Bible Reading Plan
Monday, May 4th John 20:24-31
Tuesday, May 5th John 14:1-14
Wednesday, May 6th Psalm 78:11-32
Thursday, May 7th Hebrews 11:1-22
Friday, May 8th Hebrews 11:23-40
Saturday, May 9th 1 John 5:1-13
Sunday, May 10th John 20:24-31
Discussion Questions:
The Unscripted Journey
- Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit and yet, seeking self-control can cause us to lose control. What’s the difference and how does control go from virtue to vitriol?
- Charles Darwin is quoted as saying, "The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts."[1] Is it possible to control one’s thoughts? Compare and contrast to 2 Corinthians 10:5. “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” What does it mean to get our thoughts to obey Christ and how does one gain this discipline?
- Interestingly, Darwin claimed to be a deist and held some view of providence until he tragically lost his 10-year-old child to illness.[2] Extreme tragedies like the death of a child will often send us running either toward or away from Jesus. What causes these reactions and how can we ensure our preparedness to run toward Christ through a great trial?
Walking with Jesus
- We usually do a pretty good job ourselves of being blinded to the providence of Christ. Why would Jesus keep the disciples from being able to recognize Jesus in Luke 24:16?
- Speaking of your own life, when have you failed to see Jesus when he was standing right in front of you and what did it take to have your eyes opened to His presence?
- Creating a counterfeit Jesus is quite dangerous and yet the disciples did this in their hearts on numerous occasions. What happened to the disciples that lead to them creating a counterfeit?
- If those walking closest to Jesus created an alternate reality, what hope do I have in avoiding the same consequence and how can I guard myself from this dangerous deception?
The Script
- The bible is a gigantic book that I can’t possibly completely understand or master in my lifetime. If the Word of God is the script that Jesus lived His life through, where would one start to be able to understand Jesus and his mission and why start there?
- What good is the Old Testament if the old law and old covenant was fulfilled in Jesus? What can I possibly learn and apply today by studying old testament texts such as not boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk? Hint: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/old-testament-important/
The Name of Jesus
- Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Why is important to use the name of Jesus? Many call upon the name of Jesus for their own pet projects. If we’re being honest, we’ve likely done this ourselves. How can we ensure that we’re calling upon the power of Jesus to enact His will and not my own?
- Jesus has many names. Counselor, Son of Man, Immanuel, Son of God, Christ just to name a few. What name of Jesus can you relate to most in this season and why?
- In 1 Corinthians 2:2, The Apostle Paul said, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” What would change in my life if I fully lived 2 Cor 2:2? What prevents me from doing so now?
- Acts 16:31 says “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” How do I know if I have called upon the name of Jesus to save me vs. the false confessions of Matthew 7:21-23?
[1] https://www.motivatingquotes.com/control.htm
[2] https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/59/9/800/248702