Bible Study

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1 Kings: Lesson 20 — If At First You Don’t Succeed

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 20 (If At First You Don’t Succeed)
1 Kings 20
    November 13, 2013

The Text:

  1. Who was Ben-Hadad?  Who does he join forces with?  What do they do?  What message does Ben-Hadad send to Ahab?  How does Ahab respond?  Does this satisfy Ben-Hadad?  What is his response?
    –
  2. Who does Ahab gather for advice?  What does he tell them?  What is their advice?  How does Ahab now respond to Ben-Hadad?  Does Ben-Hadad find this acceptable?  What does he promise to do?  How does Ahab respond to that?
    –
  3. What message does God send to Ahab?  What questions does Ahab have?  How are they answered?  How many young officers does Ahab summon?  How many men make up the rest of his forces?  What do they do?  Who wins the battle?
    –
  4. What message does God give after the battle?  What explanation did his officials give Ben-Hadad for their losses?  What advice to they give?  How did the two armies appear when they met again?  What happened when the battle finally took place?  When he becomes trapped, what advice is Ben-Hadad given?  What was the result of that advice?
    –
  5. What did the prophet ask a man to do?  What happened?  What story does the prophet tell Ahab?  How does Ahab respond to the story?  Who was the story really about?  What was God’s verdict?

 

The Application:

  1. What would you give for peace?  What if agreeing meant they wanted more?  What are God’s terms of peace?  Are you always willing to give it?
    –
  2. How quick are you to seek advice?  Does the support of others embolden you to take a stand?  How do you respond to threats?  Do you tend to make statements that you may not be able to back up?         
    –
  3. Do you believe God’s instructions?  How closely do you follow them?       
    –
  4. Following victory, do you tend to think about preparing for the next battle?  Do you ever try to explain away the work of God?  How much do you trust God when you feel small compared to the enemy?         
    –
  5. Why is it hard to obey God when His instructions don’t make sense?  Do you tend to excuse sin that God has condemned?  . . . In others?  . . . In yourself?

Next Week:  Sour Grapes
1 Kings 21

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 19 — Feeling Alone

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 19 (Feeling Alone)
1 Kings 19
   November 6, 2013

The Text:

  1. What news does Ahab bring back to Jezebel?  How does Jezebel respond?  Who does she tell?  What does Elijah think of her response?  What does he do?
    –
  2. What does Elijah do in Beersheba?  Where does he go from there?  When he reaches his destination, what does he tell God?
    –
  3. Who wakes Elijah up?  What instruction does he give Elijah?  What does Elijah do?  Who returns to Elijah?  Why?  What is the message given to Elijah?  How long does he travel?  Where does he go?
    –
  4. What question does God have for Elijah?  What is Elijah’s response?  What does God tell Elijah to do?  What events take place that the Lord was not in?  When did Elijah recognize God’s presence?  What does Elijah tell God is the reason for him being where he is?
    –
  5. Where does God tell Elijah to go?  What is he supposed to do when he gets there?  What will Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha do?  How many people does God say have not worshipped Baal?  What did Elijah do when he met Elisha?  How did Elisha respond?  How committed was Elisha to following Elijah?

The Application:

  1. When you don’t like something that happens, who are you most likely to tell?  Why?  Do you tend to respond with rash statements when you are upset or do you like to think things through?  How easily do you become afraid of people?  Where do you usually land on the “fight or flight” spectrum?
    –
  2. Where do you go when you’re afraid?  How often does fear drive you to isolate yourself as much as possible?  How honest are you with God when fear dominates your life?
    –
  3. What things strengthen you when you are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually worn out?  What might that say about what you ought to be doing for others?
    –
  4. How would you explain your current situation to God if He were to ask you, “What are you doing here?”  Do you believe God’s desire is to reveal Himself to you?  Does where we expect to find God help or hinder our recognizing His presence?
    –
  5. Do you ever feel alone in your walk with God?  Are there people around you that God may have put there to let you know you are not alone?  Who has God put in your life for you to learn from?  Who has He put in your life to learn from you?

Next Week:  If At First You Don’t Succeed . . .
1 Kings 20

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 18 — I Am Not Alone

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 18 (I Am Not Alone)
1 Kings 18
   October 30, 2013

The Text:

  1. Chapter 18 opens, “After a long time, in the third year” . . . The third year of what?  What did God want Elijah to do?  How did Elijah respond?
    –
  2. Who was Obadiah?  Who did he work for?  What did he secretly do?  What did Ahab ask him to do?  Why?  Who does he meet while he is following Ahab’s orders?
    –
  3. What does Elijah want Obadiah to do?  Does Obadiah want to?  Why/why not?  How does Elijah respond to Obadiah’s concerns?  How does Obadiah respond?
    –
  4. How does Ahab greet Elijah when they meet?  How does Elijah respond?  What request does he have for Ahab?  What does he ask the people?  What is their response?  What does Elijah propose be done to prove who is really God?  How do the people respond?
    –
  5. What did Elijah have the prophets of Baal do?  How long did they try to get their god to answer them?  What did they do during this time?  What did Elijah do during this time?  When Elijah’s turn came, what did he have done?  What would be strange about this?  What happened?  How did the people respond?  What did Elijah have them do?  What message did Elijah give Ahab?  What finally happened?

The Application:

  1. How long is a “long time” for you?  What things make a period of time seem long or short?  Do you like to deliver good news?  What if it is to someone who doesn’t care for you?  Do these answers impact who you share the gospel with?
    –
  2. How can you use a secular position to serve God’s people?  As you go about your daily tasks, do you expect to meet people who God wants you to interact with?
    –
  3. Are you more concerned about your safety, or that of others?  Are you a person that people trust that you will do what you say?
    –
  4. How do you feel when you are blamed for something that is the fault of the person blaming you?  How confident are you of your relationship with God?  Do you need/want proof of who God really is?  Does He provide it?
    –
  5. Are there things that people do today to try to get God’s attention?  As you serve God, do you do things that others might consider wasteful?  Do you typically want God to act in ways to make you look good or for God to look good?

 

Next Week:  Feeling Alone
1 Kings 19

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 17 — A God That Cares

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 17 (A God That Cares)
1 Kings 17
   October 23, 2013

The Text:

  1. What message did Elijah bring to Ahab?  What message did God have for Elijah?  What did Elijah do?  How did he survive?   
    –
  2. What did Elijah do when the brook dried up from lack of rain?  Why?  When he arrived in town, what did he ask the widow?  What was her reply?  
    –  
  3. How did Elijah respond to the widow’s concern?  What did he want her to do before she did as she had planned?  What was God’s promise to her?  What did she do?
    –
  4. What happened “some time later”?  How did the widow speak to Elijah because of this?  What did Elijah do?  How does he address God?   
    –
  5. Did the Lord hear Elijah?  What happened?  What did Elijah do with the boy?  How did the widow respond?

The Application:

  1. Do you like to deliver bad news?  Why/why not?  When the consequences of the sin of others spills over into your life, do you believe God’s promise to take care of you?  How do you expect God’s care for you to look?  Does He not care if it doesn’t look like that?
    –
  2. How does God use people to meet the needs of His children today?  Does God ever present you with the opportunity to help someone at a time when you don’t believe you have the means to do so?  Why would He do that?   
    –    
  3. Which requires more faith, or trust in God, to give help to someone out of your abundance or out of your own scarcity?  Would you be more likely to give if you knew what little you had would never run out?   
    –
  4. Does doing the right thing always keep bad things from happening to you?  Who/what do you blame when bad things happen?  When you can’t explain bad things are  you more concerned about your reputation or God’s?   
    –      
  5. Does God hear the cries of His people today?  How does He respond?  Why are there times when it seems like He doesn’t hear or respond?  What would it take for people to believe that “you are a man/woman of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth”?

 

Next Week:  I Am Not Alone
1 Kings 18

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 16 — From Bad to Worse

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 16 (From Bad to Worse)
1 Kings 16
  October 16, 2013

The Text:

  1. Who sent Jehu to speak to Baasha?  What had God done for Baasha?  What had Baasha done in return?  What were the consequences?  Why should have this sounded familiar to Baasha?
    –
  2. Who succeeded Baasha as king of Israel?  How long did that last?  How did his reign end?  What did Zimri do with the entire family of Baasha?  Why?
    –
  3. How long was Zimri’s reign as king over Israel?  What turned the Israelites against him?  How did his reign end?  What was the real reason?
    –
  4. What dilemma did Israel have after Zimri’s death?  How was it resolved?  Where did Omri reign as king?  How did Omri’s life compare to the kings before him?  How did God feel about it?
    –
  5. Who succeeded Omri as king of Israel?  How did he view the sins of Jeraboam?  Who did he marry?  What did this marriage bring into Israel?  How did God feel about the actions of Ahab?

The Application:

  1. Who has God sent to speak to you?  Do you listen?  What has God done for you?  Do your actions reflect or reject that?  When do you like the principle of reaping what you sow?  When don’t you?
    –
  2. What things make it difficult to break patterns of bad behavior?  How do you feel about God using wicked people to fulfill His word?
    –
  3. How many right deeds does it take to outweigh bad ones?  Why is that mindset so dangerous?  Who is responsible for the way you live?
    –
  4. How do groups that you are involved with typically make decisions?  Are some ways better than others?  If left alone, do things typically improve?  What should this tell us about the effort we put into our walk with God?
    –
  5. Are there things that God calls sin that you feel are no big deal?  How do you know?  What is the purpose of God’s law if none of us can live up to it?  What things do you allow others to lead you into worshipping?  How does God feel when there are things other than Him that we worship?  What will you do about it?

 

Next Week:  A God That Cares
1 Kings 17

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 15 — A Tale of Three Kings

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 15 (A Tale of Three Kings)
1 Kings 15
  October 9, 2013

The Text:

  1. How long did Rehaboam reign in Jerusalem?  How long did his son, Abijah, reign?  How is Abijah compared to his father? . . . To David?  What did God do at this time for David’s sake?  Why?  What was the relationship between Israel and Judah during this time?
    –
  2. Who succeeded Abijah as king in Jerusalem?  How does his actions compare with that of his father? . . . Of David?  What were some of his actions that were different from his predecessor?  What remained?
    –
  3. Who was Baasha?  How did he get along with Asa?  What did Baasha do to those living under Asa’s rule?
    –
  4. What did Asa collect from the temple and from his palace?  What did he have done with it?  Did it serve its purpose?  What did Asa require everyone in Judah to do?  Who was excused?   
    –
  5. Who succeeded Jeraboam as king in Israel?  How long did he reign?  How did he live?  How did his reign end?  What did his successor do to Jeraboam’s family?  Why?

The Application:

  1. How patient does God have to be with you?  How would your life be compared to that of your ancestors?  Do you think God treats groups of people with patience because of the faithfulness of one? . . . Of you?
    –
  2. How difficult is it to do the right thing when it seems like all of the examples around you are wrong?  Why do people often seem to excuse bad behavior in their family?  What might you still be holding on to that God has asked you to remove?     
    –
  3. Who is your adversary?  Do you often recognize that you are living in a war zone?  What situations make you feel trapped by the enemy?   
    –
  4. What would you give to be completely free from the entrapment of the enemy?  Why is it important to destroy the means by which the enemy has confined you?  What happens if not everyone is involved in this?         
    –
  5. What legacy will you leave those behind you?  What do we often seem to forget about God and His timing?  What promises are  you glad God will keep?  Are there some that concern you?

 

Next Week:  From Bad To Worse
1 Kings 16

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 14 — You Can’t Hide What’s Inside

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 14 (You Can’t Hide What’s Inside)
1 Kings 14
 October 2, 2013

The Text:

  1. Where does Jeraboam ask his wife to go when their son becomes ill?  How does he want her to go?  Why?  Who is she supposed to see?  What does he hope to learn?
    –
  2. What had Ahijah the prophet lost because of his age?  What message did God give him about his soon-to-arrive visitor?  How does Ahijah greet Jeraboam’s wife?  What reason is given for the message God is about to send to Jeraboam?
    –
  3. What does God say will happen to the males in the household of Jeraboam?  What does God say will happen when Jeraboam’s wife returns home?  How will Israel respond?  What will be unique about the burial of Jeraboam’s son?
    –
  4. What will happen to the family of Jeraboam?  Who will do it?  What will happen to Israel?  Why?  Did this happen?
    –
  5. How long did Rehoboam reign in Jerusalem?  Who was his mother?  Why would God point this out twice in the span of 11 verses?  How did Judah act under his reign?  What happened to the treasures of the temple and the palace during Rehoboam’s reign?

 

The Application:

  1. Who do you turn to when tragedy strikes?  How transparent are you when you seek God?  Are there times that you try to disguise the real you when you approach God?  Why would a person do that?  What should they do instead?
    –
  2. In what ways does God’s presence overcome physical limitations you may face?  Are there times when God calls you through His Word or Spirit to put down the mask, He knows who you are?  How do you respond to God’s conviction in your life?
    –
  3. How would you (do you) feel when bad things happen to others because of your actions?  If you really believe God when He says something bad will happen when you did a certain thing, would you do it?  Are you sure?
    –
  4. When you receive the consequences of sin, who is responsible?  Why is it so hard to take responsibility for bad decisions?  Does God keep  His word?
    –
  5. Is longevity in a position or event proof that it is good and right?  Are there bad decisions that we make today that have a cascading effect on future generations?  Is there a way to stop that?

 

Next Week:  A Tale Of Three Kings
1 Kings 15

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 13 — A Hard Lesson

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 13 (A Hard Lesson)
1 Kings 13
 September 25, 2013

The Text:

  1. What message does a man of God bring from Judah to Bethel?  Who/what is the message delivered to?  What was declared would happen as a sign?  Who was there to hear the message?  What was his response?  What happened to him? . . . To the altar?
    –
  2. What did Jeraboam request be done for him?  Was it?  What did Jeraboam offer the man of God?  Was it accepted?  Why/Why not?
    –
  3. Who was told about the interaction between the man of God and Jeraboam?  How did he respond to the news — what did he do?  What request does he have for the man of God?  What response does he receive?  Did he accept that answer?  How does he attempt to overcome the man of God’s refusal?  Does it work?
    –
  4. What happens when the man of God sits down to eat with the old prophet?  What message is given?  What happens after the meal?  What stands out as unusual about the details of this event?  What does the old prophet do when he hears news of what had happened to the man of God?
    –
  5. What instruction does the old prophet give to his sons regarding the end of his life?  What reason does he give?  How did Jeraboam respond?  How did God feel about it?

 

The Application:

  1. What promises has God given regarding those who continue in wickedness?  How do people typically respond to that message?  How do you respond to it?  Has God proven to you that He keeps His promises?
    –
  2. Do you have a tendency to turn to, or away from, God when bad things happen?  Why?  Does it always mean you have a willingness to change?
    –
  3. How do you respond when someone wants you to do something that God has made clear you shouldn’t?  What does it take for them to convince you it is okay?  Does this say more about them, or you?
    –
  4. How would you feel when the messenger of pointing out your sin is the person who convinced you to do it?  How does God feel when we decide that it is okay to not do what He says?
    –
  5. How confident are you that God will keep His promises both to the saved and the unsaved?  What do your actions say about that level of confidence?

 

Next Week:  You Can’t Hide What’s Inside
1 Kings 14