The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 1 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Starting Strong Isn’t The Same As Finishing Strong

A Study of the Book of 1 Kings

Lesson 12 (Dividing A Nation)
1 Kings 12
 September 18, 2013

The Text:

1. Who was Rehoboam?  What was the purpose of his trip to Shechem?  What message does Israel give to Rehoboam?  How does he initially respond?
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2. What advice does Rehoboam receive from the elders who had served Solomon?  What does Rehoboam think of this advice?  Who does he go to for another opinion?  What response do they suggest?
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3. When the people of Israel gather back together to hear Rehoboam’s response, what does he say to them?  Why?  How did the people of Israel respond to the king’s decision?
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4. What did the people of Israel do to the man Rehoboam sent out to gather people for forced labor?  What did this do to the nation?  Who did the people of Israel turn to as their leader?  What did Rehoboam want to do?  Why didn’t he?
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5. What concern did Jeroboam have about the people going to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices?  How did he attempt to resolve that problem?  How much attention did Jeroboam give to the way God had instructed worship to take place?  What does God say about it?

The Application:

1. In what settings do people look to you for leadership?  How do you address someone when you want things done differently?  How much thought do you put into the answers that you give people?
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2. Do you seek advice from people who have more experience than you?  Do you prefer to listen to the advice of people who would be your peers?  Why is it sometimes difficult to take advice from people from another generation?
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3. Why is it that control and power seem to be so addictive?  Why is it so easy/hard for you to part ways with someone who does not have your best interest in mind?
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4. How do you respond when people try to force you to do something?  What seems to be the typical effect of a person insisting that everything has to be their way?  What would it take for brothers & sisters in Christ to cease fighting one another?
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5. What role does genuine worship have in uniting people?  What do you think this says about the enemy’s efforts to get us to make worship about us and what we like?  How does God respond when we ignore Him in our worship?

Next Week:  A Hard Lesson
1 Kings 13