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  • Posted on April 30, 2012
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E100 – The Prophets

The prophetic writings make up approximately one third of the Bible. They are divided into two sections: the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets (given those names because of the length of their writings, not the importance). First, we’ll look at a prophecy of great significance found near the middle of the Bible. Then, we’ll see how three of the prophetic writers responded to their calling. Their response was not always a positive one, but God was working in and through them all to achieve his good purposes. Finally, we’ll look briefly at a prophetic vision of judgment day.

Discussion Guide

Purpose: To look at an important Old Testament prophesy of the coming Messiah and to examine the calling, character and motivation of some of the prophets.

Isaiah 51-53

  • In what ways does the passage from Isaiah 52:13-53:12 seem to describe what happened to Jesus Christ hundreds of years later?

Jeremiah 1:1-3:5

  • Why did Jeremiah resist God’s plan for him? Do you ever feel that you, like Jeremiah, are resisting something God wants you to do? Why did or didn’t you?
  • Jeremiah was sent to speak God’s message to Jerusalem. If God sent you to speak to your community or country, what would you say?

Daniel 6

  • Daniel took a great risk to stand up for his faith. Have you ever had to stand up for what you believe, in spite of significant consequences? What happened?
  • Do you think people today should be more “up front” about their religious beliefs? Why or why not?

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  • Posted on April 24, 2012
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E100 – Psalms and Proverbs

The Psalms describe every form of human emotion from the depths of despair to the heights of joy. The Psalms teach us a great deal about what an authentic relationship with God is like. Although there are times when the psalmist expresses deep anguish and pain to God, there is also a constant refrain of thanksgiving and praise to the One who can always be relied on in times of trouble.

The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and practical advice on how to lead a life that pleases God and avoid the many pitfalls we can so easily fall into.

Discussion guide

Purpose: To discover more of God’s character and the nature of right living an expressed in the praise, worship, laments and wise sayings of these books, and to see how these insights apply to our life.

Psalms 23

  • Of the many images in Psalm 23, which are most comforting to you? Why?
  • What contemporary image(s) would you use in describing the Lord to a friend? “The Lord is my…?”

Psalms 51

  • What do you learn from Psalm 51 about confessing your sins? In what ways is this psalm helpful or encouraging to you?
  • Have you ever experienced a deep sense of God’s forgiveness for something you’ve done wrong? How did it come about? What happened as a result?

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  • Posted on April 16, 2012
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E100 – The fall of Israel

In these readings, we see that David, through a great king and a man of God, committed adultery and murder, with tragic consequences not only for him himself but for his family and the nation, also. His son, Solomon, famed for his god-given wisdom and wealth, fell into idolatry and soon, Israel fell into the depths of defeat under successive kings. Through the prophet Elijah, the Lord clearly demonstrated that he is the one true God, but because of its sin, the nation became divided and eventually was taken into exile.

Discussion Guide

Purpose: To see how the sin of Israel’s leaders and people led to the destruction and exile of the Israelite nation.

2 Samuel 11:1─12:25

  • “What I do in my personal life is nobody’s business but my own.” Agree? Disagree? Explain your answer.
  • What do you learn from Nathan’s response to David about how to act when people you care about make bad choices? Have you ever had to act as Nathan did?

1 Kings 2─3

  • How would you answer if God said to you, as he did to Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”? Be honest!
  • Solomon asked for and received great wisdom from God. What are the greatest sources of wisdom in your life? Who is the wisest person you’ve ever known? Why do you say that?

1 Kings 8:1─9:9

  • The worship of Solomon and the people in dedicating the temple was lively and heartfelt. What makes worship come alive for you? Why?
  • If you could, what would you change about the worship services you’ve attended recently? What would you want the changes to do?

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  • Posted on April 02, 2012
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E100 – The rise of Israel

Samuel was the last of Israel’s judges and the first of its prophets. His mother, Hannah, had been unable to have children and cried out to God for a son. When Samuel was born, she dedicated his life to God. When Samuel was old, Israel chose to reject God’s Kingship and asked for an earthly king, like other nations. At God’s command, Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. In the course of time, however, Saul proved unworthy and God chose David to be king. Under David, a man after God’s own heart, Israel experienced great prosperity.

Discussion Guide

Purpose:  To discover the qualities that God desires in those who lead his people.

1 Samuel 1─3

  • Hannah cried out in desperation to God for a son. Have you ever cried out to God in desperation? What happen? How did you react?
  • God clearly spoke to the boy Samuel. Do you think God still speaks to people today? If so why and how?
  • To what extent do you think young children such as Samuel can hear from the Lord, understand and respond? Do you know any children like that? Explain.

1 Samuel 16:1─18:16

  • What do you think really motivated David to challenge Goliath? Have you ever experienced that same motivation?
  • Do you face any “Goliaths” in your life? What are they and how might faith in God help you confront them?

1 Samuel 23:7─24:22

  • What underlying issues do you think affected Saul’s attitude toward David?
  • Is there anyone who has an irrationally negative attitude toward you? How should you respond?

2 Samuel 5─7

  • What would you say made David such a great king? What were his weaknesses?
  • From what you know, what lessons from David’s life could you apply to yours?

Before the next time: Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Saul, David and Jonathan all can teach us something about living with devotion and integrity before God. Reflect on each of them and list the major lessons we can learn from them. Ask God how you can incorporate these lessons into your life.

  • Posted on March 27, 2012
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E100 – The Judges

The Book of Judges describes a period in Israel’s history before they had a king.  It was a time when everyone did whatever they thought was right; consequently it was also a time of unfaithfulness, disobedience to God and one in which Israel suffered many defeats by her enemies. Yet, all was not dark. In the book of Judges we meet amazing individuals such as Deborah, a female Judge was courageously obeyed God and set an example of courage in the midst of adversity. We meet Gideon, the reluctant leader who nonetheless obeyed God, and Samson, whose life ended in disaster because he was unable to look past the beauty of the women around him. We’ll also read the story of Ruth, one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Discussion Guide:

Purpose: To learn from the experience of those in these stories who obeyed or disobeyed God and how that affected their relationship with him and others.

Judges 2:6─3:6

  • How would you explain the Israelite’s pattern of falling away from God, getting in trouble, crying out for help, being delivered and falling away again?
  • Do you experience ups and down in your relationship with God? With others? Why is that so?
  • Do you think God might use other nations to “test” our country as he did with Israel? If so, explain and give an example if you can.

Judges 4─5

  • What lessons do you learn from the experiences of Deborah?
  • Do you think faith can be a source of courage? Explain.

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  • Posted on March 20, 2012
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E100 – The Law and the Land

Having delivered his people from Egypt, God continued to guide them. When they reached Mt. Sinai, God spoke to them and gave them the Ten Commandments to shape their worship and their relationships. This would set them apart to his special people, “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” But the people disobeyed God’s way and had to spend forty years wandering in the wilderness before reaching the border of the Promised Land. Moses was allowed to see it but not go in. Joshua led the people across the Jordan River and into the land God had promised them. God was with them every step of the way.

Discussion Guide

Purpose: To see how God wants his people to live and act as those called to be holy and live in close relationship with him.

Exodus 19:1─20:21

  • There’s a lot of controversy today surrounding the Ten Commandments. What place do you think they should have in our pluralistic society?
  • Which of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) is most challenging to you? Why?

Exodus 32─34

  • What do you think motivated the Israelites to worship the Golden Calf instead of God? What motivates people to worship “things” rather than God today?
  • What things pull you away from God? What makes you feel closer to God?

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  • Posted on March 13, 2012
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E100 – Moses and the Exodus

In these readings we meet Moses, one of the greatest and most significant Old Testament figures.  Moses grew up as a privileged member of Pharaoh’s royal family, but had to flee Egypt when he murdered an Egyptian who had been abusing one of the Israelites.  Years later, the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and called him to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to “let my people go” free from their slavery.  In these passages from the book of Exodus, we’ll see how God called Moses and how God was intimately controlling the “defining moments” (for example, the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea) by which he delivered his people and brought about their exodus.

Discussion Guide

Purpose: To learn from the way Moses encounters God and how God’s actions in the special times of our lives shape and define us.

Exodus 1-2

  • Moses faced both challenges and opportunities growing up in Pharaoh’s household.  How have the difficulties and opportunities in your past prepared you for your life today?
  • Do you have a mission in life? If so, how would you describe it?

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  • Posted on March 07, 2012
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E100 – The Story of Joseph

Joseph, the son of Jacob (the grandson of Abraham), is the central character in these readings.  As a young man, Joseph had a dream.  When he told it to his brothers, they got so angry that they decided to sell him into slavery in Egypt.  There, he was falsely imprisoned, but continued faithful to God and God gave him the ability to interpret dreams.  This eventually led to his release from prison and his promotion to the position of highest authority in the country, second only to the Pharaoh.  When a famine hit the entire region, Joseph’s brothers were forced to come to Egypt to buy food—from none other than Joseph.  After some struggle, his family was reconciled and reunited.  Joseph knew and declared to his brothers that, though they had intended to harm him, God used that situation to work out his saving purposes for Joseph’s family, God’s people Israel and even the Egyptians!

Discussion Guide

Purpose: To learn lessons from Joseph’s story about unfair treatment, family conflicts and how to resolve and deal constructively with them.

Genesis 37

  • Like most families, Joseph’s family experienced conflict and tension.  What causes tension and conflict in your family or families you know?
  • From your experience, what is the best way to resolve family conflict?

Genesis 39-41

  • Have you, like Joseph, ever been unfairly put in a tough situation?  If so, tell when and what happened?
  • Have you ever learned an important lesson from being put in an unfair or tough situation? Explain.

Genesis 42

  • When his brothers came to him in Egypt, Joseph pretended not to know or care about them.  Why do you think people sometimes hide their true feelings?
  • Have you ever been in a situation where you felt it necessary to hide your true feelings?  If so, tell why and what happened?
  • In what kind of situations do you feel most comfortable sharing the “real you”? Why is that?

Genesis 43-44

  • Joseph had a plan to see if his brothers, who’d hurt him so badly in the past, had changed.  How have you found healing from the unresolved hurts from the past?
  • How could you help others who are struggling with past hurts? What can you share from your own experience?

Genesis 45:1-46:7

  • Are there issues from your past that still shape who you are and what you do today?  Is there a positive or negative effect? Explain.
  • What lessons have you learned from the life of Joseph?

Before the next time: If this study has raised any personal issues in your life and family relationships that you still struggle with, talk these over with God this week and ask for help to resolve them.  Don’t hesitate to ask for professional help if you need it.  Read Romans 8:28, 29 and be encouraged that, whatever your situation, God is at work in it for good.