"Paideuo" / Hebrews 12:3-11 Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews pastors his readers by giving them a theology of trials and

struggles. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. Why is it important for Christians to learn and talk about trials and struggles?

2. What are some examples of "wrong thinking" about trials and struggles?

3. What should inform our thinking about the difficulties we face in life? What are some unhelpful or wrong sources for our thinking about difficulties?

4. What does the author of Hebrew's use of the Old Testament teach us about the Bible's place in the life of a Christian? Do we really act like we believe what we say about it?

5. What does it mean that our thinking should be "informed by and conformed to" the Word of God? How do we do this?

6. What are some examples of "right thinking" about trials and struggles? What do we need to remember about God in our trials?

7. What are the results or outcomes of God's discipline?

8. In suffering, why is it crucial to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus and the gospel? What does the gospel tell us about our suffering?

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Manipulating God" / 2 Samuel 12:15-31 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 14 – 15, Nathan the prophet had declared that David's son with Uriah's wife would die. Why? Is this negotiable?

How certain is this outcome? What evidence is there that Nathan was right?

2 – In verse 16, why does David fast and pray? Why does he think God will change his mind? How serious is David? How do you know?

Why don't we fast and pray? Do we think God hears? Cares? Responds? Changes things?

3 – In verses 17 – 18, Why are the elders reluctant to tell David that his child has died? What did they suspect might happen? Why?

4 – In verses 20 – 23, why is it surprising that David went back to life as usual once the child died? Why does this surprise the servants? How is David resolved, content, at peace with the outcome?

What does this tell us about David's view of God? What do we know about David's view of the afterlife? (v 23)

5 – Is prayer effective? Does it change things? Does it change God?

How is fervent prayer different than manipulating God? How is it different from magic?

"True Manna" / John 6:22-40 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage John records a teaching event of the Lord Jesus' which takes places at a time when He was still very popular among the people for His miracles of healing and feeding. He challenges their motives for following Him. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. What benefits are there for us in religion in general? How do you personally benefit from being part of a local church family?

2. What benefits do you hear people state when they try to "sell" Christianity to non- believers? How are some of these things manna that perishes?

3. What motives does the Lord Jesus accuse the crowd of having for following Him? What is His tone while confronting them?

4. In what ways do we seek to gain the benefits of Christ yet ignore Christ Himself?

5. Could your church be explained without Jesus Christ? As in, is attendance due to friends, programs, and entertainment rather than a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ? In what ways do you see the Church in general lose its focus on the Lord Jesus and instead focus on other things?

6. What does the Lord Jesus tell the crowd they really need?

7. Why do you really need the Lord Jesus Christ? Why is He more important than food, clothing, etc.?

8. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend" / 2 Samuel 12:1-15 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, who was Nathan? (see 2 Sam 7: 1-17, 12: 25; 1 Kings 1: 8, 10, 22)

2 – In verses 1-6, How is Nathan's story of the rich man with many flocks and herds parallel to David's story? How does the story appeal to David? Why is David so animated?

What judgment does David decree as just and fitting? Why doesn't he see himself in the story?

3 – In verse 7 what does Nathan mean, "You are the man?"

4 – In verse 9, how does David "despise" the word of the Lord? Why is this indictment so serious? Where has David encountered this charge before? (see 1 Sam 2:30, 17:42, 2 Sam 6:16)

Contrast the "I" statements of verses 7-8 with the "You" statements of verse 9.

5 – In verse 13, how does David respond to the charge? Does he make excuses?

David is forgiven, but still faces consequences of his sin. How is he forgiven? Why are there still consequences?

6 – How can we experience both forgiveness and consequence? Why? What kind of consequences.

How are our temptations to sin like the traveler in Nathan's story?

"Hide and Seek" / Luke 24:1-12 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, the women start out while it is still dark. (John 20:1) Why so early? Since they watched Jesus taken down, wrapped in burial clothes and placed in a tomb, what more were they hoping to accomplish? Why?

2 – In verse 2, when they got to the grave, they found it already opened. How did the stone get moved? (Matthew 28:2) How did Jesus get out of the tomb? How did he get out of the burial wrappings?

3 – In verse 6, Jesus is not present in Luke's account of the resurrection, and yet the women believe he is now alive. Based on what?

4 – In verse 11, why did the disciples not believe the women's report?

5 – In verse 12, Peter had to find out for himself. What did he find in the tomb? What did he conclude? (John 20:6-8)

6 – Like the women and the disciples, we don't see Jesus. Why are we expected to believe in the resurrection? Based on what? What evidences are there to support your conclusion?

7 – If you believe Jesus' prophecies regarding his resurrection, then what other prophecies of his can you be confident in? What are you still looking forward to?

"Here's Your Sign" / John 12:12-24 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 13, what is the significance of waving palm branches when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Why do we do it today? Is there an example of this in the old testament?

Where does the custom come from? What does this action tell us about the expectations of the crowd that day?

2 – Why were they quoting Psalm 118:25? What did it mean?

3 – In verse 14, how does riding a baby donkey into Jerusalem fulfill scripture?

(Zech 9:9) What does it mean?

What did the crowd expect? Why didn't the disciples understand?

4 – In verse 18, why did the crowd go out to meet Jesus?

5 – In verse 20, why are there Greeks in Jerusalem for Passover? Why might they seek an audience with Jesus through Philip?

How does Jesus respond to their request?

"How the Mighty Have Fallen" / 2 Samuel 11:1-27 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, was it wrong for David to stay behind in Jerusalem while his army was besieging Rabboh? Was it wrong to lounge around all day long? Was it wrong to notice a beautiful woman? Was it wrong to inquire who the woman was? At what point did David's behavior become a problem? At what point was it wrong? At what point was it sinful?

2 – In verse 3, who was Uriah the Hittite? Who was he to David? Did David know him?

(2 Samuel 23:39)

3 – In verses 4-5, After David "took" Bathsheba he seems to have no further relationship with her – until when? What should have David done at this point?

4 – In verses 6-13, what is David's plan for Uriah? Why doesn't it work?

5 – In verses 14-21, David covers his sin of adultery with murder. Who else died? Why might Joab's report upset David? Why does Joab cite the example of Abimelech, son of Jerub-Besheth? (Jdg 9: 50-54) David once criticized and embarrassed Joab over Abner's murder; how has Joab's relationship to David now changed? Why?

6 – In verses 26-27, David thought his plan and cover-up has ultimately worked. No one knew what he did? Was he right? At what cost?

"Special Envoy" / 2 Samuel 10:1-19 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, who is Hanun? Who is his father, Nahash? (1 Sam 11) Why might Nahun be looking for an opportunity to end relations with David and Israel?

2 – In verses 2-3, what did David intend by sending envoys to Hanun? What motivation did Hanun's advisors attribute to David's envoys?

3 – In verse 4, why was Hanun's treatment of David's envoys so humil1ating? What did they think would happen?

4 – In verse 6, why spend $1,000,000 rather than apologize to David? What did they expect? How is this an illustration of the sinner's action when God's envoys bring his message?

5 – In verses 9-12, was Joab confident he would win? Why did Israel fight so valiantly? Why should we resist our enemy against such great odds?

6 – In verse 15, the Syrians retreat, regroup, and come back in greater force with Hadadezer in charge. What is at stake? Why such overwhelming force in a fight that initially wasn't theirs? What happened? How does the outcome alter the geopolitical map?

7 – If your king assigns you the job of special envoy to your town or workplace, what can he expect from you? If you won't be warmly welcomed, then why do it?

"For Pete's Sake" / 2 Samuel 9:1-13 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - It's the practice of kings to exterminate all threats to the throne, especially the descendants of the former regime.

What reason does David give for seeking out a survivor of Saul's family? Why does David want to? What kind of a relationship existed between David and Jonathan?

2 – In verses 2-4, why is Jonathan's son always refered to as a cripple? Why is Mephibosheth at Lo-debar and not with Ziba?

3 – In verses 5-6, why might Mephibosheth be concerned to meet King David?

4 – In verses 7-8, David says, "Do not fear." Where else have we heard that? What reason does David give to, "not be afraid?"

What does it mean to eat at the king's table? How is it remarkable that Saul's grandson eats at David's table? (vs 7,11,13)

5 – David grants grace to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. God grants grace to you for Jesus' sake. According to Eph 4:32; why should we grant grace to others? For who's sake?

"War and Peace" / 2 Samuel 8:1-14 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – David launched four pre-emptive strikes against Israel's neighbors. What did he hope to accomplish? Did it work? Is fighting a war sometimes the avenue to peace? How so?

2 – In verse 2, David executed 2/3 of the Moabite soldiers. Why not kill them all? Was this vicious or gracious? Why?

How is it an example of mercy? Did David have the right to kill them all? Why does this act offend us?

3 – In verse 4, why does David hamstring the horses? David "took" 20K foot soldiers and did not kill them, why?

4 – In verse 9, why is Toi happy about David's victories? Why does he send his son to see David? What does he want? Why?

5 – In verses 11, why is David stockpiling wealth?

6 – How has Jesus, like David, fought an enemy for us? How has his victory benefited us? Read Revelation 19:11. How is Jesus depicted as a warrior? Why? What does he intend to do?