Anchor My Faith

Faithfulness to God and Trust in His Deliverance

Old Testament Reading

Deuteronomy 13:1–15:23 — Guarding Covenant Loyalty and Practicing Compassion

Overview:
Moses warns Israel against false prophets, idolatry, and any influence that would draw them away from wholehearted devotion to the LORD. Even close relationships must not supersede loyalty to God. Severe measures are prescribed to preserve the holiness of the community. Alongside these warnings, God commands generosity toward the poor, the release of debts in the Sabbath year, and the consecration of the firstborn—revealing that covenant faithfulness includes both purity in worship and compassion in practice.

Theological Themes:
• Exclusive devotion to God
• The seriousness of sin and idolatry
• Mercy and provision within God’s covenant

Key Verse:
Deuteronomy 14:2 – “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why does God command such strong action against idolatry?
   Answer: Because idolatry leads people away from the true God and destroys covenant relationship. It corrupts the community and undermines God’s redemptive purpose for His people.
2. What do the commands about caring for the poor reveal about God’s character?
   Answer: They show that God is compassionate and just. He desires His people to reflect His generosity and ensure that no one is left in need.
3. How do holiness and compassion work together in this passage?
   Answer: Holiness preserves devotion to God, while compassion reflects His love toward others. Together they form a complete picture of covenant faithfulness.

New Testament Reading

Luke 8:40–9:6 — The Power and Authority of Jesus Revealed

Overview:
Jesus demonstrates His authority over sickness and death through the healing of Jairus’s daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. These miracles highlight both His compassion and divine power. He then commissions the twelve disciples, granting them authority to preach the kingdom of God and heal diseases. This marks a transition from Jesus’ personal ministry to the expansion of His mission through His followers.

Theological Themes:
• The authority of Jesus over life and death
• Faith as the means of receiving God’s power
• The mission of proclaiming the kingdom of God

Key Verse:
Luke 8:50 – “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

What is significant about Jesus sending out the twelve?
Answer: It shows that His mission is to be multiplied through His followers, who are empowered to continue His work.

What do these miracles reveal about Jesus’ identity?
Answer: They show that He has divine authority over sickness and death, affirming that He is the Son of God and the source of life.

Why is faith emphasized in these accounts?
Answer: Faith demonstrates trust in Jesus and is the means by which individuals receive His healing and salvation.

Psalms Reading

Psalm 71:1–24 — A Lifelong Testimony of Trust in God

Overview:
The psalmist expresses deep trust in God as a refuge and deliverer throughout all stages of life, from youth to old age. He recalls God’s past faithfulness as the basis for present confidence and future hope. Even in adversity, he commits to continual praise, declaring God’s righteousness and salvation to others. The psalm becomes a testimony of enduring faith rooted in God’s unchanging character.

Theological Themes:
• God as refuge and deliverer
• Faithfulness across a lifetime
• Praise as a response to God’s righteousness

Key Verse:
Psalm 71:5 – “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

What does this psalm teach about trusting God in later years?
Answer: It teaches that trust in God should deepen over time, with a continued commitment to testify of His goodness.

How does the psalmist’s past experience with God shape his present faith?
Answer: Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens his confidence that God will continue to sustain and deliver him.

What role does praise play in the psalmist’s life?
Answer: Praise is both a response to God’s works and a declaration of His righteousness to others, reinforcing faith.

Proverbs Reading

Proverbs 12:5–7 — The Stability of Righteousness vs. the Downfall of Wickedness

Overview:
These proverbs contrast the thoughts, words, and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are guided by justice and integrity, while the wicked are characterized by deceit and destructive intentions. Ultimately, the wicked are overthrown, but the righteous stand firm, demonstrating that a life grounded in righteousness leads to stability and security.

Theological Themes:
• The contrast between righteousness and wickedness
• The power of words and intentions
• The enduring stability of the righteous

Key Verse:
Proverbs 12:7 – “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. How do the thoughts of the righteous differ from those of the wicked?
   Answer: The righteous think with justice and integrity, while the wicked devise deceit and harm.
2. What do these verses teach about the power of words?
   Answer: Words can either destroy or deliver, reflecting the condition of the heart and influencing outcomes.
3. What is the ultimate outcome for the righteous versus the wicked?
   Answer: The wicked are ultimately overthrown, but the righteous endure and remain secure because their lives are founded on truth and justice.