Glidden-Lanesboro-Lohrville UMCs

Discussion Questions

What groups or clubs do you belong to?

What rules or expectations do they have about conduct and behavior?

How are those expectations shared?

How are expectations and covenant related?

What are the expectations God has of us, based on the covenant God has made with us?

Acting on the Word

    One part of our covenant with God involves remembering to give thanks.  Each day this week, make a list of things you are thankful for.  Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for these things.

 Daily Readings

Sunday:          2 Kings 22:1-20; 23:1-3 

Monday:         2 Kings 23:21-25

Tuesday:         2 Chronicles 35:20-27

Wednesday:    2 Kings 23:29-37

Thursday:       2 Kings 24:8-17

Friday:            2 Kings 24:18-25:2

Saturday:        Jeremiah 32:1-15

How is the covenant with God being kept?  How is it being broken?

Note:  All three of these books (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah) cover much of the same time period, from three different perspectives.

Discussion Questions

What kinds of experience have you had with plants?

In what ways does God provide for/protect the vineyard in Isaiah 5?

In what ways does God provide for/protect us?

How does the promise in Isaiah 11 relate to the lament in Isaiah 5?

Acting on the Word

    Find a way to tend a plant this week.  What does that experience tell you about caring for people?

 Daily Readings

Sunday:          Isaiah 5:1-7 

Monday:         Isaiah 11:1-5

Tuesday:         2 Kings 18:28-35

Wednesday:    2 Kings 19:1-7

Thursday:       2 Kings 20:1-11

Friday:            2 Kings 20:12-21

Saturday:        2 Kings 21:1-9

What choices do the leaders and/or people of Judah make?  What does God do and say in these passages?

Discussion Questions

If it’s true that there are “negative” consequences to sin, do you think these consequences come directly from “the hand of God?”

Given that “the wages of sin is death,” why do people continue to do things and think things and say things that disappoint God?

Have you ever had a time when your love for another person overpowered the disappointment that person caused you?

Acting on the Word

Take a few minutes at the end of each day to prayerfully ask yourself where you have followed God today and where you have strayed.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Hosea 11:1-9

Monday:         Hosea 14:1-7

Tuesday:         Micah 3:9-12

Wednesday:    Micah 4:1-4

Thursday:       Micah 6:3-8

Friday:            Isaiah 1:10-20

Saturday:        Isaiah 2:1-4

What actions have displeased God in these passages?  What is God’s response?

Discussion Questions

Who is the bravest person you know?  What makes them brave?

Who have been your role models?  Why?

What do you like about Elijah?  What don’t you like?

Acting on the Word

Write a thank-you note to someone who has helped you see that God is real.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          1 Kings 18:17-39

Monday:         1 Kings 19:1-18
Tuesday:         1 Kings 21:1-16

Wednesday:    1 Kings 21:17-29  
Thursday:       2 Kings 2:1-14

Friday:            2 Kings 4:8-17

Saturday:        2 Kings 4:18-37

What shows that God is real in these passages?  Who are the “saints” in these passages?  What makes them saints?

Discussion Questions

What is your favorite sports teams?

What are the key rivals of those teams?

What divisions/rivalries do you see in our country?

In our community?

Why do you think those divisions exist?

What caused the divisions between the northern tribes and Rehoboam?

Acting on the Word

Identify a division you are part of.  How might you serve/care for someone on the other side of the division?  Try to do so this week.

Daily Readings

Sunday:           1 Kings  12:1-17, 25-29

Monday:          1 Kings 14:1–16
Tuesday:         1 Kings 14:21–31

Wednesday:     1 Kings 15:9–24     
Thursday:        1 Kings 16:21–28

Friday:            1 Kings 16:29–34

Saturday:         1 Kings 17:1–7

What do these kings of Israel and Judah (and/or the prophet Elijah) do well?  What things do they do wrong?

 Remember, “Israel” refers to the northern kingdom, comprised of 9 of the 12 tribes of the Israelites. “Judah” refers to the southern kingdom, comprised of 3 of the tribes of the Israelites.  If you have a Bible with a map section, you may find it helpful to look refer to the map.

Discussion Questions

What are your first memories of dancing?

What are your first memories of parades?

How might dancing be a form of worship for you or others?

Acting on the Word

Find time to dance this week, even if it is just in your living room, the shower, or a chair.  Make that dance time a form of prayer in God’s presence.

Daily Readings

Sunday:           2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5

Monday:          2 Samuel 7:1-17
Tuesday:         2 Samuel 22:1-7

Wednesday:     1 Kings 1:32-40      
Thursday:        1 Kings 5:1-20

Friday:            1 Kings 10:1-13 

Saturday:         1 Kings 11:27-43

What is happening in these stories? How do you see God at work in them?

Discussion Questions

What do you know about how your ancestors arrived in North America?

How were Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz loyal?  Wise?  Generous?

How does Ruth’s story speak to current issues of immigration and poverty?

Acting on the Word

Like Boaz, keep an eye out for those in need, and find a way to help them.

Daily Readings

Sunday:           Ruth 1

Monday:          Ruth 2
Tuesday:         Ruth 3

Wednesday:     Ruth 4
Thursday:        Genesis 38:1-23       Tamar, Judah, and Perez: Part 1

Friday:            Genesis 38:24-40     Tamar, Judah, and Perez: Part 2

Saturday:         Matthew 1:1-6

What challenges and threats do Ruth and Naomi (or Tamar) face? How do they resolve them?  What risks do they take doing so?  Where is God at work?