Questions for session #1: “From Eden to Egypt”

How many books are there in the Old Testament?

Are the Old Testament books organized topically or chronologically?

How many sections were the Old Testament books divided into and what are they called?

Read Genesis 50:15-21, the scene in the story of Joseph just after Jacob died and respond to the following questions:

How does Joseph demonstrate that he had already forgiven his brothers for selling him into slavery?

How do his brothers demonstrate that they had never really dealt with their offense against Joseph?

In what ways do you think Joseph was a better man because of the hardships that he had to endure?

When you are going through difficult circumstances, do you find it harder or easier to believe that God is with you and he is working out his good plan for your life? Why?

Questions for session #2: “From Egypt to the Wilderness”

Ask for a volunteer to give the basic outline of the story of the Old Testament from Abraham and Sarah leaving Ur to the nation of Israel wandering in the wilderness.

If you had been one of the spies chosen to spy out the Promised Land, do you think you would have been one of the ten who said it couldn’t be done or one of the two who said it could be done? Why?

Read Numbers 14:26-35. In your own words, why was God so displeased with the nation of Israel?

A.W. Tozer said that “the most important thing about you is what comes to mind when you think about God.” What did the Hebrew’s actions say about themselves and what did it say about their perception of God?

If you were to act with bold faith in your life, what would be different about it? Would it change any of your behaviors, emotions or outlook on life? Remember Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Questions for session #3: “Back to the Promised Land”

As a group, retell the story of the Old Testament starting in Ur with Tera’s family and ending with the nation of Israel conquering the Promised Land.

How many Judges did Israel have? Can you name one or two?

The 300- year period of the Judges was:
a. 300 years of complete moral and spiritual darkness
b. 300 years of the nation of Israel following God completely
c. 300 years of repeated cycles of sin, punishment, repentance, deliverance and peace

The seeds of moral and spiritual destruction in Israel during the Judges were sown by the first generation who conquered the land. The first seed was ‘cultural compromise’ because they did not completely drive out the Canaanites from the land. (see Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and Judges 1). What is different about how we are to respond to our culture today compared to how they were to respond to the culture of their day? (Compare Deuteronomy 7:1-6 with John 17:15)

Do you agree with Michael Horton’s assessment of evangelical Christians today when he writes, “Evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centered and sexually immoral as the world in general.” Why or why not? To the extent he is accurate in his evaluation, what is the remedy?

The second seed of destruction was that parents did not pass along the spiritual and moral teachings that they were given to their children (see Judges 2:6-13 and compare that to Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

Parents, in what ways have you or are you passing the Christian faith and teachings to your children?

In what ways are you building the Christian faith and teachings into your own life?

This week: Memorize Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Make it the motto of your life and family.

Questions for session #4, “The United Kingdom Divides”

Can you name the first four kings of Israel in order?

Which one was the best king of Israel? Which one was the wealthiest? Which one made a decision that resulted in the nation splitting into two separate nations?

When the nation of Israel split, what was the northern nation called? What was the southern nation called?

What was the most visible character flaw of Saul?

Comparison is something we all have to fight against. What are some effective antidotes to envy?

All four kings faded to one degree or another into the finish. None finished as strongly as they could have or should have. What are some areas that we need to pay attention to and guard against a ’slow fade’? What are some warning signs that someone might be ‘fading’ spiritually or morally?
What are some ways to keep from fading in our later years and will help us finish life strong and vibrant for God?

Read 2 Timothy 4:7-8 and make this the aim of your life!

Questions for Session #5: “The Exile”

The Northern Kingdom, Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, Judah, both became so evil and corrupt that God had to deal with them. Which one did God deal with first, Israel or Judah? Which one had no good king to lead it? Which one was conquered by Assyria and which one by Babylon? Does the ‘exile’ refer to Israel being conquered or Judah being conquered?

Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah in the final 40 years before the fall of Jerusalem.

According to Jeremiah 1:5, when did God call Jeremiah to his role as a prophet? Do you believe this is a unique calling to him or do you think God ‘calls’ each of us to specific assignments? Why or why not?

What words or phrases best describes Jeremiah and why:
a. happy
b. committed
c. tears
d. success
e. popular
f. faithful
g. honest
h. failure

Read Lamentations 3:19-26. What was the context of these words? Why was Jeremiah able to say these words even as he looked at all the destruction around him? Will you commit to these words of affirmation of God’s faithfulness even if you are experiencing some troubling circumstances in your own life?

Questions for session #6: “The Return”

Can you recall a time in your life when you were away from home and you were ‘home sick’? Share your story with the group and the emotions you felt when you finally arrived back home.

Match the Old Testament book with the correct story:

Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther

a. The story of the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem
b. The story of a foiled plot in Persia to exterminate the Jews.
c. The story of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

How would you define ‘fasting’?

How would you define ‘prayer’?

Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther all practiced fasting and prayer at a very critical moment in their lives. Have you ever been desperate for God to respond to you that you gave up some normal activities in your life and spent time with God in prayer? If it is not too private, would you share that experience with the group and what the outcome was?

Take some time at the end of your time together to share prayer requests with each other and commit to praying this week for one another.