Prayer and Bible Expo

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Study Questions: Romans 1:18-32

Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Rom. 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Rom. 1:26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

Rom. 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Study Questions – Romans 1:18-32

1. What is being revealed from heaven? (1:18) (D) Define the “wrath of God.”

2. List two things against which the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven. (1:18)

(O) Why do you think that people suppress the truth of God?

3. Why is the wrath of God being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness? (1:19)

4. What has been evident since the creation of the world through what has been made? Why does this leave people without excuse for unbelief? (1:20)

5. (A) How have you witnessed God’s invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature in creation? How does this strengthen your faith? What can you not discover about God in creation? What is the only source of special revelation from God?

6. What is the result of people knowing God, but not honoring Him as God or giving thanks? (1:21b) (A) How would having a darkened heart impact a person’s choices and thought processes? What evidence do you see of darkened hearts in the world today?

7. What insight do the following verses offer about unbelieving, darkened hearts?

Exod 7:13

Ps 14:1

Ps 36:1

Ps 53:1

Ps 81:12

Prov 28:14

Prov 29:1

Mark 16:14

John 12:40

Acts 19:9

Rom 9:18

8. What do those with foolish, darkened hearts profess? What do they become? (1:22)

9. What do those with foolish, darkened hearts exchange? What do they worship and serve? (1:23) (A) Who/what do you worship and serve? How do your resources of money, time, gifts…reflect the object of your worship and service?

10. As a result of their failure to honor and give thanks to God, a three-ring downward spiral is indicated by the phrase “God gave them over” in 1:24, 1:26, and 1:28. To what does God give them over?

Rom 1:24

Rom 1:26

Rom 1:28

11. Why does God give them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity so that their bodies would be dishonored among them? (1:24-25)

12. Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (1:26-27):

To what kind of passions does God give them over?

What do women exchange for the natural function?

What do men abandon?

For what does the desire of men burn?

What do men with men commit and receive?

13. (A) How does Rom 1:25-27 contribute to your understanding of homosexuality?

14. Why does God give them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper? (1:28)

15. With what are those filled who did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer? (1:29-31)

16. At the bottom of the downward spiral into depravity, how do they respond to those who practice such things that are worthy of death? (1:32) (A) How does our society respond to the sins listed in Rom 1:24-32? How do you respond? Why?

17. List examples of practices in the world today that are contrary to the nature of God and what He has revealed in the Bible. What does this reveal about society?

18. What do you learn about God in Rom 1:18-32? How could you apply this truth to your life?

Write a prayer response to Rom 1:18-32.

*(A)=Application (C)=Context (D)=Difficult (O)=Opinion (PR)=Principle (P)=Prophecy

Jessica K. Taylor

jessicat@lakepointe.org

Book of Romans Study: Romans 1:1-17

[This video is a discussion of the prescript to the book of Romans in Rom 1:1-17, including a discussion of the Gospel of God as it is promised (1:1-6), preached (1:7-15), and provides the power of God for salvation to all who believe (1:16-17).]

Rom. 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Rom. 1:7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Study Questions: Romans 1:1-17

Study Questions: Romans 1:1-17

Rom. 1:7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Study Questions (Rom 1:1-17):

1. List 3 phrases that describe Paul. (1:1)

What other information is revealed about Paul in the following verses?
Acts 9:1-19

Phil 3:4-6

2. What did God promise beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures? (1:1-2)

3. (P) What do the following Old Testament texts reveal about the gospel of God?

a. Ps 22:1 (cf. Matt 27:46)

b. Ps 69:9 (cf. John 2:17; Rom 15:3)

c. Ps 118:22 (cf. Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11)

d. Isa 28:16 (cf. Rom 9:33; 10:11; 1Pet 2:6)

e. Isa 53:3-5; 10 (Matt 8:17; Rom 4:25; 10:16; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 2:24-25)

f. 2Sam 7:16 (Davidic Covenant) (cf. Rev 22:16)

g. Isa 7:14 (Matt 1:23)

4. About whom does the gospel of God concern? List at least 3 descriptive phrases of God’s Son. (1:3-4)

5. By what was Jesus declared the Son of God with power? (1:4)

6. What does Paul say that he and his companions received? For whose sake was Paul called to bring about obedience of faith among all the Gentiles? (1:5-6)

7. To whom is Paul’s letter addressed? From whom does grace and peace come? (1:7) (A) Define “grace” and “peace”. How has God’s grace and peace been manifested to you?

8. Who does Paul thank for “you all”? Why is he thankful? (1:8)

9. How does Paul serve God? (1:9) (C) What is the gospel? (1 Cor 15:1-4)

10. For what is Paul praying? Why does Paul want to see them? (1:10-12)

11. (A) How could you pray for your spouse? children? spiritual family? What is your attitude and motive towards praying for others?

12. Why does Paul want to see his brethren in Rome? (1:13) (A) Amongst whom are you desiring to sow spiritual seeds? What is your plan to obtain fruit among them? What is preventing you from doing this?

13. To whom is Paul under obligation to preach the gospel? What word describes Paul’s attitude towards his obligation to preach the gospel (1:14-15) (A) What is your attitude towards sharing the gospel?

14. Of what is Paul not ashamed? (1:16) Describe the gospel in your own words.

(cf. 1Cor 15:1-4)

15. How is the gospel’s power described? (1:16)

16. Take a few minutes to memorize Rom 1:16 (theme verse of Romans). Write a prayer response to God, incorporating the truths of this verse.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16).

17. What is revealed in the gospel? By what will the righteous man live? (1:17)
(A) Define “faith”. How can you live by faith?

18. What do you learn about God in Rom 1:1-17? How could you apply this truth to your life?

Write a prayer response to Rom 1:1-1

Friday, January 13, 2017

Book of Romans Study: An Overview

This video provides an overview to the Book of Romans, including a discussion of the author, audience, and its application.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Messiah in Isaiah: Isa 61:1-3 and Luke 4:16-22

Here is an online discussion of Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:16-22:

Click here to download the study questions for Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:16-22

Is. 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

Because the LORD has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Luke 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,

BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.

HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,

AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,

TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”

Luke 4:20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Messiah in Isaiah: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and 1Pet 2:21-25; Acts 8:32-35; Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8; Rom 4:25; Heb 9:28

Here is an online discussion of

Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and 1Pet 2:21-25; Acts 8:32-35; Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8; Rom 4:25; Heb 9:28

Click here to download study questions for Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and 1Pet 2:21-25; Acts 8:32-35; Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8; Rom 4:25; Heb 9:28:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l87xrkccj71krhm/Lesson%205%20%E2%80%93%20Isaiah%2052.13-53.12%20.pdf?dl=0

Is. 52:13 Behold, My servant will prosper,

He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.

14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people,

So His appearance was marred more than any man

And His form more than the sons of men.

15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations,

Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him;

For what had not been told them they will see,

And what they had not heard they will understand.

Is. 53:1 Who has believed our message?

And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,

And like a root out of parched ground;

He has no stately form or majesty

That we should look upon Him,

Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

3 He was despised and forsaken of men,

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

And like one from whom men hide their face

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Is. 53:4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed.

6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,

Each of us has turned to his own way;

But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all

To fall on Him.

Is. 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He did not open His mouth;

Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,

And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,

So He did not open His mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;

And as for His generation, who considered

That He was cut off out of the land of the living

For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

9 His grave was assigned with wicked men,

Yet He was with a rich man in His death,

Because He had done no violence,

Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

Is. 53:10 But the LORD was pleased

To crush Him, putting Him to grief;

If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,

He will see His offspring,

He will prolong His days,

And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

11 As a result of the anguish of His soul,

He will see it and be satisfied;

By His knowledge the Righteous One,

My Servant, will justify the many,

As He will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,

And He will divide the booty with the strong;

Because He poured out Himself to death,

And was numbered with the transgressors;

Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,

And interceded for the transgressors.

1Pet. 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Acts 8:32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

“HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER;

AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT,

SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

33 “IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY;

WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION?

FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH.”

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.

Rev. 5:6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

Rev. 5:12 saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

Rev. 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Rom. 4:25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

Heb. 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Messiah in Isaiah: Isaiah 28:16; Isa 49:1-6; 1Pet 2:6-8; Rev 1:16; 2:12, 16

Here is an online discussion of

Isaiah 28:16; Isa 49:1-6; 1Pet 2:6-8; Rev 1:16; 2:12, 16

Click here to download study questions for Isaiah 28:16; Isa 49:1-6; 1Pet 2:6-8; Rev 1:16; 2:12, 16

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxdbymnev0itxp8/Lesson%204%20%C2%AD%20Isa%2028.16%20Isa%2049.1-6.pdf?dl=0

Is. 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,

“ Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,

A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.

He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

Is. 49:1 Listen to Me, O islands,

And pay attention, you peoples from afar.

The LORD called Me from the womb;

From the body of My mother He named Me.

2 He has made My mouth like a sharp sword,

In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me;

And He has also made Me a select arrow,

He has hidden Me in His quiver.

3 He said to Me, “ You are My Servant, Israel,

In Whom I will show My glory.”

4 But I said, “I have toiled in vain,

I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity;

Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD,

And My reward with My God.”

Is. 49:5 And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,

To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him

(For I am honored in the sight of the LORD,

And My God is My strength),

6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also make You a light of the nations

So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

1Pet. 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“ BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone,

AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“ THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,

THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,”

8 and,

“ A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

Rev. 1:16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

Rev. 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:

Rev. 2:16 ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

-

6; 1Pet 2:6

-

8; Rev 1:16; 2:12, 

Messiah in Isaiah: Isa 11:2 and Matt 2:23; 3:16; Luke 4:1; John 1:32

Here is a recording of an online discussion of

Isa 11:1-2 and Matt 2:23; 3:16; Luke 4:1; John 1:32

Click here to download study questions on Isa 11:1-2 and Matt 2:23; 3:16; Luke 4:1; John 1:32:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n5a1yo3a8u8lt0i/Lesson%203%20%E2%80%93%20Isa%2011.1.pdf?dl=0

Is. 11:1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,

And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The spirit of counsel and strength,

The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Matt. 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Matt. 3:16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness

John 1:32 John testified saying, “ I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Messiah in Isaiah: Isa 9:6-7 and Luke 1:31-33; 2:10-12

Here is a recording of an online discussion of

Isa 9:6-7 and Luke 1:31-33; 2:10-12

Click here to download study questions for Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 1:31-33; 2:10-12:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5r1mbhzo74q8u13/Lesson%202%20%E2%80%93%20Isaiah%209.6-7%20.pdf?dl=0

Isa 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Luke 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Messiah in Isaiah: Isa 7:14 and Matt 1:18-25

Here is a recording of an online discussion of

Isa 7:14 and Matt 1:18-25

The study questions for Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:18-25
can be downloaded from this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgec25amlr5gkkg/Lesson%201%20Isaiah%207.14%20Matt%201.18-25.pdf?dl=0

Isa 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel."

Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Messiah in Isaiah: Introduction

Here is a recording of an online discussion of an introduction to the Coming of Messiah Bible Study