repeat the law that had already been given?

2. Which Old Testament laws apply to us?

3. Why wasn't Moses allowed to enter the promised land?

4. What is the biggest, most fundamental choice anyone can ever make? How are you doing with that choice?