Discussion: Grief

What is grief? What are some MINOR things that might cause grief? What are some MAJOR things that cause grief? “Grief is the conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior.”  “Deep sorrow or sadness” Death of a spouse Divorce Marital separation Imprisonment Death of a close family… Continue reading Discussion: Grief

Matthew 11

Reading Matthew 11 for Tuesday, February 28th. Jesus confirms indirectly that he is the Messiah to John the Baptist while he’s in prison. 

Matthew 10

Reading Matthew 10 for Monday, February 27th. Jesus tells His disciples what they can expect as they go out and spread the gospel. 

Matthew 9

Reading Matthew 9 for Friday, February 24th. Jesus healed a lot of people, and the Pharisees were not impressed. 

Matthew 8

Reading Matthew 8 for Thursday, February 23rd. Some people do not want to accept the sacrifice that comes with following Jesus, and some are unwilling to accept His message and ministry. 

Matthew 7

Reading Matthew 7 for Wednesday, February 22nd. Apply what you have learned and build your house on the rock of Jesus Christ. 

Discussion: Judging

What does it mean to judge? Can you think of some negative examples of judging? Can you think of any positive examples of judging? Why do people not like to feel like they are being judged? Is it easy to feel judgement towards others? What sorts of behaviors do you notice that tempt you to… Continue reading Discussion: Judging

Genesis 38

Reading Genesis 38 for Tuesday, February 21st. God smites two men for their wickedness, and Tamar (a widow) disguises herself as a prostitute and becomes impregnated by Judah, but avoids her own execution by implicating him as the impregnating man. 

Genesis 37

Reading Genesis 37 for Monday, February 20th. Joseph, Israel’s favorite son was eager to tell his brothers about the dreams he had of him ruling over them and all other things, inciting their jealous anger and resentment. They plotted to kill him, but changed their minds and sold him as a slave, then prepared evidence… Continue reading Genesis 37

Genesis 36

Reading Genesis 36 for Saturday, February 18th. Esau had many descendants and built a nation and a people from these descendants, including many kings of Edom. 

Genesis 35

Reading Genesis 35 for Friday, February 17th. Jacob is renamed Israel, Reuben, his son sleeps with Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant, and Rachel dies while bearing her second son, Benjamin. 

Genesis 34

Reading Genesis 34 for Thursday, February 16th. Dinah is defiled by a man, and her brothers avenge her by deceiving and then killing all of the men in the city. 

Genesis 33

Reading Genesis 33 for Wednesday, February 15th. Jacob bows when he meets Esau, offers him gifts and ultimately is accepted by him. 

Discussion: Perspective

What’s the biggest problem you’ve ever faced? What’s the biggest worry or fear you have? What’s the farthest you’ve ever walked?  How did you feel when you were done with that walk? If earth were the size of a golfball, then the sun would be big enough to fill a school bus full of golf… Continue reading Discussion: Perspective

Genesis 32

Reading Genesis 32 for Tuesday, February 14th. Jacob prepares to meet Esau, and wrestles with the pre-incarnate-God, who renames him Israel. 

Genesis 31

Reading Genesis 31 for Monday, February 13th. Jacob leaves Laban, bringing his wives and children and possessions. Laban doesn’t like the way he secretly left, and they eventually make a peace treaty pillar. 

Genesis 30

Reading Genesis chapter 30 for Saturday, February 11th. Jacob’s four wives have lots of children and his livestock wealth flourishes. 

Genesis 29

Reading Genesis 29 for Friday, February 10th. Jacob meets Rachel, lives in her dad’s house, and works for 7 years to marry Rachel, but ends up marrying her older sister and working for another 7 years for the privilege. 

Genesis 28

Reading Genesis 28 for Thursday, February 9th. Jacob is sent with instructions on who to marry and Esau intentionally marries contradicting his father’s wishes. 

Genesis 27

Reading Genesis 27 for Wednesday, February 8th. Jacob disguises himself and steals Esau’s blessing, and runs for his life to live with his uncle. 

Discussion: Nothing is Wasted

Have you ever heard someone say, “everything happens for a reason?” What do you think that means?  Why do people say it? Sometimes people say it to comfort others, or to give hope. Sometimes people say it because they don’t know what to say. Most often, people mean it to assure others that a bad… Continue reading Discussion: Nothing is Wasted

Genesis 26

Reading Genesis 26 for Tuesday, February 7th. Isaac grows in power, riches, and influence, and is then asked to move along. Later a treaty is made between him and Abimelech, and Esau marries two Hittite women, which disappointed his parents. 

Genesis 25

Reading Genesis 25 for Monday, February 6th. Abraham died. Ishmael has sons who live in hostility toward their brothers. Jacob and Esau are born and are constantly living in animosity or acting with deception toward each other. 

Genesis 24

Reading Genesis 24 for Saturday, February 4th. Abraham’s chief servant goes to find Isaac a wife, and then Isaac gets married to Rebekah. 

Genesis 23

Reading Genesis 23 for Friday, February 3rd. Abraham’s wife Sarah dies at the age of 127, and Abraham buys a plot of land for a burial site for her. 

Genesis 22

Reading Genesis 22 for Thursday, February 2nd. God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, but then stopped him before the slaying. 

Genesis 21

Reading Genesis 21 for Wednesday, February 1st. Abraham is accommodating to his wife’s demands. He gives up some of his flock to ensure Abimelech’s servants’ misdeeds are not repeated. He also obeys God’s command to circumcise his son from Sarah, Isaac.