It is easy to read the opinions of others in a Bible study guide. But the real value (blessing) of the Bible comes primarily through reading and pondering the Bible text itself.
Made in Elements
It is easy to read the opinions of others in a Bible study guide. But the real value (blessing) of the Bible comes primarily through reading and pondering the Bible text itself.
Esther 9:22 The Feast of Purim… the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies…”
Read the context: the whole book of Esther - a great drama story.
Ponder:
? Though “God” is not mentioned in the words of the story, how is Esther a story of both Godlessness and God?
? How does the story illustrate the ebb and flow of who seems to be in control of our life circumstances?
? The world says: “to the victor go the spoils.” How would the story of Esther describe it differently?
? How does the story of Esther illustrate the story of Jesus and the Devil?
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Nehemiah 1:4 “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven”
Read the context: Nehemiah 1 and even all of Ezra and Nehemiah
Ponder:
? How do you picture in your mind and heart the significance of “as soon as I heard these words?”
? Are there circumstances in our personal experiences where we have had arresting crisis?
? Reading the rest of Nehemiah 1, what seems to be the reason God allowed such “trouble” for the Israelites?
? What can this teach us about the way we should pray and live in times of peace and prosperity?
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2Chronicles 19:7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.
Read the context: 2Chronicles 19
Ponder:
? What is remarkable about a nations king giving these instructions to judges he appoints?
? What responses do these instructions prompt in the the judges?
? What responses do these instructions prompt in the people of the nation?
? What are we to think and do when the instructions are not faithfully fulfilled?
2Kings 19:22
The Context: Read the amazing story of the attack on Jerusalem by Sennacherib the king of Assyria in 2Kings 18-19. Sennacherib and his Assyrian armies had ravaged other nations and we now threatening Judah where King Hezekiah prayed to God for help in the seemingly hopeless situation. God responded to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah. In the beginning of God’s response He asked Sennacherib a question that should arrest the attention of anyone who opposes or disregards the God of the Bible.
God asks us: “Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights?”
Ponder:
? How was Sennacherib “mocking and reviling” God?
? In what ways do we see or hear people doing the same today?
? What does “against whom?” reveal about Sennacherib’s thoughts about the God of the Jews?
? Why should these questions arrest the attention of anyone who opposes or disregards God today?
? Why can these questions encourage God’s people when they are threatened by worldly challengers?
2Kings 1:3
The Context: In the Bible there are two kings named Ahaziah. One in the the Northern Kingdom of Israel and one in the Southern kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had no (as in zero) good Kings. Not even one King of Israel obeyed and followed God. This Ahaziah, when faced with life threatening fall sent for help from Baal-zebuc, the god of Ekron. God sent a message through Elijah the prophet that Ahaziah would die from his injury. Read the story in 2Kings 1, it borders on humorous if it were not a tragic demonstration of the results of rejecting the True God of the Bible.
God asks us: “Is is because there is no God in your life that you are inquiring of the false gods worshipped by others?”
Ponder:
? What are some of the gods that people around us worship, serve, and seek help from?
? What sorts of expectations do people have of these gods?
? How well do these gods deliver what people want and need?
? How does the New Testament statement that people “worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1) illustrate this story of Ahaziah?
? Reading the Old Testament, what are the consequences of inquiring false gods?
2026-06-28
1Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
Read the context: 1Kings 8
Ponder:
? What are several things Solomon recognizing when he prayed this prayer?
? Why did Solomon build the temple so beautiful while knowing God could not be contained there?
? What is the significance of the contrast between "heaven and the highest heaven" and "this house that I have built?"
? If "heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you" accurately describes God, is it possible that God is a physical man like you and I?
2Samuel 12:09
The Context: King David had taken Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, and made her pregnant. Seeking to cover up his adulterous affair, David had Uriah killed and taken Bathsheba as another wife. After ignoring his guilt David was visited by an advisor and friend, Nathan. Prompted by God, and loving concern for his King, Nathan challenged David with this question.
Read the full story in 2Samuel 12.
God asks us: to David thru Nathan "Why have you despised the word of the Lord to do what is evil in His sight?"
Ponder:
? Why did David apparently need to be questioned by a friend in order to actually face his sin?
? Why did David ignore his guilt for so long?
? Why could it be accurate to say that despising the word of the Lord was worse than murder or adultery?
? What might have prompted Nathan to confront David?
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2Samuel 07:05-07 to David: Would you build me a house to dwell in? Why have you not built me a house of cedar?
Read the context: 2Samuel 7
Ponder:
? What does God’s question to David reveal about David’s humanity?
? How is the question a challenge to Christians today?
? In what ways might we build a “house of cedar” for God?
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Content by J Neil Evans
Using RapidWeaver Elements
Copyright 2026