Bible Study

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1 Kings: Lesson 12 — Dividing A Nation

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?
    –
  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

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 11 — It’s All Downhill From Here

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 11 (It’s All Downhill From Here)
1 Kings 11
 September 11, 2013

The Text:

  1. Where were the foreign women from that Solomon loved?  What had God said about these nations?  What eventually happened as a result of Solomon’s love for these women?   
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  2. How was Solomon’s obedience to God compared to that of David?  How did God respond to Solomon’s actions?  What influence did the relationship David had with God have on God’s dealings with Solomon?  
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  3. Who was Hadad?  Where did he grow up?  Why?  What did he set out to do after he learned that David and Joab were dead?  Why?  What did Hadad have in common with Rezon?
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  4. What was Jeroboam’s early relationship with Solomon?  What did Solomon notice about him and how did Solomon respond to that?
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  5. What did the prophet do when he met Jeroboam heading out of Jerusalem?  What did he tell Jeroboam this represented?  What reason did God give for doing this?  What instruction is given to Jeroboam?  Does this sound familiar?

The Application:

  1. Are there people or things that have the potential to turn your heart away from God that get you attention?  Why is it hard to avoid such situations?  Even though you likely wouldn’t claim it, do your actions show that you think you are wiser than Solomon?
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  2. Would God say that you have a heart after Him or that your heart is not fully devoted to Him?  What should you do when it appears your heart is divided?  Does your relationship with God, your intercession for others, make a difference in God’s dealings with them?   
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  3. Do you know people who seem to be your adversary?  Have you ever given serious thought as to why and if God might be using them for your discipline?   
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  4. Who are some people that you trust so much that you would put them in charge of things you are responsible for?  Do you work in such a manner that people would trust you to be in charge of their responsibilities?
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  5. How do you respond when it feels like someone you trusted is betraying you?  What if you knew it was at God’s direction?  How important is doing what is right in God’s eyes?

 

Next Week:  Dividing A Nation
1 Kings 12

 

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1 Kings: Mid-Term Review

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

Mid-Term Review
1 Kings 1-10
   September 4, 2013

 

  1. “Who’s In Charge” — How do you feel when you realize you have chosen the “wrong side”?  How afraid are you of the judgment you deserve?
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  2. “Settling Accounts” — What things do you think are important to pass on to others while you can?  How important is it for you to challenge others to keep the Lord’s commands?  What benefits of  keeping God’s commands have you experienced that you could tell others about?
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  3. “Asking For Anything” — How do you think God would react to your request if you were to ask Him for what you felt you needed most?  In what ways has God given you immeasurably more than you could think or ask?
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  4. “Collecting Taxes” — Do you believe that God wants to supply your every need?  What things make that seem more believable or less believable?  What influence does contentment have on your willingness to give?
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  5. “Building Preparation” — When starting something new, how important is it to remember why it hadn’t been done yet?  Who benefits from that reminder?  Should we consider how our circumstances are different from those of our predecessors when evaluating doing something they couldn’t?
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  6. “Building Project 1” — How much “living space” does God want in your life?  Does He receive it?  How concerned are you about distractions as you prepare your temple for God?
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  7. “Building Project 2” — How do you define justice?  What areas of injustice concern you?  Are you more concerned about justice in the sense of punishing wrongs or righting wrongs?
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  8. “Building Dedication” — Is God at the center of every aspect of your life?  Do you find it easier to look to God during good times or bad?  Do you act like God really wants all people to know His name and fear Him?
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  9. “A Special Guest” — How much do you think about God inspecting your work?  What does He look for?  How has God revealed himself to us?  What does He say to you about His temple?
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  10. “What’s It Worth?” — Do you live like you are in possession of the great riches of God’s grace?  What would need to change so that people would want to hear the wisdom God has given you?  Are you a hoarder, a spender, or a giver?

 

Next Week:  It’s All Downhill From Here
1 Kings 11

 

 

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 10 — What’s It Worth?

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 10 (What’s It Worth?)
1 Kings 10
   May 22, 2013

The Text:

  1. What had the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon?  What was the purpose of her visit to Solomon?  What did she bring with her?
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  2. What did she talk with Solomon about?  How did Solomon respond to her questions?  What did she feel about Solomon’s wisdom, possessions, and relationship with God?  What did she come to believe about Solomon’s reputation?  Why?
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  3. What did the queen of Sheba conclude that the attitude of the people of Israel must be?  Who does she credit for all that Solomon has become?  What does she and Solomon give each other?
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  4. How much gold did Solomon receive each year?  What other revenue sources did he have?  What were some unique things he made?  How much was made out of silver?  Why?
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  5. How did Solomon’s wealth and wisdom compare with his contemporaries?  How popular was he?  What did the people do who came to see him?  What did Solomon do with all his wealth?

 

 

The Application:

  1. What do you think people hear about you?  How much is your relationship with God known?  How would it be known?  Do people try to put your relationship with God to the test?  Do you tend to “test” people who seem too good to be true?  In what ways do you try to impress people?  Does it work?
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  2. Who are you most open with in your conversations?  Why?  Do you like people who have all the answers?  Why or why not?  How do you respond when your attempt to impress someone comes up short?
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  3. Do people look at your relationship with God and conclude that the people around you ought to be happy?  Does every good thing in your life noticeably come from God?
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  4. What is your primary source of income?  Do you have other means of revenue?  What do you do with what you have?  What things of value have lost their value to you because they are so plentiful?
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  5. Do you live like you are in possession of the great riches of God’s grace?  What would need to change so that people would want to hear the wisdom God has given you?  Are you a hoarder, a spender, or a giver?

 

 

 

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1 Kings: Lesson 9 — A Special Guest

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 9 (A Special Guest)
1 Kings 9
   May 15, 2013

The Text:

 

  1. What happened after Solomon finished building the temple and the palace?  In what manner did this take place?  What did this “visitor” say about the temple?
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  2. What message was given to Solomon regarding the way to keep a descendant on the throne in Israel?  What would happen if Solomon or his descendants were to no longer observe God’s commands and turn to serve other gods?  What would people say then?
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  3. After the temple and palace were built, what did Solomon give to Hiram?  Why?  What did Hiram think when he inspected this gift?
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  4. What things did Solomon have built?  Where did he get the work force necessary for all of this construction?  Who were exempted from the slave labor force?  What work were they given instead?
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  5. How often did Solomon offer sacrifices on the altar at the temple?  Why?  After Solomon built a fleet of ships, who served on them with Solomon’s men?  Why?

 

The Application:

 

  1. How much do you think about God inspecting your work?  What does He look for?  How has God revealed himself to us?  What does He say to you about His temple?
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  2. Does God still ask/expect the same things of us as he did of Solomon?  Do you place the same value on obedience of God as He does?  Does the condition of God’s “temple” today reflect our level of obedience?
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  3. How do you thank/reward people who have helped you?  Is doing so important to you?  Are you more concerned with the quality/value of a gift of the thought that went into it?  Why?
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  4. What is God in the process of building?  Is there a difference in expectation and responsibility between those of the world and those who belong to God’s kingdom?
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  5. How important is it to you to do what God expects?  What do you feel are obligations you have to God?  What is the difference between offering/sacrificing to God out of obligation and out of love/desire to?  Which do you do most often?  What do you think pleases God most?

 

Next Week: What’s It Worth?
1 Kings 10

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1 Kings: Lesson 8 — Building Dedication

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 8 (Building Dedication)
1 Kings 8
  May 8, 2013

The Text:

  1. Who does Solomon call together.  What do they do when everyone arrives?  How much did they sacrifice to God?  What was in the ark of the Lord?  What happened once the ark was put into its place?  How did this affect the priests?
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  2. How did Solomon respond?  What had God not chosen?  What had he chosen instead?  What had David wanted to do?  What was God’s response to that?  How did Solomon view the promises of God?
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  3. How does Solomon address God?  What does he ask for?  What does Solomon believe about God actually dwelling in the temple?  What purpose does he expect the temple to have?
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  4. What does Solomon want to happen when someone wrongs his neighbor?  . . . When Israel is defeated because of sin?  . . . When calamity comes because of sin?  . . . When any sort of affliction happens?  How does Solomon want the foreigner to be treated by God?
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  5. What does Solomon say about the possibility of the people sinning against God?  What does Solomon ask God to do if the people reject their sin and turn whole-heartedly back to God?  How plentiful were the fellowship offerings sacrificed to God?  Where were they offered?  Why?

  

The Application:

  1. Who would you invite to an important event?  How obvious would you want God’s presence to be?  How important is it to you to remember God’s decrees and commands?
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  2. How do you respond to God’s presence?  How do you think God feels about the things you do for Him?  What does He really want?  Do you believe God keeps His promises to you?
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  3. How important is it to you that God keeps His promises?  Have you ever tried to contain God?  Can you?  If God can’t be contained, what purpose are church buildings, etc.?
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  4. Is God at the center of every aspect of your life?  Do you find it easier to look to God during good times or bad?  Do you act like God really wants all people to know His name and fear Him?
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  5. Do you ever forget there is “no one who does not sin”?  How can you encourage others to reject sin and turn to God?  How much do you think is enough to give to God?

 

Next Week: A Special Guest
1 Kings 9

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1 Kings: Lesson 7 — Building Project 2

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 7 (Building Project 2)
1 Kings 7
  May 1, 2013

The Text:

  1. How long did construction of Solomon’s palace take?  What does the “however” in verse one refer to?  What was the palace called?  Why?   
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  2. What were the dimensions of the palace?  How did that compare to the temple?    
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  3. What was the throne hall known as?  Why?  What was it, and the living quarters built out of?  How substantial was the building material?
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  4. Who was Huram?  What was his specialty skill?  What did Solomon have him do?  How was the quantity of his work measured?
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  5. What “furnishings” did Solomon have made for the temple?  What were they made out of?  What else did Solomon add to the temple once the work was finished?

 

  

The Application:

  1. What things might make one project take longer than another?  Does the time spent on something correspond to its value?  Why or why not?  What is the main quality/material that God has used to make you who you are?
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  2. What things do people tend to compare?  Are most comparisons we make fair evaluations of something’s worth or value?  If we insist on comparing, what should be our standard?  Does that change your desire to compare?   
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  3. How do you define justice?  What areas of injustice concern you?  Are you more concerned about justice in the sense of punishing wrongs or righting wrongs? 
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  4. What skills do you have?  What skills would your best friend say you have?  How are you using them?  What ways would God want you to use them for His kingdom?  What are some dangers of keeping track of how much you do, or give, for God?    
    –   
  5. What most reminds you of God’s eternal presence?  How valuable are those things to you?  Do you intentionally give the things you value most to God?  How do you honor the Godly contributions of those who have lived before you?

 

 

 

Next Week: Building Dedication
1 Kings 8

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1 Kings: Lesson 6 — Building Project 1

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 6 (Building Project 1)
1 Kings 6
April 24, 2013

The Text:

  1. When Solomon began building the temple of the Lord, how long had it been since God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt?  How long had Solomon been king?
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  2. What were the dimensions of the temple?  How was it constructed?
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  3. What did God say to Solomon about the temple he was building?
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  4. How big was the inner sanctuary?  How was it decorated?  What was its purpose?
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  5. How much time was spent building the temple?  How much attention was paid to the process of building it?

 

The Application:

 

  1. What would  you consider to be a long time to wait for something?  What are some things that might change your answer?  How does knowing you will be doing something affect your ability or willingness to wait?
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  2. How much “living space” does God want in your life?  Does He get it?  How concerned are you about distractions as you prepare your temple for God?
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  3. What does God look for in the place that He lives?  Are God’s promises conditional or unconditional?  In what ways?
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  4. What things or places remind you most of God’s presence?  How much value do you give to those?  What things would cause you to more fully recognize the value of God’s presence?  Do you consider it important to be reminded of God’s promises and presence?  How are those reminders given?
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  5. Do you ever feel like it is taking to long for someone to become the temple of God they are supposed to be?  Do you ever feel like it is taking you too long?  Why does it take so long?  How thorough is God in His work?

 

Next Week: Building Project 2
1 Kings 7