Bethany Bible Study

Malachi 3:1-12 Two messengers | Two questions | Return to God TWO MESSENGERS: Who are the two messengers? What is their role? (1) TWO LINGERING QUESTIONS (2:17): How are the two questions resolved?: where is the God of justice? Why do evil people prosper? (2-5) UNCHANGING GOD: How does “unchanging” character of God work in Israelites favor? (6) RETURN TO GOD: What is the path to returning to God? What are the blessings associated with returning to God (7-12) REFLECTION: Are you still questioning God’s ways and timing in your life? In what area(s) do you need to return to God?

Malachi 2:10-17 Marriage | Divorce | Remarriage BASIS FOR UNITY: What is the basis for unity and what must it lead to? What does it mean to ‘deal treacherously’ ‘profaning’? (10) MARRIAGE TO FOREIGN WIVES: How has Judah dealt treacherously? Why is God opposed to foreign wives? (11-12) DIVORCE & REMARRIAGE: Why do tears on the altar go unanswered? Why does God hate divorce? Is separation from spouse ever permitted? (13-16) How have we wearied the Lord with our words? (17) REFLECTION: Are we faithful to our marriage covenant?

Malachi 2: 1-9Calling & Chastisement of PriestsCHARGE TO & CHASTISEMENT OF PRIESTS: What was the charge given to priests? What will be the chastisement if they are negligent? (1-3)CHARACTER OF PRIESTS: What are desirable qualities of priests? (4-7)FAILURE OF PRIESTS & CONSEQUENCES: What were the four failures of priests? What was the consequence? (8-9)Reflection: How did Christ & the Cross change the role of priests? How does this passage relate to today’s church?

Malachi 1:6-14 (Blemished) Sacrifices to God Blemished Sacrifices (6-8): What is God’s burden about offering of sacrifices? What was missing in the sacrifices? What does scripture say about sacrifices? Who should be blamed for polluted sacrifices … priests and/or people? Why is the comparison to father/son and offering food to governor relevant? Response to blemished sacrifices (9-14): How does God deal with deceptive and weary worshippers? How can we undo the consequences of faulty practices? Will the worship of God ever stop? Reflection: What do we learn about the character of God from this passage? What type of sacrifices does God expect from us today? Are we also guilty of offering blemished sacrifices?

Malachi 1:1-5 God’s Burden | God’s Love Introduction: What must we do with the revealed Word of God? Where does Malachi fit in Jewish history? What is the role of prophets? What is the unique writing style of this book? What are some questions covered in Malachi? God’s Burden: What is the burden of the Lord? How is it communicated? (1) God’s Love: Why do Israelites question God’s love? How does God prove His love? Did God really ‘hate’ Esau? Was Esau’s future in jeopardy even before he was born? How did Esau confirm the prophesy in his life? (2-5) Your Reflection: Do you know the burden of the Lord for your Life|Church|Nation? Have you questioned God’s love? What do we learn about God’s character from this passage?

Chapter 34 Death of Moses | Start of Joshua Death of Moses: Where did Moses die? Why was he denied entry to promised land? How was he buried? What is the title given to Moses? How old was Moses when he died? What lead to his death? Was the promise of promised land ‘for ever’ or for a ‘limited time ?’ (32:48- 52, 34:1-8) The Next Leader: Why was Joshua the right choice after Moses? Should Israelites be worried that Moses will not be leading them? (9) Legacy of Moses: What made Moses a great leader? (10-12)

Chapter 33 Great God| Blessing on Israel Tribes | Blessed Israel GLORY OF GOD: What is the title given to Moses? How does Moses exalt God? Why was the law given to people of Israel? (1-5) BLESSINGS ON TRIBES: What tribes are listed? Is any tribe missing? Which tribes are given prominence? What are some central themes in these blessings? What are the specific blessings given to each tribe? Are the blessings material or spiritual, temporal or long lasting, or both? (6-25) How is the blessing of Moses similar/different from blessing of Jacob? BLESSED ISRAEL: What made Israel a blessed nation? (26-29)

Chapter 32 The Song of MosesWORSHIP: Why is our God worthy of worship? (1-6)REFLECTION: Why are Israelites asked to ‘remember’ and what must come to mind when they reflect on the past? (7-14)DEFLECTION: What was the turning point for Israelites that lead to their fall? How did they dishonor God? (15-18)PUNISHMENT: How will the Lord respond to rebellion by Israelites? Is there any hope for Israelites? (19-43) What is the final exhortation of Moses? (44-47) Where will Moses die? (48-52)

Chapter 31 Moses final exhortation to Joshua and Israelites | The bookWhen does Moses recognize that his time is coming to an end? What is the message given by Moses to Israelites? Why shouldn’t Israelites worry about change of leadership? (1-6)What charge did Moses give Joshua? Was it given publicly or privately? (7-8) ( 14-15, 23)What did Moses deliver to the priests? Where was the book placed? What instructions did Moses give to the priests? (9-13, 24-27)What type of song did God ask Moses to write? (16-22) What message did Moses give elders and officers? (28-29)

Chapter 30 Restoration | the Laws | the ChoiceWhat is the path to restoration? What leads to change of heart? (1-3)What is restored to repentant Israel? (4-10)What can we say about the nature of God’s laws? (11-15)What are the choices offered to Israelites, and what are the consequences? (16-20)

Chapter 29 The Covenant: Reviewed and Renewed, Revealed versus Secret ThingsWhen was the earlier covenant made? What lessons should the Israelites have learned from history? What should have been the response to the covenant? Why is it that they were able to ‘see’ but ‘not see’? (1-9)Who are the parties to the ‘renewed covenant’ and what are the key elements? (10-19)How does God deal with covenant breakers? Are the heathens able to recognize the justice of God? (20-28)What is the difference between ‘revealed and secret things’? What should be our response to ‘revealed’ and ‘secret’ things?

Chapter 28 Choices have ConsequencesWhat is the choice given to Israelites? What is the choice given to us today? (1-2)What are the blessings proclaimed? What is the condition for inheriting the blessings? What are the blessings promised to us today? (3-14)What type of curses will follow disobedience? Are we subject to curses today? (15-68)

Chapter 27 Engraved Stones. Worship at Altar of Stones. Two Mounts. When and where were the great stones set up? What was engraved on the stones? Why? Where are the laws written today? (1-4, 8) Natural vs. Redeemed vs. Carnal hearts What type of offerings were offered on the altar? What was the significance of these offerings? (5-7) What was God’s covenant with Israelites? (9-10) How were the two mounts similar and different? (11-13) What curses were pronounced and how were the people to respond to the announcement of curses? (14-26)

Chapter 26 Worship with First Fruits and TithesWhat does the first fruit indicate? How must the first fruit be celebrated? What do we learn about worship and thanksgiving? (1-11)What are the laws governing tithes? (12-15)What does the Lord expect from his children? What does the Lord promise to his children? (16-19)

Chapter 25 Justice. Welfare of widows. Just weights. Amalekites war.Why must Israel go to war against Amalekites?What are the regulations concerning weights?What is the obligation of surviving brothers toward their brother's wife?What happens if wife interferes in the fight between two males?How are the wicked judged?How are the animals to be treated?

Chapter 24 Marriage & Divorce, Lending, Inter-generational sins, Laborers, NeedyWhen is divorce permissible? What are the laws governing remarriage? What must be the focus of first year of marriage? (1-5)What are some principles relating to lending? (6,10-13)What is the punishment for kidnapping? (7)How are skin diseases controlled? (8-9)How should our laborers be treated (14-15)Are parents responsible for the sins of children? (16) How must the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow be treated? (17-22)

Chapter 23 Disqualified Worshippers. Escaped Slave. Public hygiene. Our Vows. Free food.Who is excluded from the congregation of the Lord? (1-8)Why is personal hygiene emphasized? (9-14) How must a fleeing slave be treated? (15-16)Can tainted money be given as offering? Can money be lent on interest? (17-20)What is the caution on making vows? How are travelers taken care of by farmers? (21-25)

Chapter 22 Caring for Neighbors’ Property, Dress code, Separation Principle, Sexual PurityWhat should be our attitude towards neighbor’s property? (1-4)Why is a gender-based dress code proposed? (5)Why must we show kindness to mother bird? (6-7)Why must safety guidelines be followed for homes? (8)How is the principle of separation applied? (9-12)How to deal with a bride who is not a virgin?; How to deal with rape, extra marital relationships, incest? (13-30)

CHAPTER 21 (Unsolved Murder, Respect for Captive Woman, Right of Firstborn, Prodigal son, Cursed death on Tree)How to atone for blood shed in the land in unsolved murder cases? (1-9)What are the guidelines for treating a desirable captive woman? (10-14)Does first-born son lose his privileges if father remarries and has more children? (15-17)How to respond to rebellious sons? (18-21)What is the significance of executed criminal hung on a tree? (22-23)

Chapter 20 (The Battle Plan)Why shouldn’t Israelites be afraid in battles? What is the role of priests during war times (1-4)Why are some warriors not selected? Is the army weakened by reduced size? What are some battle rules? (5-18)Why must trees be protected? (19-20)

Chapter 19 (Cities of Refuge, Boundaries, Witnesses)Why were cities of refuge established? Does it provide protection to the guilty? Who is the avenger of blood? (1-13)How are the land boundaries respected? (14)What is the role of witnesses? What is the punishment for false witnesses? (15-20)What is the law of retribution? (21)What are the four commandments covered in this chapter?

Chapter 18 Priests & Prophets, and OccultsWhat was the role of Priests? How were the Priests taken care of? Are we Priests? (1-8)What are some idolatrous/occultic practices forbidden by God? Why are they popular today, despite being dangerous ? (9-14)What are some qualities of Prophets? What prophesy of prophet is fulfilled? What is the test for ‘false prophets’? What is the punishment for false prophets? (15-22)

Chapter 17 Capital Punishment & Qualities of a KingQuality of Sacrifices: What type of sacrifices does God expect? (1)Capital Punishment: What is the penalty for worshipping idols? How is judgement decided? Why is the first stone cast by the witness? Why is the punishment carried out publicly? What is the role of Priests? (2-13)Qualities of a King: Why might Israelites desire a King? Who is their current King? What are some qualifications for a king? (14- 20)

Chapter 16 (FEASTS) (… continued)When & How is the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated? (13-15)Other 2 Feasts: Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23)How must we give? (16-17)How must judges and officers rule? (18-20)What must not be included in our worship experience? (21-22)How does Lord Jesus Christ fulfill the feasts?How is the biblical timeline captured in the feasts?How do the feasts apply to us today?

Chapter 16 (FEASTS)What is the significance of the feasts? How does it apply to us today? When & How is the Feast of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated? (1-8)When & How is the Feast of Weeks celebrated? (9-12)When & How is the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated? (13-15)How must we give? (16-17)How must judges and officers rule? (18-20)What must not be included in worship experience? (21-22)

Chapter 15 Release of the Lord (debtors & slaves)Who must be released from debt? When? (1-3)How can poverty be eradicated ? Why did poverty persist? What is the warning given to selfish?(4-11)When must the slave be released? What were the terms of release? Can a slave choose slavery for ever? (12-18)What must we do with the firstborn? (19-23) What is the connection between compassion & worship?

Chapter 14 (Body + Diet restrictions)Who are we? (1-2)How must we not mourn for the dead? (1)What can we eat and what must we not eat? (3-21)How must Tithing be practiced? Why & how must theLevites and other needy be taken care of (22-29)What is the connection between diet and worship?

Chapter 13 (Idolatry influencers)From ch.12: Worship in the New Testament Can a miracle worker be a false prophet/teacher? How must we respond? (1-5)Can our family & friends lead us astray? How must we respond? (6-11)Can an entire city be seduced into idol worship? How must we respond? (12-18)From ch.12: God’s chosen place, Shiloh: A place of significance … what happened?

Chapter 12 How must we prepare for worship? (1-5) What must we do at the place of worship? (6-14) What instructions are given with regard to eating? What must we do with blood? (15-28) Why must we not inquire of the idolatrous practice of heathen? (29-32) Has anything changed about worship in the new testament, and in heaven?

chapter - 11Therefore … what must the Israelites do? (1-8)What was special about the promised land? (9-12)How will obedience support agriculture? (13-15)How is the heart deceived, and how can we avoid deception of our heart and loss of blessings? (16-20)What are the blessings of honoring the Word? (21-25)What are the two choices? (26-32)

Chapter 10What was different about the ten commandments that were given the second time? (1-5)How did God deal with Aaron despite his sin? (6-7)What are the responsibilities of Levites? (8)What is their inheritance? (9)How did God respond to the prayer of Moses? (10-11)What does God expect of His children?(12-21)What does “circumcision of heart” mean? (16)

Chapter 9Who is greater: God or our enemy? (1-3)Why were the Israelites victorious? (4-6)What is one persistent failure of Israelites? (7)What does history reveal about Israel? (8-13) (22-23)What was God’s surprising offer to Moses? (14)How did Moses react to idol worship? (15-29)

Chapter 8What are the blessing of obedience? (1)What was God’s purpose in making Israelites wander in wilderness? (2-3)How is God’s love expressed? (4-5)What is the outcome of obedience? (6-9)What are two dangers of abundance? (10-18)What is the consequence of forgetting? (19-20

Chapter 7What to do after victory? And why? (2-8)What is Love of God & Justice of God (9-11)What are the Blessings of Obedience (12-16)How to cope with fear & insecurity (17-24)What is the cursed thing? (25-26)

What should be our response to the Law?(1-3)What is the greatest commandment? (4-5)What should we do with the Word? (6-9)Why can ‘good times’ be ‘bad times’? (10-12)What leads to Victory? (13-19)How must we respond to our children? (20-25)

Introduction (1-6)Ten Commandments (7-21)Response of Israelites (22-27)Response of God (28-30)Conclusion (31-33)

Introduction (1-6)Ten Commandments (7-21)Response of Israelites (22-27)Response of God (28-30)Conclusion (31-33)

How to succeed in the promised land? (1-6)What makes Israel a great nation? (7-8)What is the outcome of idolatry? God as a consuming fire and merciful God (9-31)Why is there no other like our God? (32-40)Cities of refuge (41-43), Conclusion (44-49)

How to succeed in the promised land? (1-6)What makes Israel a great nation? (7-8)What is the outcome of idolatry? God as a consuming fire and merciful God (9-31)Why is there no other like our God? (32-40)Cities of refuge (41-43), Conclusion (44-49)

Israel’s failed Journey to Promised LandIntroduction to DeuteronomyFirst generation denied entry to promised Land Moses also tragically denied entry to promised landEncounter with Edomites, Moabites, and AmmonitesTwo battles & Two victories before crossing river JordanJoshua emerges as the new leader of Israel

Israel’s failed Journey to Promised LandIntroduction to DeuteronomyFirst generation denied entry to promised Land Moses also tragically denied entry to promised landEncounter with Edomites, Moabites, and AmmonitesTwo battles & Two victories before crossing river JordanJoshua emerges as the new leader of Israel

How must we respond to the following situations?4. Natural Talent versus God’s Gift:Johnson has good command of English and is a giftedorator. He preaches dynamic sermons and congregation is impressed. But there are manydoctrinal errors. Pastor is thrilled that new members are joining and bank balance is growing.5. Business in Church:The church in Joppa attracts around 100 members every Sunday. Onechurch member decides to set up a local store every Sunday in the fellowship hall. Churchmembers find it convenient to shop after church. Church is growing, Business is booming!6. Gray Areas:Anthony is a college students and attends local church regularly. He isconvinced that he must not kill (commandment #8) but is unable to find answers to his realtemptations (movies, music, marijuana, etc.). Anthony feels that since it is not directlyaddressed in the Bible, the church has no right to tell him what to do.

Sanctification (1-8) What was Paul’s goal in exhorting the believers? What is God’s will? How must we respond to God’s will? What do we mean by sanctification? How is it different from Salvation? To what areas of our life does sanctification apply? How does sanctification benefit believers? What is God’s will for married and singles in the area of physical intimacy? What does the “vessel” refer to? How will God deal with wrongdoers?What is our calling? Who are we rejecting when we disobey God’s Word? How can we practice Sanctification? When does the process of Sanctification end?Love & Personal conduct (9-12): What does Paul urge the believers to do? Was love missing among believers in Thessalonica church? If love is missing in a church, what does it show and what will be the result?What are some practical instructions given in verses 11 & 12?Personal Reflection: Do you see the fruit of sanctification in your life?https://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/video/1-thessalonians-part-iv/

Paul’s burden and Timothy’s mission (1-5): Why did Paul choose Timothy? What was Paul’s concern about Thessalonica church? What ministry was assigned to him? What was his message to the church? How do you respond when your faith/ministry is under fire/tested? What is testing designed to accomplish? Can our ministry be in vain?Timothy’s report (6-9): What was Timothy’s impression of Thessalonica church? How did Paul react to the report? Do we inquire about the spiritual life of other believers?Paul’s prayer (10-13): What was Paul’s prayer request? Were the prayers answered?What can we learn from Paul’s prayer life?Personal reflection: What % of our personal prayer time is devoted to interceding for others & the church?https://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/video/1-thessalonians-part-iii/

Paul’s model ministry (1-9): Why could Paul say with confidence that his ministry was ‘not in vain’? What was the source of Paul’s boldness in ministry? What made his ministry a fruitful ministry? What are some commendable aspects of Paul’s ministry? What are many church leaders seeking today? Is it okay to flee when faced with opposition or danger? Where did Paul flee to?Paul’s blameless testimony & exhortation(10-12): What could witnesses testify about Paul’s life? How was Paul a fatherly/motherly figure to many? What was Paul’s message? How is your walk with the Lord?Paul’s ceaseless thanks (13): What was Paul thankful for? Does the Word of God always work for everyone?Paul’s suffering (14-18): What was Paul’s complaint against Jews? Should we be surprised by oppositions and challenges in ministry? Who hindered Paul’s ministry? Does God hinder our ministry?Paul’s complement (19-20): What is Paul’s great complement to Thessalonica believers?Personal reflection: Paul was a model minister of God ... How do we compare to him?https://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/video/1-thessalonians-part-ii/

Introduction & Reason for thanks (1-3):When was this letter written?When did Paul visit Thessalonica and what was his experience there?Did Paul have a fruitful ministry in Thessalonica?Why is he corresponding with them?What are two customary words in Paul’s greeting to church?What good qualities did Paul observe in the Thessalonica church?Election of God (4):What does it mean?Gospel work & Its Impact (5-10):What are the core ingredients for effective gospel?What are some evidences to suggest that gospel work was authentic among the believers of Thessalonica church?What are three critical outcomes of a life transformed by the gospel?Personal Reflection: Has your life been transformed by the gospel?

IntroductionWho can take baptism?What is the meaning of baptism?Why take baptism?How to take baptism?When to take baptism?What are the blessings of baptism?Conclusionhttps://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/baptism_July2022.pdf

How must we respond to the following situations?Dividers: Becca is causing confusion & misunderstandings leading to divisions in the localchurch.Shared Living: Abraham is soon to be engaged to Sarah in NYC. Both live in NYC and decideto share apartment to save rent. People assume that they are ‘living in sin’.https://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/video/disciplining-in-love-part-ii/

How must we respond to the following situations?Interpersonal Conflicts: Adam has been hurt because of the insensitive actions of Caleb.https://bethanyhouseofworship.org/wp/video/disciplining-in-love-part-i/