Below you’ll find some Bible studies to assist you in staying in the Word of God on a daily basis.
A Study of Judges: The Upward Spiral of Salvation
As we leave the book of Joshua, in many ways all looks well. Israel had conquered much of the Promised Land. Israel had rest in the land. When Joshua had confronted the people of Israel about what they would do after he was gone, they had declared, "We also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."
Yet, there was still more to do. Not all of the enemies of God had been driven out. And there was another generation to be raised that had not seen God's mighty victories. And things started off well with more conquests.
Then, however, the people began to rest on their laurels rather than in God. "Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants. ... When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely." Worst of all, they failed to teach their children about God: "There arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel."
Thus begins a constantly repeating downward spiral into unbelief:
- The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD
- The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies who oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for _______ years
- Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD
- The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them
- The land had rest for _______ years
- And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD
The book ends with "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
Yet, despite Israel's unfaithfulness, Judges is really a picture of the upward spiral of the steadfast love of God, who will never leave or forsake His people. Like Sodom, Benjamin deserved to be destroyed. So did Israel. Yet by God's mercy and grace, both survived. The 12 tribes remained intact, setting the stage for King David and his Offspring, the King whose "throne will be established forever."
This sixteen week study of the Book of Judges walks us through this journey, pointing us to the King that Israel had always had if they would have just opened their eyes.
Download a printable version of the Bible study.
ReadA Study of the Acts of the Apostles
The book of Acts gives us a picture of the growth of the early church. It also gives us a picture of the work God was doing through the Holy Spirit to establish the Kingdom of His Son.
The period covered by Acts is unique in world history. It covers the transition from the old world order to the new. Christ defeated Satan on the cross then ascended to heaven and took His throne as our King around 30 A.D., but it wasn't until 70 A.D., a generation later (Matthew 24:34), that the old order of the temple, sacrifices, and the nation of Israel came to a complete end.
Studying this period of time can be a great help to us as we live in a period not so much of transition but of completion. We live in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5), but it is a mere taste of what it will one day be. Studying the Acts of the Apostles is one way to help us work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13) as we witness Christ at work making all things new.
Download the 23 week study here.
ReadFeasting on Christ: A Bible Study on Love
My new book, Feasting on Christ: A Bible Study on Love (available on Amazon and as a free pdf download), is the first in the Feasting on Christ Bible study series.
This study was originally prepared for use in prison. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have an application for those who have never been to prison. Like Joseph when he was sent to prison, we will be unjustly persecuted. Like Joseph, we will have our burdens to bear while waiting for the fulfillment of the promises of God. But most of all, like Joseph, we must learn how to deal with our own fallen nature and that of the world around us.
ReadTwo Paths – A Study of Proverbs 18
There are two paths that people follow in this world:
The Path to Destruction (Proverbs 2:12-19): "For [the] house [of the seductress] leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life."
The Path of Righteousness (Proverbs 12:28) "In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality"
This Study of Proverbs 18 is designed to help us see the difference between these paths. Differentiating between the two is often a particular struggle for men who often tend toward isolation.
ReadPsalm 8 - A Study on the Kingdom of God (1 Week)
David opens Psalm 8 with these words:
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger. (ESV)
Yahweh is proclaimed here the King of heaven and earth. Our King still reigns over His kingdom, so we should understand more about His kingdom and what role we play in it. This one week study, Psalm 8 - A Study on the Kingdom of God, will help provide a glimpse into this.
ReadBeing a One Woman Man - A One Week Study
Our hearts may be willing, but our flesh is weak. Download this one week study designed to help men focus on their calling of Being a One Woman Man.
With special thanks to Douglas Wilson for his fine work on this topic, which provided much guidance for this study.
ReadFeasting on Christ: A Bible Study on Love
This study is on love, the subject of the two great commandments, and the means of our salvation. It is all we are called to do. If we love God and those around us through Jesus Christ, we will be with God for eternity. My hope is that this study will help those who use it to “love loyally” with “hesed,” the steadfast love of God, as we are called to do in Micah 6:8. Here is the link to the study: Feasting on Christ: A Bible Study on Love
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