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Overseers and Deacons—1 Timothy 3:1–16 Open It 1. *What were some of the qualifications you had to meet for your job? 2. What important qualities should managers possess? Explore It 1. What did Paul say about the person who wants to be an overseer? (3:1) 2. *What qualities must an overseer possess? (3:2–7) 3. Why is good family management a qualification for being an overseer? (3:4–5) 4. *Why shouldn’t the overseer be a new convert? (3:6) 5. Why must an overseer have a good reputation? (3:7) 6. *What qualities must a deacon possess? (3:8–10, 12) 7. What is required before someone can serve as a deacon? (3:10) 8. What sort of person must the wife of a deacon be? (3:11) 9. What do those who serve well gain? (3:13) 10. What benefit is there in serving well? (3:13) 11. Why did Paul write these instructions? (3:14–15) 12. What is said about Jesus in the hymn Paul quoted? (3:16) Get It 1. What role do you desire in your church? 2. To what noble tasks have you aspired? 3. *Which of the character qualities needed by both overseers and deacons do you think is the most important for a church leader to possess? 4. *If you applied the lists of qualifications for these positions to yourself, how would you measure up? 5. What is the common ingredient in the lists of qualifications for leaders in the church? 6. What hymn or praise chorus that you know centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ? Apply It 1. *What quality from the lists in 1 Timothy 3 do you want to improve in your life? How could you start? 2. In what way can you serve in your church? 3. What hymn or song could you include in your devotions this week?

Instructions on Worship—1 Timothy 2:1–15 Open It 1. What are some of today’s controversial issues? 2. What do you like or dislike about the worship of the church you attend? 3. *How would you characterize the worship of the church you attend? 4. What examples show that people in our society are obsessed with their physical appearance? Explore It 1. *What did Paul urge first of all? (2:1–2) 2. What did Paul hope would be the result of the church’s prayers? (2:2) 3. What pleases God? (2:2–3) 4. What does God want? (2:4) 5. For whom is Jesus Christ a mediator? (2:5) 6. For whom did Jesus give Himself? Why? (2:6) 7. Why did Paul insist he was not lying? (2:7) 8. *What did Paul want people everywhere to do? (2:8) 9. How should women dress? (2:9–10) 10. What instructions did Paul give women? (2:9–12) 11. How did Paul instruct women to learn? (2:11) 12. *What didn’t Paul permit women to do? (2:11) 13. What explanation did Paul give for not allowing women to teach or have authority over men? (2:12–14) 14. In what way did Paul say that women would be saved? (2:15) Get It 1. For what authorities or leaders should we pray? 2. *What sort of prayers should we make on behalf of our leaders? 3. If God wants all people to be saved, why then aren’t all people saved? 4. When have you ever served as a mediator between two people? 5. In what way is Jesus a mediator between us and God? 6. To what task would you say God has appointed you? 7. What does it mean to dress modestly? 8. *How does your church understand and apply Paul’s restrictions on women? 9. In what way might a woman be saved through childbearing? Apply It 1. For what national and international leaders can you pray this week? 2. *How can you focus your attention on Christian service and worship of God over outward appearance?

The Lord’s Grace to Paul—1 Timothy 1:12–20 Open It 1. *Who are some people you know whose lives were dramatically changed at some point? How? 2. What sort of people try your patience the most? Explore It 1. Why did Paul thank Jesus? (1:12) 2. What did Paul say he once was? (1:13) 3. *Why was Paul shown mercy? (1:13) 4. What was poured out on Paul? (1:14) 5. Why did Jesus come into the world? (1:15) 6. *How was Paul “the worst”? (1:15) 7. Why was Paul shown mercy? (1:16) 8. *How does a person receive eternal life? (1:16) 9. What qualities did Paul ascribe to God? (1:17) 10. Why did Paul give Timothy his instructions? (1:18) 11. What did Paul say some have done with their faith? (1:19) 12. Why did Paul hand Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan? (1:20) Get It 1. To what service has God appointed you? 2. *How and when has God shown you mercy? 3. *In what way has God used you as an example so that others might believe? 4. How do God’s attributes of being eternal, immortal, and invisible encourage you? 5. In what way is God the King of your life? 6. What does it mean to fight the good fight? 7. What do you fight in your life as a Christian? 8. How and why do people shipwreck their faith? 9. What distractions draw Christians away from their proper course? Apply It 1. What steps can you take today to ensure that your faith is on the proper course and not in danger of being shipwrecked? 2. *For what grace and mercy that God has shown you do you want to thank Him today? 3. What events or experiences in your life can you use to encourage others to believe?

Warning Against False Teachers of the Law—1 Timothy 1:1–11 Open It 1. Which would you rather receive from a good friend: a letter, or a phone call? Why? 2. *What are some laws that you benefit from directly? Explore It 1. Who wrote this letter? (1:1) 2. To whom was this letter written? (1:2) 3. Why did Paul want Timothy to stay in Ephesus? (1:3–4) 4. What did Paul say about myths and genealogies? (1:4) 5. What was the goal of the command Paul urged Timothy to enforce? (1:5) 6. In what way had some believers been misguided? (1:6) 7. *How did Paul assess those who wanted to be teachers of the law? (1:7) 8. *When is the Law good? (1:8) 9. *For whom was the Law made? (1:9–11) 10. What did God entrust to Paul? (1:11) Get It 1. When was the last time you wrote someone a letter of encouragement or received such a letter? 2. With whom do you have a relationship of mutual discipleship? 3. What false doctrines still plague many churches today? 4. What sort of doctrines promote controversy in the church? 5. What goals motivate the leaders you respect in your church? 6. What goals motivate your service in the church? 7. *In what way should we use God’s law today? 8. What impact does or should God’s law have on your life? 9. *How should we determine what is and isn’t sound doctrine? 10. With what unique task has God entrusted you? Apply It 1. Who is someone to whom you can write a letter of encouragement this week? 2. *What steps can you take to make sure your motives are from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith?

Concluding Exhortations—Hebrews 13:1–25 Open It 1. What would you want to say to your loved ones if you could write them a last letter or make a final videotaped message? 2. What images come to mind when you hear the word “authority”? 3. *What is one change you’d like to make but don’t think you can right now? 4. How do you think angels are involved in human affairs? Explore It 1. What kind of love are Christians to demonstrate? (13:1) 2. Why did the author encourage his readers to entertain strangers? (13:2) 3. What kinds of people does God want Christians to try to help? (13:3) 4. Why is sexual purity important? (13:4) 5. *What attitude toward money ought Christians to have? Why? (13:5) 6. *What fact about God can foster a contented spirit? (13:5) 7. *How can we learn to be content? (13:5) 8. How should Christians view their spiritual leaders? (13:7, 17) 9. What attribute or characteristic of Christ is highlighted here? (13:8) 10. What illustrations did the author use to challenge his readers to resist the temptation to go back to Judaism? (13:9–14) 11. What kind of sacrifices should we offer to God? (13:15–16) 12. What are the benefits of obeying one’s spiritual leaders? (13:17) 13. What did the writer pray would happen to his readers? (13:20–21) Get It 1. *Why do you think is it so difficult to be content? 2. What is significant to you about the fact that Jesus never changes? 3. *How can we draw contentment from God’s unchanging nature? 4. What Christian leaders do you look up to and consider worth imitating? Why? 5. What does hospitality mean or entail? 6. How are you able to extend hospitality to others? 7. Why do you think praise of God is so important for us to practice? 8. How would you counsel a friend who was struggling in the area of sexual purity? 9. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid temptations to immorality? 10. How do you think you should respond if a Christian leader corrected you in a personal matter? Apply It 1. What can you do to show love to a person who is in prison or being mistreated? 2. *What one action could you take this week to practice contentment with what you have? 3. What Christian friend or friends can you encourage to continue walking with Christ? How?

Warning Against Refusing God—Hebrews 12:14–29 Open It 1. What causes bitterness? 2. How do you think you would react if your life were suddenly threatened by a severe earthquake, volcanic eruption, or avalanche? 3. *What are some warnings that you have been grateful for? Why? Explore It 1. To what extent are Christians to try to resolve conflicts? Why? (12:14) 2. In what way should believers pursue holiness? Why? (12:14) 3. *Why is holiness important? (12:14) 4. What wrong attitude should we watch out for? (12:15) 5. *What kinds of things do Christians need to watch out for? Why? (12:15–17, 25–27) 6. What did Esau do that is described as godless? (12:16) 7. What did Esau’s godless behavior cost him? (12:17) 8. In what ways was the old covenant intimidating or frightening? (12:18–21) 9. How is Mount Sinai described—the place where the old covenant was revealed? (12:18) 10. How did the author describe the new covenant? (12:22–24) 11. In what way were God’s thunderous pronouncements from Sinai only a foreshadowing of what is to come? (12:26–27) 12. Of what kind of kingdom are Christians a part? (12:28) 13. How should God’s promises and glorious kingdom affect believers? (12:28) 14. *How should we worship God? Why? (12:28–29) Get It 1. Why is it difficult to get along with some people? 2. When we have conflicts with one another, why do we typically want the other person to make the first move toward reconciliation? 3. *What roadblocks make it difficult for you to pursue holiness? 4. How would you counsel a friend who was extremely bitter? 5. What are some ways wrong values and impulsive actions might bring heartache and grief? 6. What does it mean to live at peace with everyone? 7. What is dangerous about bitterness? 8. How is your view of God different as a result of studying this passage? 9. For which of God’s acts on your behalf are you most thankful? 10. *What does it mean to worship God with reverence and awe? Apply It 1. What bitter or unforgiving attitudes do you need to confess today? 2. *What practical steps can you take this week to avoid becoming bitter toward someone who has hurt you? 3. What actions do you need to take today so that you can truly say you have made every effort to live in peace with everyone?

God Disciplines His Sons—Hebrews 12:1–13 Open It 1. What is your favorite sporting event? Why? 2. How were you disciplined or corrected as a child? 3. *What do you think was good or bad about the way you were disciplined as a child? 4. When did you endure difficult or arduous circumstances only because you knew you would later be rewarded? Explore It 1. What should motivate followers of Christ to live for Him? (12:1) 2. What kind of athletic imagery did the writer of Hebrews use in this passage? (12:1) 3. What warning is given to those who would run the race of the Christian life? (12:1) 4. What should be the focus of those who would live for Christ? (12:2) 5. How is Jesus described in this passage? (12:2) 6. What is the benefit of remembering what Christ has done? (12:3) 7. *What measures does the Lord sometimes take toward those who are His “sons”? Why? (12:5–6) 8. *What do we learn about God from the fact that He disciplines us? (12:6–7) 9. *What sobering truth can be inferred by those who never experience the discipline of God? (12:8) 10. Why does God discipline His children? (12:9–10) 11. In what sense does discipline have two sides? (12:11) Get It 1. How well are you running the Christian race? 2. What wrong attitudes or actions tend to stop your spiritual growth? 3. What do you think it means to “fix our eyes” on Jesus? (12:2) 4. *What are some specific ways God disciplines us? 5. How can we tell when God is disciplining us? 6. *What state might your life be in if God neglected to discipline you when you went astray? 7. How has God’s discipline made positive changes in your life? 8. Why should we not lose heart when the Lord rebukes or corrects us? Apply It 1. How can you focus your thinking on Christ this week? 2. How could you call on your Christian friends this week to help you persevere as a Christian? 3. What do you want to remember the next time God disciplines you? 4. What step of obedience can you take beginning today to eliminate the need for God to discipline you?

By Faith—Hebrews 11:1–40 Open It 1. If you were able to listen to your own funeral eulogy (Tom Sawyer style), how would you like to hear yourself described? 2. *When you were a child, what are some ways you showed trust in your parents? 3. What do you consider the greatest example of faith you have ever seen? Why? Explore It 1. What is faith? (11:1) 2. What does faith help us to comprehend about the creation of the world? (11:3) 3. How did Abel demonstrate faith? (11:4) 4. What was unusual about Enoch? (11:5) 5. *What role does faith play in approaching and pleasing God? (11:6) 6. What did Noah’s faith prompt him to do? (11:7) 7. How did faith affect Abraham’s life? (11:8–12) 8. How does faith change a person’s focus and perspective? (11:13–16) 9. What ultimate test of faith did God put Abraham through? (11:17–19) 10. What hard choices did Moses make because of his faith? (11:24–28) 11. What “secret” enabled Moses to persevere through rough times? (11:27) 12. *What were some of the victories enjoyed by faithful Old Testament believers? (11:32–34) 13. How does this passage disprove the notion that faith always leads to earthly blessing? (11:35–38) 14. *What happened to a great many Old Testament saints who exercised faith in God? (11:39) Get It 1. According to this passage, what is the only way we can please God with our lives? 2. *What prompts committed followers of Christ to continue to exercise faith even when He never seems to “come through” for them? 3. *Why do you think the author said that “the world was not worthy of” the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11? 4. How do you think the individuals praised in Hebrews 11 were looked upon by those of their day? 5. Why do you think God sometimes leaves us in the dark about His will? 6. What are some examples from your life of both trusting God and doubting Him? 7. Which characters named in this chapter would you most like and least like to trade places with? Why? 8. In what concrete ways can we demonstrate the truth that we are “aliens and strangers” on earth? (11:13) Apply It 1. What is one way you can remind yourself to live as an alien and stranger at work and in your community? 2. *With what do you need to trust God even though you can’t see what the future holds? How can you show this trust?

A Call to Persevere—Hebrews 10:19–39 Open It 1. When in your life did you “hang in there” the longest in the face of an extremely difficult situation? 2. Who has encouraged you the most in the last six months? 3. *How highly does your boss value perseverance in his or her employees? Explore It 1. Why did the author say that those under the new covenant could draw near to God? (10:19–22) 2. What has Jesus done for those under the new covenant? (10:20) 3. What privilege comes to those who are part of the “house of God”? (10:22) 4. What must happen before a person can draw near to God? (10:22) 5. What happens to the guilty conscience of those who put their faith in Christ? (10:22) 6. *Why are Christians able to persevere in following Christ? (10:23) 7. What kind of behavior should believers in Christ exhibit toward one another? (10:24–25) 8. What will happen to God’s enemies? (10:26–27) 9. Why is rejecting Christ more serious than rejecting the old covenant? (10:28–29) 10. What did the author consider “a dreadful thing”? (10:31) 11. *How had the Hebrew Christians responded to persecution at first? (10:32–34) 12. *What is promised to those who persevere? (10:35–39) Get It 1. How does the complete forgiveness and help offered by Christ motivate you to draw near to God? 2. When in your life have you felt the cleanest or most innocent? Why? 3. *How could someone best spur you on “toward love and good deeds”? 4. How do you personally feel about going to church or involvement in Christian groups? 5. *How does the certainty of God’s judgment challenge you? 6. What is behind the ups and downs in your spiritual journey? Apply It 1. *What is one small project you could complete today to encourage a Christian friend to persevere in his or her faith? 2. What can you do differently in your devotional times this week to “draw near to God”? 3. Since we are called to live by faith (10:38), what is one bold step of trust in God you can take today?

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All—Hebrews 10:1–18 Open It 1. *What is one thing you would buy at a very high price if paying that price meant you never had to pay for it again? 2. What jobs would you consider unfulfilling, frustrating, or even futile? 3. What are some ways people try to deal with bad habits? Explore It 1. How is the Law compared to the new covenant brought by Christ? (10:1) 2. *In what way was the Law of Moses glaringly inadequate? (10:1–2) 3. How did the author of Hebrews show that the Law was inadequate? (10:2) 4. What function did the annual sacrifices serve? Why? (10:3–4) 5. How successful were animal sacrifices under the old covenant? (10:4) 6. Why wasn’t God pleased with the sacrifices and offerings of the old covenant? (10:5–6) 7. What was the attitude of Christ when He came into the world? (10:7) 8. What evidence of the futility and emptiness of the old covenant did the author cite? (10:8) 9. *If God neither desired nor was pleased with old covenant sacrifices, why did the Israelites make them? (10:8) 10. What role does a believer play in earning God’s approval? (10:9–14) 11. What did Christ’s single act of dying accomplish for those who would trust in Him? (10:14) 12. How did the new covenant change the way God motivates His people to live for Him? (10:16) 13. *What effect did the sacrifice of Christ have on the way God views our sins? (10:17) 14. Why are additional sacrifices for sin unnecessary? (10:18) Get It 1. What has Christ done for us? 2. How would you contrast the shortcomings of the old covenant with the blessings of the new covenant? 3. Why do Christians still feel guilt when God says He forgives and forgets their transgressions? 4. *How does being cleansed of sin by Christ change us? 5. What do you think prompted or motivated Jesus to make the sacrifice He made? 6. *In what sense have we “been made holy” (10:10) while at the same time “are being made holy” (10:14)? 7. What insights from this passage can we use to show that being saved from sin requires faith in Christ? Apply It 1. In what specific areas of your life today do you need to follow the example of Christ in saying, “I have come to do your will, O God”? 2. *What can you do this week to show trust in Christ’s provision for forgiveness? 3. When could you speak with a friend or relative who would be encouraged by the truths of this passage?