The center column holds the main text for each day, while the right column includes secondary texts.
Basic Tips:1.) Use a translation you can understand. If new to the Bible, try the NIrV or The Message, which are both available online. 2.) Use a kids Bible with kids. 3.) Keep a pencil and notebook around to write down questions, observations, and conclusions. 4.) Have fun. Use your imagination and your brain.
Questions to Guide You:
In this series, “A Beautiful Mess”, we learn the Church is a beautiful mess full of people that are simultaneously sinners and saints. We learn that the most common reasons people give up on church are the very reason church works. Jesus wasn’t surprised by any of these. This week, we’ll see that our selfish sin, even secret sin has community consequences.
- Matt 18 started with the self-promoting question, “Who is the greatest?” and now turns to the dangers of self-pleasuring. In Matt 17, we talked about things that are not sins, but might cause others to sin (like drinking, attire, and dance). Here we’re talking about things that are sin (lust, drunkenness, adultery, etc), and cause others to sin too.
- How can we cause others to sin? How can we put a stumbling block before them?
- How does my sin, even secret sin, affect and infect others? What sins have you committed this week that involved others or led others astray?
- What does Paul say should happen to those who lead others astray?
- In Gen 20, 2 Sam 11, and 2 Kings 21 ask, “How does _____ sin? How does it affect/infect others? Why does he sin? Have you ever sinned for the same reasons? What would have happened if he acted from faith instead of fear? How does each sin replace God with something/someone else, and how is God the better option for protection, pleasure, or provision?
- Rev 2 is two letters to churches? What is God concerned about in each church? What does he ask? What does he threaten? What does he promise?
- How does Church community show us our sins and consequences? How is that good news for our spiritual growth? If you never saw the affect of your sin on others would you ever quit? Likewise, if there were no consequences or punishments, what sins would commit? That is why we need the church and more so repentance and Jesus.
- What does our potential to trip others say about our potential to grow others? How does church help us mentor and influence others?
If you are new to reading the Bible and would benefit from a brief orientation, download this How To Use This Book. If you want dig a deeper into the Bible, download this Guide to Inductive Bible Study.