Week 3

Week 3, Day 1: Monday, 19 January 2009 Genesis 29, 30 Jacob was deceived by Laban in the same way Jacob deceived his father (Gen 27:19). Reread Matthew 7:2, and look ahead at Mark 4:24, and Luke 6:38. Also look at Proverbs 21:13. What do these verses say about how God works? Favoritism caused much strife in Jacob’s family. How does 29:30 point towards future trouble and heartache? How sad are Leah’s comments in 29:32? How do people sin when God does not give them what they want? (Gen 30:3) Who else committed this same sin and what were the consequences? (Gen 16:1, 19:36) What did Rachel claim about the product of her sinful act? (30:6) What was the motivation for Rachel’s sinful act? (30:7) What was Leah’s response to Rachel’s sinful actions? (30:9) Re-read Proverbs 3:31. How does Leah’s sinful heart cause her to misinterpret God’s actions? (30:18) Consider in context with Matthew 6:22. Where does Laban go to find answers? (30:27) Jacob laid claims of “honesty and integrity” (30:33). Is that what he displays in the rest of the chapter? Proverbs 19 What ruins a man’s life, and who does he blame? (19:3) Wise men are characterized by ______. (19:11) What does a man desire? (19:22) What happens when you don’t consistently study God’s Word? (19:27) Matthew 11 Do even the strongest Christians have moments of doubt and struggle? (11:3) What kind of person was John that attracted so many to him and that caused the officials to imprison him? (Matthew 11:7)

What does Jesus say is required for understanding? (11:15, 27) How do you find rest in you soul? (11:29) Week 3, Day 2: Tuesday, 20 January 2009 Genesis 31, 32 How is Rachel and Leah’s relationship with their father? (31: 14, 15) What kinds of character traits have Rachel and Jacob developed? (31:19, 20) What kind of relationship does Laban have with God? (31:19) What kind of life is Jacob forced to live because of sin? (31: 21, 27:43) How does sin effect the next generation? (31:28) Does chapter 31 describe the type of relationship God’s people are to demonstrate to the world? What kind of life does Jacob live because of his sin? (32: 7) Who does Jacob realize could be the victims of his sinful actions? (32:11) Jacob divided his people into groups recognizing that if Esau attacked on group, the other group might escape. Where did Jacob position himself? (32:20) Who is the man? (32:24, 30) Why did he ask, “What is your name?” (32:27, 27:19; note also that Jacob means deceiver). Israel means, “ruling with God.” Proverbs 20 Considering Proverbs 20:11, what is Jacob known for? What are you known for? How does 20:17 related to Jacob’s story? How are we to respond to the offenses of others? (20:22) How will God work to improve your character if you do not respond to His counsel? (20:30) Matthew 12

While Jesus was healing, what were the religious leaders doing? (12:2, 10) Why? (12:7) Where does sin ultimately lead you? (12:14) As the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus, they accused him of receiving power from ______. (12:24) What did John and Jesus mean when they said that the kingdom of God in near? (12:28) Is there a middle of the road? (12:30) How does Jesus shed light on all the Proverbs that reference what comes out of your mouth? (12:34-37) What is Jesus saying about the spiritual condition of those who do not have the Spirit within them? (12:43-45) What does Jesus expect of his followers? (12:50) Week 3, Day 3: Wednesday, 21 January 2009 Genesis 33, 34 Jacob divided his people with the most valuable in the rear; how do you think this made Leah feel? (33:2) Does Jacob take the lead? How desperately did Jacob desire reconciliation with Esau? (33:10) What does Jacob tell Esau he is going to do? Does he do it? (33:14, 16) Is there relationship restored? When Dinah was defiled, what did Jacob do? (34:5) Who takes the lead in dealing with Shechem? (34:13) Is the response appropriate? (34:13) Who did Jacob’s sons kill for the sins of one man? (34:25) How well did they represent God to a watching world? Who is Jacob worried about dishonoring? (34:30) Proverbs 21 What does God desire from you? (21:3)

How does 21:4 relate to Matthew 6:22? What is different about how a wise man learns than how a mocker learns? (21:11) How does God get your attention? Who brings the wicked to ruin? (21:12) What does 21:13 say about how God works? When Proverbs talks about the mocker, who is it talking about? (21:24) How does God view the “good deeds” of those who persist in sin? (21:27) Who decides success in any and every matter? (21:30, 31) Matthew 13 Why did Jesus speak in parables? (13:11-17) Why can’t people understand the Gospel? (13:15) What must you have to sustain through trouble and persecution? (13:21) What can make your life unfruitful? (13:22) Will there be varying degrees of response when we share Gods Word? (18-23) Can your small impact greatly glorify the Lord? (13:32, 33) What should be our response to Jesus? (13: 44, 45; 8:20, 22; 4:19) Why didn’t Jesus do many miracles in his home town? (13:58) Week 3, Day 4: Thursday, 22 January 2009 Genesis 35, 36 What did Jacob’s family have with them? (35:2). What does this imply about how they were interacting with the culture around them? Could this have contributed to the tragedy that occurred in chapter 34? What was going on in Jacob’s life when God revealed Himself to Jacob? (El Bethel) How does God’s command to Jacob in v35:11 relate with Genesis 1:22, 1:28, 9:1 and 9:7?

What was the pursuit of Rachel’s life? How did she die? (35:18). After Jacob’s son’s massacre an unsuspecting city for the sexual sin of one man, what does Reuben do? (35:22) What did Jacob do in response? (35:22) When do Jacob and Esau see each other again? (35:29) Why do you think God dedicated a chapter of His Word to list not only the generations of Esau but also of Seir the Horite? What type of man does Esau appeat to be, and what type of life did he live? (Chapt 36) Who achieved worldly success and power first, Edomites or Israelites? Where were the Jews while the Edomites were ruling? (hint: Egypt) Proverbs 22 What could Jacob have learned from Proverbs 22:1? Who ultimately decides everyone’s fate? (22:2) Is it good for God’s people to be in debt? (22:7) What does verse 22:10 say about the product of the proud and arrogant? What is your heavenly Father willing to use to transform your character? (22:15) Why should you intently study God’s Word daily? (22:17) What affect do your friends have on you? (22:25) What value is competence? (22:29) Matthew 14 (14:1) Consider that Herod, the earthly ruler, was from the line of Edom while Jesus was from the line of Jacob (Refer back to the Genesis readings). What type of faith did it take for the Jews to believe in God’s promise in the face of the apparent realities? What did Jesus say of John the Baptist in Matthew 14:11? However, John the Baptist dies a pointless, criminal death on the drunken whim of a corrupt leader. How hard is it to maintain faith in times like this? What does this reveal about the potential cost of following God’s will? What was Jesus’ response to this tragic injustice? (Matthew 14:13, 14) How would you have responded? Jesus has performed many amazing miracles. John asks of Jesus from prison. Why didn’t Jesus use his powers to save John? Do you think the disciples wondered about this? Why

does Jesus use his power to feed five thousand men plus their families with five loaves and two fish? How do you think the disciples’ relationship with Jesus changed after this event? What habit pattern did Jesus model for us in verse 14:23? What is the response from the disciples in the face of God’s power, and what is Jesus’ response to them? (14:27) How does Peter respond differently than the rest of the disciples? (14:29) What do Peter’s actions reveal about his character and faith? What caused Peter to lose faith? (14:30) Reply to JoeReport Post #2 Joe Craft (Washington, DC) wroteon January 23, 2009 at 4:57am Here are questions for the rest of the week: Week 3, Day 5: Friday, 23 January 2008 Genesis 37, 38 How has favoritism continued to cause great heartache in Jacob (Israel’s) family? (37:3, 4) How well does Joseph understand the feelings of his brothers? Does he show tact? (37:511) Shechem was a very long way from where Jacob was. Joseph’s brothers were on their own program. Was it s good idea for Israel to send Joseph to them for a report? (37:2, 14) Where has unchecked hatred taken Jacob’s brothers? (37:18) After Judah masterminded the plot to sell Joseph, what did he do soon afterwards? (38:1) What does Judah have in common with Esau? (38:2, 28:8) What type of sons did Judah produce, and what was the consequence? (38:7, 8) Does Judah keep his word? (38:11, 14) What type of prostitute did Judah think he was sleeping with? (38:15, 21) What is his response when his daughter-in-law is accused on prostitution? (38:24)

Proverbs 23 Why does God discipline you? (23:13, 14) What pleases the Lord? (23:15, 16) What should motivate our actions and thoughts? (23:17) What does God want you to obtain? (23:23) Compare 23:26 with 21:4. Should Christians get drunk? (23:29-35) Proverbs 25 Do we always fully understand the circumstances surrounding someone else’s actions? (25:8) How important is tact? (25:12, 20) What value is a polluted well? (25:26). Compare this proverb with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13, 19, 48; 6:24) If you desire to be honorable, what must you never do? (25:27) Matthew 15 Are church traditions always in line with the will of God? (15:3) Compare this verse with Matthew 5:19. When your heart is not right, what is the effect of your worship? (15:9) How important is it to have church leaders with the right heart? (15:14) Does religious discipline always indicate a right heart? How about dynamic preaching, Bible knowledge, or musical talent? How does Jesus shed light on all the Proverbs that reference what comes out of your mouth? (15:19; review Matthew 12:34-37) Jesus has already healed Gentiles (Matthew 8:5). Why do you think he initially challenged the Canaanite woman’s plea for help? (15:24) Are the disciples slow learners? (15:32) How many times has the Lord seen you through

troubles yet you still worry today? Week 3, Day 6: Saturday, 24 January 2009 Genesis 39, 40 Why did Joseph prosper? (39:2) How did God’s relationship with Joseph impact Potiphar? (39:3,4) How was Potiphar impacted by showing favor to Joseph? (39:5) Who was Joseph concerned about sinning against? (39:9). What was Joseph’s response to temptation? (39:10, 12) How can prejudice impact the way you judge? (39:14) If you are faithful before the Lord, will you always receive worldly justice? (39:19, 20) Will God always keep you from the prisons of injustice? Where was God while Joseph was in prison? (39:21, 23). How does God work through circumstances in ways that would be missed by most? (40:4) How well does Joseph know those who he has been place in charge? (40: 6, 7) When people let you down in big ways, do you still maintain faith the God is in control? (40:23) Proverbs 24 What does how you respond to trials say about you? (24:10). How does this relate to Proverbs 20:30? What does God expect from you concerning those trapped in sin? (24:11) How do the righteous handle trials? (24:16) Who are we to fear and not fear (24:19, 24:21) How does 24:29 relate to Matthew 6:12, 14-15? How does God expect you to learn? (24:32) Are there consequences for a lack of diligence? (24:33, 34) Review Proverbs 10:4, 12:24, 12:27, 13:4, 21:5

Proverbs 26 Where does a lack of obedience lead? (26:3) How do you reconcile verses 26:4 and 26:5? How important is it to be reliable? (26:6) Have you been a faithful messenger with God’s Word to the world? (26:6, 7) What are you like if you continue in sin? (26:11) What is guaranteed to cause great pain in your life? (26:12) How do you handle gossip? (26:20) God judges the _______. (26: 23-25) Psalms 7 Compare 7:15, 16 with Proverbs 26:27 Week 3, Day 7: Sunday, 25 January 2009 Genesis 41, 42 Joseph’s prison term was apparently indefinite; how long had he been in prison at the beginning of chapter 41? What would your attitude be like in this situation? To whom did Joseph give the credit? (41:16) Why did Pharaoh want to put Joseph in charge? (41:38) Joseph was now second to Pharaoh in position. Did he ever seek to get restitution from Potiphar or his wife for being unjustly imprisoned? Who did Joseph married and what did his wife’s father do for a living? (41:45) How long do you think Joseph has spent in Egypt up to this point? (41:46) What do you think Joseph has continued to struggle with? (41:51) Joseph taxed all of Egypt 1/5th of their harvest to prepare for the famine. During the famine did he give it back? (41:56)

Why was Israel so concerned about Benjamin? (42:4) How do you feel about how Joseph treated his brothers? (42:6:38) What emotion was prominent in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers. (42:21) Who did Israel blame for his tragedy? (42:36) How badly did Reuben want to save his brother and right the situation? (42:37) What did Israel mean by what he said in verse 42:38? Proverbs 27 How should you live today? (27:1) Compare 27:2 with Proverbs 25:27. What have you learned about jealousy in Genesis? (27:4) Can your friends tell you the truth? (27:6) What sort of relationships does God want you to have with those around you? (27:10) What sort of life will you live if you lack wisdom? (27:12) What does God expect from fellowship? (27:17) What is one of the greatest tests of your character? (27:21) What makes a fool a fool? (27:22) Psalm 8, 9 How does God reveal Himself to all the world daily? (Psalm 8) Who do you tell of God’s wonders? (9:1, 2) Is v9:9 revealed in Genesis? How about v9:10?