Defining Reverence (vv. 25-29; Isaiah 6:1-5)

Grateful Reverence (v. 28; Isaiah 6:6-7)

Practicing Reverence

Discussion Starters

Monday—Why do you think some people are leaving evangelical churches for Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches? What are they looking for?

Tuesday—What is reverence? What is the opposite of reverence—hatred or indifference? Why?

Wednesday—Read Isaiah 6:1-5. What happens when Isaiah enters into God’s presence? Why does he call down a curse on his own head? Is what happens in Isaiah 6 good for him or bad? Why?

Thursday—How can you both reverent and grateful? Where is reverence supposed to lead? How does irreverent worship impede a deeper understanding of what Jesus has done for us?

Friday—What are things we should do corporately to ensure worship is reverent? What are things you can do individually to engage worship with reverence?

A Different take on Leadership (Matthew 20:20-28)

Instructions to Kings and Elders (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

What We’re Looking For (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-16)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What are people saying when they proclaim that “Jesus is King”? If he is also Prophet and Priest, why do you think people like to proclaim that he is King the most?

Tuesday—What are the leaders of the Gentiles known for? (Matthew 20:25) What do most people look for in leaders? Why?

Wednesday—Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20. What was God looking for in the kings of Israel? Why?

Thursday—Read 1 Peter 5:1-4. How does what Peter says here reflect Deuteronomy 17:14-20? What connection is Peter making between elders and kings? Why?

Friday—When it comes to calling elders in the church, what should you be looking for? How can you be praying for your leaders? Do you pray for your leaders?

God’s Instructions for Worship (Deuteronomy 12:29-32)

Our Instincts in Worship (Exodus 32; Leviticus 10:1-20; Number 16)

Learning to Surrender

Discussion Starters

Monday—Why is it so easy to judge how “acceptable” worship is by how much we enjoy it? Is that how God judges whether or not it’s acceptable? Why or why not?

Tuesday—What did God warn Israel against doing in Deuteronomy 12:29-32? What temptation was he addressing? Does the church still face that temptation today?

Wednesday—What are some examples of unacceptable worship in the Old Testament? What was wrong in each case? How did God respond?

Thursday—How is worship meant to help us walk by faith, not by sight? Will that be comfortable or uncomfortable? Does acceptable worship come naturally for people?

Friday—How does worship help us learn how to deny ourselves and surrender? Does that mean worship is not enjoyable and joyful? How does that all work together?

The Danger of Indifference (vv. 1-4, 14-17; Psalm 73:1-16)

Wrestling with God (vv. 5-13; Genesis 32)

Where God Wrestles with You (vv. 17-18; Psalm 73:17-28)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What does it mean to lay aside every weight and sin that keeps us from finishing the race? (Heb 12:1) Is hatred of God the great danger or indifference? What does indifference look like?

Tuesday—How was Esau a picture indifference toward God? What are some ways that indifference was manifested in his life?

Wednesday—What was God doing with Jacob in Genesis 32? Why was he wrestling with him? Why did he cripple him? Was Jacob angry about the crippling? Why/Why not?

Thursday—Why does Hebrews 12:17 say that Esau had no “place” to repent? Where is your place? Read Psalm 73. Can you ever identify with the psalmist?

Friday—Do you ever feel God wrestling with you in worship? What does that feel like? What’s his goal in doing that?

Hebrews 12:18-24
Exodus 3:1-6, 14 | Deuteronomy 12:1-14, 29-32 | John 4:23-24

Bare Feet and Holy Ground (Exodus 3:1-6, 14)

Where God’s Name Dwells (Deuteronomy 12:1-14, 29-32)

Ascending Heavenly Mt Zion (John 4:19-24; Hebrews 12:18-24)

Discussion Starters

Monday—How have your views of worship been shaped? As we begin a series on worship, do you think some of those views will be challenged? How does that make you feel?

Tuesday—If God is everywhere, what does it mean that he was uniquely at the burning bush? Why did his presence make the very ground holy? How did the tabernacle (and temple) continue that reality?

Wednesday—Why did God tell Moses not to get to close? Why was he afraid? Why did he need to take his sandals off? What does this tell you about what it means to enter into God’s presence?

Thursday—Why wasn’t the bush consumed? (Ex 3:2) How were sinners allowed to enter the tabernacle? (Dt 12:6, 11) What was all of this prefiguring? (Heb 12:24) What makes it possible for you to enter into God’s presence and not be consumed by wrath?

Friday—When you come to worship, do you believe that you are meeting with God? (Heb 12:18-24) How should that affect your heart, mind, and actions while you are in worship?

It All Started in a Garden (Esther 1-3)

It Ended on a Tree (Esther 4-7)

Awaiting the Last Day (Esther 8-9)

Discussion Starters Monday—If God is never mentioned once in the book of Esther, why is it included in the Bible? How does this book help us to see how God speaks in his word? Tuesday—Why does the book of Esther start in a garden? What does Vashti’s rebellion remind us of? Why is this important for understanding our own need for grace? Wednesday—What are some ways that Mordecai is meant to prefigure Jesus in this book? Is Mordecai the only Christ-figure in the Old Testament? Who are some others and how to they prefigure Jesus? Thursday—Why didn’t history end when Jesus rose from the grave? What is God doing while he awaits the Last Day? How are we called to participate in that? Friday—Why is it called the book of “Esther” and not “Mordecai”? For whom was it written and why? What encouragement are you meant to take away from it?

The Promise and Birth of the Son (vv. 8-17)

The Loss and Unbearable Sorrow (vv. 18-28)

Resurrection and Joy (vv. 29-37)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you ever experienced real loss? Did it make you wonder if it was worth it to love in the first place? Is there any such thing as love in a fallen world without heartache?

Tuesday—Why didn’t the Shunamite woman ask for a child when Elisha asked how he could bless her? Have you ever been afraid to ask for a blessing for fear of losing it?

Wednesday—How must that mother have felt the day her son grew ill and died? How must Mary have felt watching Jesus die on the cross? How should we all feel when we read about the death of Jesus?

Thursday—Why does the Bible have stories like this in it? Why did God make sure to repeat this pattern throughout the Old Testament in the lives of his people?

Friday—Why can death never have the final word for God’s people? What awaits us on the Last Day? Who awaits us on the Last Day?

Purim (vv. 16-32)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-10)

“That These Days Should Be Remembered” (vv. 27-28)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What are some Old Testament feasts? Why did God require his people to observe them each year?

Tuesday—What was the feast of Purim? Why did Mordecai establish it and obligate all Jews to observe it each year?

Wednesday—What is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? (Revelation 19:1-10) When we will it be?

Thursday—Why did the Jews name their feast “Purim”? How does that relate to Revelation 19 calling it the Marriage Supper of the “Lamb” (and not the “Lion”)?

Friday—What is the Lord’s Supper meant to “remind” you of? How is that meant to be a comfort to you, especially when life is at its hardest?

The Gathering (vv. 1-4; Genesis 11; Revelation 16:1-21; 20:7-15)

Two Seeds (vv. 5-12)

Eternity (vv. 13-19)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What happened at the Tower of Babel? (Genesis 11) What were they trying to accomplish? Why did God confuse their languages as an act of judgment?

Tuesday—What were the people afraid of—the Jews or Mordecai? (vv. 2-3) What is our confidence on the Last Day—our strength or Jesus’? Read Zechariah 4:6-7. How should that be a comfort to you?

Wednesday—Why is the world really only divided into two groups? What are they? To which do you belong?

Thursday—What awaits those who reject Jesus’ offer of mercy and grace in eternity? Why does God tell us that before it comes? What is the most loving thing we can do for those who have not yet come to faith in Jesus?

Friday—What awaits those who have placed their faith in Jesus in eternity? How can that comfort you and give you endurance as you await the Last Day?

The Questions and Pleas of the Oppressed (9:13-10:15)

The Confidence of the Oppressed (9:1-12; 10:16-18)

The King of the Oppressed (Psalm 10:1; Matthew 27:46)