Teaching Archives

GodSpeak Readings: Week 42/June 28-July 3

Week 42:  June 28-July 3
Job 2-14

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, June 28 Job 2-3  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Explain Job’s words recorded in Job 2:10 in light of Hebrews 12:5–11.

Tuesday, June 29 Job 4-5  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Why do you think Christians sometimes face periods of hardship, illness, and disappointment with the same type of reasoning as Job’s friend Eliphaz explains in Job 4:3–8?

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Sermon: “The Cupbearing Wallbuilder”

Sunday, June 20, 2010 Readings: Nehemiah 1:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Luke 10:1-9 There are so many of us who want to make a difference.  We have big ideas and are very motivated, but the challenges are so huge and the chance to make real change so small.  If Nehemiah would have thought that way, the walls … Read more

GodSpeak Readings: Week 41/June 21-26

Week 41:  June 21-26
Nehemiah 11, Esther, Job 1

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, June 21 Nehemiah 11-13  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Read again Nehemiah 12. Imagine the beautiful celebration of God and His goodness. Note especially the scene described in verse 43. Of what future occurrence may this event remind us? See Revelation 7:9–17).

Tuesday, June 22 Esther 1-2  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. What evidence does Esther 2:19–23 provide that Esther and Mordecai sought to obey God with respect to the Fourth Commandment?

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Sermon: “The Remnant”

Sunday, June 13, 2010 Readings: Ezra 1:1-5, Romans 9:27-33, Luke 13:22-30 There used to be so many.  Now all that is left is a remnant.  The people of Israel were removed from the promised land many years ago, but now they are told to return and to rebuild.  They were no longer the numerous, powerful nation of the … Read more

GodSpeak Readings: Week 40/June 14-19

Week 40:  June 14-19
Ezra 9-Nehemiah 10

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, June 14 Ezra 9-10  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Relate the following segment from Ezra’s prayer to yourself and God’s other faithful people around you, “O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in Your presence” (Ezra 9:15).

Tuesday, June 15 Nehemiah 1  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Upon learning of the deplorable conditions in Jerusalem, Nehemiah comes before God in repentant prayer. According to Nehemiah 1:10, what is the relationship between God’s people and God? How was this relationship established?

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Sermon: “Surrounded”

Sunday, June 6, 2010 Readings: 2 Chronicles 32:1-15, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Luke 23:32-43 Your options are limited.  You can either fight or you can give up.  You’re surrounded.  I suppose someone may come from outside and save the day, but you can’t just depend on that happening… or can you?  Listen and find out how God … Read more

GodSpeak Readings: Week 39/June 7-12

Week 39:  June 7-12
2 Chronicles 34-Ezra 8

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, June 7 2 Chronicles 34-35  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Review 2 Chronicles 35.One recurring sign that Israel was falling away from the Lord was that they neglected the celebrations of the Old Testament festivals, such as Passover. That is why the renewals of the Passover celebration under Hezekiah and Josiah were so significant. Why are celebrations so vital in the lives of God’s people? What particular features of your church’s celebrations help you recall God’s promises and the message of salvation through Jesus our Savior?

Tuesday, June 8 2 Chronicles 36  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Viewing the Babylonian exile from a time after the exile, the writer of Chronicles sees the exile as a time of Sabbath rest (2 Chronicles 36:21) for the land and the people. What were the benefits of Sabbath rest (Leviticus 25:1–7; 26:2; Hebrews 4:9)? How might you observe the Sabbath so it is a time of refreshment?

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Sermon: “God”

Trinity Sunday, May 30, 2010 Readings: 2 Chronicles 24:17-22, Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-5, 9-14 So, how do you handle something that is true?  Not just something that is only true for you, but something that is just plain true?  This is our attitude about the God we worship.  He is the one and only true God, … Read more

GodSpeak Readings: Week 38/May 31-June 5

Week 38:  May 31-June 5
2 Chronicles 25-33

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, May 31 2 Chronicles 25-26  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. As you think about true prosperity in connection with your reading of 2 Chronicles 25–26, the question frequently is asked, Why do the wicked prosper? Even the psalmist in Psalm 10 raises the question. Does it seem to you that the wicked prosper? Some religious leaders teach that when you trust the Lord you will be rich. Is there a difference between being prosperous and being rich? If so, what is the difference? Look at these Scripture passages for more insight into prosperity: Deuteronomy 5:33; Ezra 6:14; Proverbs 28:25; and Isaiah 45:7. Then thank the Lord for your prosperity in Christ.

Tuesday, June 1 2 Chronicles 27-28  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. How do you respond when you are reprimanded for doing something wrong? Look at the experience of the victorious Israelite soldiers (2 Chronicles 28:6–15). They had won a battle and plundered the losers. Oded confronted them, however (2 Chronicles 28:9–11). Why did he object to this plundering? What did he say should be done? What does this incident in God’s Word say to us?

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Confirmation Sermon: “Wisdom”

Confirmation Sunday, May 23, 2010 Readings: 2 Chronicles 1:7-13, Acts 2:1-21, Matthew 28:16-20 If God were to offer you any wish for yourself and he would grant it, what would you ask for?  That crazy thought was a reality for King Solomon and he asked for wisdom.  Listen to how wisdom is a two-edged sword and … Read more