Bethel Lutheran Church

Week 52:  September 6-11
Ecclesiastes 3-Song of Songs 3

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, September 6 Ecclesiastes 3-4  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Several hints to the solution of the problem of meaninglessness appear in Ecclesiastes 3 and 4. Identify the aspects of the solution mentioned in these verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1–8; 3:12–14; 3:17; 3:18; 4:9–12. What did the angel announce as the great solution to these problems (Luke 2:10-11)? What is Peter’s confession about what is meaningful (John 6:68)?

Tuesday, September 7 Ecclesiastes 5-6  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Did the shepherds say anything at the manger? Check out Luke 2:8–20. What did the shepherds say at the manger? What did they say after they had visited the manger? They seem to have followed the instruction of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes 5:1–3. Why does the Teacher say we should “not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God”? According to the Teacher, who is running things, anyway? How might this insight help us celebrate Christmas with peace and joy? (more…)

Week 51:  Aug 30-Sept 4
Proverbs 22-Ecclesiastes 2

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 30 Proverbs 22-23  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. It is good to examine why we do things that are routine or a long time habit. Just because “we’ve always done it” does not make it bad; we just need to make sure we know “why” we do things so that we can do them well. Christian education is a case in point. Why do you read and study Today’s Light? Why does your church conduct a Sunday School of have Bible classes? Why do congregations dedicate so many resources to Lutheran schools or our church to colleges and seminaries? Review some of the reasons for having these programs with your group. Then look at Proverbs 22:19. What is the reason for Christian education that Solomon gives here? There are several other Christian education passages in this section of Proverbs. What do these verses have to say about why Christian education is so important: Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 23:12, 17, 23. Consult also these passages: Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 14:26–27; Proverbs 9:10. Conclude your study by praying for all the agencies of Christian education in your church and the people involved. Inquire if there is some way you might help at one of these agencies of Christian education.

Tuesday, August 31 Proverbs 24-25  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it that’s important.” What does Proverbs 25:11–18 say about this statement? What does the Lord want us to be very diligent about saying (Jonah 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Timothy 4:9–13; 2 Timothy 1:8–10; Colossians 4:2–6)? (more…)

Week 50:  August 23-28
Proverbs 10-21

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 23 Proverbs 10-11  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. For many years the sign-off line of a news commentator was “That’s the way it is.” Many of the proverbs in Proverbs 10-11 are like that. Choose a few proverbs and discuss how what is said is just how it works out in life, for good or ill. Select your own proverbs to discuss, but try these also: Proverbs 10:7, 32; Proverbs 11:10, 12. Now look at a few proverbs that specifically talk about God. For example, look at Proverbs 10:22, 29; Proverbs 11:1, 20–21. How would you summarize the messages of these proverbs concerning God? What might the Apostle Paul say concerning Proverbs 11:21? See Romans 3:10–12, 21–24; 6:18; Galatians 5:1.

Tuesday, August 24 Proverbs 12-13  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. “The Lord …delights in men who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22). In the light of passages like Psalm 14:3 and 1 John 1:8, how can Solomon make such a statement? Look at other similar statements: Proverbs 11:1, 20; Proverbs 8:31. What is the function of these statements? When does the Lord delight in us? (more…)

Week 49:  August 16-21
Proverbs 1-9

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 16 Proverbs 1-3  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). What is the “fear of the Lord”? See Ecclesiastes 12:13; Psalm 111:10; Psalm 112:1; 1 Peter 3:15). Nicodemus was a wise man who wanted to be taught by Jesus. Jesus taught him the truth (John 3:11), the essence of which was the Gospel (John 3:16). How is John 3:21 related to the fear of the Lord? How might we show that we fear the Lord? How is this passage related to Christian education?

2. As you read and meditate on Proverbs 2 and 3, remember that the wisdom spoken of here is wisdom from God (Proverbs 2:6) and wisdom that fears the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). It is wisdom that proceeds from faith in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Make a list of the blessings that Solomon says such Godly wisdom brings to people. How does Godly wisdom protect a person? Identify and discuss several things that a person with Godly wisdom will do. Pray that you can live a life that exhibits Godly wisdom.

Tuesday, August 17 Proverbs 4  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. In Proverbs 4 Solomon says that his father, David, taught him something important that he now wanted his own children to really absorb (Proverbs 4:3–4). What was this important bit of “sound learning” (Proverbs 4:2)? See Proverbs 4: 14, 23, 27. What experiences did David have that would make this message so important to him that he would want Solomon to really remember it? See 1 Samuel 16:7, 12; 1 Samuel 18:1–4, 17–19; 1 Samuel 23:1–5; 1 Samuel 24:3-7; 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14; 2 Samuel 13:22. How is Solomon’s message applicable to us today? When we fall, what is the Lord’s Word to us through Peter, another who failed in this respect (1 Peter 2:24)? (more…)

Week 48:  August 9-14
Psalm 119-150

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 9 Psalm 119  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. As you read Psalm 119, ask yourself, What seems to be a great concern of the person who wrote the psalm? See Psalm 119: 5, 9, 33, 67, 86–88, 125, 133, 145. What is another concern that the writer has? See Psalm 119: 6, 22, 25, 51, 61, 69, 85, 110, 121, 134, 150, 157. In spite of his desire to live according to God’s laws, what is the psalmist’s conclusion (Psalm 119:176)? He realizes, by God’s grace, that his salvation will be a reality only if the Lord will “seek Your servant” (Psalm 119:176). The psalmist, and you, can take great comfort in the fact that the Lord has sought us out to forgive and redeem us (Psalm 119: 41; Luke 19:10).

Tuesday, August 10 Psalm 120-125  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Many people have a lot going on these days: Thanksgiving activities today; Advent coming; Christmas preparations; end of year financial matters. There will be a lot of coming and going. Today read and meditate especially on Psalm 121. Find and comment on the phrases that assure you that God will be with you and help you, even with all the coming and going. Then pray or sing this prayer:

Jesus, guard and guide Your members Make us children of Your grace,
Hear our prayers in ev’ry place. Quicken now faith’s glowing embers,
Give all Christians, far and near, Holy peace, a glad new year. LW 40:4 (more…)

Week 47:  August 2-7
Psalm 83-118

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 2 Psalm 83-89  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Its Wednesday – the day appointed for reading Psalms 83–89. Some people call it “hump day” – the day we get over the hump and head for the weekend. Are you longing for the weekend? Or, are you longing for going to church here in the middle of the week? What’s the difference? In Psalm 84 the psalmist longs to go to church. Identify some of the things that the psalmist anticipates. What are some of the blessings you receive from your participation in worship (Acts 2:42; Acts 5:42; Acts 11:28–30; Acts 20:7; Colossians 3:12–17; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4)? Thank God for the blessings of and the opportunities to worship with fellow Christians.

Tuesday, August 3 Psalm 90-95  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. How many pictures of security in God can you find in Psalm 91? Identify and explain them. Which one is most meaningful to you? Why? (more…)

Week 46:  July 26-31
Psalm 48-82

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, July 26 Psalm 48-53  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. What?s your favorite riddle? The psalmist presents a riddle in Psalm 49: Why should I fear when evil days come and the wicked surround us (verse 5)? What are his reasons for not fearing that he presents in the rest of the psalm? One answer to the riddle comes in Psalm 52:8. How would you state the psalmist’s answer of faith? What support do you find for your answer in Psalms 48-53 and elsewhere in Scripture?

Tuesday, July 27 Psalm 54-60  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Many people are weighed down by misfortunes – several serious health issues, broken relationships, job related difficulties – and the load seems to get heavier by the day. What difficulties weigh down people you know? David felt that he was surrounded by enemies and evildoers (See especially Psalm 59.). He was weighed down by his own sin. Which sections of Psalms 54–60 indicate that God was his source of strength and hope? Which verses give you hope and strength when you are surrounded by difficulties? (more…)

Week 45:  July 19-24
Psalm 12-47

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, July 19 Psalm 12-17  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Elections are upon us this week. Concerns for what lies ahead are to be expected. What hope can you draw from these promises of God in Psalms 12 through 17: Psalm 12:5–7; Psalm 13:3–5; Psalm 16:5–6; Psalm 17:6–7?

Tuesday, July 20 Psalm 18-22  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Psalms 18 and 19 seem to form one great song in which David praises God for using His might and strength to protect and care for His people. Identify and explain to your group several pictures of God’s strength in these two psalms that bring you comfort and joy? (more…)

Week 44:  July 12-17
Job 32-Psalm 11

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, July 12 Job 32-34  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Each of us can relate to the words of Job 33:27, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.” See Romans 5:17–19 and explain.

Tuesday, July 13 Job 35-37  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Consider the following words of Elihu to Job, “If you sin, how does that affect Him? If your sins are many, what does that do to Him (Job 35:6)?” See 1 Corinthians 15:3. (more…)

Week 43:  July 5-10
Job 15-31

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, July 5 Job 15-17  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Job’s words, recorded in Job 16:19–22 remind us of Romans 8:26–27. Who promises to intercede for the people of God when we, like Job of old, feel weak and incapable?

Tuesday, July 6 Job 18-19  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Explain Job’s confession of faith, recorded in Job 19:25–27. (more…)