Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/20/11

Thursday, Jan. 20 – Proverbs 28-29

1.  Read 28:8.  How does the one who increases wealth unethically gather it for another?  Think of Jesus parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21.

2.  How does 28:19-20 apply to our work and economic situation now?

3.   Ponder Prov. 29:15.  Children left alone have been called latchkey kids. What are some of the troubles they can get into when no one is around to supervise and discipline them?  

4.  What does 29:18 mean by the term “revelation”?  Why is that so necessary to have?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/21/11

Friday, Jan. 21 – Proverbs 30-31

1.  Proverbs 30 was written by Agur about whom we know nothing.    Also the better translation of 30:1 is in the footnote.  30:4 is a reference to God himself and the mysteries of his creation.  Out of nowhere, who is mentioned at the end of the verse?  Can you tell Agur what he wants to know?

 

2.  Why is it a good thing to be “middle class” when it comes to wealth?  Read 30:7-9.

3.  What strong warning is given in 30:17 for those who break the 4^th Commandment?

4.  Proverbs 31:1-9 was written by “Lemuel.” Is this a pen name for Solomon himself?  Ancient rabbis thought so, but we don’t know.  What two great dangers does his mother warn him about, that are not proper for kings?  Read 31:3-5.  Apply that to other leaders now, especially those in the church.

5.  The closing poem about the perfect wife is 22 verses long, and is an acrostic.  That means that each verse starts with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which has 22 letters.  The most important qualities are at the beginning and end, 31:10 and 30. What are they?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/19/11

Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Proverbs 26-27

1.  Proverbs 26:20-28 concentrate mainly on the use of our tongue.  Compare how James in the New Testament describes the tongue.  With what do both of these passages compare our talking about others?

2.  James must have also had Prov. 27:1 in mind when he wrote 4:13-16.  What good advice do these passages give us as we face the New Year?

3.  Read 27:6.  What kind of wounds from a friend can be a blessing?

4.  The Bible often compares the testing of our faith to the refining of silver and gold.  Read 27:21.  How does receiving praise test a man’s faith?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/18/11

Tuesday, Jan. 18 – Proverbs 24-25

1.  Ponder 24:27.   Why is it more important to get your fields ready than to build your house? How might this apply to our work for the Lord?

2.  Proper rest is good, but what is Solomon warning us about in 24:33-34?

3.  Read 25:6,7 and compare it to Jesus’ parable in Luke 14:7-11.  What point does Jesus make?

4.  Paul quotes Prov. 25:21-22 in Romans 12:20.  What is the natural reaction to harm done to you by an enemy?  What will a Christian do instead?  What does it mean that this will be like heaping burning coals on his head?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/17/11

Monday, Jan. 17 – Proverbs 22-23

1.  Do you want to really succeed in this earthly life?  Proverbs 22:4 gives you the key.  Yet note how 23:4-5 forewarns us about making the wealth part of it too important.

2.  What good promise is in 22:6 when your teenager won’t listen to anyone?

3.  How do 22:15 and 23:13 disagree with most child psychologists?  Who is right?

4.  Prov. 23:29-35 is a real-life description of the drunken party life.  With what does this passage compare the dangers of drunkenness?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/15/11

Saturday,  Jan. 15 – Proverbs 20-21

1.   How might 20:21 apply to parents who give their children everything they ask for? Or to a person who wins the lottery?

2.  What will keep a king (or president) safer than an army of secret service men?  What will keep a king on the throne (and a president reelected)?  See 20:28.

3.  What is wrong with the wife who gets upset with 21:9?  What’s wrong with the husband who smiles or gloats when he reads it? 

4.   What are two things that are guaranteed to keep a person poor?  See 21:17.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/14/11

Friday, Jan. 14 – Proverbs 18-19

1.  The righteous have what as their mighty fortress?  What do the rich have?  See 18:10,11.

2.  Many times Solomon speaks of the power of the tongue, and controlling our speech. Note what he says in 18:21.  What does the second half of the verse mean to you? 

3.  The greatest blessing in your home cannot be inherited.  What is it?  See 19:14.

4.  Compare 19:17 to what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40.  What does that tell you about your actions that help others?

5. Note the modern proverb “Man proposes, but God disposes” and compare with 19:21.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/13/11

Thursday, Jan. 13 – Proverbs 16-17

1.  Note the promise of 16:3 for any of your planning for the New Year!

2.  How is 16:6 true only in Jesus? 

3.  Wealth vs. wisdom – which is more valuable?  See 16:16.  How much time do you spend pursuing wealth? How about wisdom?

4.  How does God treat our hearts like gold and silver?  See 17:3

5.  What does 17:9 teach you about gossip?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/12/11

Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Proverbs 14-15

1.  Read 14:12.  What ways seem so right to many people, but lead to death because they are without the Lord? 

2.  Note “the fear of the Lord” in 14:26,27.  What good things do we have when we fear the Lord in the proper way?

3.  What comfort and what warning does 15:3 give you?

4.  According to 15:15, what is the opposite of a cheerful heart?  What does joy in the Lord bring us?  See also 15:30.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 1/11/11

Tuesday, Jan. 11 – Proverbs 12-13

1.  Various verses in these two chapters encourage faithful and honest work, and condemn laziness.  Note 12:11.  How do people chase fantasies for wealth today?  Also note 13:4.

2.  How do you counteract anxiety and worry?  See 12:25.

3.  What does 13:20 tell us about choosing friends?

4.  Spanking has become politically incorrect, and in some places is considered a crime.  God’s Word is so strong in the opposite direction, as in 13:24. For what situations is spanking appropriate? When is it not appropriate?