1 Samuel

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 19 — A Helpful Tune

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 19 (A Helpful Tune)
1 Samuel 16:14-23

The Text:

  1. What change takes place in Saul?  Why?
     
  2. What conclusion does Saul’s attendants come to?  How do they propose helping the situation?  What is Saul’s response?
     
  3. How is David described by Saul’s servants?  What does Saul do with this information?
     
  4. What is Jesse’s response to Saul’s request?  Why would he do this?   
     
  5. How well does Saul get along with David when he finally arrives?  What role is David given in addition to his music playing?  How is his music helpful to Saul?  Is this relationship helpful to David also?  (What did David know that Saul didn’t know?)

       

The Application:

  1. Does the “Spirit of the LORD” leave people today?  Why/Why not?  Does God send an evil, or harmful, spirit to people today?  Why/Why not? 
     
  2. Have you ever concluded that a harmful spirit was tormenting someone?  What can/did you do about it?  What things might help a person who needs a change of spirit?     
     
  3. How would someone describe you?  Would they focus on your abilities, training, character, looks, etc or on your relationship with God . . . Or both?      
      
  4. How do you respond when someone requests something from you that can help them?  Does it change your response if you see helping them as a privilege rather than a responsibility?  
     
  5. How meaningful to you are people who can lift your spirit?  When you feel a change in your spirit, what things can restore you to a better spirit?  Who knows that?  Who do you know that you can be a part of restoring their spirit?  How has God used the unexpected in your past to prepare you for the present?  What might that tell you about the unexpected you face now?

       

Next week: 1 Samuel 17:1-58
A Boy To Do A Man’s Job

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 18 — Looking Beyond The Visible

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 18 (Looking Beyond The Visible)
1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Text:

  1. How does Samuel react to Saul being rejected as king?  Is this the reaction you would have expected?  What does God tell Saul to do?
     
  2. Why is Samuel hesitant to do what God asks?  What instructions did God give Samuel to alleviate his fear? 
     
  3. What reaction do the elders of Bethlehem have when Samuel arrives?  What was their concern?  What might this say about Samuel . . . Or about them?
     
  4. Who does Samuel invite to join him as he sacrifices to the LORD?  Who is Eliab?  What does Samuel think when he sees Eliab?  What does God say to Samuel about Eliab?  Who does Jesse present to Samuel for consideration?   
     
  5. What is Samuel’s question when none of the 7 sons Jesse presented to Samuel was the one God had chosen?  Who was missing?  Why wasn’t he there?  What happened when he was brought before Samuel?

      

The Application:

  1. How do you react when God says it is time for a change?  Why do we tend to hold on to, or mourn, the old?  How important is it to know God is the one behind a change?
     
  2. When you think of something that you know God wants you to do, who/what comes to mind as being behind the fear that keeps you from doing it?  How might God use your worship of Him to overcome your fears?     
     
  3. Are there times that people are concerned about what your presence might mean?  When would that be?  What does that say about you . . . About them?      
     
  4. What should worship of God do to a relationship?  Have you ever seen someone who you thought was perfect for a task God was calling to be done only to find out they weren’t God’s choice?  Why do we have a tendency to pay so much attention to the outward appearance of a person?  
     
  5. How important is it to you that you are God’s person regardless of what others think?  What was/is God looking for?

       

Next week: 1 Samuel 16:14-23
A Helpful Tune

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 17 — To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 17 (To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice)
1 Samuel 15:1-35

The Text:

  1. Who does God tell Saul to attack?  What was the reason?  What does God want done with them?
     
  2. How many men did Saul gather to do battle?  How victorious were they in battle?  What did Saul save?  What is God’s response? 
     
  3. When Samuel goes to meet Saul, what message is he given?  When Samuel catches up with Saul, what does Saul tell him?  In response, what does Samuel ask?
     
  4. What was Saul’s reasoning for his actions?  When confronted with what God had actually said, how does Saul respond?  What is his justification for his actions?  Who does Saul claim to be sacrificing to? 
     
  5. What does Samuel say God really wants?  How does this compare with what Saul was willing to give?  In what manner does Saul finally admit his wrongdoing?  What message does Samuel have for Saul?  How did this affect Samuel’s attitude toward Saul?

     

The Application:

  1. Are there things that have waylaid you (or attempted to) in your walk with God?  What does God want you to do with those?  Have you?  Will you?
     
  2. How does it feel to be victorious in a battle with the enemy?  How do you choose who fights the battle with you?  How tempting is it to save “mementos”  of the enemy God has helped you defeat?  How would God feel about that?     
     
  3. When you experience victory, who gets the credit?  Do you ever try to claim obedience when you’re still holding on to things you know you shouldn’t be?  How obvious do you think that is to others?      
     
  4. Do you ever try to justify your disobedience by claiming it is for God’s benefit?  What influence do others have on your obedience?  Why do you think Saul used the phrase, “the LORD your God” in his conversation with Samuel? 
     
  5. How much do you pursue obedience over sacrifice?  What should this look like in your life?  What should your attitude be toward a person who chooses to disobey?

      

Next week: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Looking Beyond The Visible

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 16 — Not Such A Sweet Deal

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 16 (Not Such A Sweet Deal)
1 Samuel 14:24 – 52

The Text:

  1. What condition were the men of Israel in?  Why?  What had Saul said?  What was his stated motive?
     
  2. What did the army find in the woods?  What did they do with it?  What did Jonathan do?  What effect did it have on him?  What response did he have when told of his father’s command? 
     
  3. What was the condition of the Israelite army when evening finally came?  What did they do?  Why did they do this?  What was the problem with it? What did Saul do about it?
     
  4. What was Saul’s plan after they had eaten?  What was the response of the army?  What response did the priest have?  What response did God have?  What was Saul’s assumption?   
     
  5. What does Saul announce will be done to the one who has sinned?  Who does the lot fall to as they seek the guilty person?  What is Saul’s response?  Who intervenes?

    

The Application:

  1. How hard is it to live up to the expectations of others?  In what ways have you put expectations on others in order to satisfy yourself?  How is this harmful to the individual, and to the body of Christ?  Are there ways in which expectations can be good?
     
  2. Have you ever done something only to be told that someone else said it was wrong?  How did it make you feel?  How did you react?     
     
  3. What effect does being deprived of something for any amount of time have on you?  What is the problem with being so “hungry” for something that you don’t care how you get it?  In what areas might you need to show restraint in your life?      
     
  4. How do you feel when people like a plan that you have?  What if God doesn’t approve, or is silent about it? 
     
  5. Why are rash statements so dangerous?  Do you think Jonathan did wrong?  How can you stand up for someone who feels condemned for doing the right thing?

     

Next week: 1 Samuel 15:1-35
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 15 — Mighty To Save

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 15 (Mighty To Save)
1 Samuel 13:16 – 14:23

The Text:

  1. What occupation was missing from Israel?  Why?  How did this impact the Israelites readiness for battle?
     
  2. What were the Philistines doing?  What did Jonathan decide to do?  Who went with him?  Who else knew about this “trip”? 
     
  3. As Jonathan approaches the base of the cliff where the Philistine outpost is, what does he propose to do?  What is his reasoning?  How does his armor-bearer respond?
     
  4. When Jonathan and his armor-bearer show themselves to the Philistines, what do the Philistines say to them?  What had Jonathan decided in advance to do if this is what the Philistines said?  What was the immediate result at the top of the cliff?  What did God do beyond that?  How widespread was it?   
     
  5. What was Saul’s response when he saw the Philistine army in retreat?  When Saul took his men into battle, what did they find?  Who won the victory that day?

   

The Application:

  1. Do you always have everything that you think you need?  Does not having certain “necessary things” keep you from doing what you know God wants?
     
  2. How does knowing people’s lives are being raided by the enemy make you feel?  Who would you trust to go with you to confront a specific “raiding party”?     
     
  3. What does it mean in your life that “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few”?     
       
  4. What do you do when someone mocks you or ridicules your faith?  Why is it important to decide ahead of time how you will respond to such behavior? 
     
  5. When victories are won, why is it so tempting to look for a person or group to give credit to before we look to God?  When you are rescued from the enemies you face, why is it so important to recognize God as the rescuer regardless of what means He uses to accomplish it?

    

Next week: 1 Samuel 14:24-52
Not Such A Sweet Deal

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 14 — The Cost Of Impatience

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 14 (The Cost Of Impatience)
1 Samuel 13:1 – 55

The Text:

  1. How old was Saul when he became king?  How long did he serve as king?  Why might that information be included at this point in the story?
     
  2. How many men does Saul select to serve with him?  How does he assign them?  What does he do with the rest of the men that are present?
       
  3. Who is Jonathan?  What does he do?  How does Saul react to this?  How does Saul convey the news?  Is it good news or bad news?
     
  4. What do the Philistines do?  How many of them?  What is the response of the Israelite people?  . . .  Of the Israelite army?   
     
  5. How long does Saul wait for Samuel?  What does Saul do?  Why?  When did Samuel arrive?  What message does Samuel have for Saul?  What did all of this do to the number of men who stayed with Saul?

  

The Application:

  1. When is the best time in life to start something significant?  Is longevity a good measure of something’s success?  Why or why not?
     
  2. Why is it important to have people who will stand with you?  How easy/hard is it for you to share your resources of any kind with someone else?  Are some things easier to share than others?  
         
  3. How likely are you to take the lead in confronting wrong?  What are the possible outcomes of confronting wrong?  What seems to be most common in your experience?  How does knowing that help in future circumstances?    
     
  4. Have you ever taken a public stand for what is right according to God only to have it seem like the world rises up against you because of it?  What has been, or would be, your reaction?  What can be done to remain courageous in the face of opposition?
     
  5. How hard is it for you to wait?  How often do you tend to live by the motto, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission”?  Why is that dangerous?  How important is obedience to you?  . . . To God?

   

Next week: 1 Samuel 13:16-14:23
Mighty To Save

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 13 — Famous Last Words

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 13 (Famous Last Words)
1 Samuel 12:1 – 25

The Text:

  1. As Samuel finishes up his time of leadership, what does he state he has done?  What questions does he ask of the people?  Why?  What is their response?
     
  2. What history does Samuel relay to the people?  What is his point?  What is he confronting them with evidence of? 
     
  3. What action/reaction was behind the Israelites wanting a king?  How was this different from their response to previous troubles?
     
  4. What conditions do Samuel give to the people in order for things to go well for the nation under their new king?  What is the consequence of not following these conditions?   
     
  5. What did Samuel want the people to realize by God sending thunder and rain?  What was the response of the people?  What is Samuel’s response to them?

  

The Application:

  1. What makes “last words” important?  What does it mean to live a life of integrity today?  How do people view you?
     
  2. What evidence do you have in your life of “all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you”?  How has God rescued you when you have turned to him in genuine need?   
        
  3. How tempting is it to want a “world’s solution” to a problem that needs a “God solution”?  Why do we do that even when we know the effectiveness of God’s solutions in the past?    
     
  4. How important is fearing the LORD and serving and obeying him?  Can doing that help counteract bad requests and decisions?  What is the purpose of God’s hand against a person that chooses to rebel against him?
     
  5. What does it take for God to get your attention?  Do you ever feel you need someone else to go to God for you because you are not sure of your standing with him?  What does verse 22 mean to you?

   

Next week: 1 Samuel 13:1-15
The Cost Of Impatience

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 12 — Rescue The Perishing

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

 

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 12 (Rescuing The Perishing)
1 Samuel 11:1 – 15

The Text:

  1. What problem is face by the city of Jabesh Gilead?  What do the men of Jabesh propose to solve this problem?  What condition is given?
     
  2. What response do the elders of Jabesh give to the conditions of surrender?  What is the reaction of the people of Gibeah when the terms are reported?  What is Saul doing when messengers arrive in Gibeah with the news from Jabesh? 
     
  3. How does Saul respond?  With what power or authority does he respond?  Who does Saul include in his request sent throughout Israel?  How do the people of Israel respond to the request sent out by Saul?
     
  4. What message was sent back to the people of Jabesh Gilead?  What did they tell the Ammonites?  What effect might this have had?  What was the outcome of this conflict?   
     
  5. What did the people of Israel want done with those who had questioned Saul being king over them?  What was Saul’s response?  What did Samuel do?

  

The Application:

  1. When are you most likely to feel “besieged”?  Are there areas in which you have given up — accepted the possibility of being subject to something/someone that you know is not in your best interest?  What “conditions” of that subjection would make you think twice?
     
  2. Who would you turn to for help to overcome that which would enslave you?  How do you respond to the news of someone needing help that seems beyond what can be done?     
     
  3. What role does anger have in helping rescue a person from potential captivity?  How do you distinguish between “righteous anger” and “sinful anger”?    
     
  4. How can you encourage someone who is ready to give up?  How thorough are you in getting rid of that which tries to take you captive?
     
  5. How forgiving are you of people who question you?  What can you do to reaffirm God as King of your life?

   

Next week: 1 Samuel 12:1-25
Famous Last Words