Jeremy Hoover

 
 
In this introduction, I outline Acts and develop six major themes that are in Acts.

Below, download a PDF of Introduction to Acts or read the document in this post.
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From Psalms 73 and 77. What are your thoughts?

Psalm 73
It's common to look around us and be angry about how other people live wrong seem to succeed in life. But to view them this way is not to see them through the eyes of faith.

Psalm 77
How important is prayer to working through trials? How persistent do we need to be in prayer? Why pray?
 
 
My recent book review of Peter Singer's The Life You Can Save got me thinking about a past bible study on giving. Below is a bible study I wrote on giving that includes discussion on the theology of giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9, how to give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and what the church does with the money it is given (various scriptures).

What are your thoughts?
 
 
From Psalms 71 and 72

Psalm 71
1. How connected is God with or to our troubles? (71:20)

2. Will he always renew us?

Psalm 72
For which acts does the writer praise the king and ask for God's blessing upon the king? (72:12-14)
 
 
From Psalms 63-68

Psalm 63
1. What is true hunger and thirst?

2. How are you truly fed?

Psalm 64
1. What will be the result of the prayer being answered by God?

2. What results do you typically pray for?

Psalm 65
1. What does this psalm see God as lord over?

2. What is seen as evidence of God's lordship over people and creation?

Psalm 66
1. What are the signs of God's deliverance?

2. How did God refine his people?

Psalm 67
1. Why should they praise God?

2. Why should God bless them?

Psalm 68
This psalm is a song of praise to God. How/why is God to be praised?
 
Psalms Pstudy #3 04/12/2010
 
I missed a few days over the weekend. New routines are hard to start! Please add your own thoughts and questions in the comments.

Psalm 57
1. What do you imagine is the circumstance leading to this prayer-psalm?

2. What is the function of the writer's prayer?

Psalm 58
1. How will the writer know his prayer was answered?

2. What does he want?

Psalm 59
1. Is the attitude of vengeance and vindictiveness in this psalm consistent with the rest of scripture? Why or why not?

2. How is God a refuge and fortress?

Psalm 60
What is the function of this prayer?

Psalm 61
1. Psalm 61 is significantly different from Psalms 57-60. How?

2. Why does he pray for the king? What is the connection between the positive attitude in prayer and his prayer for the king?

Psalm 62
Psalm 62 is a teaching psalm. What lessons does he teach?
 
 
In this bible study, based on my sermon, The Baaaaad Shepherds, I compare and contrast bad and good shepherding as seen in Ezekiel 34:1-16 and 1 Peter 5:1-4. I included study questions to help us process the material.
 
 
This is an expanded bible study based on my earlier post, What is Oversight? I learned a lot from Ron Clark's book, Emerging Elders, and this bible study is based on material from that book.
 
Psalms Pstudy #2 04/08/2010
 
What are your thoughts about these questions and reflections?

Psalm 38
1. What is the connection between sickness and sin in this psalm?

2. What range of experiences does the writer have? When have you felt like the writers has?

3. Why is the writer praying to God?

4. How are enemies and sickness (and sin) connected in this psalm? in your life?

Psalm 39
What is the experience of the writer in this psalm? What is the writer's view of God?

Psalm 40
1. What does the writer want? What is he in actuality?

2. Is God's reality about us different than what we experience?

Psalm 41
1. Who does the Lord regard? How does the writer view himself?

2. Which is better: to be self-sufficient or to be weak and dependent on God?
 
Psalms Pstudy #1 04/07/2010
 
I'm trying to read through the psalms. I'd like to do this every month. As I do, I'll post thoughts and questions for us to reflect on. Please add your comments.

Psalm 35
1. How does the first half of Psalm 35, with its desire for the ruin of enemies, fit with Jesus' teaching to love enemies and pray for them?

2. How do you respond to unanswered prayer? Is there such a thing? How does your response to unanswered prayer affect how others view God? (35:11-16)

Psalm 36
1. Are you fed by God or do you feed yourself (36:8)?

2. What signs indicate wickedness? What signs indicate the fear of God?

Psalm 37
1. Too much energy is wasted on wondering why others (especially the wicked) get ahead. Patiently wait for God. True riches and success are with him.

2. What is attractive about wickedness (in Psalms 36-37)? Why are the poor and needy contrasted with the wicked?