Echoes of the Garden (Genesis 1-3)

Building Temples (2 Samuel 7; Matthew 16:13-20)

Work and Worship

Discussion Starters

Monday—Why do we people like formulas when it comes to work, health, and family? What’s the danger of thinking that God simply rewards our obedience or punishes our disobedience?

Tuesday—Why does Ezekiel call the Garden of Eden a sanctuary (temple)? What three things were Adam and Eve called to do in the Garden?

Wednesday—Have you ever made an idol out of work, security, or family? How? How are we called to surrender these to God’s glory (not ours)?

Thursday—Why does the New Testament call the church a temple? How is Jesus building that temple? How is he populating it?

Friday—What are some ways we can we surrender God in our work and worship? Does trusting him to build his church mean indifference? What does it mean?

The Restored Temple (vv. 1-4)

The Resurrected Son (John 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23)

Sowing in Tears (vv. 5-6)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Do you ever read the account of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, wishing that he would just do something to stop it all? Why didn’t he stop it?

Tuesday—What was the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews taken away into captivity in Babylon? What did the restoration of the temple tell God’s people about God’s plans for them?

Wednesday—Why is Jesus’ body called a tabernacle (John 1:14) and a temple (John 2:19)? How did the destruction and rebuilding of the temple prepare God’s people for what would happen to the Messiah? Why do you think that, despite all the Old Testament said, his disciples were still surprised by his death?

Thursday—What does it mean to “sow in tears”? What is the promise of scripture for all who are willing to suffer with Jesus in this life? (Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:12)

Friday—How must Christian worship reflect this pattern of tears, then joy? What is the danger of neglecting that reality as we gather for worship?

The Quest for Security

The Dangers Christians Face (v. 3)

The Source of our Confidence (vv. 1-2, 4-5)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you ever read about Israel’s constant return to the ways of the world and wondered what was wrong with them? Do you ever feel like you are a lot like Israel and wonder what’s wrong with you?

Tuesday—What are some different ways we seek security? What is the most important type of security we need?

Wednesday—What danger is being addressed in verse 3 when it talks about reaching out and doing wrong? Why can the world and its ways be enticing to Christians?

Thursday—What is the Christian’s source of confidence in the face of the attacks of the world? Does truly trusting the Lord mean you will never struggle or stumble? (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Friday—Are you taking advantage of the opportunities you have to feed your soul privately and with the church? As the fall approaches are there some that you need to start participating in?

Hello, World!

“If it had not been the Lord…” (vv. 1-6)

Delivered through Death (vv. 3-7)

Boasting in our Weakness (vv. 1, 6)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Why do you think we are attracted to strength? How do passages in the Bible about boasting in weakness strike you?

Tuesday—What are the people confessing in Psalm 124 when they say “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side…” (vv. 1-2) Where would we be without the Lord?

Wednesday—Who are your greatest enemies? Where did Jesus conquer those enemies?

Thursday—Does the Lord’s deliverance typically go around the threat or through it? Why? How does that help shape our expectations in hard times?

Friday—How should worship help us learn to boast in our weakness and the Lord’s strength? Does boasting in weakness lead to despair or comfort?

Living in a Hostile World (vv. 3-4)

Seeking Relief (vv. 1-2)

The Servant of Servants and Master of Masters

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you ever needed help but felt you didn’t want to burden someone who could help you? What led you to feel that way? What happened?

Tuesday—Do you think that the world treats Christians differently? Why do you think that is? What are some examples?

Wednesday—When you seek God’s help, why is it important to remember his goodness and love as well as the reality that you are the servant and he is the master?

Thursday—Who sits on the throne of heaven? Why does Revelation 5 repeatedly call him a Lamb? Why is that important to remember when you come to him for help?

Friday—What does patience look like when you pray? Does God usually answer our prayers on our timetable? Why not

Joy in Worship (vv. 1-3)

The Thrones of God (vv. 4-5)

Guarding Worship (vv. 6-9)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Do you feel like everything in your life is in perfect balance—the way God wants it to be? What would that look like?

Tuesday—Is worship as a high a priority to you as it should be? Are there times when going to worship doesn’t cause you to rejoice? Why do you think that is?

Wednesday—How was Jerusalem (a well-built city) meant to reflect how our lives are supposed to be? How does worship help our lives become better ordered?

Thursday—In what way do we come before the throne of thrones in worship? Is that comforting or scary? Or both? Why?

Friday—How can worship become like the world? How can you pray that it would be protected from worldly corruption? Do you pray for that?

Identifying the Problem (v. 1)

The Hilliest Hill (vv. 1-7)

The One Who Came (vv. 1-2)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you ever struggled to make sense out of hard times? What kinds of questions did you ask? What doubts did you have?

Tuesday—How does what you think your greatest need is affect where you look for help? What is your greatest need?

Wednesday—How did the ancient cultures have different deities for different needs? What are modern day equivalents?

Thursday—Which was the greatest hill in Israel and who was on it? How does the true God differ from false gods? Why does this matter?

Friday—What does it mean that God came from his hill to help you? Why can you be confident that he will not lose his hold on you?