Solomon Asks for Wisdom—2 Chronicles 1:1–17
Topics: Answers, Choices, Enemies, Gifts, Greatness, Heart, Honor, Kindness, Knowledge, Leadership, Life, Promises, Responsibility, Wealth, Wisdom
Open It
1. If you could win a giveaway contest, which prize would you want to win?
2. What living leader do you admire? Why?
3. *If your son or daughter had the choice of a college scholarship or a one-million-dollar sports contract, which would you advise him or her to choose? Why?
Explore It
1. Who was Solomon’s father? (1:1)
2. What key event in Solomon’s reign as king does this passage describe? (1:1–17)
3. With whom did Solomon meet? (1:2)
4. Where was the location of the meeting with Solomon and the leaders of Israel? (1:3–6)
5. What was significant about the location of the meeting? (1:4–6)
6. *What did God say to Solomon when He appeared to him during the night? (1:7)
7. *What did Solomon ask God to give to him? (1:8–10)
8. *What was God’s response to Solomon’s request? (1:11–12)
9. What did God promise to give to Solomon that was beyond his request? (1:12)
10. What material possessions did Solomon obtain? (1:14–17)
Get It
1. What pressure does a person feel when he or she takes over a parent’s job or position?
2. What are some of the positives and negatives you would experience as the top leader of a country?
3. What responsibility does a leader have to be an example to others with his or her worship of God?
4. If God offered to grant their requests, what would most of today’s world leaders ask God to give to them?
5. *If God promised to grant you one request, for what would you ask?
6. Why was Solomon’s request so pleasing to God?
7. *Why would it be more valuable to have wisdom from God rather than riches, power, or fame?
8. How does God bless the people who seek to please Him?
9. If you had recorded your petitions during this past week, how would they stack up to Solomon’s request?
Apply It
1. *How can you refine your requests of God to make them more pleasing to God?
2. What steps could you take this week to enhance your knowledge of God and His wisdom?
Preparations for Building the Temple—2 Chronicles 2:1–18
Topics: Church, Craftsmanship, Dedication, Greatness, Humility, Instructions, Leadership, Preparation, Promises, Wisdom, Worship
Open It
1. *In your mind, what makes a church attractive and worshipful?
2. How much money do you think a church should spend on its physical building? Why?
Explore It
1. What two buildings did Solomon give orders to build? (2:1)
2. What preparations for major building projects does this passage describe? (2:1–18)
3. How did Solomon get the workers to do the construction? (2:2, 17–18)
4. To whom did Solomon send a message requesting assistance? (2:3)
5. What material resources did Solomon gather for use in construction? (2:3, 7–9)
6. *What did Solomon plan to do in the temple to worship God? (2:4)
7. *Why did Solomon believe so strongly that a temple must be built? (2:4–6)
8. *How did Solomon feel about his ability to build a temple that would be worthy of God? (2:5–6)
9. By what means was Solomon going to pay all of Hiram’s workers? (2:10, 15)
10. What did Hiram write in reply to Solomon’s request? (2:11–16)
11. Who was the skilled master builder Hiram promised to send to Solomon? (2:13–14)
Get It
1. What sorts of things can parents do to help their children succeed?
2. Why should we worship God in the company of other believers?
3. What is the purpose of a church building?
4. How does God want us to express our thankfulness to Him?
5. When you need work done, when should you hire a fellow Christian and when should you hire a competent secular worker?
6. How does the quality of a church building reflect something of what the worshipers feel about God?
7. *How did Solomon’s plans for the temple reflect his attitude toward God?
8. *How could you express Solomon’s style of worship and commitment to God without building a physical building?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to express your worship and thankfulness to God?
2. What could you do to make your church’s worship better reflect its attitude toward God?
Solomon Builds the Temple—2 Chronicles 3:1–5:1
Topics: Church, Craftsmanship, Giving, History, Wealth, Worship
Open It
1. *What style of home furnishings do you favor?
2. What house have you visited recently that impressed you?
3. What is your favorite room in your house?
Explore It
1. *On what site did Solomon build the temple? (3:1)
2. *What temple furnishings does this passage describe? (3:1–4:22)
3. What was the primary resource used for decorating the temple? (3:5–9)
4. What was sculpted and covered with gold? (3:10–13)
5. What were the key features of the altar? (4:1)
6. For what were the basins and the Sea to be used? (4:4–6)
7. What furniture and furnishings were made specifically for the temple? (4:7–8, 19–22)
8. Who was the master craftsman, and what did he make? (4:11–16)
9. *What did Solomon do with the items that his father, David, had collected for the temple? (5:1)
Get It
1. What was the significance of the location Solomon selected for the temple?
2. Why was the temple decorated so lavishly and ornately?
3. *How do the furnishings of a church affect the way you worship God?
4. How can an expensively furnished church building reflect the priorities of the people of the church?
5. Which do you feel is better for worship—a simple, plain setting or an ornately furnished building? Why?
6. Why was the temple important to the worship of the people of Israel?
7. *What part of your church building has special significance for you?
8. How does the amount of money and time we put into our church buildings reflect our priorities?
9. If you examined where you spent your money this week, what would it reveal about your priorities?
Apply It
1. *How can you model the importance of corporate worship for younger Christians on a week-to-week basis?
2. How can your use of money and attention to detail reflect your love for God?
The Ark Brought to the Temple—2 Chronicles 5:2–6:11
Topics: Abundance, Covenant, Encouragement, Goodness, Help, Instructions, Leadership, Love, Praise, Promises
Open It
1. What experiences have you had with helping someone move furniture and possessions?
2. *How does the promise of a friend differ from the promise of an acquaintance or stranger?
Explore It
1. Whom did Solomon get involved in moving the ark of the covenant? (5:2)
2. When the temple building was completed, what did Solomon move to the site? (5:2–10)
3. Which group of people physically moved the ark? (5:5)
4. *What did Solomon and the people do as the ark was being moved? (5:6)
5. Where did Solomon order the Levites to place the ark? (5:7–9)
6. What was inside the ark? (5:10)
7. What did the Levites and priests sing as praise to the Lord? (5:13)
8. *How did God show His presence in the temple? (5:13–14)
9. *What did Solomon recount for the people on the day the ark was brought up to the temple? (6:1–11)
Get It
1. What did the ark represent to the people of Israel?
2. Why was the ark moved with such care and attention to detail?
3. *What did God’s promises and covenant mean to the people of Israel?
4. How can knowing and repeating God’s promises help us deal with the pressures of life?
5. *What promise of God is particularly meaningful to you at this point in your life?
6. How do we sense God’s presence with us today?
7. What reasons do we have to sing praise to God?
Apply It
1. How could you praise God this week, whether through singing, writing, or some other means?
2. *What promise of God could you share as a word of encouragement to a friend this week?
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication—2 Chronicles 6:12–42
Topics: Awe, Confession, Covenant, Fear, Forgiveness, Goodness, Heart, Judgment, Love, Name, Prayer, Promises, Repentance, Right, Salvation, Sin, Soul, Swearing, War, Worship
Open It
1. *What clues do you see that people today are praying more or less than they did in past generations?
2. If someone asked you for help in learning how to pray, what would you say?
Explore It
1. Whose words are recorded in this passage? (6:12–42)
2. *What was Solomon’s posture in front of the assembly of people? (6:13)
3. What did Solomon say to the Lord about the promises made to his father, David? (6:14–17)
4. What did Solomon say about the idea of God dwelling in the temple he had built? (6:18–21)
5. *What request did Solomon make to God concerning forgiveness? (6:21–25)
6. What were the people to do when they faced disasters or disease? (6:26–31)
7. *What did Solomon want God to teach each person who prayed to him? (6:27, 31)
8. What did Solomon ask on behalf of the foreign people who came to the temple to pray? (6:32–33)
9. What provision to be forgiven was made for a person who had disobeyed God? (6:36–39)
10. What were Solomon’s crowning requests of God concerning the temple? (6:40–42)
Get It
1. How do we know God hears and answers our prayers?
2. What benefit is there in repeating the written promises of God when we pray?
3. For what sins do we regularly need to be forgiven?
4. What can stop God from forgiving our sins?
5. *Why do you think we wander away from God so frequently?
6. *What makes it hard for us to confess our sins to God?
7. What does God do or allow to happen to us to make us want to repent and change our ways?
Apply It
1. How often do you think you might need to reexamine your life for cleansing of sin and a renewal of commitment to the Lord?
2. *What would be an appropriate expression of your personal thankfulness to God for His forgiveness?
The Dedication of the Temple—2 Chronicles 7:1–10
Topics: Abundance, Dedication, Giving, Glory, Goodness, Home, Joy, Love, Praise, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Worship
Open It
1. *What dedication ceremonies or services have you ever attended?
2. Why do some people dislike the practice of taking an offering during a church service?
Explore It
1. *Why were Solomon and all the people gathered at the new temple? (7:1–10)
2. *What remarkable events happened after Solomon finished praying in the new temple? (7:1)
3. Why couldn’t the priests enter the temple? (7:2)
4. How did all the people respond when they saw what was happening in the temple? (7:3)
5. *What did the people say as they were worshiping the Lord? (7:3)
6. What did the people and Solomon give to the Lord as an act of worship? (7:4)
7. What kind of sacrifice did Solomon offer to the Lord? (7:5)
8. What role did the priests and Levites play in the worship? (7:6)
9. What did Solomon do when he consecrated the middle part of the courtyard of the temple? (7:7)
10. For how many days did the Israelites observe the festival? (7:8)
11. How many total days did the Israelites celebrate and dedicate? (7:8–9)
12. With what attitude did the people return home? (7:10)
Get It
1. *What does it mean to dedicate something to God?
2. How can a Christian dedicate his or her life to God’s service?
3. What is appropriate to say when we are worshiping the Lord?
4. What role does giving play in our worship of God?
5. What type of offerings can we bring to the Lord today?
6. What kind of offering does God want us to bring to Him as part of worship?
7. *In what situations have you ever sensed the presence of God?
8. How would our worship of God be different if we saw fire from heaven consume our offerings and sacrifices?
9. How does the worship of God in spirit and in truth change the worshiper?
10. What does worship do to your outlook and perspective on life?
Apply It
1. How can you prepare yourself to worship this next week with an attitude of giving and praise rather than wanting something for yourself?
2. For what specific reasons can you praise God this week?
3. *What part of your life do you need to dedicate anew to the Lord?
The Lord Appears to Solomon—2 Chronicles 7:11–22
Topics: Backslide, Confession, Covenant, Faithfulness, Forsake, Future, Humility, Idolatry, Law, Name, People, Prayer, Rejection, Repentance, Success, Unfaithfulness
Open It
1. *What might cause a team (or an individual athlete) with a huge lead to lose the game?
2. What do some people substitute in their life for a relationship with God?
Explore It
1. To what extent had Solomon accomplished his goals? (7:11)
2. What memorable experience in Solomon’s life does this passage describe? (7:11–22)
3. *What did the Lord tell Solomon about the effectiveness of his prayers and the building of the temple? (7:12)
4. *What did the Lord instruct the people to do when they were experiencing drought, pestilence, or plagues? (7:13–14)
5. *What are God’s people to do as they pray? (7:14)
6. What did God promise to do when the people pray? (7:14)
7. What promises did God make regarding the prayers said from the temple? (7:15–16)
8. What promise did the Lord make to Solomon if he was faithful and devoted to the Lord? (7:17–18)
9. What promise did the Lord make to Solomon if he turned away from God’s commands? (7:19–22)
10. What would happen to the fabulous temple Solomon had built and dedicated to the Lord if he began to worship and serve other gods? (7:20–22)
11. Why would God bring disaster on Solomon and Israel? (7:22)
Get It
1. How have you felt after you have accomplished some of your major goals in life?
2. How do you find purpose and direction from God for what you should do in the future?
3. When have you seen a prayer answered after a considerable amount of time had passed?
4. What did God assure Solomon about His response to true repentance?
5. *What kind of prayers have you prayed when you have been in your worst trouble?
6. How does God’s promise in 7:14 apply to our country today?
7. *In what way can God’s promise and warning to Solomon be applied to each one of us?
Apply It
1. *How might repentance figure into the solution to a problem you face this week?
2. What healing do you desire for your city or country, and how might you help to bring it about?
Solomon’s Other Activities—2 Chronicles 8:1–18
Topics: Choices, Desires, History, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Obedience, Sacrifice, Slavery, Wealth
Open It
1. How can a person lose the skills he or she has developed in a sport or other pursuit?
2. *What makes someone a hypocrite?
Explore It
1. How many years did it take Solomon to complete the temple and his own palace? (8:1)
2. *What kind of success did Solomon have as king of Israel? (8:1–18)
3. What did Solomon do with the villages that Hiram had given to him? (8:2)
4. Besides rebuilding the villages that Hiram gave him, what building projects did Solomon undertake? (8:3–6)
5. What groups of people did Solomon conscript into a slave labor force? (8:7–9)
6. What did Solomon do for his wife (who was also Pharaoh’s daughter)? (8:11)
7. *Why did Solomon not want Pharaoh’s daughter living in David’s palace where the ark of the Lord was kept? (8:11)
8. *What was Solomon’s habit in regard to sacrifices and offerings to the Lord? (8:12–13)
9. In what ways did Solomon continue the routines that his father had started? (8:14–15)
10. What did Hiram’s ships obtain for Solomon? (8:17–18)
Get It
1. *What might cause us to grow lax in our relationship with God?
2. Why might Solomon have felt uncomfortable or guilty about Pharaoh’s daughter living in the same palace with the ark of the Lord?
3. Why might Solomon have married foreign wives and tolerated their worship of false gods?
4. *What “small” or “unrelated” decisions do we make that can lead us away from God?
5. How could Solomon be making daily sacrifices to God and yet ignore God’s command in his daily decisions?
6. How does a person justify going to church regularly and ignoring some of God’s commands during the week?
Apply It
1. *When ungodly influences take root in your life, how might you find the wisdom and resolve to eliminate them?
2. What “mirror” can you use to discover the inconsistencies between your religious talk and your daily living?
Solomon’s Fame—2 Chronicles 9:1–31
Topics: Achievements, Answers, Believe, Death, Gifts, Happiness, Heroes, History, Justice, Love, Money, Possessions, Praise, Questions, Righteousness, Wealth, Wisdom
Open It
1. What fancy or wealthy homes have you visited?
2. How would you describe your dream house?
3. *What person’s wisdom or intelligence most impresses you?
Explore It
1. Why did the queen of Sheba visit Solomon? (9:1)
2. *What famous queen’s visit to Solomon is recorded in this passage? (9:1–12)
3. *What did Solomon do that was so impressive to the queen of Sheba? (9:2–8)
4. How did the queen of Sheba’s real-life impression of Solomon match up to what she had heard about him? (9:5–6)
5. What did the queen of Sheba give to Solomon? (9:9)
6. How much did Solomon give to the queen of Sheba? (9:12)
7. How much gold did Solomon receive each year? (9:13–14)
8. What did Solomon do with the gold he received in tribute? (9:15–16)
9. What expensive decorations did Solomon make for his palace? (9:17–20)
10. What exotic items did Solomon’s trading ships bring back to him? (9:21)
11. *How rich was Solomon and the nation of Israel? (9:22–28)
12. How long was Solomon king of Israel? (9:30)
13. When Solomon died, who succeeded him? (9:31)
Get It
1. *What was the source of Solomon’s impressive wisdom?
2. How can other people see God through the wisdom and skills He has given to us?
3. To what extent, or in what way, is prosperity an indicator of God’s approval of our life?
4. How would it make you feel to be as wealthy as Solomon?
5. How do you think being wealthy would affect your relationship with God?
6. If you had great wealth, how might you use it to help other people?
7. In what ways can you use your present finances and resources to help others?
8. *How does reading about all of Solomon’s exquisite possessions, followed by the account of his death, help to put life into perspective for you?
Apply It
1. *How could you appropriately give credit to God whenever other people compliment your skills or talents this week?
2. What “riches” can you begin to accumulate today that will follow you into eternity?
The Northern Tribes Revolt—2 Chronicles 10:1–11:17
Topics: Advice, Age, Answers, Conflict, Escape, Home, Idolatry, Kindness, Leadership, Listening, Obedience, Prophecy, Rebellion, Rejection, Serving, War, Youth
Open It
1. What does your family fight about?
2. *How has bad advice ever hurt you?
Explore It
1. Who succeeded Solomon as king? (10:1)
2. *What happened to the kingdom that David and Solomon had developed and ruled? (10:1–11:17)
3. What rival leader returned from Egypt after Solomon died? (10:2)
4. What request did Jeroboam make to Rehoboam? (10:4)
5. *What conflicting advice did Rehoboam get when he sought counsel in making his response to Jeroboam’s request? (10:6–11)
6. *Whose advice did Rehoboam follow when answering the people of Israel? (10:12–15)
7. How did the people of Israel react to Rehoboam’s promise of harsher treatment? (10:16–19)
8. What caused Rehoboam to change his mind about going to war against Israel? (10:1–4)
9. What did Rehoboam do to build defenses for his kingdom? (10:5–12)
10. Why did the priests and Levites of Israel leave their homes in Israel and move to Jerusalem? (10:13–17)
Get It
1. *What mistakes did Rehoboam make when he sought advice?
2. *How can following bad advice ruin your life?
3. How can you determine who is giving you good advice?
4. What role should prayer play in deciding what we should do?
5. How can listening to advice from just our peer group keep us from making the best decisions?
6. What are the benefits and dangers of treating people harshly?
7. Why did the division of the kingdoms go virtually uncontested?
8. Right after the division of the kingdom, which of the two pieces, Israel or Judah, was closer to God? Why?
9. What can we do to bring peace and deter conflict in a family where a disagreement has divided people?
10. What should we do if we ever feel that the leaders of our church are straying from the true Christian faith?
Apply It
1. *From whom can you seek godly advice and prayer the next time you need help making a decision?
2. In what family conflict can you intervene this week in hopes of restoring peace and harmony? How?
Rehoboam and Shishak—2 Chronicles 11:18–12:16
Topics: Abandon, Anger, Backslide, Children, Death, Evil, Failure, Faithfulness, Goodness, Heart, Humility, Justice, Leadership, Marriage, Name, Prophecy, Repentance, Serving, Strength, Success, Unfaithfulness, War, Wealth, Wisdom
Open It
1. *How does becoming rich or famous change people?
2. What causes a person to forsake a good habit and pick up a bad habit?
Explore It
1. How would you summarize the reign of Rehoboam as king? (11:18–12:16)
2. How many wives did Rehoboam have? (11:21)
3. Which wife did Rehoboam love more than the rest? (11:21)
4. Which of his sons did Rehoboam designate as chief prince and his eventual successor? (11:22)
5. *At the height of his success, what did Rehoboam and all of Judah do that brought disaster to the nation? (12:1)
6. Why did Shishak, the king of Egypt, attack Judah? (12:2)
7. What did the prophet Shemaiah come and say to Rehoboam? (12:5)
8. What was the response of Israel’s leaders to the prophet Shemaiah’s words? (12:6)
9. *What did the Lord do when the leaders humbled themselves? (12:7)
10. What lesson did the Lord want to teach Israel by making them subject to their enemies? (12:8)
11. What did Shishak take from the temple and the royal palace? (12:9)
12. What changed when Rehoboam humbled himself? (12:12)
13. How long did Rehoboam reign as king? (12:13)
14. *Why did Rehoboam do evil? (12:14)
Get It
1. Why do you think Rehoboam and Judah abandoned the Lord?
2. *What causes people to abandon God when they are experiencing the fruit of their former obedience to God?
3. Which is better for building a strong relationship with the Lord—hardship or prosperity? How?
4. How can prosperity and easy times lead to our spiritual downfall?
5. *How can hard times be good for our spiritual life?
6. Why didn’t God let the Egyptians totally destroy Rehoboam?
7. What important fact about God’s character is revealed through this story?
8. How will our life be less than what God intended when we don’t set our heart on fully seeking the Lord?
Apply It
1. *The next time you find yourself prospering, what can you do to keep in mind the Source of every good and perfect gift?
2. To whom can you tell the good news that God is eager to forgive the person who turns to Him?
Abijah King of Judah—2 Chronicles 13:1–14:1
Topics: Death, Forsake, Gifts, Idolatry, Leadership, Listening, Obedience, Opposition, Peace, Power, Prayer, Rebellion, Religion, Running, Self-centeredness, Serving, Success, Training, Unbelievers, Victory, War, Weaknesses, Youth
Open It
1. Why might an agnostic person begin to pray?
2. *What clues or signs would make you think that a religious group is a cult or religious fringe group?
Explore It
1. *What event during the reign of Abijah does this passage recount? (13:1–20)
2. Against whom did Abijah go to war? (13:2)
3. What was the difference in size between the armies of Judah and Israel? (13:3)
4. What did Abijah shout to Jeroboam’s troops to convince them they would not win? (13:4–12)
5. Why was God on the side of David’s descendants? (13:5)
6. Who influenced Jeroboam to lead a second rebellion against Solomon’s son after the rebellion against Solomon had failed? (13:6–7)
7. *What idols had Jeroboam substituted for the worship of the true God? (13:8)
8. How had Jeroboam treated the priests and Levites? (13:9)
9. What lower standards had Jeroboam instituted by which a man could become a priest? (13:9)
10. What was the difference between the worship practices of Jeroboam’s priests and the sons of Aaron? (13:10–11)
11. What was Jeroboam’s battle strategy? (13:13)
12. *What turned the battle in the favor of Abijah’s army? (13:14–18)
13. After the battle, what happened to Jeroboam? (13:20)
14. After the battle, what happened to Abijah? (13:21–14:1)
Get It
1. How did an army half the size of its opponent win the battle?
2. What had Jeroboam done that angered the Lord?
3. *What false gods do some religious leaders offer to people nowadays?
4. Why should we be skeptical of people who say they are church leaders but who lack training?
5. Why is training for service in the church important?
6. What does it mean to rely on the Lord when the opposition is greater than your abilities or resources?
7. Why do we sometimes not rely on the Lord?
8. In what ways does praying change a situation or a person?
9. *How does our allegiance to the Lord affect the outcome of our life’s battles and struggles?
Apply It
1. *What training or spiritual instruction do you need to serve the Lord more effectively?
2. How can you be certain that your church stands squarely in the teachings established by God?
Asa, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 14:2–15
Topics: Fear, Goodness, Help, Holiness, Idolatry, Law, Name, Obedience, Peace, Power, Prayer, Purity, Repentance, Rest, Right, Sin, Victory, Wealth
Open It
1. What household cleaning task gives you the greatest satisfaction?
2. *What should a homeowner do to prepare in advance for natural disasters?
Explore It
1. *What were some of the successes of Asa’s reign as king? (14:2–15)
2. *What did Asa do that was right in God’s sight? (14:2–6)
3. What elements of pagan worship did Asa eliminate from Judah? (14:3, 5)
4. What were King Asa’s commands to the people of Judah? (14:4)
5. What did Asa do during the years of peace to strengthen Judah? (14:6–7)
6. What did God do for Judah when the people sought God? (14:7)
7. How big was Asa’s army? (14:8)
8. *What did Asa pray and say to God before his army went into battle? (14:11)
9. How did Asa see the significance of Judah’s battle against the Cushites? (14:11)
10. What was the result of Asa’s battle with the Cushites? (14:12–15)
Get It
1. What was the connection for Judah between obedience to God and possessing the land in peace?
2. *Why was Asa so active in removing the idols and false gods from the towns around his nation?
3. *What sinful practices and idols do Christians often fail to remove from their lives?
4. How can we find out if some of our actions or attitudes are displeasing to the Lord?
5. How can we use times of peace and comfort to build our spiritual lives in preparation for future difficulties?
6. How does crying out to God actually help a person overcome his or her problems and enemies?
Apply It
1. *What standard can you use to determine whether any idols (loyalties that take God’s place) exist in your life today?
2. How can you be strengthening and preparing yourself this week for future spiritual battles?
Asa’s Reform—2 Chronicles 15:1–19
Topics: Commitment, Courage, Covenant, Death, Encouragement, Forsake, Heart, Holy Spirit, Idolatry, Joy, Law, Listening, Peace, Prophecy, Rewards, Sacrifice, Soul, Strength, Swearing, Teaching, War
Open It
1. Who has given you valuable and timely words of encouragement?
2. *Which reward would you choose—one thousand dollars for one month of good work, or two million dollars after doing twenty years of faithful service? Why?
3. What is the value of making a public statement about your intentions to do something in the future?
Explore It
1. *Who came to Asa to bring him a word from the Lord? (15:1–2)
2. *What did the prophet say to Asa about God’s relationship to him and his nation? (15:2–7)
3. What was it like in Israel when they did not worship the true God? (15:3–6)
4. What was the source of the people’s distress? (15:6)
5. *What statement of encouragement did the prophet give to Asa? (15:7)
6. What kind of action did the statement of encouragement enable Asa to take? (15:8)
7. Why did Asa gather all the people in Jerusalem? (15:9–15)
8. What was the covenant into which Asa and all the people entered? (15:12–15)
9. What happened to the people who would not agree to the covenant? (15:13)
10. What happened to the people when they sought the Lord? (15:15)
11. What did Asa do to his grandmother? (15:16)
12. What did Asa bring back into the temple? (15:18)
13. How long did Judah have peace under king Asa? (15:19)
Get It
1. What does it mean to have a close relationship with God?
2. How can we be receptive to what God’s messengers want to say to us?
3. *Why is it important to stay in regular contact with Christian leaders who can teach us God’s Word and pray with us?
4. *How does reminding someone of a reward motivate the person?
5. What is the value of making a public commitment to seek the Lord?
6. What is the difference between serving the Lord wholeheartedly and giving God just part of our life?
7. What is our responsibility to help our family members be wholehearted followers of the Lord?
8. How should we respond to family members who don’t follow the Lord?
Apply It
1. *What reminders of God’s faithfulness to you can help you endure your next period of discouragement or trial?
2. How can you prepare yourself to hear and obey the next time God speaks to you through a fellow believer?
Asa’s Last Years—2 Chronicles 16:1–14
Topics: Abandon, Anger, Commitment, Death, Enemies, Faithfulness, Foolishness, Gifts, Help, History, Honor, Leadership, Obedience, Oppressed, Remembering, Sickness, Strength, Stubbornness, Trust, War
Open It
1. When you have trouble with your car, whom do you call?
2. *What recent problems in your life have required help beyond your usual resources?
Explore It
1. Who was threatening Asa and the nation of Judah? (16:1)
2. What portion of Asa’s reign as king does this passage cover? (16:1–14)
3. *From whom did Asa seek help? (16:2–3)
4. What did Asa receive for his payment of silver and gold to Ben-Hadad? (16:4–6)
5. Who was Hanani? (16:7)
6. What message did Hanani deliver to Asa? (16:7–9)
7. *For what is the Lord constantly looking? (16:9)
8. *What consequences would Asa and his people suffer for not trusting the Lord? (16:9)
9. What was Asa’s response to Hanani’s message? (16:10)
10. How was Asa’s response to his foot disease consistent with his approach to other problems in his life? (16:12)
11. At what point in his reign did Asa die? (16:13)
Get It
1. *What critical mistake did Asa make in trying to solve his problems?
2. Which of our problems can we solve ourselves, and with which of them should we ask the Lord for help?
3. What lessons from the past had Asa failed to internalize?
4. What causes us to forget to trust the Lord when we are having problems?
5. Why is it so difficult to accept criticism or correction from someone else?
6. *Why does God want us to commit our hearts fully to Him and trust Him in all situations?
Apply It
1. *What difficult situations do you face this week that will give you opportunities to seek first God’s kingdom?
2. What words of correction from a caring Christian friend or leader have you rejected in the past which you need to reconsider?
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 17:1–19
Topics: Devotion, Faithfulness, Fear, Gifts, Heart, Honor, Idolatry, Learning, Obedience, Peace, People, Power, Serving, Strength, Success, Teaching, War, Wealth, Youth
Open It
1. *Who was the best teacher you ever had?
2. How did you feel about school, and why do you think you felt that way?
Explore It
1. What did Jehoshaphat do to strengthen Judah against Israel? (17:1–2)
2. *What kind of a spiritual influence was Jehoshaphat on Judah during the early days of his reign? (17:1–19)
3. To what faithful king did Jehoshaphat compare in his youth? (17:3)
4. *Why was the Lord with Jehoshaphat? (17:3–4)
5. How did the people respond to Jehoshaphat’s leadership? (17:5)
6. What did Jehoshaphat do to uproot the false gods? (17:6)
7. *What did Jehoshaphat do to educate the whole nation to know the Law of the Lord? (17:7–9)
8. What did the surrounding nations think of Judah during this period of time? (17:10)
9. What nations brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah? (17:11)
10. What fortifications and armed forces did Jehoshaphat develop? (17:12–19)
Get It
1. What did Jehoshaphat choose for and against when he assumed the kingship?
2. *What does it mean for a person to live according to the ways of the Lord?
3. What influences can tempt a Christian not to live according to the ways of the Lord?
4. What should Christians be doing to remove evil influences from society?
5. How could our society be reeducated about the ways of the Lord and the Law of God?
6. Why are Christian efforts to educate adults and young people about God often hindered or ignored?
7. *What should Christians be doing to teach God’s Word to others?
Apply It
1. How can your choices of whom to consult reflect a devotion to God?
2. *How could you begin (or continue) this week to be involved in a program to educate yourself or others in knowing God’s Word?
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab—2 Chronicles 18:1–27
Topics: Answers, Death, Disobedience, Encouragement, God’s Will, Guidance, Hardheartedness, Hatred, Holy Spirit, Honor, Lying, Marriage, Partnerships, Peace, People, Prophecy, Questions, Swearing, Success, Truth, Victory, War, Wealth
Open It
1. How do people attempt to learn what is going to happen in the future?
2. What ruins business partnerships between people?
3. *What pressures do a married couple face when they are not following the same religion?
Explore It
1. *By what means had Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab, king of Israel? (18:1)
2. *How did Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab bring about a prophetic confrontation about Ahab’s death? (18:1–27)
3. What military campaign did Ahab want Jehoshaphat to undertake with him? (18:2–3)
4. What was Jehoshaphat’s response to Ahab’s request? (18:3–4)
5. Whom did Ahab bring in to ask God’s guidance? (18:5)
6. Why did Jehoshaphat want to consult another prophet of the Lord? (18:6)
7. *Why didn’t Ahab want to hear from Micaiah? (18:7)
8. What did Ahab’s prophets predict would happen in the battle? (18:9–11)
9. What was Micaiah’s prophesy from the Lord about the outcome of the battle? (18:14–22)
10. What did Micaiah prophesy about how the Lord and the angels were planning to bring down Ahab? (18:18–21)
11. What did Micaiah prophesy would happen to Ahab? (18:19)
12. How did Ahab respond to Micaiah and his prophesy? (18:23–26)
13. By what means did Micaiah say that his prophesy could be judged as being from God? (18:27)
Get It
1. *What are the dangers of forming a partnership with people who do not share your spiritual values and priorities?
2. *How can people who say they are doing God’s will be mistaken or absolutely wrong?
3. What enables a person to ignore a clear warning given in his or her best interest?
4. When have you been tempted to shun the people who will not say only what you want to hear?
5. What are the potential dangers of 100 percent agreement among a council of leaders?
6. How do we know if someone claiming to know God’s will is truly speaking for Him?
Apply It
1. *If you are involved in any partnership with people who oppose God’s ways, what steps can you take to insure that you are not trapped into an unacceptable compromise?
2. In what setting do you need to have the courage to speak God’s words even if they prove unpopular to your hearers?
Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead—2 Chronicles 18:28–19:3
Topics: Anger, Death, Deceit, Disobedience, Evil, Goodness, Hatred, Heart, Help, Instructions, Punishment, Safety, War
Open It
1. Whom have you known who seemed unusually gullible and likely to be used by others?
2. *When have you, or someone you loved, had a brush with death?
Explore It
1. Who was the king of Israel with whom Jehoshaphat king of Judah went into battle? (18:28)
2. *What was the king of Israel’s plan to avoid being killed in the battle? (18:29)
3. What did the king of Aram direct his charioteers to do with regard to the king of Israel? (18:30)
4. What did the charioteers do when they saw Jehoshaphat? (18:31)
5. How did Jehoshaphat avoid being killed by the charioteers? (18:31–32)
6. *By what means was the king of Israel fatally wounded? (18:33–34)
7. With what question was Jehoshaphat greeted by Jehu the seer when he returned safely to the palace in Jerusalem? (19:2)
8. *Why was the wrath of God upon Jehoshaphat? (19:2)
9. For what good did Jehu commend Jehoshaphat? (19:3)
Get It
1. *Why didn’t Ahab’s plan of disguising himself succeed in keeping him alive?
2. What role did God play in the circumstances of Ahab’s death?
3. Why didn’t God punish Jehoshaphat as He did Ahab?
4. How does God punish or reward people?
5. *What lesson do you think Jehoshaphat should have learned from this incident?
6. In what ways might Christians be used by God’s enemies for their own purposes?
7. How are we responsible before God for any ways in which we support or help the spread of evil?
Apply It
1. *What instance of God’s mercy in response to your own foolishness can be the subject of your personal praise and thanksgiving this week?
2. In any of your alliances which might be construed as helping the wicked, how can you discern how God wants you to handle the situation?
Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges—2 Chronicles 19:4–11
Topics: Anger, Courage, Faithfulness, Fear, Injustice, Instructions, Judgment, Justice, Law, Leadership, Sin
Open It
1. What positive or negative feelings do you associate with jury duty?
2. *If you could serve in any of the various courtroom jobs (judge, bailiff, recorder, defense attorney, etc.), which job would you choose?
Explore It
1. Why did Jehoshaphat venture out among the people throughout the land? (19:4)
2. *What appointments did Jehoshaphat make? (19:4–8)
3. By what standards were the judges to make their verdicts? (19:6)
4. *What instructions did Jehoshaphat give to the judges? (19:6–7)
5. Who was appointed in Jerusalem to administer the law and settle disputes? (19:8)
6. What instructions were given to the Levites? (19:9–10)
7. *What warning was to be given to everyone who came before the judges? (19:10)
8. What was the job of Amariah, the chief priest? (19:11)
9. What was the job of Zebadiah, the leader of the tribe of Judah? (19:11)
10. How did Jehoshaphat admonish all of the leaders to act? (19:11)
Get It
1. How would the king’s visit to a community help people turn back to the Lord?
2. What is the role of a judge?
3. *By what standards was a judge in Israel to deliver a verdict?
4. How are God’s people supposed to settle disputes?
5. How can partiality or bribery undermine the justice given in a courtroom?
6. How can seeing people or situations through God’s eyes help us judge fairly?
7. How often should we be warned of the consequences of sinning against the Lord?
8. *What are the qualities of a good judge?
9. *In what ways are we called to be judges of people or situations?
Apply It
1. *What could you do this week to bring an unresolved dispute in your life to a positive resolution?
2. How can you treat all people you contact this week with a spirit of fairness and justice?
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon—2 Chronicles 20:1–30
Topics: Discouragement, Enemies, Faith, Family, Fasting, Fear, Friendship, Gifts, Heaven, Help, Instructions, Judgment, Listening, Name, Obedience, People, Power, Praise, Prayer, Problems, Promises, Prophecy, Punishment, Salvation, Testing, War
Open It
1. *What is your normal method of dealing with problems?
2. When was the last time you had so many problems you felt like crying or giving up?
Explore It
1. Who attacked Judah and plunged her into war? (20:1)
2. How did Jehoshaphat prepare the people when he heard of the potential attack? (20:3)
3. Of what did Jehoshaphat remind the Lord when he prayed? (20:6–9)
4. *What did Jehoshaphat pray before the gathering of the people? (20:6–12)
5. What appeal did Jehoshaphat make to the Lord? (20:10–12)
6. What happened to Jahaziel while they stood before the Lord? (20:13–14)
7. *What instructions from the Lord did Jahaziel give the people? (20:15–17)
8. How did Jehoshaphat and the people respond after they heard the Lord’s instructions? (20:18–19)
9. What were Jehoshaphat’s words of encouragement to the people the morning after the Lord gave them instructions? (20:20)
10. What did the people sing as they marched out to battle? (20:21)
11. *What happened as the people sang and praised the Lord? (20:22)
12. How were the enemies of Israel killed? (20:23–24)
13. What did Jehoshaphat and the people do when they saw the dead bodies of the enemy soldiers? (20:25–26)
14. What was the attitude of God’s people when they returned to Jerusalem? (20:27–28)
15. How did the surrounding nations react when they heard the outcome of the battle? (20:29–30)
Get It
1. What was notable about Jehoshaphat’s response to the threat of attack?
2. How can prayer be a response or a defense against trouble?
3. *What was the secret of Israel’s success in battle?
4. What does God want us to do when we face problems and threats?
5. What did it take for the people of Israel to march into battle greatly outnumbered, singing praises to the Lord?
6. *What kind of faith does it take for us to trust the Lord in our battles and struggles?
7. How can our enemies destroy themselves when we trust the Lord and refuse to fight them with their methods?
8. How can our trust in the Lord during difficult challenges be an effective witness for the Lord to those around us?
Apply It
1. What conflict are you facing this week for which faith should be your primary defense?
2. *What literal song of praise (words from Scripture or a hymnal) can be your “battle song” in the difficulties you will face this week?
The End of Jehoshaphat’s Reign—2 Chronicles 20:31–21:3
Topics: Children, Death, Evil, Gifts, Guilt, Heart, History, Leadership, Prophecy, Punishment, Right, Reputation
Open It
1. How do you feel walking through a cemetery in the daytime? at night?
2. *Whom would you like to speak, sing, or officiate at your funeral? Why?
Explore It
1. How long was Jehoshaphat king of Judah? (20:31)
2. What transition of leadership does this passage describe? (20:31–21:3)
3. *What was the spiritual legacy of Jehoshaphat’s life? (20:32)
4. *Despite Jehoshaphat’s good example, how did evil continue to survive in the land? (20:33)
5. *What unwise alliance did Jehoshaphat make? (20:35–36)
6. Who prophesied against Jehoshaphat’s alliance? (20:37)
7. What happened to the ships Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah built? (20:37)
8. Who succeeded Jehoshaphat as king? (21:1)
9. How many brothers did Jehoram have? (21:2)
10. Why did Jehoshaphat give gifts to all of Jehoram’s brothers? (21:3)
Get It
1. For what was Jehoshaphat known at the end of his life?
2. *For what would you like to be known when your life is over?
3. How will people describe your walk with the Lord when your life is over?
4. What makes it so hard for some people to seek the Lord?
5. *Why does evil and unbelief continue to exist in each generation?
6. What were the pros and cons of the trading alliance with Ahaziah?
7. What are some of our rationalizations about the compromises we decide to make with the world?
8. Why do we keep falling back into familiar sins in our life?
Apply It
1. *What would you like your friends and family to say about you when you die?
2. Which of your business dealings might not stand the scrutiny of one of God’s prophets, and what can you do about it this week?
Jehoram, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 21:4–20
Topics: Covenant, Death, Enemies, Escape, Evil, Forsake, Idolatry, Judgment, Marriage, Murder, Pain, Promises, Prophecy, Punishment, Rebellion, Reputation, Sickness, Sin
Open It
1. *What was the most effective discipline you ever received from your parents?
2. For what forbidden behavior were you never caught or punished?
Explore It
1. Who was Jehoram’s father? (21:1)
2. What did Jehoram do to his brothers when he became king? (21:4)
3. How long was Jehoram’s reign as king? (21:5)
4. To what kings was Jehoram compared? (21:6)
5. To whom was Jehoram married? (21:6)
6. *What did the Lord think of Jehoram’s reign as king? (21:6)
7. Why didn’t the Lord destroy Judah when it was under the rule of Jehoram? (21:7)
8. What two cities rebelled against Judah and Jehoram? (21:8–11)
9. *What words of prophecy and judgment did Elijah deliver to Jehoram? (21:12–15)
10. Why did the Philistines attack Jehoram? (21:16)
11. What was the result of the Philistine attack? (21:17)
12. *How did Jehoram die? (21:18–19)
13. How was Jehoram’s body treated after he died? (21:20)
Get It
1. Why would Jehoram kill all his brothers after he became king?
2. How was Jehoram’s marriage to Ahab’s daughter connected with his downfall?
3. How can marrying a non-Christian affect a believer’s life with the Lord?
4. Why would God keep his promises to Judah in spite of their disobedience?
5. Why would God not strike down an evil king immediately but allow him to continue his reign?
6. *Why does God allow us to continue in sinful living without any immediate punishment?
7. *What are the long-term consequences of willful sin in the life of any individual?
Apply It
1. About what persistent evil in the world around you could you pray until God brings about either repentance or justice?
2. *What personal testimony can you share with someone this week about God’s long-suffering nature?
Ahaziah, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 22:1–9
Topics: Advice, Consequences, Death, Disobedience, Encouragement, Evil, Family, God’s Will, Hiding, Judgment, Murder, Plans, Power, War, Youth
Open It
1. *How can you tell the difference between good advice and bad advice?
2. What are the frequent causes of the downfall of a famous person?
Explore It
1. Who was Jehoram’s youngest son? (22:1)
2. Why was the youngest son selected to succeed the king? (22:1)
3. How old was Ahaziah when he became king? (22:2)
4. How many years did Ahaziah reign as king? (22:2)
5. Whose ways did Ahaziah follow as king? (22:3)
6. *Who were the evil influences on Ahaziah? (22:3–4)
7. What effect did Ahaziah’s parents have on him? (22:3–4)
8. With whom did Ahaziah align himself when he went to war? (22:5)
9. *What event brought Ahaziah’s downfall as king? (22:6–9)
10. Whom did the Lord anoint to destroy the house of Ahab? (22:7)
11. *What did Jehu do to Ahaziah when he found him? (22:9)
Get It
1. *How can following bad advice get us into serious trouble?
2. Why is the choice of advisors surrounding a leader so important?
3. By what means can we determine who is giving us good advice?
4. What was tragic about Ahaziah’s reign as king?
5. How can a series of unwise decisions ruin a person’s life?
6. *What does God do to help us recognize bad advice and avoid wrong decisions?
Apply It
1. *How does any advice you have received recently square with what you know of God’s righteous commands?
2. What is one thing you can do in the coming week to develop a deeper love for God’s ways?
Athaliah and Joash—2 Chronicles 22:10–23:21
Topics: Courage, Covenant, Death, Families, Heroes, Hiding, Idolatry, Instructions, Joy, Leadership, Murder, Parents, People, Plans, Praise, Promises, Protection, Quiet, Strength
Open It
1. What true story that you’ve heard best exemplifies human courage?
2. *For what cause would you be willing to risk your life?
Explore It
1. What relationship did Athaliah have with Ahaziah? (22:10)
2. What did Athaliah do when she heard that Ahaziah was dead? (22:10–12)
3. *Who was Jehosheba’s husband, and what was his job? (22:11)
4. *How did Jehosheba save Ahaziah’s baby son from being killed? (22:11–12)
5. How many years was the child Joash hidden while Athaliah ruled the land? (22:12)
6. Where did Jehoiada and Jehosheba hide the baby, Joash? (22:12)
7. When did Jehoiada make his move to oppose Athaliah? (23:1)
8. What preparations did Jehoiada make with the Levites? (23:1–10)
9. *How was the new king Joash presented to the people? (23:11)
10. What was the reaction of Athaliah when she saw the new king being honored by the people? (23:12–13)
11. What did the guards do to Athaliah? (23:14–15)
12. What covenant did Jehoiada, the people, and the king make? (23:16)
13. What happened to the false gods and idols? (23:17)
14. To whom did Jehoiada give the oversight of the temple? (23:18)
15. What was the reaction of the people to the installation of the boy king? (23:20–21)
Get It
1. Why did Athaliah want to kill all of her son’s children?
2. *What ruined Athaliah’s plan to rule Judah?
3. What kind of courage did it take for Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah, to hide the heir to the throne for six years and for her husband, Jehoiada, to plan Athaliah’s overthrow?
4. What do you think motivated Jehoiada to oppose Athaliah?
5. In what situations today do Christians need courage to oppose what is wrong?
6. *What stops people from standing up for what is right and opposing what is wrong?
7. In what settings might you need to be prepared to take a courageous stand for what is right?
8. In what way was Athaliah’s death appropriate to what she did during her life?
9. Why did Jehoiada restore the worship procedures in the temple according to David’s instructions?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to be prepared for the next time you need to stand for what is right?
2. In what situation would you like to see change through your careful and prayerful waiting?
Joash Repairs the Temple—2 Chronicles 24:1–16
Topics: Accountability, Children, Church, Commitment, Consistency, Craftsmanship, Death, Evil, Gifts, Goodness, Idolatry, Instructions, Marriage, Reputation, Restoration, Right, Teaching, Tithing, Work, Youth
Open It
1. Who (outside your immediate family) did you most admire when you were a child?
2. *What material possession would be hard for you to give away to help the church or someone in need?
Explore It
1. How old was Joash when he became king? (24:1)
2. Who was Joash’s spiritual mentor and guide? (24:2–3)
3. Who had the idea to restore the temple of God? (24:4)
4. How did Joash go about gathering the money and building materials for the temple restoration? (24:5–6)
5. *What delayed the temple restoration project? (24:6)
6. What had happened to the previous furnishings of the temple? (24:7)
7. *How did the people respond when given the command and the opportunity to give toward the restoration of the temple? (24:8–10)
8. For what purposes were the gifts used in refurbishing the temple? (24:11–14)
9. What happened every day while Jehoiada was living? (24:14)
10. *What was the legacy of Jehoiada’s life as a priest? (24:14–16)
Get It
1. *What role did Jehoiada play in Joash’s life and reign as king?
2. How can another committed Christian help us be faithful in our commitment to Christ?
3. What caused the people to bring and give their gifts for the temple with an attitude of joy?
4. What makes giving a joyful experience?
5. *What is the benefit of daily prayer and worship?
6. For what acts of courage and faithfulness to God would you like to be remembered?
Apply It
1. *If you have not yet identified a spiritual mentor or helper, whom could you approach about helping you to stay on track in your commitment to God?
2. What could you give to God’s work this week that would bring you joy?
The Wickedness of Joash—2 Chronicles 24:17–27
Topics: Abandon, Accountability, Anger, Backslide, Change, Death, Disobedience, Evil, Flattery, Forget, Forsake, Guilt, Hardheartedness, Holy Spirit, Idolatry, Influence, Judgment, Kindness, Leadership, Listening, Murder, Plans, Prophecy, Punishment, Remembering, Stubbornness, War, Worship
Open It
1. *In hindsight, when was a time you were too easily influenced by others?
2. How have you felt when someone you have helped later shows his or her ingratitude by turning against you?
Explore It
1. *What caused Joash to stray away from God? (24:17–18)
2. How did the people respond to God’s efforts to remind them of the truth? (24:19)
3. Who did God use as a prophet to confront Joash with his sin? (24:20)
4. Who was Zechariah’s father? (24:20)
5. *What did Joash do to Zechariah? (24:21–22)
6. What had Joash forgotten about Zechariah’s father? (24:22)
7. What did Zechariah say as he lay dying? (24:22)
8. *How did God punish Judah for their evil actions? (24:23–24)
9. How did Joash die? (24:25)
10. Who were the conspirators who killed Joash after he was wounded in battle? (24:26)
Get It
1. What influences turned Joash away from the Lord?
2. *What choices were available to Joash that could have kept Judah on course with God?
3. What were the early influences that drew you to Christ, and what is your current relationship to them?
4. For what reasons do people who have been Christians for a long time slip and falter in their faith?
5. Why did Joash kill Zechariah?
6. How did Zechariah’s dying words come true?
7. *How do we try to silence God’s voice in our lives when we are living in disobedience?
8. How was Joash’s death related to what he had done in his life?
9. How were Joash’s reforms and accomplishments tarnished by his choices later in life?
Apply It
1. *How can you remember to remain faithful to your early teachers in the faith and essential truths they taught you?
2. What can you do on a daily basis to make yourself less susceptible to ungodly influences? 1
Amaziah, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 25:1–28
Topics: Accountability, Advice, Anger, Backslide, Challenge, Compromise, Courage, Enemies, God’s Will, Government, Heart, Help, Idolatry, Law, Listening, Money, Murder, Partnerships, Pride, Prophecy, Punishment, Rescue, Right, Running, Sacrifice, Unfaithfulness, Victory
Open It
1. *How would you handle a child who says he or she loves you but continues to disobey what you instruct him or her to do?
2. What are your buying habits like (impulsive, careful, bargain hunter, etc.)?
3. To what kind of insult or challenge are you most vulnerable?
Explore It
1. Who succeeded Joash as king? (25:1)
2. *How devoted to the Lord was Amaziah? (25:2)
3. What did Amaziah do to avenge the death of his father? (25:3)
4. What did the Law of Moses command about punishing sons or fathers for each others’ sins? (25:4)
5. Who did Ahaziah hire to serve in his army? (25:6)
6. What warning did the man of God give to Ahaziah about blending his army with the men from Israel? (25:7–8)
7. What did Ahaziah do about the men he had hired for his army? (25:9–10)
8. How did Ahaziah’s smaller army fare in their battle against the men of Seir? (25:11–12)
9. *How did Ahaziah stray from the Lord upon returning home victorious from battle? (25:14–15)
10. How did Ahaziah respond when he was confronted by the prophet? (25:16)
11. How did Jehoash trick Ahaziah into meeting him in battle? (25:17–21)
12. *What role did God play in Jehoash’s defeat of Ahaziah? (25:20)
13. What was the outcome of the direct confrontation between the armies of Judah and Israel? (25:21–22)
14. What damage did Jehoash do to Jerusalem and the temple? (25:23–24)
15. How did Ahaziah finish out his life? (25:25–28)
Get It
1. *Why would Ahaziah be described as someone who did what was right, but not wholeheartedly?
2. What are some of the indications in this story of Ahaziah’s less-than-wholehearted devotion to God?
3. *What are the major reasons some Christians wander away from the Lord?
4. How did pride contribute to Ahaziah’s problems?
5. What are some instances in which your pride has been used against you?
6. What are the signs when a person is wholehearted in his or her commitment to the Lord?
7. How could Ahaziah worship false gods immediately after he had seen God give his undersized army a victory?
8. What has the power to come between you and your faithfulness to God?
9. How does God discipline us or try to get our attention when we are unfaithful to Him?
Apply It
1. *What change do you need to make in your habits or relationships this week to become wholehearted in your commitment to the Lord?
2. What can you do this week to remain humble and restrained so that you can’t be goaded into foolish actions because of pride?
Uzziah, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 26:1–23
Topics: Abundance, Anger, Courage, Disobedience, Fear, Government, Help, History, Honor, Impulsiveness, Leadership, Obedience, Power, Pride, Punishment, Restoration, Success, Teaching, Thankfulness, Unfaithfulness, War, Youth
Open It
1. *How can pride be either a good or bad quality in a person?
2. How does wealth, fame, or power change people?
Explore It
1. Who succeeded Ahaziah as king? (26:1–4)
2. *What was the spiritual reputation of Uzziah? (26:5)
3. Who was Uzziah’s spiritual mentor and instructor? (26:5)
4. What success did Uzziah have in establishing his kingdom? (26:6–8)
5. What building projects did Uzziah undertake? (26:9–10)
6. What were the numbers and capabilities of Uzziah’s army? (26:11–15)
7. *What led to Uzziah’s downfall? (26:16)
8. *What did Uzziah do in the temple that displeased the Lord? (26:16–18)
9. What happened to Uzziah when he became angry at the priests for rebuking him? (26:19)
10. How did having leprosy change Uzziah’s life? (26:21)
11. Where else in the Bible is the story of Uzziah told? (26:22)
Get It
1. Why did God afflict Uzziah with leprosy?
2. *What deadly temptations are faced by people who achieve fame, wealth, or power?
3. How can being successful in life have a negative influence on our relationship with God?
4. What did the priestly duties represent for someone like Uzziah, who was not descended from Aaron?
5. *How can possessing power make us think we are above the law?
6. What fatal mistake did Uzziah make with regard to his successes as king?
7. How can the failure to give thanks to God lead to our spiritual downfall?
Apply It
1. *How can you remind yourself each day to give thanks for God’s blessing on your life?
2. What checks can you devise to make sure you are not coveting privileges beyond those that God has granted you?
Jotham, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 27:1–9
Topics: Achievements, Faithfulness, People, Power, Restoration, Right, Sin, Success, War, Wealth
Open It
1. *If you were given an award for outstanding achievement in your job, what would you say in your acceptance speech?
2. Who is someone you think is an example of both success in this life and faithfulness in following the Lord?
Explore It
1. Who succeeded Uzziah as king? (27:1)
2. How old was Jotham when he became king? (27:1, 8)
3. How long did Jotham reign? (27:1, 8)
4. *In what way was Jotham like his father? (27:2)
5. *In what significant way did Jotham’s actions differ from his father’s? (27:2)
6. What were the religious practices of the people during Jotham’s reign? (27:2)
7. What building projects did Jotham undertake? (27:3–4)
8. What nation did Jotham conquer? (27:5)
9. *Why did Jotham grow powerful? (27:6)
10. Who succeeded Jotham as king of Judah? (27:9)
Get It
1. Why do you think Jotham was careful not to make the mistake his father had made?
2. What lessons have you learned about following the Lord by watching other people and their faith?
3. What have you learned not to do by watching someone close to you during the past month or two?
4. To what extent can a ruler influence the spirituality of the people he or she governs?
5. How do you feel when others around you don’t seem interested in hearing about your Christian faith?
6. *What would Jotham say was his secret of success in life?
7. *What measures of success in life should be secondary to our focus on loving and serving God?
8. How could a personal inventory of obedience to God be a good first step in a project you are ready to undertake?
Apply It
1. *What is one change you can make in your plans for the near future to reflect your commitment to God?
2. What person will you observe this week for lessons in living for God?
Ahaz, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 28:1–27
Topics: Anger, Children, Comparisons, Death, Disobedience, Evil, Forsake, Giving Up, Guilt, Help, History, Humility, Idolatry, Listening, Problems, Prophecy, Punishment, Right, Sacrifice, Slavery, Sin, Unfaithfulness, Worship, Youth
Open It
1. What sorts of tragedies or catastrophes tend to get people’s attention or “sober them up”?
2. *What do you appreciate most about children?
Explore It
1. *What religious atmosphere marked the reign of Ahaz? (28:1–4)
2. What type of evil practices and idol worship were instituted by Ahaz? (28:1–4)
3. What evil practice regarding children did Ahaz practice and promote? (28:3)
4. *How did God punish Ahaz? (28:5–8)
5. What cruel acts did the armies of Israel commit against the leaders and people of Judah? (28:6–8)
6. What did the prophet, Oded, say to armies returning to Samaria? (28:9–11)
7. Why would it be wrong for Israel to take the people of Judah into captivity? (28:10–11)
8. Who stepped forward to urge the army of Israel to do the right thing? (28:12–13)
9. What did the soldiers do with their prisoners? (28:14–15)
10. From whom did Ahaz seek help? (28:16)
11. What problems was Ahaz having because of his unfaithfulness to the Lord? (28:17–18)
12. What humiliation (on top of what he had already suffered) did Ahaz face because of his stubborn disobedience? (28:19–20)
13. *What “solutions” did Ahaz seek to his problems with his enemies? (28:21–23)
14. Why did Ahaz worship Aram’s gods? (28:23)
15. What did Ahaz do to the temple and its furnishings? (28:24)
16. What did Ahaz do to spread the false religions? (28:25)
17. What honor traditionally given to kings was denied to Ahaz? (28:27)
Get It
1. How does God deal with people who forsake Him and practice evil?
2. In what way do you think our problems and difficulties are God’s way of getting our attention?
3. What crimes against children in our society might be comparable with the pagan practice of child sacrifice in Ahaz’s time?
4. *Why didn’t all his troubles turn Ahaz’s heart back to God?
5. Where did Ahaz’s problem-solving in his own wisdom leave him?
6. How can struggles and difficulties be used by God to spark revival and growth in us?
7. Judging from Ahaz’s experiences, what makes God angry?
8. *How can our unfaithfulness to God hurt others around us?
9. What makes it hard for a person heavily involved in sinful activities to turn to God for help?
Apply It
1. *Of all the solutions that come to your mind for your current difficulties, how can you determine which are the product of flawed human reason and which are from God?
2. What concrete action can you take this week to value human life and the lives of children in particular?
Hezekiah Purifies the Temple—2 Chronicles 29:1–36
Topics: Abandon, Abundance, Anger, Change, Comparisons, Covenant, Dedication, Disobedience, Evil, Forsake, Heart, Instructions, Joy, Leadership, Neglect, Praise, Purity, Representatives, Restoration, Revival, Right, Sacrifice, Serving, Sin, Thankfulness, Unfaithfulness, Words, Work, Worship
Open It
1. *What person do you know, or know of, who has made a dramatic and major change in his or her life?
2. What would appeal to you or repulse you about being involved in reforming an institution (government, agency, business, etc.)?
Explore It
1. What major changes did Hezekiah make when he became king? (29:1–36)
2. What was Hezekiah’s relationship with the Lord? (29:2)
3. *What did Hezekiah have to do to restore the temple? (29:3–5, 15–17)
4. What did Hezekiah instruct the priests and Levites to do? (29:5)
5. What had the previous generation done to the temple that displeased the Lord? (29:6–7)
6. How did God punish the people for their disobedience? (29:8–9)
7. *In what mission did Hezekiah encourage the priests and Levites to join him? (29:10–11)
8. What did the priests and Levites do to purify and consecrate the temple? (29:15–19)
9. What type of sacrifices did Hezekiah and the priests make to the Lord? (29:20–24)
10. Why was the blood of the goats presented on the altar? (29:24)
11. What did the people do as the burnt offering was being sacrificed to the Lord? (29:27–28)
12. *What did Hezekiah and all the people do after the offerings were finished? (29:29–30)
13. What were the three types of offerings the people brought to the Lord? (29:31)
14. How numerous were the offerings the people brought to the Lord? (29:32–35)
15. To whom did Hezekiah give credit for the rapid restoration of the temple worship according to God’s commands? (29:36)
Get It
1. How did Hezekiah’s leadership change the direction of the nation?
2. *What priorities did Hezekiah set when he became king of Judah?
3. How could Hezekiah have been so eager to please the Lord when his father had been so evil?
4. How did the blood of animals presented on the altar foreshadow the death of Jesus Christ on the cross?
5. *How important was Hezekiah’s example in bringing about the revival of the nation?
6. *What happens to people when a spiritual revival touches a church or a community today?
7. In what ways did Hezekiah show himself to be a good leader?
Apply It
1. How could you set an example for others this week with your commitment to worshiping and serving God?
2. *What kind of diligence and hard work might be required of you in order to see a revival of commitment to God in your church?
Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover—2 Chronicles 30:1–31:1
Topics: Ambassadors, Anger, Answers, Atonement, Blessing, Call, Celebration, Compassion, Encouragement, Escape, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Gifts, Goodness, Grace, Healing, History, Humility, Idolatry, Instructions, Invitation, Joy, Law, Obedience, Plans, Prayer, Purity, Rejection, Repentance, Responsibility, Right, Righteousness, Serving, Shame, Stubbornness, Submission, Understanding, Unfaithfulness, Unity, Witnessing, Worship
Open It
1. *What kind of preparations do you make for a major holiday celebration?
2. How interested are people in discussing religious issues?
Explore It
1. To whom did Hezekiah send invitations to come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration? (30:1)
2. What special celebration did Hezekiah reinstitute? (30:1–3)
3. Why hadn’t the Passover been celebrated at the traditional time of year? (30:3)
4. *What reasons did Hezekiah give in his letter for why people should come to the temple in a spirit of repentance? (30:6–9)
5. *How were the couriers bearing the invitation received by the people? (30:10–12)
6. What did the crowd of people do to the altars of false gods when they gathered in Jerusalem? (30:13–14)
7. What did the priests and Levites do with the blood of the Passover lamb? (30:15–17)
8. Why did Hezekiah pray to the Lord on behalf of the people of Manasseh, Ephraim, Issachar, and Zebulun? (30:18)
9. *What attitude in the people did Hezekiah ask the Lord to accept in spite of their ceremonial cleanliness? (30:19)
10. How did the Lord respond to Hezekiah’s prayer? (30:20)
11. How did the Levites perform as they reinstituted the Passover celebration? (30:22)
12. What was the attitude of the people as the Passover celebration ended? (30:25–26)
13. How did God respond to the prayers of the priests? (30:27)
14. What did the people do to the idols and false gods as they left to return home? (31:1)
Get It
1. What was the significance of the people’s celebrating the Passover again?
2. Where did the people find the unity of mind to carry out such massive reforms?
3. *In what ways did the celebration of the Passover in Hezekiah’s day deviate from the instructions in the law, and how did God treat those deviations?
4. What kind of leadership skills did Hezekiah demonstrate?
5. What does obedience to God’s ancient commands have to do with serving Him today?
6. How does Hezekiah’s invitation to the people compare to today’s church proclaiming the message of Christ?
7. *Why do people reject and ridicule the invitation to believe and receive the invitation to accept and follow Christ?
8. What experience have you had trying to interest people in responding to God’s plan of salvation?
9. What does God want to see in people who are seeking forgiveness and salvation?
Apply It
1. What traditional act of Christian worship over the centuries could enrich your walk with God this week?
2. *To whom can you give an invitation to receive God’s forgiveness through Christ?
The Restoration of the Worship of God—2 Chronicles 31:2–21
Topics: Abundance, Blessing, Devotion, Fairness, Faithfulness, Family, Generosity, Goodness, Instructions, Law, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Possessions, Praise, Responsibility, Serving, Thanksgiving, Tithing
Open It
1. What is one of the biggest management responsibilities you’ve ever had?
2. How have some of the people you’ve known handled the issue of giving to the church?
3. *What have been the results of projects on which you have worked wholeheartedly?
Explore It
1. What were the duties of the various divisions of priests and Levites as assigned by Hezekiah? (31:2)
2. Where did Hezekiah get the required offerings for the appointed feasts in the temple? (31:3)
3. How did Hezekiah make sure that the priests and Levites had time to do their jobs properly? (31:4)
4. What was the response of the people when Hezekiah called on them to bring the required portion of their wealth for the support of the priests? (31:5–7)
5. How did Hezekiah and his officials respond to the generosity of the people? (31:8)
6. What did the chief priest tell Hezekiah about the abundance piled up in heaps around the temple? (31:9–10)
7. What organizational structure did Hezekiah put in place for taking care of the goods that were brought by the people? (31:11–13)
8. *What sort of distribution system was developed to get the provisions to all of the priests? (31:14–15)
9. *Whose needs were provided through the administrators of the offerings? (31:16–19)
10. *What qualities characterized all of Hezekiah’s actions as king, especially in relation to the temple worship? (31:20–21)
Get It
1. How did Hezekiah show himself willing to set an example for the people in the practices he was instituting or reinstituting?
2. *What response on the part of the people indicated that the revival that took place during the Passover celebration was a lasting change of heart for many of the people?
3. What “happy problem” developed when Hezekiah called for the offerings to be brought for the support of the priests?
4. When have you seen God supply so abundantly that a whole new structure was required to handle the quantity of gifts?
5. *Why is it appropriate to praise God when His people give generously?
6. What are the pros and cons of Christian ministers being responsible for raising their own support versus being on salary?
7. What was the source of Hezekiah’s guidance for these ambitious projects?
Apply It
1. When can you set aside time to read up on a ministry you support with your finances so that your gifts might be wholehearted and generous?
2. *How can you say thank you to God for the work His people do?
3. What can you do to develop a servant’s attitude in dependence upon God?
Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem—2 Chronicles 32:1–23
Topics: Angels, Believe, Caring, Confidence, Courage, Danger, Death, Deceit, Discouragement, Encouragement, Enemies, Faithfulness, Fear, Help, Idolatry, Insults, Plans, Power, Prayer, Preparation, Pride, Restoration, Sacrifice, Salvation, Selfishness, Victory, Weaknesses, Work, Worship
Open It
1. What type of problems upset or bother you the most?
2. *When you are facing a problem, to what extent does prayer affect your attitude about it?
Explore It
1. What king and nation invaded Judah? (32:1)
2. *How did Hezekiah prepare for the threat of attack? (32:3–6)
3. What did Hezekiah tell his army? (32:7–8)
4. *Why was Hezekiah confident of victory? (32:7–8)
5. What did King Sennacherib say in an attempt to persuade the people of Jerusalem to surrender? (32:9–19)
6. What did King Sennacherib say that mocked God? (32:12–17)
7. What message did the Assyrians take directly to Hezekiah’s subjects to try to intimidate them? (32:18–19)
8. *How did God respond when Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed? (32:20–22)
9. What happened to Sennacherib? (32:21)
10. How did defeating the Assyrians change the perception other nations had of Hezekiah and Judah? (32:23)
Get It
1. In light of God’s power and willingness to help us, how should we respond to problems that arise in our lives?
2. How did Hezekiah combine clever action with an attitude of dependence on God?
3. *What was the source of Hezekiah’s confidence against his enemies?
4. How does God help people who lack financial or material resources?
5. How can the Lord help us when we feel overwhelmed by an opponent or problem?
6. *How can prayer defeat an enemy or solve a problem?
7. How should we proceed when people mock the Lord God?
8. How should a believer balance planning and action with waiting on God?
Apply It
1. *How can you make sure that prayer will be a regular part of your problem-solving this week?
2. What fellow believer could you encourage with the story of Hezekiah’s faith in the face of great odds?
Hezekiah’s Pride, Success, and Death—2 Chronicles 32:24–33
Topics: Abundance, Accomplishments, Achievements, Anger, Answers, Death, Delay, Devotion, Healing, Heart, History, Honor, Kindness, Miracles, Prayer, Pride, Repentance, Sickness, Success, Testing, Wealth
Open It
1. *What kind of response do you hope for when you give someone a gift?
2. How does gaining fame and fortune affect a person’s tendency to express appreciation to others?
Explore It
1. What was the occasion of Hezekiah’s prayer to the Lord? (32:24)
2. *How did the Lord respond to Hezekiah’s prayer? (32:24)
3. *What kind of attitude did Hezekiah display after he was healed? (32:25)
4. What kept Hezekiah and the people from being under the wrath of God? (32:26)
5. What did Hezekiah do with all of his wealth and power? (32:27–30)
6. What remarkable engineering feat had Hezekiah accomplished while he was king? (32:30)
7. *How did God test Hezekiah? (32:31)
8. What famous Bible prophet wrote about Hezekiah? (32:32)
9. What did the people think of Hezekiah when he died? (32:33)
10. Who succeeded Hezekiah as king? (32:33)
Get It
1. *How does a serious illness or accident change our prayer habits?
2. What causes us to forget to thank or praise God for His blessings?
3. *What kind of response does God want from us when He gives us good gifts?
4. Once we have sinned and disappointed God, what can we do to avoid His discipline?
5. In what ways do you feel God has tested you recently?
6. What unfortunate legacy did Hezekiah leave another generation because of his pride?
7. Why might a person turn down a gift offered by another person or even by God?
Apply It
1. What could you do this week to help your regular prayer life become more like your emergency prayer life?
2. *If the Lord tested you this week, what would be your greatest motivation and priority?
Manasseh, King of Judah; Amon, King of Judah—2 Chronicles 33:1–25
Topics: Age, Anger, Backslide, Change, Comparisons, Disobedience, Evil, Example, Forgiveness, Guilt, Humility, Idolatry, Instructions, Law, Listening, Murder, Name, Obedience, Occult, Prayer, Prophecy, Purity, Repentance, Restoration, Sacrifice, Unfaithfulness, Words, Worship, Youth
Open It
1. Why do you think it is often gratifying for a parent to see his or her child continue in the family business or the same line of work?
2. *How would you respond to a convicted murderer who said he or she had repented and become a Christian and wanted to be released?
Explore It
1. How old was Manasseh when he became king? (33:1)
2. *What direction did Manasseh take the nation spiritually? (33:2)
3. How did Manasseh undo his father’s work? (33:3)
4. How did Manasseh desecrate the temple as a place of worship? (33:4–5)
5. *What evil acts did Manasseh commit personally? (33:6)
6. How did Manasseh’s actions defy the conditions of the promises God had made to David and Solomon? (33:7–8)
7. How did the paganism of Judah under Manasseh compare to what had existed before God gave the land to His people? (33:9)
8. How did Manasseh respond to warnings from the Lord? (33:10)
9. How did the Lord punish Manasseh for his sins? (33:11)
10. How did Manasseh change when he was taken into captivity? (33:12)
11. *What happened to Manasseh while he was being punished? (33:12–13)
12. How did the Lord answer Manasseh’s prayer? (33:13)
13. What did the new Manasseh build and destroy? (33:14–16)
14. How did the people use the altars previously used for worshiping false gods? (33:17)
15. Who succeeded Manasseh as king, and how long was his reign? (33:20–21)
16. What spiritual leadership did Amon provide? (33:22)
17. How was Amon different from his father? (33:23)
18. What ended Amon’s reign as king? (33:24)
Get It
1. *What causes the children of some committed Christians to rebel against God and live sinful lives?
2. What sins show total rejection and defiance toward God?
3. How would you like to see God punish people who promote evil and destroy young lives?
4. *What does the forgiveness of someone as evil as Manasseh tell us about God?
5. When have the unhappy conditions of your life prodded you to humble yourself before God?
6. To what lengths is God willing to go to get our attention and cause us to repent?
7. In what ways did the people fail to follow the Lord’s instructions for worship completely?
8. What is the danger in not following the Lord’s commands completely or precisely?
Apply It
1. For whom can you pray this week who is presently defiant toward God?
2. *What do you want to remember about Manasseh and the way God changed him?
Josiah’s Reforms—2 Chronicles 34:1–13
Topics: Church, Culture, Evil, Faithfulness, Idolatry, Involvement, Leadership, Money, Obedience, Purity, Restoration, Right, Sacrifice, Trust, Work, Worship, Youth
Open It
1. *How hopeful do you think today’s young people are about their ability to change the world for good?
2. What significant jobs in a local church could be done by a young person?
Explore It
1. *How old was Josiah when he became king? (34:1)
2. *What kind of spiritual leadership did Josiah give the nation? (34:2)
3. When did Josiah begin to search for God? (34:3)
4. What symbols and evidences of false gods did Josiah destroy? (34:3–4)
5. What did Josiah do in an attempt to remove the guilt of the people for their previous idol worship? (34:5)
6. *How extensive were Josiah’s efforts to clean up the nation? (34:6–7)
7. What did Josiah send via trusted messengers to enable the high priest to repair the temple? (34:8–9)
8. What did Josiah do to repair the temple? (34:8–11)
9. What skilled tradesmen were hired to work on rebuilding the temple? (34:10–11)
10. What roles did the Levites fill in the temple restoration and worship? (34:12–13)
Get It
1. *In what ways is Josiah an example of what a young person can do for God?
2. What can a young person do to fight against evil today?
3. Why did Josiah get personally involved in destroying the altars of the false gods?
4. What can a young person do to give spiritual leadership to others?
5. Why was it wise for Josiah to leave no stone unturned in getting rid of idolatry?
6. *What are some of the specialized skills needed in the operation of a local church?
7. Why is it difficult to be thorough in taking spiritual inventory of our lives?
Apply It
1. What would help you to take a thorough inventory of your spiritual life?
2. *What young person can you encourage by phone or letter to serve the Lord wholeheartedly?
The Book of the Law Found—2 Chronicles 34:14–33
Topics: Anger, Answers, Bible, Change, Covenant, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Forsake, Heart, Humility, Idolatry, Instructions, Knowledge, Law, Leadership, Life-style, Mourning, Obedience, Peace, Prophecy, Renewal, Repentance, Soul, Truth, Words
Open It
1. *What surprising “finds” have you made while cleaning your attic, closets or garage?
2. How did you obtain your first Bible?
Explore It
1. What did Hilkiah find in the temple? (34:14)
2. What was important about the old scroll? (34:14)
3. *What discovery changed Josiah and his nation? (34:14–33)
4. To whom did the high priest give the scroll when he found it? (34:15)
5. How did Shaphan break the news to the king about the scroll? (34:16–18)
6. *How did Josiah react to hearing God’s law read aloud? (34:19)
7. What did Josiah send his men to do at the temple? (34:20–21)
8. Why was God’s anger being poured out on Judah? (34:21)
9. Who did Josiah’s men go to see about God’s message for them? (34:22)
10. What was the bad news in the prophecy? (34:24–25)
11. What was the good news in the prophecy? (34:26–28)
12. How had Josiah’s reaction to hearing God’s Word influenced God’s response? (34:27)
13. To whom did Josiah first read the scroll? (34:29–30)
14. *What pledge did Josiah make to the Lord? (34:31)
15. What did Josiah require the people to do? (34:32)
16. How did Josiah and the people live after reading the scroll? (34:33)
Get It
1. *How can reading or not reading the Bible influence the way you live?
2. How knowledgeable is our society about what is written in the Bible?
3. What does the Bible contain that is helpful to us?
4. *What action, beyond just reading and studying, does the Bible require of us?
5. What good news does the Bible contain?
6. What bad news does the Bible contain?
7. When we read God’s Word and are confronted with our shortcomings and sins, how should we respond?
8. What shows that we are truly sorry for not following God’s Word?
Apply It
1. *What commitment will you make to read God’s Word regularly this week?
2. What action could give teeth to conviction and repentance you have already experienced?
Josiah Celebrates the Passover; Josiah’s Death—2 Chronicles 35:1–36:1
Topics: Celebration, Death, Devotion, Encouragement, Gifts, God’s Will, History, Holiness, Listening, Mourning, Obedience, Preparation, Remembering, Sacrifice, Serving, Teaching, War
Open It
1. What kind of birthday party would you really enjoy?
2. What would you write in your diary about this past week?
3. *What do you remember most clearly—your bad experiences or your good experiences?
Explore It
1. *What special celebration did Josiah reinstitute? (35:1–19)
2. *What were the priests and Levites to do in preparation for the Passover? (35:2–6)
3. How were the priests and Levites to handle the sacred ark? (35:3)
4. What three actions were the Levites to perform? (35:6)
5. What did Josiah provide for the Passover? (35:7)
6. What did the officials provide for the Passover? (35:8–9)
7. What was done to the Passover lambs? (35:11–12)
8. What offerings were prepared for the people to eat? (35:12–14)
9. What did the musicians and gatekeepers do? (35:15)
10. *How long had it been since the Passover celebration had been observed exactly according to God’s command? (35:18)
11. What confrontation did Josiah have with the king of Egypt? (35:20–21)
12. What mistake did Josiah make when he decided to fight Neco? (35:22)
13. How was Josiah killed? (35:23–24)
14. How was Josiah remembered by the people? (35:25–26)
Get It
1. *Why was it so significant that Josiah reinstituted the Passover celebration?
2. Why was it so important to get the details right in the temple of the Lord?
3. Why do we tend to grow lax about the repetitious aspects of worshiping God?
4. *Why is it important to remember and talk about what God has done for us?
5. On what occasions do Christians gather to celebrate and remember what God has done for them?
6. How can church celebrations and holidays become perfunctory or misrepresent their original purposes?
7. Why is it important to celebrate together with others?
8. Why do you think Josiah persisted in making war against Pharaoh Neco?
9. When have you gotten a message about God’s will for you from an unexpected source?
10. How has failing to listen to the Lord led to trouble in your life?
Apply It
1. *When can you take time to recall and celebrate or tell someone about something God has done for you?
2. How can you be spiritually alert and ready to accept God’s leading, even from an unexpected source?
Judah Is Exiled to Babylon—2 Chronicles 36:2–23
Topics: Anger, Consequences, Discipline, Evil, Forsake, God’s Will, Heart, Idolatry, Judgment, Pride, Prophecy, Punishment, Rebellion, Rest, Restoration, Serving, Stubbornness, Unfaithfulness
Open It
1. What do you think is the best way to discipline a disobedient child?
2. What do you think is the best way to discipline an employee who doesn’t do his or her job?
3. *What instance of discipline had a particularly lasting effect on you (whether in childhood or later)?
Explore It
1. How long did Jehoahaz reign? (36:2)
2. Who dethroned Jehoahaz? (36:3)
3. How long did Jehoiakim reign? (36:5)
4. What was Jehoiakim’s spiritual influence on the nation? (36:5)
5. Who conquered Jehoiakim and took him into captivity? (36:6–7)
6. How long did Jehoiachin reign? (36:9)
7. Who deposed Jehoiachin from his throne? (36:10)
8. How long did Zedekiah reign? (36:11)
9. What was Zedekiah’s spiritual influence on the nation? (36:12–14)
10. *How did the people respond to God’s messengers? (36:15–16)
11. *Whom did God raise up to destroy Jerusalem? (36:17)
12. What did Nebuchadnezzar do to the city and the people of Jerusalem? (36:18–20)
13. *How long were the Jews in exile in Babylon? (36:21)
14. Who gave permission for the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem? (36:22–23)
Get It
1. *What was the primary cause of the total destruction of Judah?
2. How does God discipline people who ignore or disobey Him?
3. What could any of Judah’s last kings have done to save the nation and the people?
4. What did all of the last kings of Judah fail to do?
5. How many chances did Judah have to respond to God’s call to return to Him?
6. What makes us resistant to hearing God’s warnings?
7. *How can God’s discipline be good for us?
Apply It
1. *What warnings has God been trying to communicate to you in recent weeks which you need to receive with humility?
2. What personal examples of the long-suffering nature of God can you share with a fellow believer to encourage him or her?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. 2 Ch 1:1–36:23.