Search The Scriptures — Study 49 — Luke 19:47-20:26

Study 49 From The Book of Luke Is:

Luke 19:47-20:26

     1.     Observe the atmosphere of hostility and intrigue in this passage. In this situation, what was the purpose of the parable of 20:9-18? To whom does it refer, and what does it imply about the status of Jesus?

     2.     20:19-26. Why was Jesus’s answer so effective? Apply both halves of verse 25 to your own situation.

3.     20:1-8. Why did Jesus answer one question by asking another? Or was He treating their inquiry seriously? If so, why did He refuse to tell them the answer to their original question?

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Previousstudy:  Lesson 48

Search The Scriptures — Study 40 — Genesis 49

Study 40 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 49

     1.     Consider how diverse and unpromising were the human materials which God chose for the fulfillment of His purposes. Cf. Dt. 7:7, 8; 9: 4, 5.  One secret of how God could do this is described in verses 24, 25a. Is this a secret of victory which you have learnt for yourself? Cf. Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9.

     2.     Consider especially Reuben, Judah and Joseph. In whom was the promise of verse 10 fulfilled? (See RSV for sense; cf. Ezk. 21:27.) Cf. also 1Ch. 5:1,2

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STUDY 39

Search The Scriptures — Study 39 — Genesis 47:13-48:22

Study 39 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 47:13-48:22

     1.     By their own confession what did Joseph do for the people of Egypt? How did he remain true to his father’s God amid all the pressures of his office?

     2.     What different points of view produced the two retrospects of Jacob in 47:9 and 48:15, 16? Which is more worthy of our imitation?

3.     Note Jacob’s confident faith and prayer for his two grandsons. Cf. Heb. 11:21; Gn. 18:18, 19; Dt. 6:4-7; Ps. 78:5-7. What can we learn from this concerning the privilege and responsibility of Christian parenthood?

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Study 38

Search The Scriptures — Study 37 — Genesis 45

Study 37 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 45

     1.     What were the reasons for Joseph’s intensity of feeling in verses 1-15? What was his attitude to the sufferings that preceded the reconciliation? What can we learn from this of God’s longing to reconcile His sinful creatures, at whatever cost?

    2.   What blessings did the restoration of family harmony bring with it?

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STUDY 36

Search The Scriptures — Study 36 — Genesis 44

Study 36 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 44

     1.     How do the actions of Joseph’s brothers in this chapter show a real change in them?  Contrast their behavior toward their father and another beloved son in 37:18-31.

    2.     Observe how in this second visit to Egypt Judah takes the lead; see 43:3, 8; 44:14, 16, 18.  What qualities are revealed in his speech in verses 18:34? How does this teach us that we should not despair of anyone? See 37:26, 27; 38:1; Ps. 119:59.

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STUDY 35

Search The Scriptures — Study 35 — Genesis 43

Study 35 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 43

    1.     Why Jacob yield to Judah’s appeal when he had refused the earlier appeal of Reuben in 42: 37, 38?

    2.     Why do you think Joseph gave to Benjamin a portion five times as large as to the others? Was it affection for Benjamin or a further test for his brothers? See 37:4.

  

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STUDY 34

Search The Scriptures — Study 34 — Genesis 42

Study 34 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 42

     1.     What was the motive of Joseph’s apparent harshness towards his brethren? For his real feelings see verses 24, 25.  Have we here an illustration of the methods which God also uses? Cf. Heb.12:6, 11; Je. 31:18, 19.

    2.     What brought the brothers to the recognition of their guilt? See verse 21.

3.     How mistaken was the attitude of Jacob in verse 36! What may we learn from this about our own attitude when everything seems against us? Cf. Ps. 43:5; Phil.4:6-7.

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STUDY 33

Search The Scriptures — Study 33 — Genesis 41:14-57

Study 33 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 41:14-57

    1.     What in Joseph so impressed Pharaoh and his court that he was made ruler of Egypt? Compare your own character and consistency with his, and consider where you fall short.

    2.     If we have found in Christ the Bread of life, and men around us are perishing, what spiritual lesson may we draw from verses 54-57?

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STUDY 32

Search The Scriptures — Study 32 — Genesis 40:1-41:13

Study 32 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 40:1-41:13

    1.     What qualities in Joseph are shown in this passage? Try to find at least five.

    2.     How did God make Joseph’s prison experiences work together for good? Why were victory over temptation, and use of opportunities to prove God and help others, so important at this stage?

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STUDY 31

Search The Scriptures — Study 31 — Genesis 38 and 39

Study 31 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 38 and 39

    1.     Chapter 38. From what initial false step did all the events of sin and shame originate? What can we learn from this? Cf. Gn. 24:3; 26: 34, 35; 27:46-28:4.

    2.     Chapter 39.  How did Joseph exemplify the best qualities of his ancestors: the faith and faithfulness of Abraham, the meekness of Isaac, the energy and ability of Jacob, the beauty of Rachel?

3.     Over what temptations did Joseph win the victory? What was the key to his success?

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STUDY 30

Search The Scriptures — Study 40 — Luke 16:1-13

Study 40 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 16:1-13

The point of this parable lies not in the dishonesty of the steward’s plan, but in his prudent provision for the future.

     1.     Verses 1-9.  For what did the steward’s master commend him? What ought Christian disciples to learn from the wisdom of the world? How can money be used to provide spiritual capital’ for the future? Cf. 1 Tim. 6:18-19.

      2.     Verses 10-13. How do these verses show that Jesus was not condoning the steward’s dishonesty? How ought material possessions to be seen in perspective?

Note.  Verses 9, 11, 13. ‘Mammom’ means ‘money’. It is called ‘unrighteous’ because of the way it easily leads men to dishonesty.  Cf. 1 Tim. 6:10.

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STUDY 39

Search The Scriptures — Study 39 — Luke 15:1-32

Study 39 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 15:1-32

     1.     Show how these three parables answer the Pharisees’ objections (verse 2). What are the Son, the Spirit and the Father all eager to see happen and to bring about?

     2.     What does the story of the prodigal son teach about sin, repentance and the love of God?

    3.     Verses 25-32.  What were the Pharisees meant to learn from this episode? Can you see the same tendency in yourself?

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STUDY 38

Search The Scriptures — Study 31 — Luke 11:37-52

Study 31 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:37-52

    1.     Verses 37-44. How would you summarize the faults of the Pharisees? Translate them into terms of modern life.  What attitude and action does Jesus recommend?

    2.     Verses 45-52. What three charges does Jesus level against the lawyers? Translate these, too, into modern terms. Who may still be guilty in this way? How may such sins be avoided?

Notes

1.     Verse 44.  Contact with a grave caused defilement (Nu.19:16).

2.     Verse 51. For Abel, see Gn. 4:8; for Zechariah, see 2 Ch. 24:20-22. As Chronicle was the last book in the Hebrew Old Testament, the whole range of Old Testament history is thus indicated. 

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STUDY 30

Search The Scriptures — Study 30 — Luke 11:14-36

Study 30 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:14-36

In verses 15 and 16 are recorded two attacks on Jesus: a charge of collusion with Satan, and demand for a sign to authenticate His mission. The first is answered in verses 17-26, the second in verses 29-32.

    1.     How does Jesus show the falsity of the charge that He cast out demons by demonic power? What, on the contrary, do His exorcisms prove about Him?

    2.     What is the sign of Jonah? Cf. Mt. 12:40. Why should the generation to whom Jesus preached stand condemned at the judgment? What was their sin?

Notes

1.       Verse 19. ‘Your sons’: Jewish exorcists. Verses 20-22 show Jesus’ complete mastery over Satan in comparison with the imperfect cures of the exorcists. (Verses 24-26).  

2.       Verses 34-36. The function of the eye, as the organ by which the body makes use of the light which shines on it, is taken as an analogy for the faculty of spiritual perception, which must be in good order to receive the lights of revelation.  The allusion is to the spiritual blindness of ‘its generation’. 

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STUDY 29

Search The Scriptures — Study 29 — Luke 11:1-13

Study 29 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Luke 11:1-13

     1.     Verses 2-4.  This abbreviated version of the Lord’s Prayer gives, as it were, the ‘iron rations’ of prayer.  Consider what aspects and theme of prayer are selected as the most essential. How does your prayer measure up to this pattern?

     2.     Verses 5-13. What attitude in prayer is commended in these verses?  What results may such prayer expect? What reasons are we given for confidence in prayer?

Note: Verse 8. ‘Importunity’: what this describes is a persistence in solicitation that is literally ‘shameless’ or ‘impudent.’

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  STUDY 28

Search The Scriptures — Study 18 — Genesis 24:61—25-34

Study 18 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 24:61-25:34

1.     What light do we get from this portion on the kind of man Isaac was? See 24:63-67; 25:28.

2.     Contrast Jacob and Esau, as described in 25:27-34. In their habits, character and spiritual outlook. What lesson is drawn in Heb.12:14-17 from Esau‘s conduct in regard to his birthright?

3.     Review Abraham’s life. What gives him an outstanding place in world history and makes him a conspicuous example to us all? Cf. Is. 41:8; Gal.3:9, 29.

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STUDY 17

Search The Scriptures — Study 17 — Genesis 24:1-60

Study 17 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 24:1-60

      1.  What can we learn from the attitude of Abraham’s servant in his relation to (a) his master, and (b) the task given to him? What were his confidence and concern? Cf. Col. 3:22-24.

     2.   Examine the manner in which the servant made his choice, and the test he employed. Of what did he become particularly conscious? Can we learn from this about choosing a life-partner?

     3. What picture do we get of Rebekah? 

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STUDY 16

Search The Scriptures — Study 16 — Genesis 23

Study 16 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 23

     1.     What features in Abraham’s character does the story of this chapter bring out?  With verse 4 Cf. Heb. 11: 9, 10, 13-16. What may we learn from his example concerning the right way to face both life and death?

    2.     What is Sarah’s character as shown in Genesis? Cf. Heb. 11:11; 1 Pet. 3:5, 6. How many wives today become what the Bible calls her children?

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STUDY 15

Search The Scriptures — Study 13 — Genesis 19

Study 13 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 19

     1.     What is revealed in this chapter about (a) the evil latent in the heart of man, (b) the certainty of divine judgement, (c) the priority of divine mercy, and (d) the urgency of immediate action while there is time to escape? Cf. Lk. 17:23-32; 2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 7.

     2.     What is Lot gain for himself and his family by his association with Sodom? In what ways should he be a warning to us?

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STUDY 12

Search The Scriptures — Study 12 — Genesis 18

Study 12 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 18

     1.     Let us learn from Abraham’s example how it is possible to receive the Lord as our guest, to enjoy fellowship with Him, to become those whom He calls His friends. Cf. Heb. 13:2; Rev. 3: 20; Jas. 2:23; Jn. 15:13-15. What were the fruits of this fellowship in Abraham’s experience? What enrichment, in consequence, did Abraham gain for himself, and was able to bring to others?

    2.     Verses 22-33. What are the chief characteristics of Abraham’s intercession? Make a list of those which should also mark our praying. Note the effect of Abraham’s intercession. Cf. Gn. 19:29.

Note.  Verses 23-25. Note that in praying for Lot and for Sodom Abraham appealed not to God’s special covenant mercy or faithfulness, but to His universal righteous judgement.

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STUDY 11