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F-260 Joel 1-3 If you lived in an area known for natural disasters—earthquakes, brush fires, flooding, or the like—how would this knowledge affect you?  When have you most enjoyed the world of nature?  Who was Joel? (1:1)  What was the prophet’s opening appeal? (1:2-4)  What was the nature of Joel’s call to mourn? (1:5-13)  What specific instructions were to be given to all the people? (1:14)  Why was the locust plague meaningful? (1:15-20)  What was significant about the coming Day of the Lord? (2:1-11)  What was the nation’s only hope against utter destruction? (2:12-14)  Why were the people told to congregate? (2:15-17)  In response to real repentance, what did God promise to do immediately? (2:18-27)  What future deliverance would God provide? (2:28-32)  How would God judge the nations? (3:1-16)  How would Israel respond to God’s incredible display of power? (3:17)  What would mark Israel’s ultimate restoration? (3:18-21)  When natural disasters strike people and places throughout the world, what bothers you most?  If a family in your community lost all their belongings to a house fire, what would you do?  If you were unexpectedly faced with economic hardship, to whom would you turn for help?  How does your church band together to fight spiritual battles?  If Joel were to preach an ominous sermon about the impending Day of the Lord, how would your congregation likely respond to his words?  In terms of Joel’s imagery, how would you describe the spiritual condition of your church: about due for an invasion of locusts? prepared to fast, mourn, and wear sackcloth? ready for a ripe harvest and an outpouring of the Lord’s Spirit?  When is it appropriate to fast and mourn?  What is true repentance?  How have God’s blessings healed wounds in your life?  How can you provide emergency assistance to a family or group facing unexpected personal loss and hardship?  When can you take time to fast and pray for your church?  What is one creative way you can acknowledge your dependence on the Lord this week?

F-260 Amos 9 If you had to tell a friend some bad news, how would you choose to do it?  If you were in the business of fixing things, what kinds of things would you be interested in repairing or restoring?  What did Amos see in his fifth and final vision? (9:1-10)  How did Amos describe the restoration after judgment? (9:11-15)  Who, in your view, speaks out for the Lord in our society?  From your perspective, which group or nation today needs an extra measure of the Lord’s mercy and grace?  What does the term “Sovereign Lord” mean?  When have you felt that God was giving you the silent treatment?  How do you see your church being affected by hearing God’s Word?  If God judged the church today, what practices, characteristics, or teachings would He get rid of?  How can you pray for your community?  In what ways does your church need renewal?  When can you meet with a group of Christians to pray for forgiveness of sins and an outpouring of God’s grace and mercy on your church community?  In what areas of your life do you want to ask the Holy Spirit to refresh or restore you?  With whom can you pray for a renewal of commitment to God? When?

F-260 Amos 1 What line of work would you like to be doing three years from now?  If you had the opportunity to work in the criminal justice system, in what position would you be most effective?  When did Amos, the shepherd, reveal his visions? (1:1)  What was the theme of Amos’s message? (1:2)  What was the pronouncement of doom against Damascus? (1:3-5)  What would become of the Philistines because of their enslavement of entire communities? (1:6-8)  How would Tyre be punished for her sins? (1:9-10)  What was the judgment against Edom? (1:11-12)  How would God deal with the terrible cruelty of Ammon? (1:13-15)  How would God deal with Moab? (2:1-3)  What was the ruling against Judah? (2:4-5)  How had Israel sinned? (2:6-8)  How would God deal with Israel’s sins? (2:6-16)  How had God dealt with His people in the past? (2:9-12)  Who would be affected by God’s severe punishment? (2:13-16)  What advantage was there in God choosing Amos, a shepherd and a farmer, to deliver such a harsh prophetic message to His people?  How do you think Amos felt about presenting God’s message to the northern kingdom of Israel?  When have you felt unqualified for ministry that you have been called to do?  If you were to speak out against social injustice, what would compel people to listen to you?  How might a wealthy Christian church today compare with affluent Israel in Amos’s day?  What types of social and religious corruption do you see in Christian circles?  How has the church grown hard and callous in their dealings with others?  What level of responsibility do you feel toward the homeless and needy?  In what ways do we turn a deaf ear to God’s Word?  Starting today, what practical steps can you take toward letting the Holy Spirit soften your heart toward the Lord and bring renewal to your spiritual life?  How can you help a child or an adult this week caught in an unfortunate set of circumstances?

F-260 Hosea 1-3 Hosea’s Wayward Wife - Hosea 1:1-3:5 If someone were to select a spouse for you, whom would you trust to make the best choice? What do you like about your name? What qualities do you cherish about the person who loves you most? Who was Hosea? (1:1) When did the Lord speak to the prophet? (1:1) What did the Lord instruct Hosea to do? (1:2-2:1) What was the symbolism of Hosea’s family? (1:2-2:1) How did Hosea feel about Gomer? (2:2-13) What did God say to Israel through Hosea’s words? (2:2-13) What did the Lord plan to do to win Israel back to himself? (2:14-15) By what name would renewed Israel acknowledge her Lord? (2:16) What would God prohibit? (2:17) What would accompany Israel’s return to the land? (2:18) What would mark the new relationship between the Lord and Israel? (2:19-23) What commands did the Lord give Hosea? (3:1) How did Hosea respond to the Lord? (3:2-3) What did Gomer’s lengthy probation portray? (3:4) What would happen after Israel’s period of isolation? (3:5) What do you expect from God when you “betray” Him repeatedly? How do you tend to deal with a loved one who has wronged you in some way? How should Christians deal with people in the church who commit adultery? How is God’s faithfulness to us an example of the way we should treat others? What are the “idols” in your life from which you should turn away? What bruised or broken family relationship of yours needs the healing touch of the Lord? What does this passage say to you about the consequences of sin? In what ways do you think people’s attitudes toward morality have changed over the past ten years? How would you describe the influence of the church on the morals of our society? How can you intervene in someone else’s life to be a force of renewal? What step can you take each day to help maintain your faithfulness to the Lord? What loyalties, things, or relationships do you need to hand over to God? How can you show love and acceptance to someone in your church in desperate need of forgiveness or affirmation?

F-260 Jonah 3-4 Jonah Fulfills His Mission - Jonah 3:1-4:11 If you were offered a trip to the city of your choice anywhere in the world, what city would you choose? Why? When things don’t go your way, how do you tend to respond? What most easily moves you to compassion? What did God command Jonah to do? (3:1-2) How did Jonah respond to God’s instructions? (3:3) What did Jonah tell the Ninevites? (3:4) How did the people respond to Jonah’s message? (3:5) What did the king do? (3:6) What did the king decree? (3:7-9) What action did God take? (3:10) How did Jonah respond to God’s goodness to the Ninevites? (4:1) What was the attitude of Jonah’s prayer? (4:2-3) What did God say to Jonah? (4:4) What did the distraught prophet do? (4:5) How did God deal with Jonah? (4:6-11) What did God want Jonah to understand? (4:9-11) When have you experienced a surprising, undeserved measure of God’s mercy in your life? Why do you think that fasting might be a useful part of repentance? In your view, which culture, nation, or special interest group is undeserving of God’s mercy? God was very gracious to Jonah, a pouting, reactive type. How does God deal with your prickly side? How does the story of Jonah affect your view of cross-cultural ministry? Jonah wanted Nineveh, Israel’s enemy, destroyed. When have you wanted revenge rather than restoration in a relationship? What hard lesson have you had to learn from God? What is one way you can extend God’s love and mercy toward others, particularly those who don’t deserve it? How can you express thanks to the Lord this week for all the love and mercy He has given to you and others?

F-260 Jonah 1-2 Jonah Forsakes His Mission - Jonah 1:1-2:10 What is your idea of the perfect “get away from all your troubles” location? What good or bad thoughts do you associate with fish? When have you been rescued from a difficult situation? What did God tell Jonah to do? (1:1-2) How did Jonah respond to God? (1:3) What happened at sea? (1:4-5) What was Jonah’s condition as the storm raged? (1:5-6) What did the sailors do? (1:7) How did Jonah respond to the sailors’ barrage of questions? (1:8-9) What made the men terrified? (1:10) How did the sailors appeal to Jonah? (1:11) Why did Jonah tell the sailors to throw him into the sea? (1:12) What happened following Jonah’s penitent admission? (1:13-16) What miraculous provision did God make for Jonah? (1:17) Once inside the fish, how did Jonah respond to God’s rescue? (2:1-9) What was Jonah’s attitude toward God? (2:7-9) How did God finally deliver Jonah? (2:10) When have you not wanted to obey God? When has God called you to serve Him in ways that were unattractive or unpleasant to you? What rebellious attitudes have you ever had toward the Lord? What opportunities do you have to tell others about faith in Christ? What are your feelings toward the unbelievers around you? How has God pursued you when you have tried to avoid Him? When have bad circumstances turned out for your good? How do you feel when you know that you are being obedient to the Lord’s call? What can you do to respond with obedience to God the next time you must do something good but unpleasant? How can you share the gospel with others at work? among your family? among your neighbors? How do you want to thank the Lord right now for all the remarkable ways He has delivered you?

F-260 2 Kings 6:1-23 An Axhead Floats - 2 Kings 6:1-7 When have you felt the sinking feeling that comes with losing or damaging someone else’s property? What do you think you would enjoy or loathe about being involved in a church building project? Why is the presence and attention of the leader such an encouragement to the people working under him or her? Why did the prophets want to build a new community living and meeting space? (6:1-2) What hesitations, if any, did Elisha have about the proposed building project? (6:2) What did the prophets want from Elisha? (6:3) What building material was chosen by the prophets? (6:4) What accident befell one of the workers? (6:5) Why was the worker especially distressed about the loss of an axhead? (6:5) From what material was the axhead made that was used to cut down trees? (6:5) To whom did the younger prophet turn when he found himself in a predicament? (6:5) What question did Elisha ask the prophet who had lost the axhead? (6:6) What strange action did Elisha take at the place where the axhead dropped? (6:6) What miraculous occurrence followed when Elisha threw the stick in the river? (6:6) What command did Elisha issue when the axhead floated up? (6:7) How did the potentially disastrous incident of the lost axhead end? (6:7) In your opinion to what extent were the setbacks in the building project a result of someone’s disobedience? What was a common practice of groups of “prophets” in Elisha’s day? Why did the prophets who followed Elisha need more room? What did the prophets want from Elisha besides his “go-ahead.” What is good or bad about having your immediate boss oversee your work? What is the most responsible way to handle the situation if you lose or damage someone else’s property? How was Elisha’s presence important to the miracle of the axhead floating? Why is faith the believer’s most important tool when beginning a project? What project of concern to you could benefit from the presence of an older and wiser member? How? What borrowed item do you need to return to its owner in good condition this week? Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans - 2 Kings 6:8-23 What can inside information about the enemy do for a fighting force? When is the spread of secrets or confidences alarming or dangerous? What two kingdoms were at war? (6:8) Who was making the decisions about the movement of the troops of Aram? (6:8) How was the king of Israel avoiding the king of Aram again and again? (6:9-10) How did the king of Aram assume the enemy was getting privileged information? (6:11) What did one of the officers tell the king of Aram about his “security leak”? (6:12) Where did the king of Aram catch up to Elisha? (6:13-14) What was the reaction of Elisha’s servant when he saw the army of Aram surrounding the city? (6:15) Why was Elisha not alarmed by what the servant reported? (6:16) What did Elisha ask God to show his servant? (6:17) What did Elisha ask God to do to the force that was closing in on him? (6:18) With their perception altered, what was Elisha able to do with the army that had come after him? (6:19) Once he had led them to Samaria, what did Elisha ask God to show the Arameans? (6:20) When the king of Israel saw his enemies at his mercy, how did he propose to seize the day? (6:21) To what ethic of warfare did Elisha appeal when he ordered the king to spare the prisoners? (6:22) What was done for the Arameans who found themselves at Israel’s mercy? (6:23) How did the war between Aram and Israel go after this incident? (6:23) What advantage did Israel have in its conflict with Aram? What negative consequences can issue from a breach of confidence? Why was Elisha not alarmed about a whole army seeking to capture him? What was the purpose of the blindness that God brought on the Arameans? What are the advantages and disadvantages of military versus divine help? How can mercy for one’s enemies show greater strength than vengeance? What problem might seem less intimidating if you asked God for His help and intervention? How can you monitor your intentions and behavior so you don’t betray the people who confide in you?

F-260 2 Kings 5 Naaman Healed of Leprosy What is the purpose of offering a reward for the return of a missing item, animal, or person? In what way can a serious illness make a person more or less inclined to trust God? What made Naaman a “great man” in Aram? (5:1) How was God involved with the fortunes of the pagan nation of Aram? (5:1) How did Naaman learn about the healing powers of the prophet of God? (5:2-3) When the king of Aram approved Namaan’s expedition, to whom did he send the commander? (5:4-6) How did the king of Israel react when he received the letter from the king of Aram? (5:7) What message did Elisha send to the king when he heard of the letter and the king’s reaction? (5:8) What promise did Elisha make to Naaman? (5:9-10) What was Naaman’s reaction to the instructions to wash in the Jordan? (5:11-12) How did Naaman’s servants reason with him to help him overcome his pride? (5:13) What happened when Naaman obeyed Elisha’s instructions? (5:14) How had Naaman changed internally by the time he went back to Elisha? (5:15) What did Naaman offer to Elisha out of gratitude? (5:15) How did Elisha respond to the offer of gifts? (5:16) How did Naaman propose to live as a believer in the Lord God in a pagan land? (5:17-18) On what terms did Naaman and Elisha part? (5:19) What bothered Gehazi about the way Elisha had treated Naaman? (5:20) What did Gehazi try to do, without Elisha’s knowledge, to enrich himself? (5:21-24) How did Elisha find out about what his servant had done? (5:25) What was Gehazi’s punishment for being deceitful and greedy? (5:26-27) Why was the king of Israel at his wits’ end when he received the request from the king of Aram? How did it help Naaman that God (through Elisha) chose the Jordan to wash and heal him? How can our unwillingness to humble ourselves actually deprive us of good gifts from God? Why do you think Naaman’s cleansing was a conversion experience for him? Why would it have compromised the name of God and His prophet if Elisha had accepted payment for Naaman’s healing? How did Gehazi underestimate Elisha’s relationship with God? What tangible benefits do you see in humbling yourself to do what God requires of you? What can you do to serve someone else without payment?

F-260 2 Kings 2 Elijah Taken up to Heaven What Christian’s spiritual gifts would you like to inherit if that were possible? What’s good, bad, convenient, or inconvenient about being liked very much by someone else? In your opinion are young people are more or less respectful today than when you were young? Why? Although Elijah and Elisha were in the habit of traveling together, why did Elijah try to go to Bethel on his own? (2:1-2) What was Elisha’s reply to Elijah’s suggestion that he stay behind? (2:2) What did the prophets at Bethel want to make sure that Elisha knew? (2:3) What was Elisha’s reply to the prophets who told him his master would be taken that very day? (2:3) What journey did Elijah propose to take alone but could not because Elisha would not leave him? (2:4) How did the prophets at Jericho greet Elisha? (2:5) Where did Elijah and Elisha go? (2:6) What remarkable event was witnessed by fifty prophets at the Jordan River? (2:7-8) What was Elijah’s question for Elisha when they were alone? (2:9) What did Elisha want to inherit from Elijah? (2:9) On what condition did Elijah say Elisha’s prayer would be granted? (2:10) What amazing event did Elisha witness? (2:11-12) What was Elisha’s first test of whether Elijah’s power had come upon him? (2:13-15) What did Elisha know about whether Elijah could ever be found on this earth? (2:16-18) What problem did the city elders bring to Elisha? (2:19-22) What befell some youngsters who taunted Elisha? (2:23-25) Why do you suppose the younger prophet refused to be elsewhere when his master was taken by the Lord? What words might describe Elisha’s emotions when he saw Elijah taken up? What older Christian could (or does) disciple or help you grow in your faith? How can the deeds of believers who have gone before us encourage us today? By repeating the parting of the Jordan, what did Elisha know about the power he would have as a prophet? What likely effect did Elisha’s early miracles have on his popularity? Why is scorn for God and the servants of God not a youthful prank to be excused or taken lightly? Whom can you seek out this week as a mentor and example for your faith? How? In what practical ways can we teach our children to respect faithful servants of God?

F-260 1 Kings 22 Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab When have you been asked for an opinion and you knew what answer the questioner wanted to hear? Why do we sometimes insist on following through on our plans even when we’ve received good advice against it? How had affairs changed between the rival kingdoms of Israel and Judah? (22:1-3) What was bothering the king of Israel? (22:3) What favor did the king of Israel ask of the king of Judah? (22:4) What one condition did Jehoshaphat impose before he went into battle with Ahab? (22:4-5) What was the unanimous counsel of the four hundred prophets? (22:6) What did Jehoshaphat find lacking in the advice of the prophets? (22:7) What did Ahab tell Jehoshaphat about the one remaining prophet of the Lord? (22:8) Where were the two kings when Micaiah was summoned before them? (22:10-12) How did the messenger who summoned Micaiah advise him to counsel the kings? (22:13) What one criterion did Micaiah use to determine what he would say? (22:14) What was the first answer that Micaiah gave to Ahab? (22:15) How did Micaiah’s message change when the king insisted he wanted the truth? (22:16-17) What story did Micaiah tell about a consultation in heaven? (22:19-23) What did Ahab decide to do with Micaiah while he went to war? (22:26-27) How did the two kings dress when they went into battle against Ramoth Gilead? (22:29-30) Why did Jehoshaphat narrowly miss being killed in battle? (22:31-33) How was Ahab wounded in spite of the fact that he had concealed his identity? (22:34) How did the armies of Israel and Judah react when they heard of Ahab’s death? (22:36) Although Ahab was given a king’s burial, how was the prophecy against him fulfilled anyway? (22:37-38) What kind of king was Jehoshaphat? (22:41-44) What were some of Jehoshaphat’s accomplishments and failures? (22:43-50) How was Ahaziah like his father Ahab? (22:51-53) What are the indications that Jehoshaphat respected God? What might have been the tone of Micaiah’s voice when he first gave the answer he knew Ahab wanted to hear? Why would someone totally ignore God’s revealed will and do what he or she wants anyway? How had Ahab’s advisors changed the definition of “prophet” from what Micaiah understood it to be? How can we conduct our lives in such a way that we are not expecting God to “rubber stamp” all of our goals and desires? What can we learn from the fact that even Ahab knew that Micaiah alone was a prophet of the living God? What purpose is there in a believer taking a stand for the truth even when he or she is ignored? How did Ahab take advantage of Jehoshaphat’s desire for peace and cooperation? What are the pros and cons of trusting someone who has demonstrated scorn for God’s wisdom? When, if ever, do you think Ahab realized that his prophets had been lying? As far as we know from this account, what became of the prophet Micaiah? How can you pray so that you will be ready to represent God’s Word even when it is unpopular with those around you? Before you act on a significant decision you now face, how should you pray? What can you do to be receptive the next time someone wisely advises you to not do something that you really want to do?