Devotional Bible Studies

As we look to Thanksgiving and Christmas, many of us will be with extended family. But those times can also carry undercurrents, can’t they? Because families can have a down side. If there are those in your family who are not Jesus followers, or are deemed not “qualified” to be Jesus followers, consider those in His extended human family. Some of the most poignant examples of God’s love, mercy, and grace are stories highlighted by names of women that appear in the genealogy that begins Matthew’s Gospel—a list of names that make up His Family Tree.

Read Matthew 1:1-17

I. HIS FAMILY INCLUDES THE LOVELESS   Matthew 5:3

• Give the main facts of Tamar’s story from Genesis 38:11-30.
• What evidence is there that she was not loved by her family?
• If you have been unloved by your family, how do the following verses comfort and encourage you? Give phrases from Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 103:17; Lamentations 3:19-24; Isaiah 54:6-8; Isaiah 60:15; Matthew 12:48-50; Ephesians 3:17-19.

II.  HIS FAMILY INCLUDES THE LOST     Matthew 5:5

• Give the main facts of Rahab’s story from Joshua 2:1-24; 6:12-25.
• What evidence of the lost spiritual condition of Rahab’s family is given in Deuteronomy 20:16-18?
• Name those in your family who are spiritually lost. Give phrases from the following verses that encourage you in your prayers for them: John 3:16-17; Ezekiel 34:16; Ephesians 2:1-9; Luke 15:3-7, 8-10; John 10:14-15.

III.  HIS FAMILY INCLUDES THE LAWBREAKER      Matthew 5:6

• Who was Uriah the Hittite? 2 Samuel 23:8a, 39.
• Who was Uriah’s wife? 2 Samuel 11:3
• Give the main facts of her story in 2 Samuel 11:1-27.
• How did Uriah’s wife break God’s law? Exodus 20:14.
• If you, or someone in your family, has been immoral, or in some other way broken God’s law, what instructions and promises do the following verses give? Hosea 14:1-2; John 8:1-11; Psalm 32:1, 4-5; Psalm 103:11-12; 1 John 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
• Who was ultimately revealed at the end of this Family Tree? Matthew 1:16

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, remember His Family Tree. If God could transform the human family of His Son into a testimony of His amazing grace, why do you think He can’t do the same for you and your family?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-2, 4 and 20:1-30

I.  THE BLESSING

• What was the blessing in 2 Chronicles 19:4 that preceded the battle in 20:1?
• What was the blessing in Matthew 3:13-17 that preceded the attack on Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11?
• Skim through John 9. What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the man who had been born blind?
• What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the leaders of the early church? Acts 3:1-26 with Acts 4:1-3
• Looking back on the recent past, what blessing have you experienced that preceded an attack?
• What can we learn from this pattern? Ephesians 6:18

II.  THE BATTLE

• Describe the attack in 2 Chronicles 20:1-2.
• How did Jehoshaphat react?
• On what promise of God did Jehoshaphat base his prayer? Compare 2 Chronicles 20:6-9 with 2 Chronicles 7:13-15
• When have you been attacked physically? Emotionally? Relationally? Spiritually? Mentally?
• How have you reacted?
• Which of the following promises will you claim as the basis for your prayer of faith? Psalm 27:5, 46:1-11, 100:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 8:28, 8:31-39; Hebrews 10:35-39

III.  THE BANNER

• What challenge did Jehoshaphat give to his people? Put 2 Chronicles 20:20 into your own words.
• What unique instructions did Jehoshaphat give and what was the result? 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
• Relate Psalm 60:4 to Jehoshaphat’s strategy against the enemy.
• Who is our Banner? Isaiah 11:10
• When you are under attack, how can you raise the Banner? What will you do to incorporate praise in your strategy to overcome the enemy?
• Fill in the blanks:

I praise the Lord for who He is_________

I praise the Lord for what He has done__________

I praise the Lord for what He will do__________

• Is it possible God is wanting to give you a breakthrough, but is waiting for you to lift up the Banner? Start praising Him now. And keep on praising Him until you have victory.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

I.  DEFINING IT

• Using one or more phrases from each of the following verses, define the gospel: Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, I John 1:9, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• Read Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-36; at the temple in Acts 3:12-26; to the religious leaders in Acts 4:8-12.
  • Give the main points, with verses, that are the same in each sermon.
  • How do these main points define the gospel?
• Give the phrases from Luke 24:1-7 that give these same points.
• In your own words, define the gospel as though telling it to someone who has never heard it.

II.  DECLARING IT

• Why was Paul obligated to declare the Good News of the gospel? Compare Romans 1:14 with I Timothy 1:12-16.
  • To whom did he declare it? Romans 1:16
  • Is anyone excluded from it? John 3:16, Acts 4:12
• What was Paul’s attitude about declaring the gospel? Romans 1:15-16, II Timothy 1:8-12
• What was Peter’s attitude about declaring the gospel? Acts 4:20
• What was the attitude of the early Christians towards declaring the gospel? Give phrases from Acts 4:18-31, 5:40-42.
• How does Paul describe you and me in II Corinthians 5:20?
• What is your attitude towards declaring the gospel? When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? Pray now and ask God to give you the opportunity this week to share the gospel with someone who doesn’t know it – it’s your obligation and privilege!
• As you look for opportunities to share the gospel, what encouragement do you receive from the promises in Luke 21:15? II Thessalonians 2:16-17?

III.  DEFENDING IT

• How does Jude challenge you and me to defend the gospel? Jude 3
• Why does Jude say this defense is necessary? Jude 4, 18
• How does Paul challenge us to defend the gospel in II Timothy 1:13-14?
• What warning do we need to heed in Galatians 1:3-9? What are some “other gospels” being preached today?
• What do we need to do personally in order to be strong defensively as we share the gospel according to Ephesians 6:10-18? Who is our adversary? See Ephesians 6:12.

In a pluralistic, politically correct, inclusive, tolerant society, what will you do to define, declare, and defend the Good News of the gospel?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

• In Mark 10:14, how did Jesus react to those who kept children from Him? What was His command?
• What was His warning?
• Why do you think Jesus reacted as He did?
• What had He just made clear about His care for children? Mark 9:36-37; Matthew 18:14
• What clear warning to adults did Jesus give regarding children in Matthew 18:6?
• What indication did Jesus give that He places a high value on children? Psalm 127:3; Matthew 18:1-4, 10, 14
• What promises did He give to those who care for children? Matthew 10:42, 18:5
• List at least three things you can do for children to let them know that God loves and cares for them. Would you do those things? Remember, He said if you do this for them, you are doing it for Him.

Please. Tell children that Jesus loves them! Then invite them to trust Him so Heaven can be their Home, too.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

Read Hebrews 11:1-22

• How many times does it say that those listed were commended by God, and why were they? Give phrases with verse numbers.
• Why do you think Abel was singled out for commendation? Compare Hebrews 11:4 with Genesis 4:1-8 and Hebrews 9:22.
• Apply this to yourself. Ephesians 1:7-8
• What was unique about Enoch in Hebrews 11:5-6?
• When and why do you think Enoch began walking with God? Genesis 5:21-22
• What do you think it means to walk with God? Give phrases from Ephesians 4:1-3 and Colossians 1:9-12.
• How would your walk with God be described?
• Why was Noah singled out for Heaven’s applause? Hebrews 11:7
• Describe Noah’s walk with God in Genesis 6:1-9.
• Using your imagination, how difficult would Noah’s work have been? Genesis 6:11-7:5
• What work are you doing for God?
• Comparing Hebrews 11:8-12 with Genesis 12:1-5, what motivated Abraham to leave everything behind and pursue God in a life of obedient faith?
• What do you want more than anything?
• How did Isaac witness to his children? Hebrews 11:20
• How did Jacob witness to his grandchildren? Hebrews 11:21
• How did Joseph witness to future generations? Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32
• How can you intentionally witness to those who come after you?

Using the example of those in Hebrews 11, what do you need to do to make your faith more contagious?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2021 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.