He Chose the Nails: “He Chose to Give Us Confidence”
based on Max Lucado’s Bible Study
“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one.” -A. W. Tozer This week, discover different characters of the Bible who wrestled with God’s promises, just as we sometimes do too, and see how God fulfils each and every one of His promises for us. May this give us confidence in the promise of victory and eternal life!
Going Deep Small Group Exercises
Read: Genesis 17:15-22 & 18:10-15, Exodus 3:7-14, & Judges 6:11-18.
Exercise: For each of these stories, choose 3 words to describe how the characters responded to God’s promises. Compare and contrast the 3. How would you describe God’s response when have doubts about His promises?
Exercise: The Old Testament contains over 300 promises about Jesus. Below are prophecies in the Old Testament paired with their fulfilments. Look at each, and make a chart showing the prophecy//the prophecy fulfilled.
Read: Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:12-14 & John 18:1-9; Psalm 22:18 & John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:1 & Matthew 27:46; Psalm 34:19-20 & John 19:36; Zechariah 12:10 & John 19:37; Psalm 16:9-11 & John 20:9;
Read: Luke 24:13-36
Exercise: Describe these men’s doubts of what happened. Consider the ways that Jesus interacts with them. Why do you think Jesus waited to reveal who He was? What does that tell you about who Jesus is? What does His approach suggest to us about how He might reveal Himself to you? In what ways do you relate with the men? What was it that gave you confidence in Jesus and helped you trust His promises? In what ways has the resurrection impacted your life recently?
Personal Lenten Practice
Each day this week, set 15-20 minutes aside to read the scriptures below (taken from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office). As you read, reflect on the questions below. Ask the Lord to speak to you through these readings. Find one word in the readings each day that connects your reading to your daily life. Use a journal to record your word and why you think the Lord revealed that word to you that day. End your time in prayer.
To think about while reading: Jesus invites us to “cast all of our cares on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Each day, ask what anxiety you can leave at the cross.
Mar 26: Psalm 51; 2 Cor 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25; Psalm 69:1-23
Mar 27: Psalm 6, 12; 2 Cor 1:8-22; Mark 11:27-33; Psalm 94
Mar 28: Psalm 55; 2 Cor 1:23-2:11; Mark 12:1-11; Psalm 74
Mar 29: Psalm 102; 1 Cor 10:14-17, 11:27-32; Mark 14:12-25; Psalm 142-143
Mar 30: Psalm 95, 22; 1 Peter 1:10-20; John 13:36-38; Psalm 40, 54
Mar 31: Psalm 95, 88; Hebrews 4:1-16; Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 27