Bible Study

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 24 — He Did What!?!

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 24 (He Did What!?!)
1 Samuel 21:1-15

The Text:

  1. Where does David go?  What is the priest’s reaction when David shows up?  What reason does David give for being alone?  What does David want?
     
  2. What does the priest not have?  What bread does he have instead?  What do we know about this bread?  How does David respond to the requirements necessary for having this bread?  What does Jesus say about this incident (Matthew 12:1-13)?
     
  3. For future reference, who happens to be there with the priest while David is there?  What else does David request after the bread was given?  What is significant about the only such item available?
     
  4. Where does David go when he leaves the priest?  What do the people there say about him?  Is there anything that surprises you about what is not written?     
     
  5. How did David react to what the people were saying?  What effect did this have on the king and his desire to be near David?

            

The Application:

  1. How do people react when you show up?  Why do you think that is?  How do you feel about giving incomplete or misleading information to someone?  Are there times where that is appropriate? . . . inappropriate? 
     
  2. Are there things that you consider sacred that you wouldn’t give to just anyone?  How do you feel about sharing the things of God with others?  What do the words, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, mean to you in this context?  How does Jesus apply this?     
     
  3. How aware are you of people watching you?  For what reasons would people be watching you?  Has God ever returned to you the use of something that you had devoted to Him?      
     
  4. What would the enemies of God say about you?  Do they even know you exist?  Do you think that what you might consider your greatest achievement is necessarily what others would say is most significant?  
     
  5. How “crazy” does fear make you act?  How do you respond to people who act in ways that are strange, or peculiar, to you?

            

Next week: 1 Samuel 22:1-23
The Cost Of Integrity

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 23 — Unrelated Brothers

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 23 (Unrelated Brothers)
1 Samuel 20:1-42

The Text:

  1. Who does David go to as he flees from Saul?  Why?  What does he want to know?  How are his concerns received?  What reason does David give for Saul’s true intent to be hidden?
     
  2. What plan does David suggest in order to reveal Saul’s true intentions about him to Jonathan?  What is Jonathon’s initial reaction?
     
  3. What request did Jonathon have for David should David be right about Saul?  Why?  What would be the expected result if not for this relationship?
     
  4. What signal does Jonathan arrange to give to let David know of Saul’s intent?  How does Saul react to Jonathan’s story about why David is not at the festival meal?  What does this suggest that Saul had learned or figured out?   
     
  5. What reaction does Jonathan have to Saul’s words and actions?  What does Jonathan do?  What reminder does Jonathan leave with David as they part ways?

           

The Application:

  1. How easy/hard is it to get accurate information when you are in trouble?  Do you have someone who would listen to you when your story might sound unbelievable to them?  How do you react when someone comes to you with a story that sounds unbelievable? 
     
  2. How hard is it to consider options that include the possibility that you might be wrong?  How determined are you to discover the truth about situations, regardless of what that might be?   
        
  3. How do the actions of someone else affect your friendships with others?  Are you able to maintain friendships with individuals in spite of how others close to them may feel or act toward you?      
     
  4. Do you have ways of warning close friends of impending danger?  Would you know if they were in danger?  How concerned are you about protecting your “legacy”?  
     
  5. How do you react when people close to you mistreat a friend of yours?  How valuable are friendships to you even when circumstances force you to go separate ways?

           

Next week: 1 Samuel 21:1-15
He Did What!?

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 22 — Hide And Seek

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 22 (Hide And Seek)
1 Samuel 19:1-24

The Text:

  1. What did Saul tell all those around him, including his son Jonathan, to do?  What did Jonathan do instead?  Why?
     
  2. What conversation does Jonathan have with Saul?  What things does he point out about David?  How does Saul respond?
     
  3. When war breaks out again, what does David do?  How successful is he?  What does David do following the war?  What was the result?
     
  4. For what purpose does Saul send men to David’s house?  Who lets David know?  What does she do for him?  How does Saul describe David when he finds out what happened?   
     
  5. Where does David go?  Who does he go to see?  What does Saul do when he hears where David is?  What happens to those Saul sends to capture David, and eventually to himself?  Why do you think this event kept them from capturing David?

          

The Application:

  1. Have you ever been in the middle of a verbal attack on someone you know — perhaps even had someone close to you ask you to participate in that attack?  How do/would you respond?  What influences your decision? 
     
  2. What makes it hard to defend a person who is being unjustly attacked?  Are there things that make it easier?  Are there people in your life that you know would stand up for you?  Are there people who know you would stand up for them?     
     
  3. How is it possible to keep doing what you are supposed to do when you know it benefits those who are against you?  How do you realize when it is time to “stand up under” hardship or temptation and when it is time to find the “way of escape”?   
         
  4. What risks are you willing to take to protect the innocent?  Are there limits to what you would do?  What determines that?  Are there people that you consider an enemy that have done nothing but good for you?  
     
  5. Who do you turn to when you feel threatened?  Have you ever experienced God using truth to defend and protect you?  How can you use truth to defend and protect others?

          

Next week: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
Unrelated Brothers

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 21 — The Rise To Fame

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 21 (The Rise To Fame)
1 Samuel 18:1-30

The Text:

  1. Following the defeat of Goliath, who did David become friends with?  Why do you think that happened?  What change did Saul initially make regarding David?  How did David do with the tasks Saul would assign him?   How did Saul, and others, respond?
     
  2. After the battle, who did the Israelite women come out to meet?  What was the refrain of the song they were singing?  How did this make Saul feel?
     
  3. What did Saul do when a harmful spirit from God came upon him?  How did Saul feel toward David now?  What task did Saul assign David?  Why, what did he hope to see happen?
     
  4. How did David respond when Saul wanted to give him his oldest daughter, Merab, in marriage?  How does Saul approach David regarding Saul’s daughter Michal?  What is Saul’s hope?   
     
  5. What happens when word gets to David of the “bride-price” Saul sets for Michal?  What did Saul realize about David?  What effect did this have on him?

         

The Application:

  1. How easy is it to connect with people  of like mind and spirit?  Who makes you look good by what they do?  How do people around you respond when you do things with excellence? 
     
  2. How do you feel when you are overshadowed by the accomplishments of someone else?  Why is it so hard to see another person get glory or credit that is greater than what you receive?    
       
  3. Are there people you wish dead, or at least out of your life, because their accomplishments make yours look small in your own eyes?  How should you treat them?  What are some ways to help you get to that point?      
     
  4. How do you view yourself in relation to others?  What is the danger of thinking too highly of yourself?  . . . Too  low of yourself?  How can you find the right view of yourself?  
     
  5. How do you handle the success of others?  How do you handle your own success?

         

Next week: 1 Samuel 19:1-24
Hide And Seek

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 20 — A Boy To Do A Man’s Job

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 20 (A Boy To Do A Man’s Job)
1 Samuel 17:1-58

The Text:

  1. How would you describe Goliath?  What challenge does he issue to Israel?  What effect does this have on the Israelites?
     
  2. Where are David’s three oldest brothers at?  What is David doing at this time?  What task is given to David by his father?
     
  3. When David reaches the camp of the Israelite army, what reaction does he have to Goliath?  How does David’s oldest brother feel about him talking to the soldiers about Goliath?
     
  4. What message does David have for Saul?  How does Saul respond?  What is David’s defense?  How does David go out to meet Goliath?   
     
  5. What reaction does Goliath have to David coming out to meet him?  How does David explain his courage and actions.  What happens that day?  Who gets the credit?

        

The Application:

  1. Who/What is your Goliath?  How does that look in your life?  When your “Goliath” challenges you to a “winner take all” battle, how does that make you feel? 
     
  2. Do you do things because it is your duty to do so?  How much heart do you put into those tasks?  How willing of a servant are you?  How can you keep from developing an attitude that serving is beneath you?     
     
  3. How do you feel when you hear people mock and ridicule God and the people of God?  Is there anything you can do about it?  What is your attitude when someone attempts to stand up for God in the midst of a group that no one else is willing to?      
     
  4. How bold are you in speaking up when God calls you to?  What excuses might be used to keep you from doing that?  How confident are you in God’s ability to work through you?  
     
  5. Thinking back to your “Goliath” from question 1, how often does it claim to be undefeatable?  Do you believe God can use you to defeat your Goliath?  Whose strength do you rely on for victory over temptation?

        

Next week: 1 Samuel 18:1-30
The Rise To Fame

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