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Application Questions and Questions for Study and Discussion from God With Us: An Introduction to the Old Testament by S. Lennox

Summary | Read a Chapter

Chapter 6: A Good Beginning Spoiled—Genesis 1-11

Application Questions

  1. How are we to care for God’s world since He created it?
  2. What difference does it make that you were created in the image of God?
  3. If God created the world by His Word, what problems are you facing that would be too difficult for Him to handle?
  4. What are some ways that God has demonstrated His love to you recently?
  5. What difference does it make to you that God is too holy to tolerate sin?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

  1. What can we learn about human beings from Genesis 1 and 2?  Why does the author include two accounts?
  2. What can we learn about sin from Genesis?
  3. What additional truths about sin can we learn from Genesis 4–11?
  4. How do we see the pain and alienation caused by sin operating in our culture?
  5. Are science and the Bible incompatible?  Why or why not?
  6. What would it be like to live in the world of Genesis 1 and 2?
  7. What else can you learn from these chapters about God?
  8. What else can you learn from these chapters about God’s plan?

Chapter 7: The Beginning of a New Beginning—Gen. 12-50

Application Questions:

  1. What specific evidence for God’s grace can you find in these chapters?
  2. In what ways has God shown His grace to you?
  3. What more can we say about God, based on His nature as promise-maker?
  4. In what ways can you do better at living by faith? 

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

  1. Read Genesis 12:1-9.
    1. What did God call Abraham to do in Genesis 12:1?
    2. What did God promise Abraham in Genesis 12:1-9?

  2. Read Genesis 15

    1. What does it mean that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6)?
    2. Did Abraham’s responses in Genesis 15:2-3, 8 show doubt or faith? What is the difference between a question asked in doubt and one asked in faith?
  3. Read Genesis 17.
    1. Are Christians required to circumcise their children?  Why or why not?
  4. Read Genesis 21.
    1. What did Sarah see, as recorded in Genesis 21:9? 
    2. Identify several reasons why this chapter may be included in the Bible.
  5. Read Genesis 22.
    1. Why did God test Abraham this way?
    2. Describe Abraham’s response in Genesis 22:3-5.
    3. Do you agree that God would not ask someone today to do this? Why or why not?
  6. Read Genesis 25:19-34.
    1. Why do you think God made Isaac wait twenty years for the birth of his sons (Gen. 25:20, 26)?
  7. Read Genesis 27–35.
    1. Why did God use Jacob if he was so deceitful?
    2. Identify the twelve sons of Jacob and the mother of each one.
  8. Read Genesis 37 and 39:1–46:7.
    1. Why does the story focus on Joseph?
    2. What does Joseph mean in Genesis 45:8?
    3. Why did God reassure Jacob with the words of Genesis 46:3-4?
  9. What else can you learn from these chapters about God?
  10. What else can you learn from these chapters about God’s plan?

Chapter 8: Free at Last—Exodus

Application Questions

  1. Have you ever sensed God leading you in ways that didn’t make sense?
  2. In what other ways, beside those above, did God reveal His compassion to the Israelites?
  3. List several ways that God has shown His compassion to you.
  4. Are there situations in your life that God may be using to demonstrate His power to you?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1. Read Exodus 1:1–6:12.

  1. Why did God wait so long to rescue the Israelites?
  2. God names Himself “I AM” in Exodus 3:14.  Why is this significant for the book of Exodus?

2. Read Exodus 7–12.

  1. Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart but then punish Pharaoh?
  2. How might God have shown His power if the exodus took place today?
  3. Why did God institute the feast of Passover?

3. Read Exodus 14–17.

  1. Did the use of a strong wind to part the Red Sea make this any less a miracle?  Why or why not?
  2. List how the description of the parting of the Sea in chapter 14 differs from the description in chapter 15.

4. Read Exodus 19:1–20:21.

  1. Why was God so concerned that Israel not touch the mountain?
  2. Categorize each of the Ten Commandments into those concerned with how to love God and those concerned with how to love one’s neighbor.

5. Read Exodus 40.

  1. Why does Exodus have so much to say about the Tabernacle?
  2. Why are the last five verses so significant for the overall message of Exodus?

6. What else can we learn about God from this book?

7. What else can we learn about God’s plan from this book?

CHAPTER 9: Constitution for a Holy Nation—Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Application Questions
  1. If God is totally unlike humanity, how can we possibly come to know Him?
  2. What practical steps can you take to live as God’s holy person, avoiding sin and seeking to live a balanced, wholesome life?
  3. Why is living a holy life so difficult?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Leviticus 1–7, 23, 25.

  1. What do the sacrifices reveal about God?
  2. What insights do chapters 1–7 provide into Israel’s understanding of sin?
  3. What did God want to teach the Israelites through the holidays He designated?

2.  Read Numbers 13–14, 20.

  1. Why did the Israelites refuse to listen to Caleb and Joshua?
  2. Why didn’t God give these Israelites a second chance?
  3. Why was God so hard on Moses in Numbers 20?

3.  Read Deuteronomy 4–6, 31–32.

  1. What evidence do you find in Deuteronomy 4–6 that God wanted the Israelites to obey from love, not duty?
  2. Why is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 one of the most important passages in the Bible?
  3. What do we learn about God from Deuteronomy 31–32?

4.  What else can we learn about God’s plan from these books?

5.  What other characteristics of God do you see in these books?

Chapter 10: Obedience Brings Blessing—Joshua

Application Questions

  1. What problems are you facing that make it difficult to exercise your faith?  How does knowing God as promise-keeper encourage you?
  2. What other promises has God given us?
  3. Contemplate God’s motives in making and keeping His promises.  What do they teach us about God?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Joshua 1–11.

  1. What does it say about God that He rescued Rahab, included her in His people, and even allowed her to be part of Jesus’ family line (Matt. 1:5)?
  2. Aside from the death of Achan’s family, what other examples of group identity can you see operating in this book?
  3. Why did God command the Israelites to be circumcised after they crossed the Jordan River and entered enemy territory, rather than before?
  4. Find the location of Gibeonon on a map.  Why did the Israelites allow themselves to be tricked into making a covenant with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9)?  What does it say about that culture and the Israelites that they kept their word to the Gibeonites (Joshua 10)?

2.  Read Joshua 23–24.

  1. In our previous discussion of Deuteronomy, we saw the six parts of an ancient covenant.  Can you find these six parts in Joshua 24?
  2. Find specific passages in these two chapters that demonstrate how:
    1. obedience brings blessing but disobedience brings disaster.
    2. victory came because God kept His promise.

3.  What else can we learn about God’s plan from this book?

4.  What other characteristics of God do you see in this book?

Chapter 11: Disobedience Brings Disaster—Part I (Judges and Ruth)

Application Questions

  1. What other examples of God’s justice and patience can you see in these books?
  2. How does God balance His justice with His patience?
  3. Can you think of ways God has been patient with you?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Judges 1–4.

  1. How could the Israelites have fallen so far so fast?
  2. Why didn’t God appoint another leader like Joshua?

2.  Read Judges 6–7.

  1. Why did God want Gideon to have such a small army?

3.  Read Judges 13–16.

1. Why was Samson such a failure?

2. Does Samson’s death at his own hand mean that God approves of suicide? Why or why not?

4.  Read Ruth.

  1. Identify the ways Ruth lived out the truth of her words to Naomi in 3:5?
  2. Why did the women say, “Naomi has a son” (4:17).
  3. Why does God include this book in the Bible?

5.  What else can we learn about God’s plan from these books?

6.  What other characteristics of God do you see in these books?

Chapter 12: Order Out of Chaos—1 and 2 Samuel

Application Questions

  1. How else do you see God’s sovereignty in these books?
  2. In what ways have you seen God’s sovereignty in your life?
  3. How will remembering God’s sovereignty help you deal with the situations you are facing right now?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read 1 Samuel 1–11, 13–18, 24–26, 31.

  1. Why did Samuel’s mother give him to Eli?
  2. Why might God have waited so long to send Samuel?
  3. Why did God not immediately replace Saul with David?
  4. What does 1 Samuel 25 add to the story?

2.  Read 2 Samuel 1–18.

  1. How are God’s covenants with David and Abraham alike?  How are they different?
  2. What role did the prophet Nathan play in David’s court?
  3. If Saul was punished for disobedience, why not David?
  4. What were the effects of David’s sin on his family?

3.  What else do these books tell us about God’s plan?

4.  What else do these books tell us about God’s character?

Chapter 13: Order to Chaos—1 and 2 Kings

Application Questions

  1. How has God given you a second chance to have fellowship with Him?
  2. Does God ever stop forgiving?  Why or why not?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read 1 Kings 1–6.

  1. How was Solomon’s Temple similar to the Tabernacle?  How was it different?

2.  Read 1 Kings 10–22 and 2 Kings 1–25.

  1. Why did Solomon become disobedient?
  2. Who were the eight good kings from Judah?  List the qualities that made them good.

3.  What else can we learn about God’s plan from these books?

4.  What else can we learn about God’s character?

Chapter 14: Why? Job

Application Questions

  1. If God is so wise, why doesn’t He figure out a way to prevent suffering?
  2. What else can you learn about God’s wisdom from this book?
  3. How does knowing of God’s wisdom help you face your problems?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Job 1–3, 28, 38–40, 42.

  1. Do you think this book is a parable or an historical account?  Why?
  2. How does Job 28 fit with the overall message of Job?
  3. How could a too-literal interpretation of God’s description of creation in chapters 38–40 lead to misunderstandings about God and His relationship with creation?
  4. Why didn’t God tell Job His reasons for what happened to him?
  5. What have you learned from Job that will help you help someone who is suffering?

2. What else can you learn from this book about God’s plan?

3. What else can you learn from this book about God?

Chapter 15: Singing the King’s Praises—Psalms

Application Questions

  1. Evaluate your prayer life Do you pray as honestly and boldly as the psalmists?  If not, why not?
  2. What else does God as your king mean?  What areas of your life still need to be put under His direction?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

Read Psalms 1, 2, 3, 8, 19, 22, 23, 46, 51, 99, 100, 103, 110, 121, 137, 139, 150.

  1. Aside from the Law, Temple, and earthly king, how else is God indirectly praised in the Psalms?
  2. What can you learn about praise from the Psalms?  How can you apply this in your own worship?
  3. What can you learn about prayer from the Psalms?  How can you apply this in your own prayers?
  4. Why do you suppose the Psalms contain so little confession of sin?
  5. Do you think Christians should use the cursing psalms?  Why or why not?
  6. What else do you learn about God’s plan from the Psalms?
  7. What else do you learn about God’s character from the Psalms?

Chapter 16: God at Home—Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Application Questions

  1. In what ways have you found the proverbs to demonstrate God’s wisdom?
  2. If God is so wise, why doesn’t this world make more sense?
  3. If sexual intimacy is so great, why did God place restrictions on it?
  4. How would Song of Songs apply to an unmarried person?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Proverbs 1–9, 10, 31.

  1. List the rewards that come with choosing wisdom according to Proverbs 1–9.
  2. List the dangers of choosing folly.
  3. Choose three of the proverbs in Proverbs 10 and summarize them in your own words.
  4. Why is it appropriate for the book of Proverbs to end with 31:10-31?
  5. What else do we learn about God’s plan from Proverbs?
  6. What else do we learn about God’s character from Proverbs?

2.  Read Ecclesiastes 1, 3, 11–12.

  1. Why is wisdom a heavy burden according to 1:12-18?
  2. Summarize what the author is saying in 3:1-8.
  3. What is the writer describing by the allegory in 12:1-8?  How does it fit into his overall message?
  4. What else do we learn about God’s plan from Ecclesiastes?
  5. What else do we learn about God’s character from Ecclesiastes?

3.  Read Song of Songs 1–3.

  1. What can we learn about romantic love from these chapters?
  2. What else do we learn about God’s plan from Song of Songs?
  3. What else do we learn about God’s character from Song of Songs?

Chapter 17: A Vision of the Holy One—Isaiah

Application Question

  1. The Old Testament often tells us to be holy as God is holy.  In light of this description of God as the Holy One of Israel, what does this command mean to you in terms of warning?  Comfort?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

Read Isaiah 1–12, 24–27, 40, 51–66

  1. Try to put yourself in Isaiah’s place in Isaiah 6.  What would you have thought and done?
  2. Why did God use an intermediary like the Messiah?
  3. Isaiah’s favorite title is “Holy One of Israel.”  What title would you give God?
  4. What connections can you find between Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and Jesus’ experience as described in the Gospels?
  5. Do you think chapters 56–66 have already been fulfilled in the Jews’ return from exile?  If they will still be fulfilled, will it be literally or symbolically?  Defend your answer.
  6. How would Isaiah have been read differently by a Jew just after the return from exile?
  7. What else can you learn about God’s plan from Isaiah?
  8. What else can you learn about God from Isaiah?

Chapter 18: Minor Books, Major Message—More Prophets of the Eighth and Seventh Centuries

Application Questions

  1. In what other ways is God’s love evident in these books?
  2. In what ways is God’s love like that of a parent whose child disobeys?
  3. What does it mean to you to know that God loves you this much?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Hosea 1–3.

  1. Do you think God really asked Hosea to marry a prostitute?  Why or why not?

2.  Read Joel.

  1. What does God tell the people to do in 2:12-17?
  2. What can you learn about the “Day of the LORD” in this book?

3.  Read Amos 1–2, 7–9.

  1. In chapters 1 and 2, why does Amos save his criticism of Israel until last?
  2. Summarize each of the visions Amos has in chapters 7–9.

4.  Read Obadiah.

  1. What do we learn about the Day of the LORD in this book?
  2. Why would such a small book about such an insignificant enemy be included in the Old Testament?

5.  Read Jonah.

  1. Do you think this really happened?  Why or why not?
  2. How does this book teach about God’s mercy?

6.  Read Micah.

  1. Does Micah 4 predict the rebuilding of a literal temple at some date still in the future?  Why or why not?

7.  Read Nahum.

  1. What sins is Nineveh accused of in this book?
  2. What does God’s treatment of Nineveh tell us about Him?

8.  Read Zephaniah.

  1. What is the Day of the LORD?

9.  What else can you learn about God’s plan from these books?

10.  What else can you learn about God’s character from these books?

Chapter 19: Disobedience Brings Disaster—Part II (Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Lamentations)

Application Questions

  1. In what ways has God been faithful to you?
  2. Have you ever experienced God’s judgment in your life?
  3. What have you learned from this material that will make it easier for you to deal with your difficulties?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Jeremiah 1, 7, 11–20, 25–33.

  1. When is it wrong to question God?
  2. What role did Baruch play in Jeremiah’s ministry?

2.  Read Habakkuk.

  1. Why did the Jews use Habakkuk 3 for worship?

3.  Read Lamentations.

  1. Why do you think the first four chapters of Lamentations were written as alphabet acrostics?  Why wasn’t chapter 5 written this way?

4.  What else can you learn about God’s plan from these books?

5.  What else can you learn about God’s character from these books?

Chapter 20: “They Will Know That I Am the Lord”—Ezekiel

Application Questions

  1. How else do you see God’s sovereignty in this book?
  2. How does knowing of God’s sovereignty encourage you?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

Read Ezekiel 1-5, 12, 18, 24, 37–39, 47.

  1. One reason God concentrated on the Temple was because Ezekiel was a priest as well as a prophet.  What other reasons might there have been?
  2. Why did God have Ezekiel perform so many symbolic acts?
  3. What can we learn from Ezekiel 18 about the way God works with individuals?
  4. Why would God prohibit Ezekiel from mourning for his dead wife?
  5. How do you think God will fulfill Ezekiel 38–48?
  6. Is the river described in Ezekiel 47:1-12 going to be a literal river, or does it symbolize new life in God?  Explain.
  7. What else can you learn about God’s plan from Ezekiel?
  8. What else can you learn about God’s character from Ezekiel?

Chapter 21: Puzzling Over the Obvious—Daniel

Application Questions

  1. Why are people so hungry for details about how the world will end?
  2. How else do you see God’s sovereignty in this book?
  3. What does it mean to you to “be faithful”?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

Read Daniel 1-12.

1. In the box, Suggestions for Reading Daniel, we identified several characteristics of apocalyptic prophecy.  Identify two passages from Daniel for each of the following characteristics:

  1. Revealed by God through visions
  2. Visions filled with very unusual symbolism
  3. Interpretation of visions by heavenly interpreter
  4. Addressed to God’s people in difficulty
  5. Includes call to be faithful

2. How might Daniel’s prophecies have encouraged those, like Daniel, who were living in exile?  How would they have encouraged those Jews who returned from exile under Cyrus in 538 ?

3. What else can you learn from this book about God’s plan?

4. What else can you learn from this book about God’s character?

Chapter 22: Israel after the Exile—Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Application Questions

  1. How else do these books reveal God’s faithfulness?  His jealousy? His sovereignty?
  2. What is one way this information can help you in your personal life?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Read Ezra and Nehemiah.

  1. In what ways did post-exilic Israelite society differ from society before the exile?
  2. Why do you think the Jews had not rebuilt the walls earlier?
  3. Why did Nehemiah include the names of those who returned from exile (Nehemiah 7)?
  4. If God is so interested in saving the Gentiles, why do these books seem so critical of contacts between the Jews and other nations?

2.  Read Haggai.

  1. Why did Haggai want the Jews to rebuild the Temple?
  2. Who was Zerubbabel?

3.  Read Zechariah 1, 4, 9–14.

  1. Identify ways in which Zechariah’s prophecies differ from those of his contemporary, Haggai.  What might be some reasons for the differences?
  2. Who was the Joshua referred to in Zechariah 6:9-15?

4.  Read Malachi.

  1. Why does Malachi sound so much like a court case?
  2. What do we learn from this book about the Day of the LORD?

5.  Read Esther.

  1. This book contains many examples of irony.  Identify some.
  2. What were some of the “coincidences” God used to accomplish His plan?

6.  What else can you learn about God’s plan from these books?

7.  What else can you learn about God’s character from these books?

Chapter 23: Looking Back—1 and 2 Chronicles

Application Questions

  1. What other examples of God’s faithfulness do you see in these books? Of His patience?
  2. In what ways has He been patient with you?

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1.  Skim 1 Chronicles 1–9.

  1. Why might the Chronicler have traced the genealogy beyond Abraham, back to Adam?
  2. Why might the Chronicler have emphasized the tribes of Judah and Levi?

2.  Read 1 Chronicles 13 and 15.

  1. Compare this account of how David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with the account in 2 Samuel 6.  What differences do you notice? 
  2. How might these differences fit the Chronicler’s purpose?

3.  Read 1 Chronicles 28 and 29.

  1. Compare this account of the transition from David’s rule to Solomon’s with the version found in 1 Kings 1–2.  What differences do you notice?
  2. How might these differences fit the Chronicler’s purpose?

4.  Read 2 Chronicles 6 and 7.

  1. What do you suppose the Jews who had returned from exile thought when they heard or read these accounts?

5.  Read 2 Chronicles 20.

  1. According to this chapter, how did Jehoshaphat show his obedience to God?

6.  Read 2 Chronicles 29–32.

  1. Why do you think the Chronicler paid so much attention to Hezekiah’s religious reforms, when the writer of Kings all but ignored them?

7.  What else can you learn about God’s plan from these books?

8.  What else can you learn about God’s character from these books?

Chapter 24: The Time between the Testaments

Application Questions

  1. What can you learn about Judaism from 1 Maccabees?
  2. In what other ways can you see God working during the intertestamental period?
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