Week 9: Bible Study Questions
UNDERSTANDING THE SHAPING & “GREAT THEMES” OF GOD’S WORD
GRACE:
DAILY MERCIES FROM THE HERO IN THE LORD’S STORY
· THE LORD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A “MERCIFUL GOD”
GOD’S WORD: (Deuteronomy 4:29-31, NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Why is this passage important to show that the Lord has always been merciful?
2. How must I seek the Lord if I am to find a relationship with him?
3. No matter how far from the Lord and his way I might go, what is the wonderful promise in this passage?
4. What does it mean to be merciful, for the Lord to be merciful with me?
5. What is the real significance of the name for the very first Passover celebration?
· THE PSALMIST DAVID PERSONALLY UNDERSTOOD THE “LORD’S MERCY”
GOD’S WORD: (Psalm 86:1-7; 108:1-5, NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. When do I feel that David might have felt most poor and needy as he cried out to the Lord?
2. What do I feel I most need to have the Lord guard my life against?
3. Do I feel that I personally qualify as being devoted to the Lord with much confidence?
4. Do I live with confident trust in the Lord to save me every day?
5. What does it mean to cry out for mercy from the Lord?
6. When have I personally found the Lord to be most forgiving and good?
7. When are times when my heart feels like is bursting with praise for the Lord?
· THE LORD’S GREAT MERCY IS “TIED TO HIS COVENANT PROMISES”
GOD’S WORD: (Micah 7:18-20, NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How is the Lord so different from people when it comes to granting forgiveness?
2. What is the difference between a pardon and forgiveness?
3. How comforting is it for me to realize that the Lord delights to show mercy?
4. When have I felt especially covered by the compassion of the Lord?
5. What does it mean to me that the Lord treads my sins underfoot and hurls iniquities into the the sea?
6. Does the Lord forgive in such a complete way because of how his shifting feelings may be from day to day or is it on the basis of his covenant promise which he will honor for all eternity?
· THE LORD’S GREAT MERCY PROVIDES “NEW BIRTH AND NEWS LIFE”
GOD’S WORD: 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7, NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Can I recall times when I was foolish, disobedient and deceived?
2. Have I ever felt enslaved to forbidden passions and pleasures?
3. When are times I may have been guilty of malice, envy and hatred?
4. When did the kindness and love of God first appear to me in a way that it captured my attention?
5. What is the depth of my gratitude for the Lord’s mercy to save me?
6. Have I experienced the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit?
7. Have I personally experience the Lord’s great mercy in pouring out his Holy Spirit upon me?
8. What does it mean for me to be justified by the Lord’s grace and mercy?
9. What does the mercy of the Lord have to do with my experience of the hope of eternal life?
· THE LORD’S MERCY PROVIDES “DAILY AND MOMENT-BY MOMENT FORGIVENESS”
GOD’S WORD: 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 1:5-2:2, NIV)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Does my walking in the light require that I walk perfectly before the Lord?
2. How much of my personal sin and guilt is purified by the blood of Jesus?
3. What is the given condition for my receiving forgiveness and purification from the Lord?
4. What is the mind-set of anyone who claims he has not sinned and still never commits any sin?
5. Who is my defense attorney, the one who never loses a case brought before the judge of the universe?
6. What is the spiritual significance of Jesus’ being the atoning sacrifice for my sins?
· DAILY MERCIES FROM THE LORD ARE ESSENTIAL TO “LIFE AND PEACE IN HIM”
-The Lord has always been merciful to his people in all ages
-Understanding grace and mercy evokes adoration and praise for the Lord
-The Lord’s grace and mercy is tied to his eternal covenant promise in Jesus Christ
-The Lord’s grace and mercy provide the possibility of new birth and new life in the Lord
-The Lord’s mercy covers everyone of my steps while walking with him by faith