Sermon audio from Sunday worship at Calvary Community Church in Port Townsend, WA. Sermons of Pastor Jim Rosenquist, Famly Pastor Aaron Oosterwyk, and others.
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In this passage Mark continues his gospel of Jesus Christ and the answer to the question of the identity of the man on the middle cross. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. Following vv. 1-8, how significant is the identity of the person coming in v. 9? Who are we anticipating? 2. What's the significance of so many Old Testament passages being referenced in regard to Jesus of Nazareth? 3. Read Isaiah 40:3-5; 42:1-4; 53:4-7; 61:1. What do these passages tell us about the Messiah? 4. How does Jesus of Nazareth fulfill these messianic expectations? 5. Why does John the Ba
In this passage Mark begins his gospel of Jesus Christ and begins to answer the question of the identity of the man on the middle cross. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. What significant descriptions of Jesus does Mark give in verse 1? Why are these descriptions important? What do they mean? 2. Read Ex. 23:20, Mal. 3:1, and Is. 40:3. What do these verses prophesy? 3. Who does the messenger prepare the way for? Why is this significant? 4. What similarities does John have with Elijah (see Mal. 4:5 and 2 Kings 1:8)? What was similar with their message? 5. Read Matthew
1 – In verses 8-10, why were the people arguing about reinstalling David? What reasons might they have to be afraid or reluctant? 2 - In verses 11-15, why does David take the initiative to reunite with Judah? What was the essence of his message? Why might David want the rebel general, Amasa, as head of the armed forces in place of Joab? How was this enticing to the elders? David meets the leaders at Gilgal. What significance does Gilgal have to David and Israel? (see Josh 5:10-12; 1 Sam 7:16 and following; 1 Sam 11:14 and following) 3 – In verses 16-23, what had Shimei done that he is now asha
1 - In verses 1-4, what is Ahithophel's plan to eliminate David and establish the kingdom for Absalom? Why is it such great plan? Why was it likely to succeed? What advantages does Ahithophel forsee? 2 – In verses 5-14, Why does Absalom ask Hushai's opinion? Why might Absalom be suspicious of Hushai's divided loyalty? What does Hushai know going into the meeting? What does he learn from Absalom? What is Hushai implying when he says, (v7) "This time Ahithophel's counsel is not good?" How does Hushai appeal to fear, caution, and flattery? Why would Absalom and his advisors go against Ahithophel'
In this passage the author of Hebrews gives his final admonition, benediction, and farewell. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. What is the significance of the phrase "Through him"? What is through Him? 2. Read Psalm 50. What is a sacrifice of praise and how is it greater than other types of sacrifice? 3. What are some common misconceptions of elders? What does the Bible say elders are and do (See Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:12-13)? 4. Why do we need biblical elders? What happens when biblically unqualified men get onto an elder boa
In this passage the author of Hebrews continues to explain what is meant by "acceptable worship" in 12:28. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. The word "worship" in 12:28 means "works of service" in the original koine Greek. How is remembering leaders and those who spoke the word of God an expression of worship? 2. What are the three "action commands" of v. 7? How do you practically obey them? 3. How does verse 8's proclamation of Jesus Christ's unchanging nature (immutability) relate to the commands of verse 7? 4. How does this proclamation relate to verse 9? 5. What'
1 – In verses 1-4, what is David's situation? Why might he and his people be in dire need? Why might he be pleased with Ziba's gift? Why might he question the gift? Does he? Is Ziba really trying to help David? Are his motives honorable? How do we know that Ziba is lying? (see 2 /Samuel 19:24-30) How is Ziba a war profiteer? 2 – In verses 5-14, why does Shimei risk his life to insult David? Why does he think he can get away with it? Why does David endure it? Why does David restrain his soldiers from killing Shimei? David is not guilty of Saul's demise; of what might he think himself guilty? Wh
1 – In verses 1-6, why is Absolom parading around the city? Why is he glad-handing people who come to court? How? For what purpose? What does he imply he would do if he could? What results does he achieve? (v6) How is Absolom a "great politician? A man of the people? 2 – In verses 7-11, what is significant about Hebron? Why does Absolom chose this location to stage a rebellion? 3 – In verses 12, who is Anithopel Gilonite? (See 2 Samuel 23;34, 39 – 1 Samuel 11) Why is his defection so hard on David? Why might he be dissatisfied with David? 4 – In verses 13-18, why doesn't David stand and fight?
1 – Is Joab a fan of Absalom? (see 14:30-31, 18:14) Why does Joab want Absalom to come back to Jerusalem? Where is he now? 2 – How is the woman from Tekoa similar and dissimilar from the prophet Nathan? How is her story similar and dissimilar? 3 – David doesn't seem troubled to be tricked by the fabricated story. Why not? Why might he be actually happy about the legal precedent his decision renders? 4 – Why might Joab be happy about the king's ruling? Why does Absalom come home, but only under house arrest? 5 – Why does Joab ignore Absalom? How does Absalom get his attention? Does Absalom thin
1 – In verses 23-27, Absolom waits 2 years from the time Amnon violated is sister. Why? What is happening in the meantime? Why does Absolom invite the king and his entire court to a festival? Why does David decline? Why does Absolom want Amnon to attend? What reason does he give? Why does David question this move? Why would the king give his approval? What does he suspect? What precaution does David take? 2 – In verses 28-29, why does Absolom have his servants murder Amnon? Why not do it himself? How does he make the act seem valiant? Absolom and the rest of David's sons flee from each other.
1 – In verses 1-2, Amnon thinks he "loves" Tamar. Did he truly "love" her? If not, then what? How should "love" look, behave, be shown? See 1 Cor 13:4-7, Mt 22:36-40, Eph 5:25-27. 2 – In verses 3-5, what is Jonadab's advice to /Amnon? Why is he giving this advice? Does he know what Amnon's plans? 3 – In verse 7, why does David comply with Amnon's request? Is he really clueless, powerless and willing? 4 – In verse 13, why does Tamar feel shamed? Is she compliant? 5 – In verse 15, why does Amnon hate Tamar more ferociously than he 'loved' her? 6 – In verse 20, why does Tamar live the rest of her
In this passage the author of Hebrews explains what is meant by "acceptable worship" in 12:28. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. The word "worship" i 12:28 means "works of service" in the original koine Greek. How is service an expression of worship? 2. What is unique about Christian's philadelphia love for one another? As in, what's unique about its source, cause, or characteristics? 3. Why do you think the author exhorts his readers to let this brotherly love continue? 4. How can we show hospitality (Gk. philoxenia, 'love for strangers') to strangers? What's signif
In this passage the author of Hebrews follows the climactic passage of his book with these responses to the truths that have been proclaimed throughout Hebrews. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. In verse 25, who is "speaking" and what is the message? 2. What does it mean to "refuse" him who is speaking? In what ways do we do this? 3. What argument is the author making when he says "if they did not escape...much less will we escape"? Who are "they" and from what could they not escape? From what will we not escape if we reject him who warns from heaven? 4. Why are the
1. Verse 18 begins with "For," connecting it to the previous passage. What's the link, or flow, from the previous passage of vv. 12-17? 2. What event is being referred to in vv. 18-21? Why would this be significant to the original readers? 3. What was so terrifying about Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-20? 4. Why do people need a covenant in order to approach and relate to God? 5. How did people relate, or approach, God under the Old Covenant? 6. How did the Old Covenant point to the Lord Jesus Christ? 7. What claims did the Lord Jesus make about Himself during His earthly ministry? What's the signif
In this passage the author of Hebrews teaches his readers correct responses to the knowledge that God disciplines us for our good and holiness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. What's the significance of the "therefore" in v. 12? 2. Why does the author use the imagery of physical suffering in v. 12? How do vv. 3-11 lead us to be encouraged to 'lift', 'strengthen', 'make straight', and 'be healed' in v. 13? 3. What emphasis does the author place on holiness? What absolutes does he use in his language? 4. What is holiness? What does it mean to strive for holiness? 5.
In this passage the author of Hebrews pastors his readers by giving them a theology of trials and struggles. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. Why is it important for Christians to learn and talk about trials and struggles? 2. What are some examples of "wrong thinking" about trials and struggles? 3. What should inform our thinking about the difficulties we face in life? What are some unhelpful or wrong sources for our thinking about difficulties? 4. What does the author of Hebrew's use of the Old Testament teach us about the Bible's place in the life of a Christian?
1 – In verses 14 – 15, Nathan the prophet had declared that David's son with Uriah's wife would die. Why? Is this negotiable? How certain is this outcome? What evidence is there that Nathan was right? 2 – In verse 16, why does David fast and pray? Why does he think God will change his mind? How serious is David? How do you know? Why don't we fast and pray? Do we think God hears? Cares? Responds? Changes things? 3 – In verses 17 – 18, Why are the elders reluctant to tell David that his child has died? What did they suspect might happen? Why? 4 – In verses 20 – 23, why is it surprising that Davi
In this passage John records a teaching event of the Lord Jesus' which takes places at a time when He was still very popular among the people for His miracles of healing and feeding. He challenges their motives for following Him. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions. 1. What benefits are there for us in religion in general? How do you personally benefit from being part of a local church family? 2. What benefits do you hear people state when they try to "sell" Christianity to non- believers? How are some of these things manna that perishes? 3. What motives does the Lord Jesu
1 – In verse 1, who was Nathan? (see 2 Sam 7: 1-17, 12: 25; 1 Kings 1: 8, 10, 22) 2 – In verses 1-6, How is Nathan's story of the rich man with many flocks and herds parallel to David's story? How does the story appeal to David? Why is David so animated? What judgment does David decree as just and fitting? Why doesn't he see himself in the story? 3 – In verse 7 what does Nathan mean, "You are the man?" 4 – In verse 9, how does David "despise" the word of the Lord? Why is this indictment so serious? Where has David encountered this charge before? (see 1 Sam 2:30, 17:42, 2 Sam 6:16) Contrast the
1 – In verse 1, the women start out while it is still dark. (John 20:1) Why so early? Since they watched Jesus taken down, wrapped in burial clothes and placed in a tomb, what more were they hoping to accomplish? Why? 2 – In verse 2, when they got to the grave, they found it already opened. How did the stone get moved? (Matthew 28:2) How did Jesus get out of the tomb? How did he get out of the burial wrappings? 3 – In verse 6, Jesus is not present in Luke's account of the resurrection, and yet the women believe he is now alive. Based on what? 4 – In verse 11, why did the disciples not believe
1 – In verse 13, what is the significance of waving palm branches when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Why do we do it today? Is there an example of this in the old testament? Where does the custom come from? What does this action tell us about the expectations of the crowd that day? 2 – Why were they quoting Psalm 118:25? What did it mean? 3 – In verse 14, how does riding a baby donkey into Jerusalem fulfill scripture? (Zech 9:9) What does it mean? What did the crowd expect? Why didn't the disciples understand? 4 – In verse 18, why did the crowd go out to meet Jesus? 5 – In verse 20, why are there G
1 – In verses 1-2, was it wrong for David to stay behind in Jerusalem while his army was besieging Rabboh? Was it wrong to lounge around all day long? Was it wrong to notice a beautiful woman? Was it wrong to inquire who the woman was? At what point did David's behavior become a problem? At what point was it wrong? At what point was it sinful? 2 – In verse 3, who was Uriah the Hittite? Who was he to David? Did David know him? (2 Samuel 23:39) 3 – In verses 4-5, After David "took" Bathsheba he seems to have no further relationship with her – until when? What should have David done at this point
1 – In verse 1, who is Hanun? Who is his father, Nahash? (1 Sam 11) Why might Nahun be looking for an opportunity to end relations with David and Israel? 2 – In verses 2-3, what did David intend by sending envoys to Hanun? What motivation did Hanun's advisors attribute to David's envoys? 3 – In verse 4, why was Hanun's treatment of David's envoys so humil1ating? What did they think would happen? 4 – In verse 6, why spend $1,000,000 rather than apologize to David? What did they expect? How is this an illustration of the sinner's action when God's envoys bring his message? 5 – In verses 9-12, wa
1 - It's the practice of kings to exterminate all threats to the throne, especially the descendants of the former regime. What reason does David give for seeking out a survivor of Saul's family? Why does David want to? What kind of a relationship existed between David and Jonathan? 2 – In verses 2-4, why is Jonathan's son always refered to as a cripple? Why is Mephibosheth at Lo-debar and not with Ziba? 3 – In verses 5-6, why might Mephibosheth be concerned to meet King David? 4 – In verses 7-8, David says, "Do not fear." Where else have we heard that? What reason does David give to, "not be a
1 – David launched four pre-emptive strikes against Israel's neighbors. What did he hope to accomplish? Did it work? Is fighting a war sometimes the avenue to peace? How so? 2 – In verse 2, David executed 2/3 of the Moabite soldiers. Why not kill them all? Was this vicious or gracious? Why? How is it an example of mercy? Did David have the right to kill them all? Why does this act offend us? 3 – In verse 4, why does David hamstring the horses? David "took" 20K foot soldiers and did not kill them, why? 4 – In verse 9, why is Toi happy about David's victories? Why does he send his son to see Dav
