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.

week of 5/4

Unit 09  Session 1

GOD REDEEMS HIS PEOPLE

RUTH 1:22; :5-13; 4:13-17

 

Key Concept:

No one is beyond the reach of God's redemption.

During the time of the judges, everyone did what seemed right in their own eyes. During a particular famine, Elimelech and his family moved from Bethlehem to Moab. While there, Elimelech and his sons died, leaving his wife, Naomi, and two daughters-in-law. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and Ruth, though a foreigner, vowed to stay with her. Once in Bethlehem, the women had no one to care for them, so Ruth went out to glean in the barley fields of Boaz. More than a love story, the story of Ruth is a picture of loss and redemption.

As you examine Ruth 1:22, 3:5-13, 4:13-17:

✞   Recognize that Ruth chose not only to stay with Naomi but she chose to turn 

    away from her family's gods and trust in the one true God.

     

✞   Consider how Boaz as a family redeemer points to Christ, Who redeems us 

    from sin and death.