week of 8/21

Unit 12  Session 3

SOLOMON, THE FAILED KING

1 KINGS 10-12

Sin begins in the heart, but its consequences affect others.

It's a dark time in the kingdom, but you wouldn't know it. The prosperity and fame of King Solomon had put him on the map in more ways than one. Foreign royalty had come to see for themselves both the lavish wealth and wisdom of Solomon. You'd think that with every blessing and provision Solomon would have been living with wholehearted devotion to God. You'd think that, but you'd be wrong. Dark days lay ahead for the king and his kingdom. It's too bad Solomon couldn't see that.

Points to consider:

✞   A divided heart leads to sin.

     * Why is it important that God's people obey His 

        command not to marry unbelievers?

     * What steps can we take to help us avoid passive 

        and active works of evil in our lives?

✞   A rebellious heart receives judgment.

     * Why does the Lord's discipline of believers in 

        Christ resemble that of Solomon and not Saul?

✞   An arrogant heart results in division and strife.       

     * Why might division be considered a natural 

        consequence of sin?