Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 12

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 12: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read
150 popular chapters from the Old Testament within 7 months,

reading just 5 chapters per week. 

Monday, July 21, 2014 --- Exodus 06 --- God repeats His promise to the Israelites 

-       V9, does ‘anguish’ sometimes get in the way of our belief in God’s promises? For example, does pain and suffering cause us to doubt God’s care?...Does the evil we see in society cause us to doubt God’s justice?...Does ridicule and mockery cause us to doubt God’s existence?

-       V30, Do our weaknesses cause us to doubt whether God can use us?...or do we use our weaknesses as an excuse not to serve and obey?

-       If faith and trust in God can overcome all these doubts, how would it impact our lives? 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014 --- Exodus 07 --- God provides signs, and the plagues begin 

-       Do you think the signs from God were for Pharaoh’s benefit, for the benefit of Moses so that he would trust in God’s power, for the benefit of the Israelites who would have heard about these miracles, or all of the above?

-       V1, Moses was God’s representative. Do we realise how today, we are the closest that some people have to knowing God? Do we recognise that we represent Him whether we are aware of it or not, and that the idea of there being a God, and what His character is like, is being observed through how we act?

-       V2-5, why do you think this plan to rescue Israel was taking so long? Could God not have set a ‘sign’ to successfully convince Pharaoh the first time? Is this explained by proving that Pharaoh’s had freewill, or is there a bigger perspective which clarifies why the 10 signs were needed and beneficial for the Israelites?

-       V7, is anyone too old to be mightily used by God?

-       V11, 12, & 22, Have we ever considered how the story of the Exodus wasn’t just about the freedom of the Hebrews physically, but also about spiritual warfare against Satan and some powerful adversaries? 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 --- Exodus 08 --- God provides signs, and the plagues begin 

-       V18-19, What impact do you think this might have had on the magicians?...could this be another reason why God’s plan was so elaborate?

-       V22-23, if God can (and did) show such discrimination for those who loved Him…why does He let bad things happen to Christians today?

-       V26-27, clearly Moses was far more persuasive and confident than he had previously given himself credit for!  

Thursday, July 24, 2014 --- Exodus 09 --- God sends the plagues on the livestock, followed by boils and hail  

-       V7, can you imagine how amazing this was?...imagine every animal being effected in your country, except for those in your county/state…AND having it predicted…wouldn’t you have been persuaded?

-       V15-16, we are given the reason why this plan to free the Israelites had been so elaborate…and so is it reasonable to believe that sometimes even today God may use methods for purposes which are beyond our current understanding? 

Friday, July 25, 2014 --- Exodus 10 --- God sends the plagues of locusts, followed by darkness 

-       V1 & 4, If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, then does that mean Pharaoh didn’t have a choice and isn’t to blame?

-       V15, Can you imagine what this would look/feel like?

-       V16, What is the difference between regret, confession of sin, and repentance?

-       V23, Yet again there is no mention of Pharaoh’s magicians being able to duplicate or reverse this miracle. Has anyone ever managed to create darkness (as opposed to creating a shelter from the light)?