Interact/Small Group Questions Who is the “Word?” How does verse 1 help us to understand this concept? In the original Greek, the phrase “made His dwelling” means “to pitch a tent” or “tabernacle.” How does this expand your understanding of the verse? What does it mean to see this Word’s glory? How does Matthew 17:1-9 describe this glory? In what ways is Jesus full of grace and truth? How does the fact that God came to you help you better […]

Interact/Small Group Questions 1. According to Isaiah 41:8, who is the ”servant” in Isaiah 42:1? 2. According to Matthew 12:18, who is the servant in Isaiah 42:1? 3. How is the servant characterized in verses 1-4? 4. In Isaiah 42:1, God promises to uphold, delight, and place His spirit upon His servant. Does this seem an odd thing to do for a servant or slave? 5. God’s servant will “bring justice to the nations.” What does this mean? 6. Why […]

Interact/Small Group Questions Read the whole of Isaiah chapter 22. What is the context of verse 22? What are the specific things that keys can do? Look closely at Isaiah 22:20-21. Eliakim means “whom God will raise up.” How does this affect your understanding of this passage? Read Revelation 3:7. How (and to whom) does this passage connect Isaiah 22:22? What things does Jesus Christ unlock for you? What does He keep locked up? Read Matthew 16:18-19. What does this […]

Small Group/Interact Questions What is the context of Micah 7:7 within the whole book? Verse 7 begins with the phrase, “but as for me…” Who or what is Micah differentiating himself from? There are three verbs in this passage – what are they? Why should they be significant to us? How does God “hear” us if we simply watch and wait? How is this passage Messianic? In other words, how does it point to Jesus? How does Advent involve a […]

Interact/Small Group Questions 1. What are the things you worry about most? 2. Do you ever ask God to help, or do you try and work things out by yourself? 3. Verse 32 says that God knows exactly what you need. Do you trust Him to take care of you? 4. Read verse 33. What does it mean to “seek the kingdom of heaven first?” 5. When Jesus says, “All these things,” what do you think He’s talking about? 6. […]

Interact/Small Group Questions What do you think Onesimus was like? How would you imagine him? Why was Paul sending Onesimus back to Philemon? Does Onesimus deserve forgiveness? Why is Paul asking this of Philemon? Why do you think Onesimus was so much more useful than before he ran away? In verse 12, what does Paul mean by “my very heart?” Was Onesimus truly free when he escaped slavery to Philemon?

Interact/Small Group Questions Describe what kind of person you imagine Philemon to have been. How did Philemon give Paul joy? What do you think Paul’s purpose was in sharing such high praise for Philemon? Philemon likely had some (v. 8)  level of wealth and social status. Why do you think Paul felt like he could “order him” to do something? What were Philemon’s choices when it came to dealing with Onesimus? If Philemon welcomes Onesimus as a brother, how does […]

Small Group/Interact Questions To whom is this letter addressed? Why would Paul want it read to the whole church? What does verse 2 tell us about the early Christian church? How did Philemon bring Paul joy? What was the content of Paul’s prayers for Philemon? Why could Paul give orders to Philemon if he chose to? What did Paul decide to do instead of ordering Philemon? What is Paul offering to do in verses 17-19? How does this bring attention […]

Interact/Small Group Questions Why would a list of Paul’s friends and colleagues need to be included in the Bible? Take a few moments to make a list of each person named in this passage, and then indicate what Paul has to say about them. The people on this list were leaders and influencers in the first-century church. What characteristics does Paul ascribe to them? Think about how prominent church leaders are described today. How are they different from the descriptions […]