DECEMBER

Memory verse
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

PRAYER FOCUS
This month we are going to pick strategic people in your sphere of influence to pray for. Choose 3 members of your own family: pray the blessing, favour, direction and will of God over their lives as they prepare to move from 2008 to 2009. Ask the Lord to place 3 members of your church family on your heart, and pray the Ephesians and Colossians prayers over them. Then, finally, choose 3 friends, neighbours or colleagues, saved or unsaved, who identifiably need prayer at this time: pray that Lord will reveal Himself clearly to them at this time, and intervene in their circumstances, trials and relationships for His glory.
Click here for the link to the church prayer diary.

READING PLAN

Monday

1

Romans 6

1.   How does the symbolism of baptism tie in with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus?

2.   How do you ‘offer’ yourself to God (v13)?

3.   What, if anything, are you slave to (v15-18)? Bad or good?

Tuesday

2

Romans 7

1.   What are the sinful passions aroused by the law mentioned in v5?

2.   What are the differences between the new way of the Spirit and the old way of the written code (v6)?

3.   Re-read the chapter, noting what it says about a) the body, b) the soul (mind, will, emotions), c) the spirit.

Wednesday

3

Romans 8

1.   Make a list of the contrasts the section from v5-17 makes between the spirit and the flesh (sinful nature)

2.   In v14 Paul notes that the children of God will by led by the Spirit of God. How does He lead people? Do you have any examples to share of how the Holy Spirit has significantly led you?

3.   What does it mean when it says, God work things together for good? How does He do it?

Thursday

4

Romans 9

1.   What is your conscience? How does it work and what does it do?

2.   What does it mean when it says not all who are descended from Israel are Israel? (Remember Jacob was also called Israel)

3.   Consider v16-18. Why do some people attract the mercy of God, while others allow their hearts to be hardened?

Friday

5

Romans 10

1.   What is zeal? How do we get it and what is it for? (v2)

2.   What does this chapter say are the conditions for salvation?

3.   v17 is an encouraging and oft quoted verse. Can you think of any other biblical verses that work hand in hand with this one? (Clue – Try book of James)

Saturday

6

Psalm 50

Meditate v2 in the light of the fact that Zion is often considered a type (picture / foreshadowing) of the church.

Sunday

7

 

What one thing am I going to do / change as a result of today’s messages?

Monday

8

Romans 11

1.   Do you see evidence that there is a ‘spirit of stupor’ as in v8, evident in the world today?

2.   What does it mean when it says for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (v29)?

3.   What does the doxology in v33-36 tell us about God?

Tuesday

9

Romans 12

1.   How do we present our bodies as a living sacrifice (v1)?

2.   How do we renew our minds (v2)?

3.   Where do you appear in the gifts list from v6 to 8?

Wednesday

10

Romans 13

1.   Does v8 imply that we should not take on personal financial debt?

2.   What are the deeds of darkness? And what is the armour of light (V12)?

3.   How do you clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus (v14)?

Thursday

11

Romans 14

1.   Summarise what this chapter teaches about judging others.

2.   So, what should the Kingdom of God look like (see v17)? What should that mean for us in reality?

3.   In the light of v23, what things are sin that perhaps we might not consider to be sin?

Friday

12

Romans 15

1.   What qualities does Paul tell us the Holy Spirit works in us in v5-6)

2.   What does it look like to overflow with hope? And what role do joy, peace and trust play in that? (v13)

3.   What was Paul’s struggle (v30)?

Saturday

13

Psalm 51

How can you be considered a sinner from birth? Clue in v10

Sunday

14

 

What one thing am I going to do / change as a result of today’s messages?

Monday

15

Romans 16

1.    Make a list of all the qualities people are commended for by Paul in this chapter.

2.   v17 and 18 give us a warning of people to be extremely cautious of. What are we to look out for?

3.   What are the consequences of v20? (Read Revelation 20:1-10)

Tuesday

16

Zechariah 1

1.   Do a little research – what is the historical backdrop to this book? (http://www.ibs.org/niv/studybible/zechariah.php)

2.   Why do you think God was angry with their forefathers?

3.   What does God call the people to do (v2-6)?

Wednesday

17

Zechariah 2

1.   This chapter prophesies aspects of the future millennial Kingdom here on earth. What does it tell us?

2.   Compare v 8 with Deut 32:10 and Psalm 17:8

3.   Who is the ‘me’ in v9?

Thursday

18

Zechariah 3

1.   How does Satan accuse God’s children and how do they stand against him?

2.   What are His ways and requirements as they apply to you (v7)?

3.   What is the single day referred to in v9?

Friday

19

Zechariah 4

1.   What are the differences between might, power and Spirit in v6?

2.   What does v10 mean when it says, who despises the day of small things? (Try some different translations)

3.   Who are the two olive branches mentioned repeatedly who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth?

Saturday

20

Psalm 52

What does it mean to trust in God’s unfailing love (v8)?

Sunday

21

 

What one thing am I going to do / change as a result of today’s messages?

Monday

22

Zechariah 5

1.   Compare with the woman of Revelation 17

Tuesday

23

Zechariah 6

1.   Which countries are geographically north and south of Jerusalem or at least were at the time of writing?

2.   Read v9-15 both in the light of Joshua the high priest and Jesus the Branch whom he foreshadows.

Wednesday

24

Zechariah 7

1.   In the opening passage (v1-10), note what the Lord is looking for from His people, and what holds little to no value to Him.

2.   Why was the Lord angry (v12)?

3.   What was the result of God’s anger (v13,14)

Thursday

25

Zechariah 8

1.   What does the Lord’s jealousy look like / accomplish? Why is He jealous?

2.   What does God infer that He loves and hates in the second half of this chapter?

3.   Note the occasions in this chapter when the Jews are exhorted to witness for the Lord / be a blessing to the world.

Friday

26

Zechariah 9

1.   Read verses 9-13 noting that v9 refers to the first coming of Christ and v10-13, His second coming.

2.   See v9 quoted in Matthew 21:5.

Saturday

27

Psalm 53

What does this Psalm teach us about foolishness v wisdom?

Sunday

28

 

What one thing am I going to do / change as a result of today’s messages?

Monday

29

Zechariah 10

1.   In verse 3, who are the shepherds, the goats (translated leaders in NIV, goats elsewhere) and the flocks?

2.   Note that we are required to ask the Lord for rain (see Hosea 6:3 and James 5:7). What does rain represent materially and spiritually?

3.   v6 – How does the Lord strengthen, save and restore His people?

Tuesday

30

Zechariah 11

1.   Try to locate in this chapter the betrayal of the Messiah and a description of the future Antichrist.

2.   What do the staffs represent and how significant are they for the church today?

Wednesday

31

Zechariah 12

1.   What does verse 1 tell us about God and what worldly fallacies does it counter?

2.   Read verses 10-14 as a messianic prophecy and take note of what we are told about the Christ.