E100-98

 

THE THRONE OF HEAVEN

Revelation 4–7

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. God in heaven, I join my spirit with all the angels in heaven to offer You my praise and worship.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What picture of heaven do you get from these chapters? How does it make you feel? Who is the focus of the worship taking place there?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• If God asked you “Why should I let you into heaven?”, what would you say? Are you confident you’d get in? Why or why not?
• The later chapters of Revelation speak of the final judgment and the return of Jesus Christ. Do you think this could happen in your lifetime? Explain. 
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Take a moment to read aloud the parts of these chapters that are words of praise to the Lord Jesus. Say them slowly and reverently as your own words of praise.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, You and You alone are the One worthy of all worship, both in heaven and on earth.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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E100-48

 

DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN

Daniel 6

Kevin's Commentary 

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, You know it’s not easy for me to do the right thing all the time but I really do want to.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Daniel may have been tempted to go along with the King’s decree. What temptations to “downplay” your faith do you face? How can you avoid them?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Daniel took a great risk to stand up for his faith. Have you ever had to stand up for what you believe, in spite of significant consequences? What happened?
• Do you think people today should be more “up front” about their religious beliefs? Why or why not?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Look for a way to stand up for your faith in public today, whether giving silent thanks before a meal, wearing a Christian symbol or in some other appropriate way.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Ask God to show you how to appropriately stand publicly for your faith and for the courage to do it.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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E100-97

 

MESSAGES TO THE CHURCHES

Revelation 2–3

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, Your Word has both encouragement and warnings. Help me to listen carefully to both.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. These seven churches are very different and face different challenges. What does Jesus commend in them? What warnings does he give them? What lessons do you see?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• After reading John’s letters to the seven churches, how do you think Jesus would feel about your church and churches in your area? What might he say to them?
• What’s your view of heaven? What is it like and who is it for?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Before you next go to church, think about whether your church shares any of the characteristics or dangers of these seven. Pray about any challenges it faces.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do.  Lord, I’m thankful for my church and I pray that You will keep it faithful to You no matter what challenges it faces.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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E100-47

 

JEREMIAH’S CALL AND MESSAGE

Jeremiah 1:1—3:5

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, give me ears and a heart to be ready to hear and obey whenever You call to me.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Have you ever felt that God called you to deliver a hard message to friends, your church, or your community? If so, what did you do? How did you feel?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Why did Jeremiah resist God’s plan for him? Do you ever feel that you, like Jeremiah, are resisting something God wants you to do? Why did or didn’t you?
• Jeremiah was sent to speak God’s message to Jerusalem. If God sent you to speak to your community or country, what would you say?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Is God calling you to deliver a challenging message to anyone? If so, write down what you’ll say. Be sure to consult with a trusted friend or pastor before you say it.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, keep guard over my mouth so that I say only those things which You want me to say.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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E100-96

 

A VOICE AND A VISION

Revelation 1

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank You, Lord God, that one day everything will finally be just the way You intended it to be.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What does this passage tell you about Jesus, about who he is, what he has done and will do? Is there something new or surprising that you learned about Jesus here?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• What would you say are the benefits and dangers of wanting to know more about the future? What can and can’t we know?
• What do you learn about Jesus in the first chapter of Revelation? Does any of it surprise, confuse or upset you? Explain.
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Later today, write down in just a few sentences what you have learned throughout the E100 about who Jesus is and what his life, death, and resurrection mean to you.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, help me to hear, understand clearly and take to heart what You want me to know about Jesus.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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E100-46

 

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

Isaiah 51–53

Kevin's Commentary 

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, it’s amazing to me how rich the Bible is with the story of Your wonderful work in the world.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight keywords.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. There is both “bad news” and “good news” in this passage. What is the bad news and the reason for it? What foreshadowing of “good news” do you see?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• In what ways does the passage from Isaiah 52:13—53:12 seem to describe what happened to Jesus Christ hundreds of years later?
• Why do you think that the servant of God described by Isaiah had to suffer?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take to fulfill what God wants you to do. Compare these verses with what you know about how Jesus suffered. Note the striking similarities. Thank God for the Good News that resulted from that suffering.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Good God, thank You that Jesus suffered for my sins so that I could be free of their penalty.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with topic #E100.

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