Deuteronomy 28 is the chapter where Moses lays out the blessings that follow faithful obedience to the LORD and the curses that follow rebellion, all set against the land Israel is about to enter. These questions are for small groups, Sunday classes, and anyone studying the chapter on their own. Each set moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes daily life.
Deuteronomy 28 at a Glance
The chapter opens with a conditional promise: if Israel listens carefully to the LORD’s voice and keeps his commandments, blessing will reach every area of life, in the city, in the field, in family, in crops, in livestock, and in national standing. Verses 1 through 14 describe that blessing in widening circles, ending with Israel as the head and not the tail.
From verse 15 onward the tone shifts sharply. The same areas of life that were blessed are now described as cursed, and the list grows heavier, moving through sickness, military defeat, exile, famine and, in the most painful passages, the collapse of family life under siege. Read as a whole, the chapter presents covenant obedience as the path to life and covenant breaking as the path to ruin, with the choice placed squarely before the people.
Observation Questions
Use this set first to build a shared picture of the text. Ask the group to answer from the chapter itself before anyone offers an interpretation, and keep the discussion close to the words on the page.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the LORD your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to the LORD your God’s voice.
(WEB)
Read these opening verses first, because they establish the condition on which the whole chapter depends. Ask the group to listen for the words “if you listen” and to notice how the promise is framed.
Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow.
(WEB)
This verse paints a picture of abundance that flows from God’s generosity. Reading it aloud helps the group hear the imagery of open treasure and lending without borrowing.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48
47 Because you didn’t serve the LORD your God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; 48 therefore you will serve your enemies whom the LORD sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things. He will put an iron yoke on your neck, until he has destroyed you.
(WEB)
These verses name the heart of the failure: a lack of joyful service in the midst of plenty. Reading them aloud lets the group feel the tone of gladness that Moses expects from God’s people.
Deuteronomy 28:58-59
58 If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, YAHWEH YOUR GOD; 59 then the LORD will make your plagues fearful, and the plagues of your offspring, even great plagues, and of long duration, and severe sicknesses, and of long duration.
(WEB)
These verses call the people to careful observance of the written law and to reverence for the LORD’s name. Reading them slowly helps the group sense the seriousness of the covenant call.
Deuteronomy 28:64-66
64 The LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods, which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone. 65 Among these nations you will find no ease, and there will be no rest for the sole of your foot; but the LORD will give you there a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and pining of soul. 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you. You will be afraid night and day, and will have no assurance of your life.
(WEB)
These verses describe scattering among the nations and the anxiety of life without a settled place. Reading them aloud brings the chapter’s warnings to a close and prepares the group for prayer.
Memory Verse for Deuteronomy 28
Deuteronomy 28:2
All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to the LORD your God’s voice.
(WEB)
This verse is short enough to memorize and captures the chapter’s central condition. Encourage group members to repeat it together and to consider where in their week its message of listening to the LORD’s voice will be tested.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you as a people who have heard your word and know how easily we drift from it. Thank you for the blessings you give in the ordinary places of our lives, in our homes, our work, and our coming and going. Give us attentive hearts that listen diligently to your voice and respond with joy rather than duty. Where we have grown careless with what you have given us, forgive us and restore our gladness in your service. Keep us rooted in faithful community, so that we are not scattered when trials come. Go with each person in this room as they leave, and lead us all in your ways. Amen.
