What storm has struck in your life? If you are God’s child through faith in Jesus Christ, He promises you and me five things.
Read Mark 6:45-52
I. YOU HAVE HIS PURPOSE Mark 6:45
- Give a phrase from v.45 that proves the disciples were in God’s will when the storm struck.
- From the following verses, list other storms that swept across the lives of those Jesus loved, who were also in God’s will: John 11:1-3; Acts 4:1-3, 7:55-60, 14:19-20, 16:22-24; 27:1-44; Revelation 1:9.
- Since storms come into the lives of everyone, what unique promise is given to those who belong to God by faith in Jesus Christ when they experience storms? See Romans 8:28.
- Would you ask God to give you a glimpse of the purpose for which He has allowed the storm to sweep through your life?
II. YOU HAVE HIS PRAYERS Mark 6:46
- What do you think Jesus was praying about in v.46? See John 6:14-15 for help with your answer.
- How is this same attitude a concern for prayer today?
- Who do you think Jesus was praying for?
- Give phrases from John 17 that reveal how Jesus prays for you and me, especially when we are in the midst of a storm.
- What does Hebrews 7:25 say about His prayers for you?
- Put into your own words what it means to you to know that Jesus is praying for you…now…while you are in the midst of your storm. Would you thank Jesus today for His prayers?
III. YOU HAVE HIS PRESENCE Mark 6:47-48
- After prayer, what did Jesus do?
- Give phrases from Mark 6:47-48; John 9:1; John 9:35; and John 11:33-35 that reveal Jesus is not indifferent to our storms. If these passages reveal Jesus is not indifferent to our storms, why do you think He is indifferent to yours?
- Which of the following promises is most encouraging to you, and why? Exodus 33:14; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-2; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5.
- Spend a few moments in quiet reflection on these promises until deep within your spirit you are reassured of His presence with you.
IV. YOU HAVE HIS PEACE Mark 6:49-50
- What did the disciples have to do before they could experience His peace? See verse 49 and John 6:21.
- Why do you think Jesus was “about to pass them by?” Relate this to Ezekiel 36:37 KJV and John 14:13-14.
- What do you have to do in order to experience His presence and His peace in the midst of your storm? Compare Hosea 7:14 with Psalm 18:3-19.
- Have you called out to the Lord? If not, what are you waiting for?
- What do the following verses tell us about peace in the midst of the storm? Luke 24:36-39; John 14:27; 16:33; 20:19-20; Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:6-7.
- Describe an experience in your own life of supernatural peace in the midst of a storm.
V. YOU HAVE HIS POWER Mark 6:51-52
- From the following verses, how was the power of Christ revealed on the lake in Mark 6:51 & Luke 8:23-24? on the mountain in Mark 9: 2-7? in the valley in Mark 9:14-27? on land in John 9:1-7? at the tomb in John 11:38-44? at the end of human history in Revelation 19:11-21?
- Is this same power available to you and me today? See Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Timothy 1:7.
- Would you pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18-21 for yourself?
Storms can be sudden, fierce, ongoing until they seem to suck the life out of us. We can become so preoccupied with storms, we are paralyzed by fear. Yet storms can be like God’s megaphone, getting our attention so we listen to what He has to say. Remember…God speaks through storms. Make sure you listen to what He has to say.
This Bible study has been adapted from one entitled, Five Things A Storm Can’t Destroy, published in Into the Word by Anne Graham Lotz, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2010, page 65-69. Used by permission.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2016 Newsletter.
Read More
It’s been said that if you have all Word and no prayer, you dry up. And if you have all prayer, and no Word, you flare up. But if you have prayer and the Word, you grow up!
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
- On whom is Paul’s confidence in prayer based?
- Relate this confidence to that of Daniel in Daniel 9:4.
- What personal experience does Paul refer to that undergirds his confidence?
- How does Paul’s confidence affect the way he prays for others?
- How is this similar also to Daniel 9:4; 9:9; 9:15a?
- How is the Word and prayer combined in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17?
- Pray these two verses now for yourself, or for someone you love. Put your name—or theirs—in the verses to make them more personal.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2016 Newsletter.
Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.
Read More
Read Psalm 18:1-19
I. CENTER ON HIS PERSON Psalm 18:1-3
- On whom is the Psalmist focused as he begins his prayer? 18:1
- What phrase indicates the Psalmist’s relationship with God was more than just a religion? 18:1; Matthew 22:37-38
- List ten different characteristics the Psalmist attributes to God in 18:1-3.
- Match each characteristic with one of the following verses: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Ephesians 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 Peter 2:4-6; Psalm 59:16-17; 91:1-2; Psalm 40:17; 144:2; Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Samuel 22:31; Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33: 29; Psalm 62:1; 118:21; Matthew 1:20-21; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 27:1; John 20:24-29; Romans 10:9; Psalm 145:3; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25
- Which attribute and/or verse is most meaningful to you? Why?
- On what or whom are you focused when you pray? Would you center down on who God is as you begin your prayer?
II. CRY OUT FOR HIS PITY Psalm 18:4-6
- In what desperate situation did the Psalmist find himself? 18:4-5
- What could be a more desperate situation then facing certain death?
- What desperate situation are you facing?
- What did the Psalmist do that you and I need to do also? 2 Chronicles 32:20; Psalm 22:4-5; 107:4-6
- How did God respond? Psalm 72:12-14
- Describe the desperate situations in the following passages, and the outcomes: Deuteronomy 26:5-8; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Jeremiah 29:10-14; Matthew 14:22-33.
- In your own words, describe a time when in desperation you cried out to God, and He answered.
- What is your heart’s cry now? Would you voice it in prayer to God?
III. CONFIDENT OF HIS POWER Psalm 18:7-19
- Give phrases from 18:7-15 that poetically describe the power of Heaven’s movement in response to the Psalmist’s cry.
- What phrase in Habakkuk’s cry in Habakkuk 3:2 also expressed confidence in God’s power?
- How was Heaven moved for both the Psalmist and Habakkuk? Psalm 18:16-19; Habakkuk 3:3-10
- How does confident knowledge of God’s power give encouragement and strength to His people? Isaiah 40:21-31
Would you adjust your focus when you pray by centering down on God’s person? Then cry out for His pity, confident of His power. Try it now…
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2016 Newsletter.
Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.
Read More
Read Daniel 9:20-23
- When was Daniel’s prayer answered? Give the verses and phrase.
- What was Daniel doing when he received the answer to his prayer?
- Apply Psalm 66:18 to one reason Daniel’s prayer was answered while often our prayers are not.
- What do you need to do to make your prayers more effective? Psalm 24:3-6
- What is Heaven’s opinion of those who pray with a clean heart on behalf of themselves, others, and their nation?
- What will you do to rise in Heaven’s estimation?
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2016 Newsletter.
Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.
Read More
All blessing comes from God. God has blessed you and me, as He did Abraham, so that we can be a blessing to others. We receive it from Him, then become a channel of His blessing to others. They, in turn, bless God with their praise and thanksgiving. The blessing that came from God is returned to God, who blesses even more. So…in being blessing-bearers, we are therefore blessed.
Read Numbers 6:24-26
I. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE FATHER Numbers 6:24
- What two things are revealed about God the Father in this verse?
- How are these two characteristics reflected in God’s title given in Psalm 80:1 and described in more detail in Psalm 23?
- List the things the Shepherd does for His sheep in Psalm 23. Which is most meaningful to you?
- Give phrases with verses that emphasize God’s determination to keep His children: Psalm 91:1-16; Psalm 121:1-8; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:38-39
- How does God’s determination to keep you give you comfort and security?
- List as many blessings as you can from Ephesians 1:3-14 that come from God the Father.
- What five blessings from this list are most meaningful to you? Thank Him for them.
- When has God kept you…from the enemy? From danger? From temptation? What else has He kept you from? Thank Him now.
II. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE SON Numbers 6:25
- What two characteristics of God the Son are revealed in this verse?
- What did Jesus Christ claim in John 14:9?
- Give phrases that use these characteristics to describe Jesus Christ as God the Son in John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 1:14-17
- Since Jesus put a “face” on God the Father, how would you describe the Father to a friend?
- What is there about Jesus that makes you love God the Father more?
III. THE BLESSING OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT Numbers 6:26
- What two characteristics of God the Spirit are revealed in this verse?
- How does the Spirit turn God’s face towards us? John 14:15-17; 16:13-15; Romans 5:1-5; John 14:26
- Where does real peace come from and how do you experience it? Isaiah 48:17-18; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 8:6; 14:17; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18
- In what area of your life do you lack peace? Would you ask God to reveal to you why? Then surrender everything to the control of God the Holy Spirit, opening your heart to His river of peace that passes all understanding.
Today, pray Numbers 6:24-26 over someone—out loud, in their hearing. Bless them in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Then take a few moments to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God from whom all blessings flow.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2015 Newsletter.
Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.
Read More
