Bible Readings for July

Book Focus: James and Malachi

Dear Church

Here’s a reminder of the main goals of these Bible reading notes:

Firstly, to encourage us to set aside time in the busyness of our lives to read our Bibles. We want to become a church that becomes mature in the truth. And that can only happen as we each read the Bible individually. Jesus said: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4v4). We should be more reluctant to miss our Bible reading than our daily food!

Secondly, to encourage us to talk about our Bible readings with each other. Since we are all reading the same material, it will hopefully be easier to talk about what we are reading. After the holidays these readings will also prepare you for Sunday sermons as begin the book of Malachi together.

You might want to do these readings on your own, or as a family or with a friend. You will find a blank page at the end of the booklet for prayer notes. The best way to read the Bible is to talk to God about what you are reading. Our prayer is that God will use these notes to plant His Word in our hearts and that His Word will bear fruit and grow.

Love

Kyle and Bongo

27th June: Read James 3:13-17

  1. How does James describe the two kinds of ‘wisdom’ that are in view in this passage?
  2. What is the relationship between wisdom, understanding and a good life in v13?
  3. What does a good life consist of according to v13? Can you give some practical examples?
  4. There is a warning in v14. How does it relate to what James has said so far in this passage?

Apply

What does your life show about your wisdom and understanding?

Pray

28th June: Read James 4:1-3

  1. What is the answer to the first question James asks in v1?
  2. According to James what is the right thing to do with desires?
  3. When does God withhold desired things?
  4. Does God withhold pleasure?

Apply

In what way has this passage spoken to your heart and challenged your thinking about your life?

Pray

29th June: Read James 4:1-6

  1. Why is spending what you receive from God on your own pleasures adultery?
  2. What is the fundamental issue at stake within this passage? (Hint: see 4v4).
  3. Why is God’s envy a virtue? What would be the problem if He was not envious?

Apply

What needs to change in your daily life as a result of this passage?

In what ways has this passage challenged your thinking about prayer?

Pray

30th June: Read James 4:4-10

  1. What truth does v7 reveal about the reality of spiritual adultery?
  2. How does James say the relationship with God can be restored?
  3. Why is mourning and wailing appropriate as one seeks restoration with God?

Apply

In what way has this passage challenged your thinking?

Pray

1st July: Read James 4:11-12

  1. What would you say this passage is about?
  2. What is the motivation given for not slandering one another?
  3. What does it mean to judge? What does it mean to judge the law?
  4. What does it mean that God can save and destroy?

Apply

Do you believe that God can destroy?

In what ways are we prone to slander one another?

What needs to change in your daily life as a result of this passage?

Pray

2nd July: Read James 4:13-16

  1. What is the warning in this passage?
  2. What does James urge these Christians to remember?
  3. What does James say about planning and decision making that takes place without reference to the Lord’s will?

Apply

What governs the way you make plans and decisions?

What needs to change in your daily life as a result of this passage?

Pray

3rd July: Read James 5:1-6

  1. To whom does James direct his warning in this passage?
  2. What is James communicating when he says that their wealth has rotted and corroded?
  3. The problem addressed here is not wealth per sé. What is James condemning?

Apply

How is this particular sin expressed in our day?

In what way has this passage challenged your thinking?

Pray

4th July: Read James 5:7-12

  1. How many examples of patience does James give in this whole passage?

Today we will focus on the first example in verses 7-9.

  1. How long must the brothers (Christians) be patient?
  2. How are the brothers to be patient?
  3. How is grumbling connected to not being patient? (hint: consider from 5v1-6 the reason for grumbling)
  4. What is the warning in this passage?

Apply

What does it look like for you to be patient like a farmer?

In what ways are you prone to grumble?

Pray

5th July: Read James 5:7-12

Today we will focus on the other examples of patience in verses 10-11

  1. Recap on what exactly the other examples of patience in this passage are?
  2. Consider 1 Peter 1:10-11, how are the prophets an example of patience?
  3. In v11, what does James assume that these Christians already know about Christianity?
  4. Consider the example of Job. What does perseverance have to do with being patient?
  5. Consider what mercy and compassion mean. How do James’ examples of perseverance highlight God’s mercy and compassion?

Apply

Do you already know that Christianity is about perseverance – are you ready to persevere?

Do you trust that God is merciful and compassionate?

What will you do to make sure you do not forget these examples of perseverance?

Pray

6th July: Read James 5:7-12

Today we will focus on v12.

James is ending this section on patience with a final instruction.

  1. What does the phrase “above all” indicate about this final instruction?
  2. What is this final instruction?
  3. In what way does James’ teaching echo that of Jesus Himself? (see Mat 5:34-37)

Apply

In our day and age, how does what James warn about manifest itself?

What needs to change in your daily life as a result of this passage?

Pray

7th July: Read James 5:13-15

  1. What would you say this passage is about?
  2. How can each of the occasions listed provide an opportunity for prayer?
  3. What kind of prayer is answered?
  4. What exactly makes the sick person well according to verse 15?

Apply

Do you believe that God answers prayer, why or why not?

Do you pray on all occasion?

Pray

8th July: Read James 5:13-16

Today we will focus on v16.

  1. What is the relationship between confession of sin to one another and God answering prayer?
  2. Whose prayer is powerful?
  3. How does v16 show that the righteous man is not a completely sinless man?
  4. What is it that makes prayer powerful? (hint: v15)

Apply

Does your life show that you trust God’s design of confessing and praying with one another as a means of keeping you saved?

Are you a righteous man or woman of God? i.e does the pattern of your life display repentance?

Pray

9th July: Read James 5:13-17

Today we will focus on v17.

  1. What do you think James is trying to communicate by reminding these Christians about Elijah’s prayers?
  2. Why do you think James mentions that Elijah “was a man like us”?

Apply

Do you believe that God answers prayer?

Have you ever had one of your prayers answered?

Does your life reflect that you trust God? i.e Do you pray?

Pray

10th July: read James 5:19-20

  1. Who is James talking to?
  2. Does v19 mean that a Christian can lose their salvation? (hint: 1 John 2:19)
  3. What does James want these Christians to remember?

Apply

Do you know the truth?

Are you wandering from the truth or do you know of someone who is wandering from the truth?

What will you do to make sure that you do not forget these reminders?

Pray

11th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

1)How does verse 1 describe the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi?

Note: The word translated in the NIV as oracle is literally, “the burden of the word of the LORD”. This was a very common way for prophets to refer to God’s word.

2)Why do you think God’s Word is described as a burden? (See Jer. 23v28-29)

Note: Although the burden of following Christ is light (Matt. 11v28-30), It is a burden of responsibility on those who are entrusted with God’s Word. One of the ongoing marks of false prophets is that they turn the weighty Word of God into something light and frivolous.

Pray

12th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

1)What is God’s first word to Israel through Malachi? (v2)

2)What is Israel’s reply to God? (v2)

Apply: when have you been tempted to doubt God’s love for you? In what ways has God demonstrated His you for you? (See Romans 5v6-8)

Note: it is dishonouring to God to question His love when He has demonstrated it so clearly.

Pray

13th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

1)In verse 2, Israel challenges God by asking Him to prove His love for them. What proof does the LORD give? (v2-3, hint: the nation of Israel are the descendants to Jacob. The nation of Edom are the descendants of Esau)

Note: we might have expected the LORD to recount concrete expressions of love for Israel (eg how He rescued them from Egypt, how He brought them into the promised-land etc). But that’s not what He does.Instead He describes His hatred for Esau.

2)How does this prove God’s love for Israel? (Hint: notice Esau’s relationship to Jacob in verse 2 and then read Romans 9v10-16)

Apply: If you are truly trusting in Jesus, then compare yourself toyour friends and family members who are far from God. Why is it that you should be chosen by God instead of them?

Pray

14th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

Many people struggle with the idea of God “hating” anyone. We prefer to say, “God hates the sin, but loves the sinner.” And yet, there are many passages in the Bible that describe God’s hatred, not just for sin, but also for those who sin. At the same time God also declares His love for wicked people (see Matthew 5v33-36 and John 3v16) as well as His reluctance that anyone should perish, but that all people should repent and be saved (see Ezek. 18v32) How do you think it’s possible for God to love wicked people and hate them at the same time?

Pray

15th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

  1. Verses 3-4 unpack the LORD’s hatred of Esau/Edom. What has the LORD done to their prosperity? (v3)
  2. How has the LORD responded to their attempts to rebuild? (v4)

Note: these verses highlight the futility of life without God. If God is against you, you simply cannot win.

  1. It might be hard for us to understand why God opposes Esau in this way. But the end of verse 4 helps us understand. What will Edom be called?

Note: Esau is not an innocent nation seeking after God and receiving unjust punishment. They are a wicked people. This is what all people are apart from the intervening grace of God.In other words, it is not that Esau is receiving undeserved judgment, but that Israel are receiving undeserved grace.

Pray

16th July: Read Malachi 1v1-5

  1. In verse 5 God assures Israel that they themselves will see Edom’s destruction. What is His purpose in revealing this? (v5)

Note: There was a widespread idea at the time that the gods of the nations had limited spheres of influence. Their power was limited to the geographical areas where they were worshiped.

Apply: Are you ever tempted to doubt God’s power over people groups who are living in blatant rebellion against Him?

Pray

17th July: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. We do not have priests and animal sacrifices as did the people of Malachi’s day. In whatways is this Old Testament theme fulfilled and developed in the New Testament? (See Hebrews 10:12 and Romans 12:1)
  2. In what ways can we fail to honour God, like the priests of Malachi’s day did?

Pray

18th July: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. How does God describe Himself in verse 6?
  2. What should be our attitude to God, if He is our Father and our Master?

Note: This illustration isn’t as clear for us today as it was in the ancient world. In the ancient world a son had no choice but to obey his father. And a slave had no choice but to obey his/her master. The same should be true of our attitude to God

Pray

19th July: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. Who does the LORD accuse for failing to honour His Name? (v6)

Note: The Israelites were commanded to offer the best of their possessions to the LORD. Part of the priests’ duty was to collect these offerings from the people. The LORD therefore holds these priests responsible.

  1. How have the priests shown contempt for God’s Name? (v6-7)

Note: the Hebrew word for “defiled” in verse 7 has a double meaning. It can mean “to defile” or it can mean “to despise”. This emphasizes thepoint of verse 7. By offering “defiled” food, the priests are in fact “despising” the LORD.

Apply: How would you describe the quality of your sacrifice to God? What does it show about your attitude towards Him?

Pray

20th July: Malachi 1v6-14

  1. What type of offerings were the priests bringing to God? (v8)
  2. Read Leviticus 22v17-25 for clear instructions on what type of offerings were acceptable to God.
  3. What further reason does God give for why these sacrifices are so dishonouring to Him (other than the fact that His law explicitly forbids it)? (v8)

Note: At that time Israel was under the rule of the Persians. The “governor” referred to in verse 8 was the Persian ruler in charge of the whole nation of Israel. He was therefore a man with huge authority. To offer a defiled animal to such a man was unthinkable! It would have been regarded as an insult rather than as a gift.

Apply: Examine the quality of your service of God in the light of verse 8. Is it lower than what you would offer a human mayor, president or king?

  1. What does Malachi urge the priests to do in verse 9? Do you need to do the same?

Pray

21st July: Malachi 1v6-14

  1. How does the LORD respond to Israel’s worship in verse 10?

Apply: Examine your worship of God (as an individual and as a church). In what areas of your life is verse 10 a rebuke to you?

Note: Verse 10 should shock us as much as it shocked the original audience. If you can’t be bothered to serve God with your whole life and whole heart, then don’t bother at all! Of course this isn’t meant to make us give up being Christians, but to prompt us to wholehearted dedication to God in every area of our lives.

Pray

22nd July: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. What prophecy does the LORD make in verse 11?
  2. How does this relate to what the LORD has said in verse 10?

Note: Verses 10-11 remind us that the LORD doesn’t need our service as though He would accept anything from our hands regardless of its quality. (See Acts 17v24-25)If we can’t be bothered to give Him our best, then it’s better for us not to bother at all. He doesn’t need us in order to recieve the glory He deserves, since He is worshipped as a great king by multitudes of others who arebothered to give him their very best.

Pray

23rdJuly: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. How do the priests profane God’s name according to verse 12?

Note: The priests might not have been saying these things with their mouths. But they were certainly saying it by their actions. (Compare verse 12 with verses 6-8)

  1. What else are the priests saying about their service of God? (v13)

Apply: Do you ever view service of the LORD as a burden?

Pray

24th July: Read Malachi 1v6-14

  1. Who is cursed by God according to verse 14?

Apply: Confess the times when you have made a commitment to do something wholeheartedly for God, but have then failed to carry through on your commitment?

  1. Why does God respond so strongly to half-hearted, unholy worship? (v14)

Pray asking God to give us a proper sense of His greatness

25th July: Read Malachi 2v1-9

  1. Even though God was focusing on the priests in chapter 1, his rebukes did also extend wider to the whole Israelite community (see for example v14). But now in chapter 2 God focuses even more specifically on the priests (See 2v1). What priestly role does the LORD focus on in these verses? (v6-8)

Note: Jesus is our true Priest Who fulfils all the roles of the Old Testament priests. Therefore the New Testament does not call church leaders “priests”. In one sense we are all God’s priests in Christ (see 1 Peter 2v9). However, in terms of the priestlyfunction as described here in Malachi 2, their equivalent role in the New Testament is taken by pastor/teachers. Church “elders” must be able to teach faithfully, live faithfully, and be model believers. Like Malachi 2, the New Testament contains warnings such as James 3:1 for those who would be teachers of theword.