Session 15: 1 Kings 18

Session 15: 1 Kings 18

Summarize:

I. Ahab and Obadiah search for food for cattle(1-6)

A. God commands Elijah to come out of hiding and tell Ahab about God providing rain.

B.  Obadiah a servant of Ahab protects the prophets of God.

C.  Ahab and Obadiah divide to search the land for food.

II.  Elijah sends Obadiah to deliver Ahab a message(7-15)

A.  Obadiah fears reporting to Ahab will cost him his life if Elijah disappears.

B.  Elijah promises to wait and meet Ahab

III.  Elijah sets the stage for the challenge(16-20)

A.  Ahab accused Elijah of destroying Israel

B.  Elijah tells Ahab his house's disobedience to the Lord have caused the famine.

C.  Elijah tells Ahab to assemble the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel.

IV. Elijah challenges the people of Israel to follow God(21-29)

A.  Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a demonstration to see who serves the true God.

B.  Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal when their sacrifice is not consumed.

V. The Lord Reveals Himself by consuming the sacrifice (30-40)

A.  The people recognize Yahweh is God

VI. The land is cleansed and God sends rain(40-46)

A. Elijah commands that all the false prophets be put to death.

VII. Elijah waits for the Lord to send rain and warns Ahab to go home before the rain comes(41-46)

A. Elijah tells Ahab to refresh himself because rain is coming

B.  Elijah isolates himself and waits on God to fulfill His promise of rain

C.  God sends rain and Elijah and Ahab go to Jezreel

Analyze

Read 1 Kings 18:1-6

1. Why does Elijah have to present himself to Ahab? What caused Elijah to hide himself from Ahab?(1 King 17)

a. What does the text tell us about Obadiah? How is the bible's description of him relate to what the bible describes of his deeds? How does knowing the land was in famine color his deeds?

The Kingdom of Israel is largely wicked and most people who fear God have fled to Judah. Obadiah is a person who fears God but is in a position where he is also bound to serve an ungodly and corrupt king.

b. How can confidence in God’s sovereignty help you to live a life of righteous integrity? Even if it may cost you? (Matt 10:28, Luke 12:5, Jn 15:18)

Read 1 Kings 18:7-15

2. Does fear or respect/humility characterize Obadiah’s reception of Elijah? What reasons would he have to fear him? What reasons would he have to respect/humble himself before him? (7, 9, 14)

a. How does Obadiah’s fear of the Lord affect the way he treats Elijah?

b. Do you fear the Lord? What are your difficulties in relating to that statement and fearing God?

c. Have you met someone who has the marks of reverence/fear for God? Would people you know characterize you as someone who fears and reveres God?

Obadiah has long tried to straddle pleasing God while still pleasing Ahab. His encounter with Elijah pits his two masters against each other leaving him with the decision of whom he will place first.(Matt 6:24-34)

d. When a person does fear God, does that affect your trust in that person? How is fear of God related to trust both in your interpersonal relationships and your relationship with God?

Read 1 Kings 18:16-20

3. How does Ahab greet Elijah? What is Elijah’s response?

a. Why do people have the tendency to blame others and absolve themselves of responsibility?(Gal 6:7-8)

b. What areas of your life are you prone to avoiding guilt or responsibility?

c. What does Elijah tell Ahab to do?

Elijah’s request for Ahab to summon the prophets of Baal is a response to Ahab’s accusation. Their exchange of words will be validated by this contest to see both who is responsible for the drought and whose god is sovereign.

Read 1 Kings 18:21-29

4. What question does Elijah ask as a challenge to the people of Israel?

Elijah serves as an antitype to the person of Christ. God had made a covenant with Israel that if they would obey them He would bless them with rain, however if they didn’t follow Him then He would withhold the rain.(Deut 28, Lev 26) Rain was crucial to the survival of Israel because this was the only way their crops could be watered. Obedience/trust in God meant life. Disobedience meant death. This challenge echoes the sentiments Jesus later expresses in John 10. Following anything other than God will lead to destruction, but true blessing and life come from the Lord.(Jn 10:10)

a. What are the two worlds you are straddling? Who are the two masters you are trying to please? (Matt 6:24, 33)

b. What areas of life are you having trouble trusting God with so that you can be fully devoted to Him?  

Read 1 Kings 18:30-40

5. How do the ways the prophets of Baal present their sacrifice differ from the way the prophet of God sacrifices?

a. How does the way Elijah present his sacrifice demonstrate faith? (Eph 2:8-9) How does this enhance your understanding of salvation by faith and walking in faith?

b.  How do the Israelites react to God’s revelation of sovereignty and power?

c. What does Elijah instruct the people to do to the prophets of Baal? (Deut 13)

Read 1 Kings 18:41-46

6.   Why does Elijah tell Ahab to eat? What does Elijah do after predicting a rainstorm?(41)

a. How is Elijah’s prediction related to the killing of the prophets of Baal?(Deut 28:12, 1 Kings 18:1)

b. What would cause Elijah to be anxious or fearful about sending rain?(Deut 13)

c. What are some things God has revealed to His people that we are told to proclaim?  What kind of assurances do we have that what God tells us to proclaim will actually happen?

d. How does Elijah handle the anxiety of waiting? How does Elijah’s example teach us to handle uncertainty and anxiety?

Contextualize:

1. God desires total devotion of His people

2. Man can not truly serve God if God is not the number one priority of his life.

3. God is faithful to those who love/obey Him.

Actualize:

Spend this week identifying the “masters” of your life and write them down. Write down the reasons why you serve those masters and the fears you have about allowing God to be your only Master. Surrender them to God and tell someone you trust to encourage you and keep you accountable.

Session 14: 2 Samuel 7

Session 14: 2 Samuel 7

Summarize:

I. David wants to honor God.(7:1-3)

a.  David feels upset that he is living in a house while the ark is in a tent.

b. Nathan encourages David to do what seems best to him.

II. The Lord reveals His plans to bless David to Nathan(7:4-11)

a. God affirms His Sovereignty and that He doesn't need a dwelling place.

b. God recounts His hand in providing and shaping David's life.

III. God promises to establish David's house forever by making His descendants part of His plan of redemption.(7:12-17)

a. God promises that the Messiah will be one of David's descendants.

b. God reveals markers of who the Messiah will be

IV. David praises God for His kindness and prays boldly that His Word will come to pass(7:18-29)

a. God's kindness overwhelms David and causes him to praise God.

b. David recounts God's great deeds and faithfulness to His covenants.

c. David prays that God's Word would be true.

Analyze:

Read 2 Samuel 7:1-3

1. What prompts Nathan's response to David in vs 3?  Was it wrong for Nathan to give the advice/encouragement he did to David?

a. Have you been in situations where you have given encouragement/advice to someone that talked about wanting to do something for God that sounded good? Have you been the recipient of this kind of advice or encouragement?

Read Proverbs 16:3, 9; 19:21, Isaiah 55:8

b. What do these passages suggest about the plans we make? According to these passages who are we still subject to despite our best intentions and well laid plans?

c. How does the Lord factor into your decision making process?  How does this influence the way you encourage or give advice?

Read 2 Samuel 7:4-11

2. What does God tell Nathan to tell David in vs 4? How does God's response frame David's desire to build a house for God?(7)

a. Who is the the one who has provided David with all that he has? (8) According to vs 9 why is it that David experienced victory? (Jas 1:17, Isa 46:10, Job 42:2)

b. How does knowing that God is Sovereign affect your relationship with Him?  How does God's Sovereignty change your perspective on what you can accomplish or have accomplished for God or anyone else?(Phil 3:7-9, 1 Cor 1:31, Eph 2;8-10)

c. Do these passages and your understanding of them change your motivations in "serving/accomplishing things" for the Lord?

Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17

3. What is God promising to do for David?

a. What is the connection to God's promise to David and Jesus?(Isa 11:10, Jer 33:15, Jn 7:42, Matt 1:1)

b. How does this covenant God makes with David fit into the previous covenants God has made in Scripture?

Unmerited Favor: David like the Patriarchs before him were not special people in the sense that they possessed skills or character that caused God to bless them.  The blessings of God given to David and those before him were not earned, but freely given by God. Like David, we too have done nothing to earn God's blessing. But God in His mercy showed us kindness by sending His Son Jesus to die in our place for the penalty of our sins. It's only because of this that we can be called Son's and Daughters of the King.(Eph 2:8-9)

Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29

4. What does vs 18 tell us David did after he heard what the Lord promised?

a. What does it mean to sit in the Lord's presence? How do you cultivate the practice of sitting in the Lord's presence? What are some step you can take to guard that time?

b. How did David respond to God's promise?

c. 'What about your relationship with God do you take for granted? How would silence/stillness with the Lord lead you to thanksgiving?

d. What does David ask for in vs 29? Why does he pray this?

e. What does David's example teach you about praying and asking things from God?  What are some promises God has made to believers in His Word that You can ask for with boldness?

Contextualize:

1. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

2. God chooses to show kindness to people that don’t deserve it.

3. Revelation of God’s grace leads people to praise Him.

Actualize:

Plan to spend time listening  and meditating to God’s Word every day this week.

Session 13: 1 Samuel 17

Session 13: 1 Samuel 17

Summarize:

1. Goliath challenges the Army of Israel and defies God (1-11)

1. The armies of Israel and Philistia gather for battle(1-3)
2. Goliath challenges the army of Israel(4-11)
3. The Israelites refuse to fight because they are afraid(11)

2. David witnesses the taunts of Goliath(12-24)

1. David is sent to resupply his brothers(12-20)
2. David hears the the challenge of Goliath(21-23)
3. David witnesses the fear of God’s people before Goliath(24)

3. David rebukes the Israelites for not answering Goliath’s Challenge(25-30)

1. David asks what will be done for the person that answers the challenge(25-27)
2. Eliab scolds David(28-30)

4. David and Saul speak about the challenge(31-37)

1. David volunteers to fight for Israel(31-32)
2. David addresses Saul’s fears by reminding him of God’s faithfulness(33-37)

5. David Prepares for battle(38-40)

1. Saul tries to equip David with his weapons of war(38-40)
2. David rejects the kings tools and equips himself with what the Lord has given(40)

6. David defeats Goliath(41-58)

1. David declares to all that God will give him the victory(41-47)
2. David strikes down Goliath and causes the Philistines to flee(48-52)
3. Saul seeks the identity of David(53-58)

Analyze:

Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11

1. What does Goliath say to the Israelites? Why is what Goliath says offensive to the Israelites and God?(Lev 24:16)

a.  What keeps the Israelites from going out to face Goliath?  How does the Israelites fear demonstrate where their confidence for fighting the battle is?

The king of Israel should have been the one to answer the challenge to combat. Saul, a man of war, was described as a head taller than all the men in Israel.  Not only was he physically more capable but had been the Lord’s anointed. However, Saul’s disobedience in 1 Samuel 13, and lack of repentance caused him to lose confidence in meeting the enemies of the Lord.

b. What are some similar situations you may face that cause you fear or anxiety?

c. Is the fear because of something you have done or something you fear you can’t do?

Read 1 Samuel 17:12-24

2. How long was Goliath taunting the Army of Israel before David went to visit his brothers?

a. Why had David come to the battle line?

The army of Israel was a militia, not a standing army. They were provisioned by their families and for the men of Israel to be gone for over a month put great hardship on the people because it was during the spring when men were needed to plow fields and prepare crop. This is only evidence of Saul’s lack of administrative skills as a ruler which used to be overshadowed by his military prowess/victories.

b. How does the text describe the Army of God reacting to Goliath's words? (24)

c. What are some similar situations or unconquerable foes that cause you to be fearful and silent? (Acts 4:29)

Read 1 Samuel 17:25-29

3. How does David respond to what he observes from Goliath and the Army of Israel? (26)

a. What causes David to be zealous and bold in his response?

b. Why does Eliab criticize David for exhorting the people of God to fight?(28)

c. What kind of excuses or justifications keep you from being bold for the Lord? What causes you to be fearful of the outcome of confrontation/conflict? What criticisms have you faced for acting in obedience to God’s Word?

Eliab confronts David and accuses him of pride and mischievousness perhaps in trying to provoke someone else to fight so he could watch the battle. Eliab had been the older brother of David that was passed over as the next king of Israel. It may have been this earlier interaction that would cause Eliab to respond harshly to his brother.

Read 1 Samuel 17:30-37

4. What reasons does Saul give to keep David from volunteering to fight?

a. How does David respond to Saul's admonishment? Why is David confident that God will give him victory over Goliath? (37)

Saul as king was not only the head of state but also the religious head of the people of Israel. He was supposed to lead the people of God to follow and have faith in God. By refusing single combat with Goliath and discouraging David he is acting out of character for the appointed leader of Israel. David in contrast reminds Saul of God’s sovereignty and power by sharing his testimony of God’s previous deliverance.

b. Who is the one that delivered David in the past? (Rom 8:31-39)

c. How does David's example help you to understand what confidence in the Lord looks like? (1 Pet 4:10-19)

Read 1 Samuel 17:38-40

5. How does Saul try to help David? (38)

a. Why does David reject the armor and weapons Saul gives?  How does David prepare for the battle?

Saul and Goliath were armed with shaped metal tools. They possessed the best military implements men could buy. In contrast David rejects these implements for what God supplies, tools formed by God a stick and stones. Some commentators also suggest that David picks the sling and stones because of the command to stone blasphemers.

b. Did David know for certain he would kill Goliath? (Phil 1:21)

c. What assurances did David have for success that we don’t have? How does this help us to understand the role of faith conquering fear? (2 Timothy 1:7-10)

The object of our faith will determine our confidence and peace when confronted with difficult circumstances.  The response a person has when confronted with great difficulty reveals where hope and confidence is found.

Read 1 Samuel 17:41-47

6. Why is Goliath angered when he sees David come out to fight him?

Goliath is a mercenary whose reputation is based on who he kills.  There is no glory in killing a no name adolescent shepherd.

a. How does David respond to Goliath's insults and taunts? (45)

b. How does David's response show where he is placing his confidence? (46)

c. What reasons does David give for his confidence that God will give him victory? (46-47)

Read 1 Samuel 17:48-58

7. What was the reaction of the Israelites to David's victory? How did the Philistines react?

a. How does the victory of Jesus Christ give you confidence to take a stand and follow Him? What keeps you from having confidence and following?

Contextualize:

1. God is greater and more powerful than any seemingly unconquerable foe.

2. God delivers those who trust in Him

3. Boldness in God’s omnipotence is never unfounded.

Actualize:

Write out the greatest fears you have and surrender them to the Lord. Review the list every day and continue praying about them until God gives you peace.

Joshua 6 Illustrations

Painting the Scene

The people of Israel were commanded to march around a tall walled city for 6 days without ever making a sound and within range of the city's defenders ranged weapons. On the 7th day they were to march around the city 7 times!  To a military man this plan sounds ridiculous.  You don’t do the exact same thing in plain view of the opposing enemy for an entire week!  You don’t expose yourself to attack!  But this is exactly what the Israelites did.  They marched around the city carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s power, presence and promise.  All the while the ram’s horn, the symbol and reminder of God’s provision, sounded to announce and remind people of God’s plan.

Living out the Scene

Christians, just like the Israelites, have to risk in order obey God.  Every decision we make leads us to a fork and we have to decide to either trust God or trust self.  However, anytime we prioritize our comfort or ego over obedience to God we run the risk of being led away from God.  Compromise and rationalizations keep us from leaning on God and place the full weight of our trust in Him.  The only way forward with God is to lean on Him by leaping out in faith to demonstrate our trust in Him.  These leaps of faith may seem like giant chasms that can never be crossed, however it's only by trusting Christ that we can look back and see what once looked like an impassable chasm was but a step. 

Session 12:Joshua 6

Session 12: Joshua 6

Summarize

I. God gives Joshua instructions on how to defeat Jericho(1-5)

a. God promises to give victory to Israel over Jericho a strong walled city.

b. God’s instructs the Israelites to bear before them His symbol of power, presence and promise.

II. Joshua leads the people to obey God’s instructions(6-14)

a. Joshua instructs the people to carry the ark of the covenant ahead of the army

b. Joshua instructs the priests to sound the ram’s horn, a symbol of God’s provision, before the coming of the ark.

c. The people obey God’s instructions for 6 days.

III. God gives Jericho to the Israelites and commands them not to take plunder(15-19)

a. Joshua instructs the people to shout and praise God after the circling the city 7 times and the horn is sounded.

b. Joshua reminds the people to not take any plunder and to destroy every living thing in the city.

c. Joshua reminds the people to spare the family of Rahab.

IV. God allows the Israelites to destroy Jericho, but spares Rahab.(20-26)

a. The Israelites obey God and dedicate everything in the city to the Lord.

b. Rahab and her family are spared because of her faith.

c. The city is razed and Joshua curses the one who tries to rebuild Jericho

Analyze

Read 6:1-5

1. What does God tell Joshua and the Israelites that requires trust?  What would cause them to have doubt about what God said?

a. How does what God instructed the Israelites to do go against conventional wisdom in warfare? Who was supposed to lead the army?(4)

Jericho is a walled city and part of its defense would have been to have ranged weapons on the walls.  Asking the Israelites to march around the city for 6 days with no plan of attack was very risky because it exposed the army to the missiles of the enemy and telegraphed their intentions.

b. What are some things God commands Christians to do that go against conventional wisdom?(Lk 9:24, Mt. 5:44, Phil 4:6-7)

c. What kind of horns were used to signal the coming of the Ark of Covenant?(4) (Gen 22:13)

Read 1 Cor 10:13

d. How does this picture of God’s provision and deliverance both for Isaac and the city of Jericho help you understand God’s salvation?

Read Joshua 6:6-14

2. What were the priests carrying before the entire Israelite army? (8)

a. What does the Ark of the Covenant represent to the Israelites? What does it remind the Israelites about?(Ex 19) the Ark is a symbol of God’s presence and promise to make the Israelites His treasured possession if they keep his commandments and covenant.

Seven in biblical references is a symbol of completion.  Six days the Israelite army marched around Jericho but on the 7th day, the day of completion, God delivered the city into the hands of the Israelites. When the Israelites are commanded to shout on the 7th day they are shouting for joy to praise and thank God for His deliverance.

b. Why are the Israelites commanded to remain silent until the 7th day?

Read Joshua 6:15-19

3. What about the 7th day was different from the previous 6 days? Why is it that the Israelites are shouting?(16)

a. How does Rahab hiding the spies qualify her for salvation? (Joshua 2)

Read Joshua 6:20-26

4. What were the Israelites commanded to do once the city walls fell?(17-19,21)

a. Why was the city devoted to the Lord? How many cities had the Israelites taken prior to taking Jericho? How does the taking of Jericho reinforce the concept of the tithe?

Jericho is the first city/resistance the Israelites face entering the promised land. The way that the city is taken is prescriptive of how the Israelites are to defeat and face every enemy they face in the promised land. God is the one who goes before them and conquers the enemy.  The Israelites place their trust in God to defeat the enemy and honor God by giving to him the first city as a reminder that God has given them the whole land.

b. What is the consequence of the one who tries to rebuild Jericho?

c. What would rebuilding Jericho look like in your own life?

Contextualize

1. God desires His people to risk everything by placing their trust in Him

2. Everyone who places their trust in God will never be disappointed

3. God provides, protects and fulfills  His promises to those who seek His presence.

Actualize

Write a letter to God every day this week expressing your reservations about trusting Him and ask Him to give you the courage to risk everything to lean on Him.