3/11 1st 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?...
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3/10 1st Samuel 4 - Rabbit's Foot Theology
Key Chapters of the Bible
Sometimes people try to manufacture good luck through some kind of “rabbit’s foot” thinking. It might be through an actual item or perhaps some ritual or deed. Today we’ll see that when the Israelites treated God like a “rabbit’s foot”, it didn’t go so well. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Who were the Israelites battling in verse 1? How did their battle go in verse 2? How is that different from their previous battles that we’ve looked at over the past several months? 2. What did the people decide to do in verse 3? What did this...
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3/9 1st Samuel 3 - The Call of God
Key Chapters of the Bible
What kind of heart is God’s servant supposed to have? Today as we study 1st Samuel 3, we’ll read about God’s call of Samuel and we’ll look at how Samuel responds. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What did we learn yesterday in our study of 1st Samuel 2, about Eli and his sons? How do you think that contributed to the spiritual condition of Israel during this time? 2. What was Samuel doing in verses 2 & 3? Why was he doing that? 3. Who spoke to Samuel in verse 4? Was this an audible voice? Why didn’t Samuel recognize...
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3/8 1st Samuel 2 - Praying or Playing
Key Chapters of the Bible
One of the most common accusations against Christians is that they’re “hypocrites”. While this accusation is often not justified, sometimes it is. Today we will look at 1st Samuel 2, which is a study in contrasts. We’ll see the contrasts between a godly woman, hypocritical leaders, and a godly young man. Join us for another practical study in God’s Word. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. In our study, yesterday, of 1st Samuel 1, what did Hannah pray? What did she do with Samuel when the Lord answered her prayer? 2. Verses 1 to 11 contains one of the longest...
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3/7 1st Samuel 1 - Broken-Hearted Faith
Key Chapters of the Bible
There are times in life when God answers our prayers in ways that are slower than we’d like. Today, we’ll look at 1st Samuel 1, and see how Hannah trusted the Lord as she waited for Him to answer her prayers. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. What did the podcast say about the religious stability of the people of 1st Samuel during these opening chapters? What led to this condition? 2. In verse 2, Elkanah has two wives. Although this was technically permissible in the Old Testament, what kinds of problems did the podcast explain that these...
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3/6 Judges 2 - Struggling to be Faithful
Key Chapters of the Bible
Sometimes we struggle in our faith, and today in our study of Judges 2, we will see that the people wavered in their faith and struggled in fellowship with God, and suffered the consequences for it. We’ll also see that their struggles lay out key principles for living a life of faith today. Join us for another key study in God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Who is addressing the people in verse 1? What in verse 1 helps us decode who this is? Why is this important to understand? 2. What did the people fail to do in verse 3? What was the Lord’s...
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3/5 Joshua 6 - Walking in God's Promises
Key Chapters of the Bible
As we continue to walk with the Children of Israel, today we turn to Joshua 6 and the Fall of Jericho. While the events of this chapter are straightforward, the spiritual and practical gems of this chapter are rich and numerous. Join us as we mine out key principles of God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Jericho was a well-fortified city on a hill. In normal conditions, it was safe and secure. However, what does verse 1 tell us about the state of the city? What does this show us about their perspective of the threat of the Jews? 2. What did the Lord...
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3/4 Joshua 3 - Taking a Step of Faith
Key Chapters of the Bible
Today in our study of Joshua 3, we’ll look at how the Children of Israel literally stepped out in faith and watched God do a wonderful miracle of necessity and confirmation. We’ll glean several principles for faith and obedience. Join us in another faith-strengthening study in God’s Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Where are the Children of Israel in verse 1? Practically speaking, what kinds of things do you think were necessary to move two million people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land? What does verse 15 tell us about the banks of the river? Was this...
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3/3 Joshua 2 - Redeeming Our Lives
Key Chapters of the Bible
Why does God use sinful people? Or more specifically, why does God use really sinful people? Well, in today's study of Joshua 2, we'll look at the faith of Rahab and how God uses her, despite her sin. Join us for another thought-provoking study in the key chapters of God's Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Joshua 2 opens with the Children of Israel on the Plains of Moab on the Eastern Side of the Jordan River. Why did the podcast suggest that they were there? How might have Joshua’s prior experience as a spy influenced where they were considering entering the Promised...
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3/2 Joshua 1 - Be Strong & Courageous
Key Chapters of the Bible
One of the great things about following the Lord is that it’s the way that we walk into the place of God’s blessings. Today we’ll study Joshua 1 and discuss the Lord’s exhortations to Joshua to be strong and courageous and how Joshua’s obedience brought himself and all of the Children of Israel into the place of God’s blessings. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. In Joshua 1, the Lord calls Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. In general terms, was Joshua a young man at this point? Why was a man of his age leading the Children of...
info_outlineMost people come to a place in life where they don't know the way forward. Today's study in Exodus 14 will give some insights about how to proceed. Today we're going to study the account of the Red Sea Crossing. This is one of the most famous records in the Bible, and for good reason. Not only is this miracle awesome in its power, but it's inspirational in its meaning. Join us!
DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Think about the past several chapters we have studied. What events have led up to Exodus 14? What do you think the emotional state would have been for these people? How would you have felt if you were facing the same kinds of obstacles?
2. In verses 1 & 2, the Lord tells Moses to lead the people southward. From a human standpoint, they should be heading northeast. We know the Lord has a clear reason for this instruction, but from a human perspective, how might this seem like confusion? How did the Lord use this to further harden Pharaoh’s heart in verses 4 & 8?
3. In verse 5, Pharaoh had a change of heart. What was this change? How did this change continue Pharaoh’s rebellion against the Lord?
4. In verse 7, the Egyptians assembled 600 chariots. In terms of military and technological power, what did these chariots represent? However, when they are matched against the Lord, what “power” did they have? Why? How can this encourage us when we are facing overwhelming obstacles in our lives?
5. When the Israelites saw the Egyptians, how did they respond in verses 11 & 12? What did their response reveal about the spiritual vitality of their faith? What were they forgetting?
6. What was Moses’ response to the people in verse 13? Where were they to put their trust? Why do you think they were supposed to keep silent in verse 14?
7. In verse 15, the Lord tells Moses to “go forward.” What would they be going forward into? Did “obedience” make sense at this point? Why were they supposed to go forward anyway? What lesson can we glean from how to face life’s difficulties with faith and obedience?
8. As the people crossed the Red Sea, how does verse 22 describe the water? How does verse 21 describe the land? What do you think this would have looked like? What do you think the people would have been thinking as they walked along this dry land with these walls of water on either side?
9. Who did the Egyptians acknowledge was fighting for the Jews in verse 25? What does it look like when God is “fighting for” someone? What does it look like when a person is fighting against Him?
10. Sometimes people say that this whole event took place in shallow water so that Moses and the people wadded across. What happened to Pharaoh’s army in verses 27 & 28? Is it likely they drowned in shallow water?
11. Once this whole event concludes, how does verse 31 describe the people’s faith? How should we understand their belief in light of Hebrews 3:15-19? Where does this passage give us windows into the false nature of their faith? How is this reality a warning to us to be sure that we are truly trusting in the Lord, and not just giving Him lip service when we want something from Him?
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