December 30, 2018

Readings for this week:

30 December             Malachi 1-2/Psalms 149-150                     

31 December             Malachi 3-4/Revelation 22            

           

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Which prophet tells us that a messenger will be sent to prepare the way before the appearance of the Lord?

Last week's answers:

• The Gospel of John quotes the words, "They look on the one whom they have pierced," at the crucifixion of Jesus. From which prophet does John take the quotation? (Zechariah 12:10)
• Why will there be no temple in the New Jerusalem? (Because the Lord God and the Lamb will themselves function as the temple, the place where God and human beings meet—Revelation 21-22)

December 23, 2018

Readings for this week:

23 December             Zechariah 1-2/Psalms 146-147                  

24 December             Zechariah 3-4/Revelation 17                    

25 December             Zechariah 5-6/Revelation 18                    

26 December             Zechariah 7-8 /Revelation 19                   

27 December             Zechariah 9-10/Psalm 148 

28 December             Zechariah 11-12/Revelation 20    

29 December             Zechariah 13-14/Revelation 21    

Things to look for as you read this week:

• The Gospel of John quotes the words, "They look on the one whom they have pierced," at the crucifixion of Jesus. From which prophet does John take the quotation?
• Why will there be no temple in the New Jerusalem?

Last week's answers:

• In what chapter of which book is the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem foretold? (Micah 5)
• In Micah we read that what God considers good—what the Lord requires of us—is essentially three things. What are they? (To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God—Micah 6:8)
• According to Revelation, the "mark of the beast" is a name, represented as a number, which people will be forced to bear if they hope to participate in trade and commerce. What is the number? (666—Revelation13:18)

December 16, 2018

Readings for this week:

16 December             Micah 1-3/Psalm 144                      

17 December             Micah 4-5/Revelation 12               

18 December             Micah 6-7/Revelation 13               

19 December             Nahum 1-3 /Revelation 14            

20 December             Habakkuk 1-3/Psalm 145   

21 December             Zephaniah 1-3/Revelation 15       

22 December             Haggai 1-2/Revelation 16

  

Things to look for as you read this week:

• In what chapter of which book is the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem foretold?
• In Micah we read that what God considers good—what the Lord requires of us—is essentially three things. What are they?
• According to Revelation, the "mark of the beast" is a name, represented as a number, which people will be forced to bear if they hope to participate in trade and commerce. What is the number?

Last week's answers:

• In Amos, God says that He wants nothing to do with Israel's festivals, assemblies, offerings, and worship because the people are lacking two highly important things. What are they? (Justice and righteousness—Amos 5:21-24)

• What does John see when the Lamb opens the seventh seal? (Seven angels with seven trumpets standing before God—Revelation 8:1-2)

December 9, 2018

Readings for this week:

09 December             Amos 3-4/Psalms 140-141              

10 December             Amos 5-6/Revelation 7                  

11 December             Amos 7-8/Revelation 8                  

12 December             Amos 9 /Revelation 9                     

13 December             Obadiah 1/Psalms 142-143           

14 December             Jonah 1-2/Revelation 10    

15 December             Jonah 3-4/Revelation 11    

Things to look for as you read this week:

• In Amos, God says that He wants nothing to do with Israel's festivals, assemblies, offerings, and worship because the people are lacking two highly important things. What are they?
• What does John see when the Lamb opens the seventh seal?

Last week's answers:

• Which psalm affirms that the Lord knows all about us, wherever we are?

(Psalm 139)

• When John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals, what is he told? (He is told not to weep, because Jesus Christ can open the scroll.—Revelation 5:5)
  
  

December 2, 2018

Readings for this week:

02 December             Hosea 7-8/Psalms 137-138            

03 December             Hosea 9-10/Revelation 2               

04 December             Hosea 11-12/Revelation 3             

05 December             Hosea 13-14 /Revelation 4            

06 December             Joel 1-2/Psalm 139  

07 December             Joel 3/Revelation 5

08 December             Amos 1-2/Revelation 6      

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Which psalm affirms that the Lord knows all about us, wherever we are?

• When John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals, what is he told?
  
  

Last week's answers:

• Why does Nebuchadnezzar have Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace? (They refuse to worship an idolatrous image.—Daniel 3:13-23)
• Whose brother is Jude? (Jude calls himself the "brother of James," which is probably a reference to the James who was the brother of Jesus.—Jude 1:1; see also Matthew 13:55)
• Where was John when he received the message of Revelation? (On the island of Patmos—Revelation 1:9)

November 25, 2018

Readings for this week:

25 November             Daniel 1-3/Psalms 132-134                       

26 November             Daniel 4-5/I John 5             

27 November             Daniel 6-7/2 John 1            

28 November             Daniel 8-9 /3 John 1                       

29 November             Daniel 10-12/Psalms 135-136       

30 November             Hosea 1-2/Jude       

01 December             Hosea 3-6/Revelation 1     

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Why does Nebuchadnezzar have Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace?
• Whose brother is Jude?
• Where was John when he received the message of Revelation?

Last week's answers:

• According to I John, anyone who hates his brother can be compared to what Old Testament character? (Cain, whose hatred led to murder—I John 3:11-15)
• In Ezekiel's vision of a new temple and new city of Jerusalem, what does he say the city will be called? ("The Lord is There"—Ezekiel 48:35)

November 18, 2018

Readings for this week:

18 November             Ezekiel 36-37/Psalms 126-128                   

19 November             Ezekiel 38-39/2 Peter 3                   

20 November             Ezekiel 40-41/I John 1                    

21 November             Ezekiel 42-43 /I John 2                   

22 November             Ezekiel 44-45/Psalms 129-131       

23 November             Ezekiel 46-47/I John 3        

24 November             Ezekiel 48/I John 4  

Things to look for as you read this week:

• According to I John, anyone who hates his brother can be compared to what Old Testament character?
• In Ezekiel's vision of a new temple and new city of Jerusalem, what does he say the city will be called?

Last week's answers:

• To what does Peter compare the elders in the church? (Shepherds—

I Peter 5:1-5)

• Through Ezekiel, God promises to rescue Israel from the "false shepherds" (kings, prophets, priests) who have not cared for the flock. How will this rescue be accomplished? ("I will bring them out…"—Ezekiel 34:14; "I will tend them…" Ezekiel 34:14; "I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them…"—Ezekiel 34:23)

November 11, 2018

Readings for this week:

11 November             Ezekiel 22-23/Psalms 120-122                   

12 November             Ezekiel 24-25/I Peter 3                   

13 November             Ezekiel 26-27/I Peter 4                   

14 November             Ezekiel 28-29 /I Peter 5                  

15 November             Ezekiel 30-31/Psalms 123-125       

16 November             Ezekiel 32-33/2 Peter 1       

17 November             Ezekiel 34-35/2 Peter 2       

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• To what does Peter compare the elders in the church?
• Through Ezekiel, God promises to rescue Israel from the "false shepherds" (kings, prophets, priests) who have not cared for the flock. How will this rescue be accomplished?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• Which writer recommends that our long-range planning should keep in mind the saying, "If the Lord wishes"? (James—James 4:15)
• Which two Old Testament people does James mention as examples of patient endurance and effective prayer? (Job and Elijah—James 5:11, 17)

November 4, 2018

Readings for this week:

04 November             Ezekiel 8-9/Psalm 119:121-144                  

05 November             Ezekiel 10-11/James 3                    

06 November             Ezekiel 12-13/James 4                    

07 November             Ezekiel 14-15 /James 5                   

08 November             Ezekiel 16-17/Psalm 119:145-176  

09 November             Ezekiel 18-19/I Peter 1       

10 November             Ezekiel 20-21/I Peter 2       

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Which writer recommends that our long-range planning should keep in mind the saying, "If the Lord wishes"?
• Which two Old Testament people does James mention as examples of patient endurance and effective prayer?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• One of the Scriptures cited in Handel's Messiah is "Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow." What is the Scripture reference? (Lamentations 1:12)
• Who helps Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus? (Nicodemus—John 19:39)
• What does "doubting Thomas" call Jesus when he sees Him after the resurrection? ("My Lord and my God!"—John 20:28)
• What two Old Testament figures does James point to as he insists that works must accompany faith? (Abraham and Rahab—James 2:21-25)

October 28, 2018

Readings for this week:

28 October                 Jeremiah 51-52/Psalm 119:73-96              

29 October                 Lamentations 1-2/John 19             

30 October                 Lamentations 3-5/John 20             

31 October                 Ezekiel 1 /John 21               

01 November             Ezekiel 2-3/Psalm 119:97-120        

02 November             Ezekiel 4-5/James 1

03 November             Ezekiel 6-7/James 2

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• One of the Scriptures cited in Handel's Messiah is "Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow." What is the Scripture reference?
• Who helps Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus?
• What does "doubting Thomas" call Jesus when he sees Him after the resurrection?
• What two Old Testament figures does James point to as he insists that works must accompany faith?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• When Jeremiah sent God's message to King Jehoiakim, what did the king do? (He cut the words from the scroll, bit by bit, and threw them into the fire.—
  
  Jeremiah 36:22-23)
• After Judah is taken into captivity in Babylon, Jeremiah preaches to the remnant who plans to flee to Egypt. What is their response? (They refuse to listen.—Jeremiah 43:4)
• In the book of John, Jesus makes seven "I AM" statements. Which one is most meaningful to you? (Personal response)
  
  The seven statements are:

• I AM the Bread of Life—John 6:35
• I AM the Light of the World—John 8:12
• I AM the Door—John 10:9
• I AM the Good Shepherd—John 10:11
• I AM the Resurrection and the Life—John 11:25-26
• I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life—John 14:6
• I AM the Vine—John 15:5
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

October 21, 2018

Readings for this week:

21 October                 Jeremiah 36-37/Psalm 119:25-48              

22 October                 Jeremiah 38-39/John 14                 

23 October                 Jeremiah 40-41/John 15                 

24 October                 Jeremiah 42-43 /John 16                

25 October                 Jeremiah 44-46/Psalm 119:49-72  

26 October                 Jeremiah 47-48/John 17     

27 October                 Jeremiah 49-50/John 18     

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• When Jeremiah sent God's message to King Jehoiakim, what did the king do?
• After Judah is taken into captivity in Babylon, Jeremiah preaches to the remnant who plans to flee to Egypt. What is their response?
• In the book of John, Jesus makes seven "I AM" statements. Which one is most meaningful to you?
  
   Last week's answers:

• A major problem in Israel was discerning which "prophets" were truly bringing God's word. Which prophet disagrees with Jeremiah's prophecies about Nebuchadnezzar? (Hananiah, the prophet from Gibeon—Jeremiah 28)
• To whom does Jesus say," I am the resurrection and the life"?
  (Martha—John 11:25)
• Who comes to Philip saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus"?
  (Some Greeks—John 12:21)
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

October 14, 2018

Readings for this week:

14 October                 Jeremiah21-22/Psalms 117-118                

15 October                 Jeremiah 23-24/John 9                   

16 October                 Jeremiah 25-26/John 10                 

17 October                 Jeremiah 27-28 /John 11                

18 October                 Jeremiah 29-31/Psalm 119:1-24    

19 October                 Jeremiah 32-33/John 12     

20 October                 Jeremiah 34-35/John 13     

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• A major problem in Israel was discerning which "prophets" were truly bringing God's word. Which prophet disagrees with Jeremiah's prophecies about Nebuchadnezzar?
• To whom does Jesus say," I am the resurrection and the life"?
• Who comes to Philip saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus"?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• When Jesus says that the temple has become a den of thieves, what prophet is He quoting? (Jeremiah—Jeremiah 7:11)
• In connection with what miracle performed before a multitude does Jesus say, "I am the bread of life"? (The feeding of the five thousand—John 6:35, 48)
• Who seeks to protect Jesus by pointing out that a person should not be judged without a hearing? (Nicodemus—John 7:51)
• Angered by Jeremiah's prophecies, what does the priest Pashhur do to him? (Pashhur beats Jeremiah and puts him in stocks.—Jeremiah 20:2)
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

October 7, 2018

Readings for this week:

07 October                 Jeremiah7-8/Psalms 114-115                    

08 October                 Jeremiah 9-10/John 4                     

09 October                 Jeremiah 11-12/John 5                   

10 October                 Jeremiah 13-14 /John 6                  

11 October                 Jeremiah 15-16/Psalm 116

12 October                 Jeremiah 17-18/John 7       

13 October                 Jeremiah 19-20/John 8       

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• When Jesus says that the temple has become a den of thieves, what prophet is He quoting?
• In connection with what miracle performed before a multitude does Jesus say, "I am the bread of life"?
• Who seeks to protect Jesus by pointing out that a person should not be judged without a hearing?
• Angered by Jeremiah's prophecies, what does the priest Pashhur do to him?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• Like Proverbs, what does Psalm 111 say is the beginning of wisdom? ("The fear of the Lord"—Psalm 111:10)
• Where do you find the well-loved verse "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"? (Hebrews 13:8)
• Who asks, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (Nathanael—John 1:46)
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

September 30, 2018

Readings for this week:

30 September                       Isaiah 59-60/Psalms 110-111                    

01 October                 Isaiah 61-62/Hebrews 12              

02 October                 Isaiah 63-64/Hebrews 13              

03 October                 Isaiah 65-66/John 1            

04 October                 Jeremiah 1-2/Psalms 112-113       

05 October                 Jeremiah 3-4/John 2           

06 October                 Jeremiah 5-6/John 3           

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Like Proverbs, what does Psalm 111 say is the beginning of wisdom?
• Where do you find the well-loved verse "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"?
• Who asks, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• Hebrews tells us that Jesus is a priest along the lines of what mysterious Old Testament figure from the time of Abraham? (Melchizedek—Hebrews 6 and 7)
• In Isaiah, God's Word is likened to rain and snow. Why? (His Word achieves the purpose for which He sent it, just as the rain and snow water the earth and its crops.—Isaiah 55:10-11)
• According to Hebrews, what cannot possibly take away sin? (The blood of sacrificial bulls and goats—Hebrews 10:4)
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

September 23, 2018

Readings for this week:

23 September                       Isaiah 45-46/Psalm 107                 

24 September                       Isaiah 47-48/Hebrews 7                

25 September                       Isaiah 49-50/Hebrews 8                

26 September                       Isaiah 51-52/Hebrews 9                

27 September                       Isaiah 53-54/Psalms 108-109        

28 September                       Isaiah 55-56/Hebrews 10  

29 September                       Isaiah 57-58/Hebrews 11  

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Hebrews tells us that Jesus is a priest along the lines of what mysterious Old Testament figure from the time of Abraham?
• In Isaiah, God's Word is likened to rain and snow. Why?
• According to Hebrews, what cannot possibly take away sin?
  
   
  
  Last week's answers:

• According to Hebrews, how has Jesus as a high priest been made like believers in every way? (He suffered and was tested.—Hebrews 2:18)
• Who prays for deliverance from Sennacherib because this seemingly invincible Assyrian king has mocked the living God? (King Hezekiah—Isaiah 37:17)
• According to a prophecy of Isaiah, what Persian king does God call "my shepherd?" (Cyrus—Isaiah 44:28)
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   

September 16, 2018

Readings for this week:

16 September                       Isaiah 31-32/Psalm 105                 

17 September                       Isaiah 33-34/Hebrews 2                

18 September                       Isaiah 35-36/Hebrews 3                

19 September                       Isaiah 37-38/Hebrews 4                

20 September                       Isaiah 39-40/Psalm 106     

21 September                       Isaiah 41-42/Hebrews 5    

22 September                       Isaiah 43-44/Hebrews 6    

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• According to Hebrews, how has Jesus as a high priest been made like believers in every way?
• Who prays for deliverance from Sennacherib because this seemingly invincible Assyrian king has mocked the living God?
• According to a prophecy of Isaiah, what Persian king does God call "my shepherd?"

 

Last week's answers:

• Where was Titus when Paul wrote to him? (On the island of Crete—Titus 1:5)
• How long will the psalmist sing praises to the Lord? (As long as he lives—
  
  Psalm 104:33)
• What was the name of Philemon's runaway slave who had become one of Paul's helpers? (Onesimus—Philemon 10)
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 9, 2018

Readings for this week:

09 September                       Isaiah 15-16/Psalm 103                 

10 September                       Isaiah 17-20/Titus 1                       

11 September                       Isaiah 21-22/Titus 2                       

12 September                       Isaiah 23-24/Titus 3                       

13 September                       Isaiah 25-26/Psalm 104     

14 September                       Isaiah 27-28/Philemon      

15 September                       Isaiah 29-30/Hebrews 1    

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Where was Titus when Paul wrote to him?
• How long will the psalmist sing praises to the Lord?
• What was the name of Philemon's runaway slave who had become one of Paul's helpers?

 

Last week's answers:

• Isaiah complains that the people of Judah are not even as wise as an ox. Why? (Because an ox, at least, knows to whom it belongs—Isaiah 1:3)
• According to Paul, what is the root of all kinds of evil? (The love of money—
  I Timothy 6:10)
• Why is Timothy's grandmother Lois important? (She handed down her faith to Timothy's mother, who handed it down to him.—2 Timothy 1:5)
  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2, 2018

Readings for this week:

02 September                       Song of Solomon 7-8/Psalms 99-101                   

03 September                       Isaiah 1-2/I Timothy 6                    

04 September                       Isaiah 3-5/2 Timothy 1                   

05 September                       Isaiah 6-7/2 Timothy 2                   

06 September                       Isaiah 8-9/Psalm 102         

07 September                       Isaiah 10-12/2 Timothy 3   

08 September                       Isaiah 13-14/2 Timothy 4   

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Isaiah complains that the people of Judah are not even as wise as an ox. Why?
• According to Paul, what is the root of all kinds of evil?
• Why is Timothy's grandmother Lois important?

 

Last week's answers:

• Paul cherished a deep affection for Timothy. How does Paul describe his relationship to him? (Paul looks at Timothy as his child.—I Timothy 1:2, 18)
• When all is said and done, what is the basic thing that people should do, according to Ecclesiastes? (Fear God and keep His commandments—Ecclesiastes 12:13)
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 26, 2018

Readings for this week:

26 August                   Ecclesiastes 6-7/Psalms 95-96                 

27 August                   Ecclesiastes 8-9/I Timothy 1                     

28 August                   Ecclesiastes 10-11/I Timothy 2                 

29 August                   Ecclesiastes 12/I Timothy 3                      

30 August                   Song of Solomon 1-2/Psalms 97-98         

31 August                   Song of Solomon 3-4/I Timothy 4 

01 September            Song of Solomon 5-6/I Timothy 5 

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Paul cherished a deep affection for Timothy. How does Paul describe his relationship to him?
• When all is said and done, what is the basic thing that people should do, according to Ecclesiastes?

 

Last week's answers:

• Proverbs mentions four things that are small, but wise. What are they? (Ants, badgers, locusts, and lizards—Proverbs 30:24-28)
• How does Paul encourage the Thessalonians who are concerned about their loved ones who have died? (Paul tells them that their loved ones, dead in Christ, will rise to meet Him and will be with the Lord forever.—I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 19, 2018

Readings for this week:

19 August       Proverbs 23-24/Psalms 92-93                    

20 August       Proverbs 25-26/I Thessalonians 4                       

21 August       Proverbs 27-28/I Thessalonians 5                       

22 August       Proverbs 29-30/2 Thessalonians 1                       

23 August       Proverbs 31/Psalm 94         

24 August       Ecclesiastes 1-3/2 Thessalonians 2        

25 August       Ecclesiastes 4-5/2 Thessalonians 3        

 

Things to look for as you read this week:

• Proverbs mentions four things that are small, but wise. What are they?
• How does Paul encourage the Thessalonians who are concerned about their loved ones who have died?

 

Last week's answers:

• What was Luke's occupation? (Physician—Colossians 4:14)
• What psalm does the devil quote in tempting Jesus to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple? (Psalm 91—Matthew 4:6)
• Whom did Paul send to Thessalonica to find out how the church he had founded was faring? (Timothy—I Thessalonians 3:2)