3/18 1 Samuel 31 - Drifting into Despair
Key Chapters of the Bible
There are times when life looks desperate and we don’t know where to turn. Today, we’ll look at Saul’s sinful act of suicide and see how it was a reflection of a life of disobedience to God. Although the chapter is short and the topic is difficult, this material helps us clarify what life is about. So, please join us for another key study in a key chapter of God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Think back over what we’ve learned about Saul’s life. What are some principles we can glean from his life? Was his life an example worth following? Why would God not...
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3/17 1 Samuel 28 - Visiting Witches
Key Chapters of the Bible
We’ve all had times where we wished God would make His will clearer. Today, we’re looking at 1st Samuel 28 where Saul wanted to know what to do, but sought guidance from a witch. This is a stunning passage that helps us connect the dots on God’s judgment of Saul. Join us in another key study in the Key Chapters of God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What is the overall context of 1st Samuel 28? Where are we at in the timeline of Saul’s life? 2. What was in Saul’s heart in verse 5? How do you think this impacted Saul’s decisions in...
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3/16 1 Samuel 24 - Trusting God in Adversity
Key Chapters of the Bible
Although David was anointed by God to be king, his time was anything but easy. Yet today, we’ll see that even when David has an opportunity to take matters into his own hands, he doesn’t. He continues to trust the Lord. Join us as we continue our study of David’s life and his example of a man who trusted the Lord even in adversity. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast mentioned several times the differences in Saul’s purpose as King and David’s purpose in life. What were those differences? Why would the Lord bless one and not the other? 2. ...
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3/15 1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath
Key Chapters of the Bible
Today we look at one of the most famous events in the entire Bible: David and Goliath. As we look at this familiar passage, we'll see that it has much more to say than simply "conquering the giants in our life". Join us for another key study in the key chapters of the Bible! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The opening verses of chapter 17 tells us that the Philistines were gathering for battle at Socoh. According to verse 1, where was this city? What does this fact tell us about the Philistine dominance over Israel during this time? 2. The fight between David...
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3/14 1 Samuel 16 - David Serves God
Key Chapters of the Bible
One of the more unsettling truths we find in the Bible is that God is sovereign over everything, including evil spirits. Today we’ll look at 1 Samuel 16 starting with God’s choice of David to be king, but then we’ll look at His choice to send an evil spirit to Saul. Not for the faint-hearted. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What does Samuel’s grieve over Saul tell us about Samuel and his love for the Lord, the Lord’s ways and even Saul himself? 2. What does the Lord say to Samuel in verse 7? What does this tell us about the kind of...
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3/13 1 Samuel 15 - Saul Serves Himself
Key Chapters of the Bible
When God gives a command, sometimes we only half-heartedly obey. Today in our study of 1 Samuel 15, we’ll see that this is exactly what Saul did, and he was condemned for it too! Join us as we look at Saul’s heart and learn how to bring our own into wholehearted submission to God. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What was the Lord’s command, through Samuel, in verse 3? What reasons did the podcast give for why God would have given a command such as this? How does verse 33 shed light on the Amalekites? 2. What was the outcome of this battle? Did Saul obey...
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3/12 1 Samuel 13 - The Sin of Impatience
Key Chapters of the Bible
Life does not always go according to our schedule. Today we’ll look at an account from King Saul’s life where he took matters into his own hands, and ultimately was lost his kingdom because of it. Join us in a challenging reminder to trust God and wait on Him. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. How was Saul’s army chosen in verse 2? What kind of pressure with the support on Saul to have victory in these early battles? 2. What was the size of the Philistine army in verse 5? How does this compare to Israel’s army back in verse 2? 3. What were the...
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3/11 1 Samuel 10 - The Fearful King
Key Chapters of the Bible
God calls all of us to trust Him and step out in faith. Today we read the account of when Saul was chosen to be king. We’ll build upon the principles yesterday (regarding Saul’s reluctance) and see that his reluctance was really about a lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What were the circumstances from 1st Samuel 9 that led to the events of 1st Samuel 10? 2. What did Samuel do to Saul in verse 1? What did this signify? 3. In verses 2-7, what were the signs that Saul would see? What were...
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3/10 1 Samuel 9 - The Reluctant King
Key Chapters of the Bible
Life has a way of not going exactly has we planned. Today we'll look at 1st Samuel 9 and see that a simple search for some farm animals brought Saul to a divine appointment, and it ended up completely changing his life. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. In verse 1, what tribe was Saul from? What tribe did the Lord say would produce the kings back in Genesis 49:10? 2. What was Saul’s father like, according to verses 1 & 2? How might this have influenced the people to want Saul to be their king? 3. In verses 3 to 17, how did the Lord prepare...
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3/9 1 Samuel 8 - Trying to Copy the World
Key Chapters of the Bible
There are times when the world seems to have all the glitz & glamor and we can be tempted to follow their ways. Today we’ll see that this attitude motivated the Israelites to seek a king. Although the Lord gave them their request, it was not without stern warning. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The podcast opens with the social context of this chapter. How might the Philistine’s success have tempted the Israelites to copy the ways of the nations? 2. How old was Samuel at this point? What was his plan for the succession of authority after him? How was that working out? 3. In...
info_outlineGenesis 49 is one of those Key Chapters that we might normally overlook; and yet this passage actually gives us several critical prophecies regarding the future of Israel, the nature of the kingdom and her King. So rather than being a chapter we should overlook, instead, this is one that we should dive into. Join us!
DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
Genesis 49 1. The study opens with how the book of Genesis is ultimately about the “genesis” of this new nation, dedicated to God. As we close out our study in the book of Genesis, we have seen the Lord use very imperfect people. What does this show us about how God can use imperfect people today? How has God used you, even in your imperfections, to further His kingdom?
2. In verse 2, the Lord refers to Jacob as “Israel.” The name “Israel” means “contends/struggles with God.” God gave Jacob this name back in Genesis 32. What is the significance of Jacob referring to himself as “Israel” in this passage?
3. Although Reuben had moments of strength and dignity, he also had episodes of serious weakness. According to the study, what were some long-term consequences of his moral failures? Along those lines, according to 1st Chronicles 5:1, who was Reuben’s birthright given to? Why?
4. Simeon and Levi also suffered long-term consequences for their sins committed back in Genesis 34 when they defended their sister’s honor by killing all the men of Shechem. Later on, what were the land allocations for the tribes of Simeon and Levi? What did this suggest as to why their sin would cause them to lose their land promise among the sons of Israel?
5. Why was it so surprising that Judah would receive such a prophecy in Genesis 49:8-12? How was this prophecy later fulfilled in passages such as Judges 1:2 and later in the kings, and ultimately in the life of Jesus?
6. The prophecy about Judah in Genesis 49:8-12 is the last of the three great prophecies of the Messiah. The other two are Genesis 3:15 and 22:18. What did these other prophecies foretell about the Messiah?
7. The study concluded by saying that these prophecies in Genesis 49 form a blueprint for the nation of Israel. From reading these prophecies, how would you characterize what this nation was to look like?
8. The nation prophesied in this passage would one day come to an earthly end and give way to the nation of the Messiah. In what ways will the Messianic kingdom be different from the kingdom that Jacob outlines here?
9. Genesis 49 is a concluding chapter to the Book of Genesis. In many ways, it is the climax and Genesis 50 is like an epilogue. In your own words, how would describe the events that have led from Genesis 1 to Genesis 49?
Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon!
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Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.