"The Taste of Honey" / 1 Samuel 14:15-46 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Verses 15-20 - As the passage opens, what is happening in the Philistine camp? Why? What action prompted God to intervene?

2 – Verse 24 – Why would Saul mandate that his army not eat until evening? Verse 27 – What does Jonathan mean when he said he ate the honey and his eyes brightened? Verse 29 – What is Jonathan's assessment of his father's edict regarding fasting?

3 – Verse 32 – Saul's men waited until evening to eat, as he ordered; so, why was it wrong for them to slaughter and eat the captured enemy's livestock? Whose command had they violated? Why was it wrong? Why did Saul care?

4 – Verse 36 – The priest wants Saul to inquire of God before proceeding. Why? Why now? Saul gets no answer from God, what does he conclude? Whose sin is God concerned with? Why? Why does Saul dictate a death sentence without knowing the crime?

5 – Verse 41 – Why has God given Israel a great victory? Why is Saul upset because God is silent? Why is Saul so determined to execute his son?

6 – Does God still act in miraculous interventions today? Where, how and why? Why do wThe Tase seldom see it?

"Heart and Soul" / 1 Samuel 13:15-14:15 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – 13:15 – In 1 Samuel 10:7-8, Samuel tells Saul to attack the Philistines then go down to Gilgal and wait for him to give further directions. A year later, Jonathan attacks and Saul goes to Gilgal. Impatient, Saul offers the sacrifice himself. Does he get direction from Samuel?


2 – Why do the Philistines send out raiding parties? Why doesn't Saul try to stop them?


3 – How does the blacksmith situation keep Israel in subjection to the Philistines?


4 – 13:23 – How is the Philistine detachment at Michmash resemble the Spartans at Thermopylae?


5 – 14:1-15 – Why does Jonathan, on his own, decide to attack the Philistines? What can he hope to accomplish? Why? What is King Saul doing?


6 – Jonathan is motivated by faith. Saul is motivated by fear. What motivates the armor bearer? What does he say? How does this strengthen and encourage Jonathan? What does Jonathan know about God's will and purpose for Israel? What historical examples is he aware of? What does he conclude in verse 6? Is Jonathan convinced of success? ( See Dan 3:18)


7 – What reason do we have to risk big things for God? What results can we expect? Why risk it?

"Braveheart" / 1 Samuel 13:1-15 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 1-4, why did Philistia have garrisons within Israel? Why did Jonathon attack the Philistine garrison? Who was supposed to? When?


2 – In verse 5, What was the Philistine response to having their outpost sacked? Why was the Philistine army so large?


3 – In verses 6-7, How did the Israelite army, both standing and volunteer, respond to the arrival of the Philistines? Why?


4 – In verse 8, When did Saul get the order from Samuel to go to Gilgal after attacking the Philistines? (1 Samuel 10:7-8) What was he supposed to do in Gilgal? Did he?


5 – Why was it wrong for Saul to offer the burnt offering? Why did he? What was Samuel's reaction? (11 & 13) What was Saul's explanation? (11-12) What was to be the consequence? (13-14)


6 – When we choose to disobey, we usually justify why we should make an exception. What are some of our explanations / justifications? Is there ever a valid reason to disobey God?

"Farewell Address" / 1 Samuel 12:1-25 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-5, Samuel places himself on trial. What are the conclusions?


2a – What is the point of the history lesson in verses 6-13? How is it similar to the people Samuel is addressing? How is it essentially unlike them?


2b – When the people needed help in the past, who did they turn to? Who are they turning to now for help? What kind of help?


2c – If Israel's problems were not caused by bad leadership - then what?


3 - In verses 17-22 a terrifying thunderstorm tkes place. Can the people look to a human king to deliver them from a storm? Then to whom should they turn? Why? What does this demonstrate?


4a – Even though everyone now recognized that the request for a king was wrong and displeased God, what hope does Samuel offer them?


4b – Even when we choose wrongly, make mistakes, even sin, what hope is offered to us? Based on what?

"Long Live the King" / 1 Samuel 10:17-11:13 / Jim Rosenquist

1a – In verse 17, Samuel calls all Israel together at Mizpah. Why there? (1 Sam 7)

1b – In verse 18, Samuel reviews what God as their king has done for them. Why?

1c – In verse 19, according to Samuel, why has Israel asked for a king?

2 – In verse 24, What characterizes the king the people want? Why?

3 – In verse 11:1, Why does Nahash want to gouge out everyone's right eye when they already want to surrender?

4 – In verse 5, What is Saul doing when he hears the news? Is this "king like?" How is cutting up the oxen and sending it throughout Israel similar to a previous incident that happened in this same place? (Judges 20)

5 – The army of Israel assembles in Bezek, 20 miles from Jabesh-Gilead and across the Jordan river. His plan is to liberate the city before noon the next day. What is his plan, and how will he accomplish it?

6a – How is evangelism like warfare? How is this story of Saul's conquest of Nabash illustrative?

6b – In verse 13, Saul affirms that the victory is due to the Lord. How does this give us confidence in witnessing? See 2 Cor 6:2-10

"Wasted Gifts" / 1 Samuel 9:1-10:13 / Jim Rosenquist

1- What advantages, abilities, giftedness did Saul have?

2 – How does God lead Saul to meet Samuel? What "coincidences" are seen here? How are these "coincidences" used by God?

3 – Saul does not know Samuel or even about him. How is this possible since 3:20 says all Israel knew Samuel was a prophet?

4a – In verses 9:16 – 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul as "prince." Why not king?

4b – What is Saul's appointed task?

5a - What three signs does Samuel foretell to assure Saul of God's leading?

5b – When Saul sees signs filled, what is he supposed to do? (10:7) What does Samuel mean? How is this supposed to fulfill God's purpose in Saul? (See verse 9:16)

5c – What does Saul do about the Philistines' outpost? What does he do instead?

6 – How has God gifted you? How has he assured you of your calling and purpose? What does God expect of you with your giftedness? Why? What have you done with your gifts?

"Every Good Gift" / 1 Samuel 8:1-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Verse 1 says Samuel is old. How old is he? Samuel is old with two sons who are not walking with the Lord. How is this like Eli and his two sons in Chapter 2? How is it different? What type of work are Samuel's sons doing? (religious or secular)Why would Samuel appoint them?

2 – What reason do the elders give Samuel in verse 5 for their desire for a king? Is this the real reason? Why does this request displease Samuel? Is their request in their best interest? Why or why not?

3 – In verse 7, what does God direct Samuel to do? Why? Why would God give them something not good for them? Why should Samuel warn them?

4 – What does Samuel's warning involve/include? What is the cost of big government? Why would they be willing, even eager, to accept the horrible cost? What advantage do the elders see in having a king, "like every other nation?"

5 – If God gives not only good gifts to us, but also bad ones, how can we exercise caution in our requests? What are some guiding principles in our prayer requests?

"Drawing Fire" / Matthew 21:1-11 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – What makes us think that the events of Palm Sunday were not spontaneous, but carefully planned?

2 – What does Jesus expect of this day? (Matt 20:18-19)

3 – What is the crowd expecting and hoping for? Is Jesus really the Messiah they are looking for?

4 – In verse 10, the people are asking, "who is this guy?" What was the answer? How are they right? How are they wrong?

5 – In Matt 27:15-23, the crowd is calling for Barabbas and not Jesus. How does this inform us of what the people want? Why do they reject Jesus? Is Jesus surprised by the reversal of sentiment?

6 – In what ways do people today still expect Jesus to give them now, the promises of the future? What happens when they are disappointed with His performance?

"Terminus" / Hebrews 10:1-18 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of the book of Hebrews concludes his teaching on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself being the final, once-for-all sacrifice for sin which therefore abrogates the old covenant sacrificial system. Whereas animal sacrifice could do not more than remind of sin, Christ Jesus beings lasting forgiveness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. In what sense was the law (Gk. nomos; meaning in this context the old covenant religious system) "a shadow of the good things to come"? What were the good things to come?

2. What argument does the author of Hebrews use in v. 2 to show that the animal sacrifices could not bring lasting forgiveness? Why is this significant?

3. Verse 4 declares that it is impossible for animal sacrifices to take away sins. What does that mean for the sin problem of the human race?

4. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, what did He need to bring lasting forgiveness for sin (vv. 5-7)?

5. According to vv. 9-10, what are the effects of Christ Jesus' sacrifice of Himself?

6. How do vv. 11-14 demonstrate the finality of Christ's sacrifice? That is, how do these verses show that there is no further sacrifice needed?

7. In what way(s) are vv. 17b-18 good news for you personally?