Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. I would have expected this verse to say, “hearing the truth we will grow.” Why do you suppose it says, “speaking the truth we will grow”? …Read More »

Daniel 1:8 (NIV) But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. What do you know about the life and times of Daniel? Where and when did he live? Daniel resolved. Resolved. What place does resolve have …Read More »

Judges 7:2 (NIV) The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Has God ever asked you to do something crazy? Did you do it? How …Read More »

Isaiah 55:10–11 (NIV) As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not …Read More »

1 Corinthians 3:6–8 (NIV) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be …Read More »

3 John 2 (NIV) Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. What does it mean that a soul is getting along well? Would you say that your soul is getting along well? What are some things …Read More »

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. …Read More »

Matthew 10:29–31 (NIV) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. What can sparrows teach us about theology? What …Read More »

Psalm 119:71 (NIV) It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. What has been the easiest season in your life—that period where it was closest to, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” What has been the most difficult season of life? It may be easier to give several …Read More »

Mark 12:31 (NIV) The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Love your neighbor. Sounds nice. Is it easy or hard? Who is my neighbor? What would the world be like if everyone followed this one command? Try really hard to love your neighbor. Is that it? …Read More »

Mark 12:30 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Just for fun: what is one thing you just love? What exactly does it mean to love? Is it an emotion? Something you do? An act of the …Read More »

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. What has tempted you to be afraid? How common is this command to fear not? (Google it.) What …Read More »

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Look at the context of this verse. What does “all this” refer to? In context, Paul is talking about contentment. This verse could be paraphrased, “I can live contentedly through Christ who gives me strength.” What progress have you made in …Read More »