Bible Study

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1 Samuel: Lesson 32 — Not Everyone Approves

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 32 (Not Everyone Approves)
1 Samuel 29:1-11

The Text:

  1. What are the Philistines and Israelites doing?  Where are they?  How are the Philistines described?  Where are David and his men?  What question is raised about them?
     
  2. How does Achish describe David?  Do the Philistine commanders agree with the assessment that Achish gives?  What is their concern?
     
  3. What is the reputation David has among the Philistines?  What message does Achish have to deliver to David?
     
  4. In what tone does Achish deliver his news to David?  What is his request in regard to David and the other Philistine rulers?   
     
  5. What questions does David ask of Achish?  How does Achish respond?  What do each of them do?

                  

The Application:

  1. Does it ever seem like you are constantly facing a battle of some kind?  How close is your enemy to you?  How does the size of your enemy compare to you?  When in the presence of the enemy, does anyone ever notice that you don’t fit in?     
     
  2. How do you treat those who seem to be your enemy?  Would they speak well of you?  Should they speak well of you?  What might the concerns of the Philistine commanders teach us about watching out for “wolves in sheep’s clothing” among the church?   
        
  3. Are those who are set against God concerned about the influence you may have on them?  Have you ever had to be a bearer of news that others decided but you don’t agree with?   
            
  4. Are there ways to do that graciously?  Are you a peacemaker?  What are some perceived positives and negatives of being a peacemaker?  Is it worth it?  
     
  5. Are there ways a person can “plead their case” without arguing or complaining?  What benefit do questions have over statements and complaints?  When you realize that something is beyond your control are you able to just drop it and move on?

                   

Next week: 1 Samuel 30:1-31
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1 Samuel: Lesson 31 — Bewitched

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 31 (Bewitched)
1 Samuel 28:1-25

The Text:

  1. What are the Philistines preparing to do?  What is expected of David?  How does David respond to that request?  How does Achish take the response?
     
  2. What was significant about Samuel’s death?  What good thing is mentioned that Saul had done in the past?  What is Saul’s reaction when the Philistines come and set up camp?  What does he do first?  What response does he get?
     
  3. When Saul’s initial inquiry fails, what is his next request?  What did he do with the information he received?  What interaction takes place between Saul and the woman at Endor?  What is the woman’s reaction at who she brings up?  What is Saul’s reaction?
     
  4. What is the reason Saul gives to Samuel for bringing him up?  How does Samuel respond?  Was this a new message?  What is said specifically about Saul and his sons?   
     
  5. What is Saul’s reaction to this message?  What concern does the woman have?  What does she want Saul to do?  Who joined her in making this request?  What happens?

                 

The Application:

  1. Have you ever been asked to join a group of people who are heading out to do something that you don’t like — perhaps something that is even harmful or wrong? What are some ways you could respond? Are there ways that you could go but have a different motive than everyone else?
     
  2. How serious are you about getting rid of sin, and even its temptations, from your surroundings? What do you do when you face a situation that makes you afraid and full of terror? Are there times in your life where God is silent?
     
  3. What do you do when God seems silent? Are there things that you continue to do but would deny your involvement in them if you don’t know or trust the person asking? What might that say about the action or activity?
     
  4. What are some areas where we might try to give a good reason for doing a wrong action? How often do you go to God for a different answer when you don’t like the one He’s given?
     
  5. How do you respond to God’s truth that is specific to your life? Would people be fearful of you if they were the means of delivering God’s truth into your life?

                  

Next week: 1 Samuel 29:1-11
Not Everyone Approves

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1 Samuel: Lesson 30 — Hiding In Plain Sight

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 30 (Hiding In Plain Sight)
1 Samuel 27:1-12

The Text:

  1. What concern does David have about his future?  How does the “but” that begins chapter 27 tie in with the end of chapter 26? 
     
  2. Where does David decide to go?  What is his reasoning?  Who goes with David?   
     
  3. How effective was David’s plan?  What does Saul do when he hears where David has gone?
     
  4. Who was Achish?  What was David’s request of Achish?  How did Achish respond?  How long did David stay there?   
     
  5. What did David do during his time in Ziklag?  What did he tell Achish he was doing?  How did David protect the news of his actual actions?  How did Achish feel about David?

                

The Application:

  1. Are you a skeptical person?  How far do you trust someone who has continually betrayed you in the past?  Are there advantages to being a skeptic?  Disadvantages?   
     
  2. Does God have a plan for your life?  Are there times that plan inconveniences you?  Are there limits to what you would do to see that plan fulfilled?       
     
  3. How does it feel when a course of action that you take seems to work the way you had planned it?  How often do you recognize God’s hand in successful plans?  Have you ever given up on something that seemed very important to you at one time because it became too difficult?       
     
  4. How easy/difficult is it for you to ask someone for a favor?  What if that person would seem to have little reason to grant it?  What are some ways to keep from compromise when you live in enemy territory?  
     
  5. Have you ever had someone think something good about you that you knew wasn’t true?  How does it make you feel?  How about if they think bad about you that isn’t true?  How important is your reputation or character to you?  What extent would you go to in order to protect it?  Do people consider you trustworthy?  Should they?

                 

Next week: 1 Samuel 28:1-25
Bewitched

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1 Samuel: Lesson 29 — Missing A Few Things

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 29 (Missing A Few Things)
1 Samuel 26:1-25

The Text:

  1. What does Saul do when word comes to him of David’s location?  Where does Saul and his chosen men camp?  How does this location compare to where David is supposed to be?
     
  2. What does David do when he sees that Saul is on the move again?  What does he find out?  When the reports come back, where does David go?  What does he take notice of?
     
  3. David asks for a volunteer from two of his men — where does he want someone to go with him to?  What does Abishai want to do?  What is David’s response?  What do they do instead?  Why didn’t anyone wake up?
     
  4. When he is a safe distance away from Saul and his army, who does David call out to?  What message does David deliver?  What is David’s proof that Saul’s guard did not do its job? 
        
  5. Who calls out to David?  What is David’s response?  How does Saul respond to David’s words?  Under what terms do David and Saul part ways at this time?

               

The Application:

  1. How often do you return to something that hasn’t worked out the way you want?  Do you tend to follow directions even if initially it doesn’t look like it will get you what you want? 
        
  2. Do you tend to take things at face value or are you more likely to investigate?  How hard is it for you to head in a direction that doesn’t appear to make sense or be safe?  What does it take for you to do that?     
     
  3. If you were asked to accompany someone into a dangerous situation would you do it?  How hard is it to remain consistent in doing the right thing — particularly in regards to people who aren’t doing right and there wrong may be directed at you?  
           
  4. When people are against you, are there good ways that you can get their attention?  When things, or people, seem to be against you do you often consider God could be behind it?  Could He?  Why or why not?  
     
  5. How hard is it to admit your actions have not been appropriate?  Is it harder to admit or to change bad actions?

                

Next week: 1 Samuel 27:1-12
Hiding In Plain Sight

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1 Samuel: Lesson 28 — A Fool’s Very Temporary Reprieve

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 28 (A Fool’s Very Temporary Reprieve)
1 Samuel 25:1-44

The Text:

  1. What significant event takes place as chapter 25 opens?  How does Israel react?  Where does David go?  Who else is there?  What do we know about them?
     
  2. For what purpose does David send men to see Nabal?  How do they greet him?  What information do they give?  What are they actually saying?  What is Nabal’s response?  How does David react to the news of Nabal’s response?
     
  3.  Who does one of Nabal’s servants go to with news of Nabal’s response to David’s men?  What does the servant say about David and his men?  What does he say about Nabal? 
     
  4. What does Abigail set out to do?  What is her plan?  Who doesn’t know?  What happens when she meets David?  Who does she blame for David’s anger?  What is David’s response to her words and actions?   
     
  5. What was Nabal doing when Abigail arrived home?  When did she tell him what she had done?  What happened?  How did David respond?  What happened to Abigail?

               

The Application:

  1. What things in a person’s life would cause an entire nation to mourn his death?  How can you life in such a way as to have people truly mourn their loss at your passing?   
     
  2. How would you ask someone for help?  How can you talk well of your actions without bragging or being arrogant?  How well do you listen to what people are actually saying?  How do you react when someone responds to your requests in a way that seems very inappropriate?     
     
  3. Who would you go to if you know of a situation where one person has unjustly treated someone else?  How can you accurately identify if there is a right and wrong in a situation?       
     
  4. How difficult is it to take blame for something someone else did that you would have done differently had you known?  How readily do you accept a genuine apology?  
     
  5. How hard is it for you to let God handle punishment, justice, and reward?

                

Next week: 1 Samuel 26:1-25
Missing A Few Things

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1 Samuel: Lesson 27 — May The LORD Judge

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 27 (May The LORD Judge)
1 Samuel 24:1-22

The Text:

  1. After Saul finished his pursuit of the Philistines, a pursuit that interrupted his pursuit of David, what did he do?  Where did begin his search?  Why?
     
  2. Where are David and his men hiding?  Who comes into their hiding place?  What did David’s men want him to do?  What does David do?
       
  3. After accomplishing what he did, how did David feel about it?  What was the explanation given to his men for why David felt the way he did?  How did David respond to his men? 
       
  4. What does David do after Saul leaves the cave?  What message does he give to Saul?  What questions are asked by David?  Who does David call upon to be the judge between he and Saul?   
       
  5. How does Saul respond to David’s words?  What question does Saul have?  What statement does Saul make about David’s future?  What is Saul’s request of David before Saul returns home?  What does David do after this encounter?

               

The Application:

  1. What things are you so focused on that you return to them even after life had interrupted them with other urgent matters?  Are they good things or bad things or some of each?  How much do you rely on others for information on where you should go or what you should do? 
     
  2. How much time do you spend hiding in one form or another?  Have you ever had a person you were hiding from show up and not even realize you are there?  Do you ever find yourself encouraging someone, or yourself, to do the wrong thing just because the opportunity is present and it appears to do so will make things easier?     
     
  3. Do you feel bad for even “minor” violations against someone?  How hard is it to recognize someone as a fellow servant of God when their actions are not godly?   
          
  4. How can you defend your cause with honor when you find yourself unjustly under attack?  
     
  5. Are there people who deserve better treatment than what you have given them?  How hard is it to “let the LORD judge” when the opportunity exists for you to judge?

               

Next week: 1 Samuel 25:1-44
A Fool’s Very Temporary Reprieve

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1 Samuel: Lesson 26 — Listening For Protection

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 26 (Listening For Protection)
1 Samuel 23:1-29

The Text:

  1. Where are David and his men?  What news does David hear?  Who does he go to for direction?  What response does he get?  What response do David’s men have?
     
  2. What does David do in response to the concern of his men?  What is he told?  What do he and his men do?  How successful are they?
     
  3. What is Saul’s immediate reaction when he finds out David is at Keilah?  What does he do?  When David hears that Saul may be coming toward him, who does he go to for information?  What does he find out? 
     
  4. Because of what he learns, where does David escape to?  Who meets him there?  What is  his purpose?  What information does he share?   
     
  5. Who discloses David’s location to Saul this time around?  How does Saul respond?  What does he want to know?  As Saul and his army were closing in on David, what causes them to break off the pursuit?

              

The Application:

  1. What response do you usually have when you hear of someone in trouble?  How often do you ask God what you should do?  Are there times that you are skeptical of something a friend says God wants them to do? 
     
  2. When someone questions a course of action that you believe God wants you to do, how do you feel?  Would you be willing to go back to God and make sure you heard right, or would you be tempted to dig in your heels and do it just to prove you can?     
     
  3. When faced with a situation, good or bad, where the outcome appears to be a given, do you handle it with your own wisdom and ability based on what you see or do you ask God what you ought to do?      
     
  4. Who do  you know that you need to meet where they are and help them find strength in God?  How can you do that?  
     
  5. Does it ever feel like there is always someone trying to deliver you to the enemy?  How does it feel when God provides the way of escape — especially if the source is unexpected?

              

Next week: 1 Samuel 24:1-22
May The LORD Judge

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1 Samuel: Lesson 25 — The Cost of Integrity

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 25 (The Cost of Integrity)
1 Samuel 22:1-23

The Text:

  1. Where does David go after his time in Gath?  Who hears about it?  What do they do?  What is the common characteristic of the people who gather around David at this time?  What concern does David have?  How does he resolve it?
     
  2. Who hears about where David is?  What does he accuse his officials of?  How does he compare himself to David?  What does he have to say about Jonathan?
     
  3. Who speaks out?  What information does he give?  What does Saul do with that information?  What does he accuse the priests of doing? 
     
  4. How does the priest respond to Saul?  What does he say about David?  What does he say about his own actions?  Does the one give credibility to the other?  What is Saul’s response?  Are Saul’s guards and officials willing to carry out his order?  Who does?   
     
  5. What happens to Ahimelech and his family?  Who escaped?  Where did he go?  How did David feel and respond to the incident?

             

The Application:

  1. Have you ever felt a need to go into hiding?  Do you know someone who has retreated into hiding?  How could someone help you in such a time?  How can you help others in such a time?  How do you think it would feel to become the leader of the group that comes to David? 
     
  2. How does anger typically change the way you view people — even your most trusted friends and/or associates?  What is the danger of thinking everything revolves around you?     
     
  3. When someone is looking for information that you know will be used in a destructive manner, how tempting is it to share whatever you know so that you will appear more important than everyone else?     
       
  4. How does it feel to be accused of wrongdoing when you know what you did was right? 
       
  5. Have you ever had a time that someone else suffered on your behalf?  How does this make you feel?  How does it feel to suffer because of someone else?

             

Next week: 1 Samuel 23:1-29
Listening For Protection