Theme:

The readings for this Sunday speaks of choice – a person's choice between life and death. Life, if one follows God's word. Death is one goes against it.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading speaks of what God requires from his people. It talks of the consequences of obedience and dis-obedience.

• In verses 12 and 13, what does the Lord require of you? What does this mean?

• What is the reason for doing what God requires of you?

• Verse 18 tells us to put these words in your heart and soul, to bind them in your hand and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. The Jews do this literally. But what does this mean figuratively?

• Verse 19 speaks of teaching these to their children. What does this say about the responsibility of parents in passing their faith to their children?

Day 2: The first reading continues now with a choice given to the people.

• Verses 22 presents a condition and a consequence. The condition is to diligently observe the commandments: loving your God, walking in all his ways and holding fast to him. What does each of these conditions mean and how are these applicable to you?

• What are the consequences for obeying verse 22?

• According to verse 26, what are the two things that God lays before everyone? These are consequences of our actions. How can you achieve blessings? How can you get the curse?

• The last verse tells the people to diligently observe the statutes and ordinances. How can you diligently obey God's commandments?

Day 3: The psalm speaks of trusting in God's goodness.

• How can trusting in God lead you to obey his word?

• The psalmist says in verse 3, that God is “my rock and my fortress”. What does this mean?

• Verse 24 says, “be strong, and let your heart take courage all you who wait for the Lord”. What does it mean to take courage?

• What does it mean to wait for the Lord?

Day 4: The second reading is St. Paul's letter to the Romans. He speaks of salvation based on faith.

• St. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel. How can one be ashamed of the gospel? Are you ashamed of the gospel?

• He continues to speak of it as the power of God for salvation to those who have faith. How can the gospel be THE power of God for salvation?

• St. Paul then quotes from the old testament, “The one who is righteous will live by faith”. What does this mean?

• If one has salvation through faith, how are good works relevant to one's faith?

Day 5: St. Paul continues his discussion on salvation through the death of Jesus.

• St. Paul says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What does this mean? Do you believe that you also have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?

• St. Paul continues to say that the redemption is in Christ Jesus who died as a sacrifice of atonement. What do you think is a sacrifice of atonement? How can Jesus be a sacrifice of atonement?

• St. Paul continues to ask, “what becomes of boasting?” He points out that salvation is a gift from God and we did not work for it, therefore we cannot boast of it. If salvation is a gift, what do you have to do to attain it?

Day 6: The gospel fits perfectly with the second reading. St. Paul speaks of salvation as a gift which was freely given – and that we did not work for it. In the gospel reading, Jesus puts this in the proper context with regards to good works.

• Jesus said that not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. What does this mean?

• In verse 21, according to Jesus who can enter the kingdom of heaven? What does this mean?

• Verse 22 shows people who did things for the Lord, yet Jesus calls them evildoers. How can one do things for the Lord and still be an evildoer?

Day 7: The gospel reading continues to speak about obedience to God.

• In verse 24, Jesus said that everyone who hears these words and acts on them will be like a wise man. What does it mean to hear the words of Jesus?

• Obviously, hearing his word is not enough. One must act on it. What does it mean to act on the word of Jesus?

• According to verse 26, what will happen if one hears the word but does not act on it? Why do you think did Jesus say that in verse 27, that the house will fall, “and great was its fall”? What does this mean?

• How can you ensure that you do not have a great fall?