week of 6/22

Unit 10  Session 4

FOOLISH APPEARANCES

1 SAMUEL 16:1-13 

 

Key Concept:

God always looks at the heart over external qualities.

We do not always value what the Lord values. This was clearly the case with Israel's first king. Saul had the physical stature and military prowess to be a great king in the eyes of the people, but he was a failure in what mattered. God's people needed a king who would follow God with a heart fully devoted to Him. Though Samuel grieved Saul's sin, God had already selected a replacement, a man after God's own heart. Israel's next king, David, would be an unlikely choice, but outward appearances do not make one faithful or righteous. For the Lord, what makes a great king is the attitude and direction of his heart.

As you examine 1 Samuel 16:1-13:

✞   Recognize that we must beware of looking only at the exterior features in leadership.

     

✞   Remember that the Holy Spirit will equip those whom God calls.

week of 6/15

Unit 10  Session 3

FOOLISH DEFIANCE

1 SAMUEL 15:1-3 ; 7-13; 22-23

 

Key Concept:

No excuse justifies our disobedience against God.

Saul proved to be an unwise and disobedient king for Israel. His first act of disobedience with his ill-offered sacrifice revealed the condition of his heart before God and His people. Saul acted clearly in his own authority and disregarded God's command that had been given through Samuel. As a result, the Lord declared that He would choose a new king to replace Saul. Even though Saul was disciplined with the loss of a dynasty, in 1 Samuel 15, Saul sinned again and ultimately was rejected as king by God.

As you examine 1 Samuel 15:1-3 ; 7-13; 22-23:

✞   Consider the danger for believers of equating halfhearted disobedience 

    with full obedience to God.

     

✞   Let this event spur gratitude for Jesus, Who always perfectly obeyed God

    even when it came to death on a cross to save sinners.

week of 6/8

Unit 10  Session 2

FOOLISH DISOBEDIENCE

1 SAMUEL 13:6-14

 

Key Concept:

God's commands are to be taken seriously.

Israel demanded to have a king like those of the nations, and God gave them what they wanted. Through Samuel, the Lord anointed Saul as Israel's first king. A man of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was handsome, tall, and had the "look" of leadership. Saul was hesitant at first, but he began his kingship well, defeating the Ammonite army and rescuing the Israelite city of Jabesh-Gilead. Yet there were early warning signs of flaws in Saul's character, proverbial cracks in the king's armor, that proved he would be replaced by someone who followed the Lord.

As you examine 1 Samuel 13:6-14:

✞   Notice that Saul took God's commands lightly, resulting in sin.

     

✞   Recognize that Saul's foolishness led to a shortened reign.

week of 6/1

Unit 10  Session 1

FOOLISH ENVY

1 SAMUEL 8:4-20

 

Key Concept:

God sometimes allows foolishness so we recognize it.

Through Israel's history, the Lord always provided a human leader. Moses led the people out of Egypt, and Joshua led them into the promised land. Judges governed the people of Israel with deteriorating levels of success after the death of Joshua. Though Samuel was a well-respected prophet, priest, and judge, his sons did not follow the Lord faithfully as their father did. Therefore, the people petitioned for new leadership - they want a king. This pivotal moment in Israel's history fulfilled God's words to Moses in Deuteronomy 17 and paved the way for the kingdom of Israel under Saul, David, Solomon, and ultimately Jesus.

As you examine 1 Samuel 8:4-20:

✞   Reflect on the fact that God allows us the freedom to choose our way even if 

    it leads to sorrowful results.

     

✞   Consider how the desire to be like the world is a strong force of temptation

    even for believers today.

week of 5/25

Unit 09  Session 4

GOD RESTORES HIS PEOPLE

1 SAMUEL 7:2-12

 

Key Concept:

God desires to restore His people because they have strayed from Him.

When the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, God judged the Philistines. The ark was moved from one Philistine city to another because everywhere it went God afflicted the people with tumors. The Philistines sent it back to Israel with a sacrifice (1 Samuel 6:1-18). Finally, the ark of the covenant was sent to the home of Abinidab in Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for twenty years. During that time, the Israelites longed for the Lord. Samuel, in his role as priest, led them to repent.

As you examine 1 Samuel 7:2-12:

✞   Reflect upon the promise that when we confess our sins and repent, God is ready to

    forgive and restore us.

     

✞   Notice that God is willing to save those who cry out to Him, and He chooses to work 

    in response to our actions of repentance.

week of 5/18

 Unit 09  Session 3

GOD DISCIPLINES HIS PEOPLE

1 SAMUEL 4:2-11

 

Key Concept:

God disciplines His people when they trust anything other than Him.

The Israelites were once again battling the Philistines, a constant thorn in their sides as God had prophesied (Deuteronomy 7:16; Judges 2:3). The Philistines killed four thousand Israelite soldiers in the battle. After the battle, the elders asked the right question: "Why did the LORD defeat us today before the Philistines?" (1 Samuel 4:3). But they did not seek God for an answer to their question. Instead, they offered their own solution. They called for the ark of God to be brought into the camp, thinking the symbol of God's presence and protection - and not God Himself - would give them the victory. But they were wrong.

As you examine 1 Samuel 4:2-11:

✞   Remember that we make light of God when we think the things of God, 

    not God Himself, are our salvation.

     

✞   Recognize that we must not seek to manipulate God for our own purposes 

    but trust and wait on Him.

week of 5/11

 Unit 09  Session 2

GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE

1 SAMUEL 3:3-14, 17-19

 

Key Concept:

God calls His people to obedience.

Samuel was an answer to Hannah's prayer for a child, and as she vowed, she gave her son to the Lord's service (1 Samuel 1:26-28). Samuel remained at the tabernacle under the care of Eli, the priest. When Samuel was older and Eli had grown old, God called Samuel by name. God told him that Eli and his family would be punished because of the sins of his sons. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, treated the Lord's offerings with contempt and used the priesthood for their own gratification. In response, God said He would raise up a faithful priest for himself.

As you examine 1 Samuel 3:3-14, 17-19:

✞   Notice that Eli understood the Lord was calling Samuel and taught the boy 

    how to respond to God's call.

     

✞   Reflect upon the solemn duty we have to tell the whole Gospel to others, 

    even when it might be difficult for them to hear.