Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 18

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 18: 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, September 01 , 2014 --- Ruth 3 --- Naomi tries to help Ruth find security  

-        V11, How would all the people of the town have known that Ruth was a virtuous woman? How would the people of your town describe you?

 

-        V12, what was the name of Ruth’s closer relative?  

 

Tuesday, September 02 , 2014 --- Ruth 4 --- Ruth marries Boaz, and gives birth to King David’s grandfather!  

-        V17-22, Studying this genealogy, do you think these final verses are the reason why this story is so important within our Scriptures?

 

-        V22, compare this to the genealogy found in Luke 3. How important were Boaz and Ruth within God’s wider plan? Do you think they recognised this importance at the time? What can this teach us about our place within God’s wider plan?  

Wednesday, September 03 , 2014 --- 1 Samuel 3 --- The Lord calls Samuel  

-        V1, This verse states that the word of the Lord was rare during those days…do you think it is rare today? Compared to what? If someone gave you a ‘word from the Lord’, how would you respond?

-        V7, what do you think this verse means?

-        V10, if the Bible is the Word of God, do we read it with this frame of mind? (“Speak Lord for your servant is listening”)

-        V18, what can we learn from Eli’s reply?

-        V21, how does the Lord reveal His will and character to us today?  

Thursday, September 04 , 2014 --- 1 Samuel 17 --- The story of David and Goliath  

-        This is a very familiar story. As you read through it carefully, is there anything which you had either forgotten or not noticed before?

-        V4-7, can you imagine the size and weight of Goliath, and how intimidating this must be in a world of face-to-face combat?

-        V26, what is the subtle but powerful difference in David’s description of the Israelite army?

-        V37, 46, & 47, Why was David so confident?

-        As David went out and defeated Goliath, it must have been tempting for some to have credited the victory to David’s skill and bravery, rather than to God, as nothing ‘supernatural’ seems to have occurred. We know that God can still perform the miracles of Moses even today, but in what other ways are our lives used by Him? ….and if success or victories are won which do not evidently have God’s input, how can we ensure that we do not take the glory which belongs to Him?...what characteristics did David show within this chapter, which we would do well to nurture within our own lives and relationship with God?  

Friday, September 05 , 2014 --- 1 Kings 17 --- Elijah announces a drought, is fed by ravens, and is shown hospitality by a poor widow.  

-        V1, How popular do you think this proclamation made Elijah? Knowing the effect it would have (even among friends) why do you think Elijah went ahead and made this prophecy? What fears might we have when asked by God to share His message? How can we overcome them?

-        V3, who was Elijah hiding from?

-        V7-24, what do you think this story of Elijah’s stay with the widow is all about? Is it just a historical account? Was it a part of the background which gave Elijah a reputation as a man of God? Would this story have been the basis of his credibility when challenged later on? Was it a balance of good news to counter the fact that he had previously caused a drought? Was this a way of keeping the community reminded that there is a God?