Divine Duct Tape: A mother's faith journey to find hope and humor in a life of autism, parenting teens and midlife messes.
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Bible Study Questions
Discussion questions for Bible study groups
Apparently as versatile as its sticky namesake, Divine Duct Tape is being used as a personal devotion and also for study groups! But whether you are a groupie in need of more discussion material for your members, or just a lovable overachiever eager to grow deeper in your relationship with God, I am happy to provide additional questions that I hope will be helpful.
The following questions can be applied to each five-day devotional entry (one week's worth) that will total 12 weeks worth of bonus discussion material. For those using DDT as a group study, members can be assigned five devotional entries prior to each meeting where the leader can then use the bonus questions for further discussion. However, if you are an individual using DDT as a personal devotional, these additional questions can also be used at the end of each week's readings.
The following questions can be applied to each five-day devotional entry (one week's worth) that will total 12 weeks worth of bonus discussion material. For those using DDT as a group study, members can be assigned five devotional entries prior to each meeting where the leader can then use the bonus questions for further discussion. However, if you are an individual using DDT as a personal devotional, these additional questions can also be used at the end of each week's readings.
Week 1
Luke 1:1-14 (Day 1 to 5)
1. What personal story has someone told you recently that has encouraged your faith in Christ or challenged you to grow in some way?
2. Where do you see a maturing process in your life that has happened as a result of a tragedy or trial? Or is there a current challenge that you can ask God to help you grow in, even if the circumstances don't change as you'd like?
3. Is there a Christ-likeness or beauty that you see in another (or even in yourself!) that has grown as a result of hardship that you can encourage another about or thank God for?
4. Zacharias had others praying for him while in God's presence in the Temple. Is there something you currently need prayer for and what do you find difficult to ask others to pray for you about? Why is it difficult, and who would God have you trust to pray for you in this area?
5. Angels. We see them in Luke talking to elderly priests, middle aged carpenters and teenagers. Assuming that Gabriel is not a regular visitor in our homes, what are some means that you find God communicating to you most effectively, and how do you test whether that message or messenger is from God?
2. Where do you see a maturing process in your life that has happened as a result of a tragedy or trial? Or is there a current challenge that you can ask God to help you grow in, even if the circumstances don't change as you'd like?
3. Is there a Christ-likeness or beauty that you see in another (or even in yourself!) that has grown as a result of hardship that you can encourage another about or thank God for?
4. Zacharias had others praying for him while in God's presence in the Temple. Is there something you currently need prayer for and what do you find difficult to ask others to pray for you about? Why is it difficult, and who would God have you trust to pray for you in this area?
5. Angels. We see them in Luke talking to elderly priests, middle aged carpenters and teenagers. Assuming that Gabriel is not a regular visitor in our homes, what are some means that you find God communicating to you most effectively, and how do you test whether that message or messenger is from God?
Week 2
Luke 1:15-33 (Day 6 to 10)
1. We all have a calling from God to be distinct image-bearers of Christ for the purpose of drawing others to Him, but each in our own way. In what ways has God designed you to uniquely reflect our Father, and how have you seen Him use that in you to begin to draw others' attention toward Himself? Or, if you have not yet done so, in what ways can you begin to let Him shine through you to point others to Himself?
2. Even righteous people have flaws, yet God's love does not let Him give up on them--or us! Is there a flaw in your character or sin in your life that has kept you from accepting God's love of you and His desire to still work through you? If so, what can you do to begin to let God heal you in that area?
3. God wants us to know that He is for us but trust is not always our strongest suit. When has God revealed His power to you that has given you more faith to believe He truly has your best interest at heart?
4. When have you taken a wrong turn in your life, or been reluctant to cooperate with Him, and still have seen God use it (and you) for good?
5. Gabriel quoted from the Old Testament to reassure Mary about what was happening. What scripture has God used lately in your life to help give comfort and make sense out of something that has troubled you?
2. Even righteous people have flaws, yet God's love does not let Him give up on them--or us! Is there a flaw in your character or sin in your life that has kept you from accepting God's love of you and His desire to still work through you? If so, what can you do to begin to let God heal you in that area?
3. God wants us to know that He is for us but trust is not always our strongest suit. When has God revealed His power to you that has given you more faith to believe He truly has your best interest at heart?
4. When have you taken a wrong turn in your life, or been reluctant to cooperate with Him, and still have seen God use it (and you) for good?
5. Gabriel quoted from the Old Testament to reassure Mary about what was happening. What scripture has God used lately in your life to help give comfort and make sense out of something that has troubled you?
Week 3
Luke 1:34-58 (Day 11 to 15)
1. Even though "all things are possible with God" as Gabriel told Mary, what do you think he meant by that, based on scripture, and is that is true about everything we hope and wish for? Why or why not?
2. Mary is characterized as "humble," yet we also see a solid portrait of her in the gospels as a strong, determined and courageous woman. What, then, do you think it means that she was humble and how can we, too, be encouraged by her example?
3. Mary agrees to serve under God's authority in the role He has asked her to play. Is there an area of your life that you struggle to submit to God's use? Or an area you have trusted Him with that has given you cause to rejoice?
4. When Mary and Elizabeth meet, they share in each other's joy at the King who is to come. Where, in the line up of God's miracles, do you place His incarnation? Is it a cause for amazement? Is it "old news" in need of a fresh look? And what does it say to you about God that He would choose this method to rescue us?
5. Mary praises God for doing great things, not just for Israel, but for her, personally! What great things has God done for you? Mercies? Blessings? Provisions? And how does knowing this about Him make a difference in how you live?
2. Mary is characterized as "humble," yet we also see a solid portrait of her in the gospels as a strong, determined and courageous woman. What, then, do you think it means that she was humble and how can we, too, be encouraged by her example?
3. Mary agrees to serve under God's authority in the role He has asked her to play. Is there an area of your life that you struggle to submit to God's use? Or an area you have trusted Him with that has given you cause to rejoice?
4. When Mary and Elizabeth meet, they share in each other's joy at the King who is to come. Where, in the line up of God's miracles, do you place His incarnation? Is it a cause for amazement? Is it "old news" in need of a fresh look? And what does it say to you about God that He would choose this method to rescue us?
5. Mary praises God for doing great things, not just for Israel, but for her, personally! What great things has God done for you? Mercies? Blessings? Provisions? And how does knowing this about Him make a difference in how you live?
Week 4
Luke 1:59-2:5 (Day 16 to 20)
1. Have you ever had to go against your own family to follow what God was telling you to do? Or are you being asked by God to obey Him even though your family may not understand or agree? Is there anyone praying for you and helping you to better understand your situation and to help you to stand strong?
2. Is there an answer to a problem or question that, if not hearing what you want from one person, you are determined to find from someone else until you have the validation you are looking for? Have you gone to God about it to learn His answer for you as well?
3. Is there a Holy-Spirit lead issue or circumstance in your life that is causing you to fear? With whom can you talk and pray about it to find peace and to trust that God is at work with you?
4. God's ultimate purpose is to prepare the world to meet Him with open arms. In what way this week are you preparing yourself and others to meet Him, either in the final Day or just everyday?
5. Is sin and forgiveness hard for you to talk about with others? Is there a way that you can talk about the "wrong turns" (sins) you've taken, and the "healing" (forgiveness) from God in your own life that might make that conversation more natural for you?
2. Is there an answer to a problem or question that, if not hearing what you want from one person, you are determined to find from someone else until you have the validation you are looking for? Have you gone to God about it to learn His answer for you as well?
3. Is there a Holy-Spirit lead issue or circumstance in your life that is causing you to fear? With whom can you talk and pray about it to find peace and to trust that God is at work with you?
4. God's ultimate purpose is to prepare the world to meet Him with open arms. In what way this week are you preparing yourself and others to meet Him, either in the final Day or just everyday?
5. Is sin and forgiveness hard for you to talk about with others? Is there a way that you can talk about the "wrong turns" (sins) you've taken, and the "healing" (forgiveness) from God in your own life that might make that conversation more natural for you?
Week 5
Luke 2:6-2:32 (Day 21 to 25)
1. The shepherds were an "outside" people, literally, and socially. Is there someone who is forgotten or considered "outside" in your social circle that God's love is drawing you to love? What can you do to begin to appreciate them and invite them "in"?
2. Is there something God is nudging you to search for that is missing in your life? Or a place He is asking you to go to accomplish a part of the plan He has for your life? If so, what is the next step He is asking you to do?
3. What amazing miracle of God's intervention in your life is a source of encouragement when you are reminded of it?
4. Ironically, the sacrificed turtle doves (offered in obedience to the Law for purification after childbirth), paled in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, the Son that Mary carried in her arms. Is there a lesser "atonement" for sin that keeps from realizing that Christ Himself has freed you from its power to condemn? Is there a sin about which you need to claim Christ's authority to forgive and to release you from all guilt or shame?
5. Simeon was considered by those around him as a good man who believed completely in God's promises and who cared deeply about the spiritual condition of others. Is your reputation one that allows others to view you as a credible source of truth and compassion? Are you consistent between your behavior and what you profess? What area can you ask God to help you to improve?
2. Is there something God is nudging you to search for that is missing in your life? Or a place He is asking you to go to accomplish a part of the plan He has for your life? If so, what is the next step He is asking you to do?
3. What amazing miracle of God's intervention in your life is a source of encouragement when you are reminded of it?
4. Ironically, the sacrificed turtle doves (offered in obedience to the Law for purification after childbirth), paled in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, the Son that Mary carried in her arms. Is there a lesser "atonement" for sin that keeps from realizing that Christ Himself has freed you from its power to condemn? Is there a sin about which you need to claim Christ's authority to forgive and to release you from all guilt or shame?
5. Simeon was considered by those around him as a good man who believed completely in God's promises and who cared deeply about the spiritual condition of others. Is your reputation one that allows others to view you as a credible source of truth and compassion? Are you consistent between your behavior and what you profess? What area can you ask God to help you to improve?
Week 6
Luke 2:33 - 52 (Day 26 to 30)
1. Jesus' sacrifice of himself for our sin (and claim that as Messiah, He is the only way to God), is a claim that many have refused to accept and actively oppose, resulting in the conflict between those who accept Him and those who do not. Has there been a point at which you have had to suffer for being a follower of Christ? What impact has that difficulty had on your faith?
2. To what things are you dedicated to the point of sacrifice or hardship? Do any of them glorify God, honoring the place of importance He has in your life?
3. What circumstances do you let dictate the outcome of your growth spiritually, physically and emotionally? God loves you, no matter what stage of growth you are in, but are there actions you can take that would enable you to be less encumbered to grow more effectively according to God's desire for your life?
4. Jesus told his parents that the most logical place to find him was in his father's house. What was he communicating to them about himself? And in what way do you need to be reminded, too?
5. God knows we are growing. We are in process! Where are you encouraged to see growth in yourself spiritually, emotionally or physically?
2. To what things are you dedicated to the point of sacrifice or hardship? Do any of them glorify God, honoring the place of importance He has in your life?
3. What circumstances do you let dictate the outcome of your growth spiritually, physically and emotionally? God loves you, no matter what stage of growth you are in, but are there actions you can take that would enable you to be less encumbered to grow more effectively according to God's desire for your life?
4. Jesus told his parents that the most logical place to find him was in his father's house. What was he communicating to them about himself? And in what way do you need to be reminded, too?
5. God knows we are growing. We are in process! Where are you encouraged to see growth in yourself spiritually, emotionally or physically?