Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge week 28

Old Testament 150 Reading Challenge 5 May 2014 to 28th November 2014 Week 28: 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, November 10 , 2014 --- Isaiah 9 --- ‘…to us a child is born…and the government will be on His shoulders’

-        V6-7, These verses come within a passage which sometimes appears to be prophesying the birth of Jesus, and at other times appears to be looking ahead to His future reign at His second coming. This is known as ‘dual referencing’, but do passages like these help us to understand how some of the Jewish leaders around during Jesus’ time were confused as to whether He really was the Messiah or not?...Is it understandable that some were looking for Him to be their Saviour from sin, whilst others were looking for Him to be a ruler and King? 

Tuesday, November 11 , 2014 --- Isaiah 35 --- The joy of the redeemed and the Way of Holiness

-        At what point in time do you think Isaiah is writing about?

-        V8-9, Why do you think that only the ‘redeemed’ can walk on the ‘Way of Holiness’?

-        V9-10, How can we ensure that we are among the ‘redeemed, and ‘rescued’? 

Wednesday, November 12 , 2014 --- Isaiah 40 --- ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’

-        V3-5, a bit more ‘dual referencing’, between the 1 ^st and 2^nd coming of Christ. If these words are prophetic of the ministry of John the Baptist, then is it possible that there may be many more Scripture references within the Old Testament prophets which we are yet to understand how they have been (or will be) fulfilled?

-        How can you help ‘prepare the way for the Lord’ in your environment/context?

-        V6-8, What do these verses teach us about ourselves?...what do they teach us about the Bible?

-        V14, do we sometimes get beyond ourselves and end up telling God what would be best, instead of relying on His perfect will?

-        V28-31, How can these verses be of use to you, or passed on to someone you know to help them? 

Thursday, November 13 , 2014 --- Isaiah 52 --- ‘Our God reigns!’

-        V7, How can you bring good news and proclaim salvation to your community?

-        V13-15, Who is this talking about? 

Friday, November 14 , 2014 --- Isaiah 53 --- ‘A prophecy of the suffering Messiah’

-        When you read this chapter through, is there any doubt that it is a prophecy about Jesus?

-        Find out how many years before Jesus’ crucifixion this prophecy was written.

-        How might this prophecy be used to help us believe in the Bible, to share its message with confidence, and be sure that it is far more than just another ‘holy book’?

-        V4-5, Why did Jesus have to take the punishment for our sin?...Couldn’t God have just simply forgiven us without such a sacrifice?...How does God’s perfect justice and eternal judgment fit into this equation?....What does it mean for those who do not accept that Jesus paid the penalty?