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(Monday) Ezekiel 1: In Exile
Ezekiel is writing in Babylon, five years after the destruction of Jerusalem and exile of the Jews. A study-Bible or Bible handbook will help you understand the symbolism.
What do we learn about the character of God from this chapter (v. 1-24)?
Why would no form but the human form be appropriate to represent God visually (v. 25-28)?
God’s purpose was to encourage Ezekiel and the Jews in the midst of discipline. How might this chapter encourage you in the same way?
Prayer Focus: Use one image from this chapter to envision God. Praise him for what that image represents.
Family Devotional: Read verses 25-28. How do you usually picture God in your head? How is Ezekiel’s description similar or different?
(Tuesday) Ezekiel 2-3: Toughening Up
How does God empower Ezekiel to obey him (2:1-2, 3:12-15)? Why does he want Ezekiel to keep speaking even when people don’t listen (2:5)
What is the significance of Ezekiel “eating” God’s word (2:8, 3:2)?
Why is being a missionary to God’s people is so much harder than being a missionary to strangers outside (3:5-9)?
Why is this ministry so important (3:20-21)?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to show you how he might be leading you to a similar ministry
Family Devotional: Read 2:9-3:2. What do you think it means to “eat” God’s word? How can we do the same thing? Why would it taste sweet, like honey?
(Wednesday) Ezekiel 4: Write Large and Shout
What object lessons is Ezekiel instructed to use to communicate to the people of Jerusalem? Why would God choose to communicate this way?
The prophet is called to bear the sin of the people on his side (v. 4-8). What is this intended to communicate?
Whenever God appears to “change his mind,” it’s always to offer people mercy after he’s laid out his expectations. How does he show mercy here?
In what unusual ways has God pointed out the sin in your life?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to make your sin clearly obvious
Family Devotional: Read verses 4-8. God is showing how the sins of Israel have weighed upon him. In what ways do our sins weigh down God?
(Thursday) Ezekiel 37: Resurrection Time
What future does God present through both the vision (v. 1-14) and the living parable (v. 15-23)?
Ezekiel appears to believe that God could resurrect his people, but not the faith to believe God actually would resurrect his people. Why is it important for Ezekiel to speak to the dead bones (v. 4,7)?
What statements indicate that God has more in mind than mere physical restoration of the nation of Israel (v. 24-28)?
What hope does this give Christians today, who might see the state of Christianity as dried-up bones?
Prayer Focus: Pray for the renewal of God’s people, echoing verses 24-28.
Family Devotional: Read verses 11-15. God can bring dead people back to life. Why does this give us hope?
(Friday) Daniel 1: Enemy Employers
How did the king attempt to transform the Jewish men into Babylonians (v. 3-7)? Why did Daniel resist (v. 8-10)?
What steps did Daniel take to create an alternative to the king’s plan (v. 11-14)?
What did God give them that enabled success (v. 15-21)?
What criteria can we glean from this chapter about which worldly activities we should be involved in and which ones we shouldn’t?
Prayer Focus: Pray for discernment to know when you are taking on the world’s identity
Family Devotional: Read verses 8-15. Sometimes we should stay away from certain things in the world that will take us away from God. Can you think of some examples?