Scripture
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Who welcomed two angels into their home, offering them hospitality, and as a result, were spared from destruction?
Bonus ($50+): What two cities are central to that story, and what happened to them?
Lot.
Bonus: Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed when God rained down fire and sulfur because of their extreme wickedness.
Who was the first person to recognize Jesus as the Son of God?
Bonus ($50+): Who was the first disciple to confess Jesus as the Son of God?
John the Baptist
Bonus: Simon-Peter
Explain the Meaning of The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Weeds): “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire." Matthew 13:37–42.
Who did Pontius Pilate release instead of Jesus? Bonus ($50+): Why?
Barabbas
Bonus: The crowd demanded his release under the Passover tradition, and Pilate gave in to avoid conflict.
According to Jesus, what are the two greatest commandments?
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36–40
What was the secret of Samson's strength?
Bonus ($150+): For what purpose did he use his strength, and what ultimately led to his downfall?
His Nazarite vow—symbolized by never cutting his hair.
Bonus: He used his strength to fight the Philistines and deliver Israel from its captivity. His downfall came when he trusted the woman he loved, Delilah, and revealed that breaking his Nazarite vow—cutting his hair—would remove his strength. She betrayed his trust when he least expected it, and cut his hair while he slept.
In the Gospel of Mark, which two disciples asked Jesus to sit at His right and left hand in His glory?
The Apostles John and James, sons of Zebedee
What does the King reply in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
And the King will answer and say to them, _________"
The Lord replied, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
In the Gospels, Jesus marvels at one person's faith, saying He has not seen such great faith, even in Israel. Whose faith was He referring to?
The Roman Centurion
"Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"
Matthew 8:5–13
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Who was Moses' brother, and how did his disobedience prevent him from entering the Promised Land?
Aaron; he was stripped of his garments, and his son, Eleazar was made high priest, because Moses and Aaron disobeyed God at the waters of Meribah. God commanded Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock, and it would supply water for the thirsting Israelites—but they disobeyed and struck the rock instead. As a consequence, shortly thereafter, Aaron died on Mount Hor, rather than entering into the Promised Land.
Numbers 20:22–26
Which king of Judah does the Old Testament describe as having turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, distinguishing him from all kings before or after him?
King Josiah
2 Kings 23:21–22.
Explain the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.
The Old Covenant = bilateral (follow these laws and you will be blessed; break them and you will be punished).
- Contained moral (ought to behave), civil (societal - criminal/civil justice), and ceremonial (worshipping) laws.
- Made between God and the Israelites.
- Fulfilled by the coming of Jesus.
The New Covenant/Covenant of Grace = unilateral (Salvation is offered by grace through faith in Jesus Christ).
- Made by Jesus to all believers.
- Promises grace and salvation to all that accept Him into their heart.
- “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
When did Jesus first publicly declare before religious authorities that He is the Messiah and the Son of God?
At His trial before the Sanhedrin (the Pharisees/High Priest)
"Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'
'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
Mark 14:61–62
"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
What four major world empires did Daniel’s vision of the gold, silver, bronze, and iron statue prophesy about?
Bonus ($200+): In Daniel 7, the same four empires are symbolized by animals instead of metals. What four beasts did Daniel see?
(Head) Babylon, (Chest & Arms) Medo-Persia, (Belly & Thighs) Greece, and (Legs) Rome
Bonus: (Winged) Lion, (Lopsided with 3 ribs) Bear, (4-headed) Leopard, (Terrible, iron-toothed) Beast
Which two major prophetic figures were taken up by God without experiencing death?
(Hint: One is described more fully in an ancient Jewish text found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.)
Elijah and Enoch
What point is Jesus making in the parable of the Shrewd Manager? (Luke 16).
Jesus is calling His people to be more intentional and proactive with spreading His Word, and helping others grow in their faith. Just as worldy people are eager to chase fame, riches, and success, God's people should be eager to do His will.
What were Jesus' final words to Judas at the Last Supper?
Bonus (200+): Why would He say that?
"What you are about to do, do quickly." – John 13:27
Bonus: Jesus said this to show He was in full control of the timing of His arrest and crucifixion. He was willingly fulfilling God’s plan, not being overpowered by Judas or Satan. It also marked the moment Judas stepped into spiritual darkness and prophecy was set in motion.
Jesus did not run away or distract Himself when feeling scared, or when things were difficult. He stayed faithful to His Father in Heaven—"No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” – John 10:18
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
How many brothers (relatives) did the giant, Goliath, have?
Bonus ($250+): How were they defeated?
Four
Bonus: They were killed by David’s warriors Abishai, Sibbecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan.
"These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants."
2 Samuel 21:22
What are the names of all 12 of Jesus' disciples?
1. John and James, sons of Zebedee
2. Andrew and Simon-Peter
3. Matthew and Judas Iscariot
4. Simon the Zealot and Thaddeus (a.k.a. Judas)
5. James the Less (son of Alphaeus) and Philip
6. Thomas and Nathanael (a.k.a. Bartholomew)
Matthew 10:2–4
What does the "seed of Abraham" refer to? How did its meaning change after the death and resurrection of Jesus?
The seed of Abraham was originally understood to mean Abraham's literal lineage (i.e., the Jews/Israelites). After Jesus came down to Earth to offer us the gift of salvation, He explained that all are welcome to come into His kingdom. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:28. "For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called.' That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise." Romans 9:6–9. Being born in into the "right" bloodline or following the traditions of man can't save you—the one true way to everlasting life is through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus went atop a mountain, before three disciples, and His appearance completely changed, with two men appearing beside Him—this is called the Transfiguration. Who were the two Old Testament figures who appeared?
Bonus ($250+): What is the significance of two people's presence there?
Moses and Elijah.
Bonus: Moses represents the Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets—together, they symbolize the entire Old Testament. Their presence shows that all of Scripture points to Jesus and is fulfilled in Him. Jesus wasn’t just a man or a prophet; He is the long-promised King and the true Messiah. On this mountain, the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, God the Father, and the disciples all meet. It reveals Jesus’ unique role: the bridge between God and humanity. He fulfills the old covenant and brings in the new. Finally, God spoke from the Heavens, saying "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him." This is the ultimate Christian calling: Follow His teachings, trust His words, obey His commands, and believe His promises. Moses and Elijah’s presence shows that the entire Old Testament points forward to Jesus.