"Valley Forge" / 2 Samuel 16:1-23 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-4, what is David's situation? Why might he and his people be in dire need? Why might he be pleased with Ziba's gift? Why might he question the gift? Does he? Is Ziba really trying to help David? Are his motives honorable? How do we know that Ziba is lying? (see 2 /Samuel 19:24-30) How is Ziba a war profiteer?

2 – In verses 5-14, why does Shimei risk his life to insult David? Why does he think he can get away with it? Why does David endure it? Why does David restrain his soldiers from killing Shimei? David is not guilty of Saul's demise; of what might he think himself guilty? When we are criticised and wrongly accused, we may still be guilty of other things. How might we have offended God? What is the solution? What similarities do we see between David's humiliation and Jesus' as they ascend the Mt. of Olives?

3 – In verses 15-23, what resistance does Absolom encounter taking control of Jerusalem and the throne? Why is he surprised to see Hushai? Does Hushai lie to Absolom? Are there occasions when it is appropriate to lie? (ie. hiding Jews from Nazis) Why does Ahithophel advise Absolom to lie with David's concubines? Why does he do it? How does this fulfill God's word through Nathan?

4 – Read Phil 4:19. What does this promise mean? How do we see it misused and misapplied? How is it encouraging? What does it tell us about God's nature or purpose?

"Valley Forge" / 2 Samuel 16:1-23

Jim Rosenquist

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"Trail of Tears" / 2 Samuel 15:1-37 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-6, why is Absolom parading around the city? Why is he glad-handing people who come to court? How? For what purpose? What does he imply he would do if he could? What results does he achieve? (v6) How is Absolom a "great politician? A man of the people?

2 – In verses 7-11, what is significant about Hebron? Why does Absolom chose this location to stage a rebellion?

3 – In verses 12, who is Anithopel Gilonite? (See 2 Samuel 23;34, 39 – 1 Samuel 11) Why is his defection so hard on David? Why might he be dissatisfied with David?

4 – In verses 13-18, why doesn't David stand and fight? Why run? Where is David planning to go?

5 – In verses 19 and following, how is Ittai such a faithful and encouraging friend? (What reason would he have not to be?) How is David encouraged by Ittai? By Abiathar and Zodok? By Hushai? Why does David send the ark back to Jerusalem?

6 – How does David prefigure Jesus in his trail of tears? Why does Jesus weep walking this same route? See Luke 22:39-44.

7 – Have you ever been sent a friend when you were lonely, sad, afraid, or rejected? Have you ever been a friend to someone who was? Which is better?

"Trail of Tears" / 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Jim Rosenquist

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"Restoring the Guilty" / 2 Samuel 14:1-33 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Is Joab a fan of Absalom? (see 14:30-31, 18:14) Why does Joab want Absalom to come back to Jerusalem? Where is he now?

2 – How is the woman from Tekoa similar and dissimilar from the prophet Nathan? How is her story similar and dissimilar?

3 – David doesn't seem troubled to be tricked by the fabricated story. Why not? Why might he be actually happy about the legal precedent his decision renders?

4 – Why might Joab be happy about the king's ruling? Why does Absalom come home, but only under house arrest?

5 – Why does Joab ignore Absalom? How does Absalom get his attention? Does Absalom think he is worthy of death? Does he think king David might find him guilty

and condemn him? Is he bluffing?

6 – The king receives Absalom with a kiss; he is now released from house arrest and free to move about in society. Is he declared not guilty? Innocent? Forgiven? What?

7 – How does God justify us, guilty sinners and cosmic traitors, forgiven and restored? How does the holy and just God remain holy and just and pardon your sin?

"Restoring the Guilty" / 2 Samuel 14:1-33

Jim Rosenquist

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"Retributive Justice" / 2 Samuel 13:23-39 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 23-27, Absolom waits 2 years from the time Amnon violated is sister. Why? What is happening in the meantime? Why does Absolom invite the king and his entire court to a festival? Why does David decline?

Why does Absolom want Amnon to attend? What reason does he give? Why does David question this move? Why would the king give his approval? What does he suspect? What precaution does David take?

2 – In verses 28-29, why does Absolom have his servants murder Amnon? Why not do it himself? How does he make the act seem valiant?

Absolom and the rest of David's sons flee from each other. What are they fleeing from? Where do they all go?

3 – In verses 30-33, How does Jonadab know what is going on? Why doesn't he warn his friend, Amnon, of the danger? What is his advice to David?

4 – In verses 34-39, Why does Absolom flee to Geshur? Does he plan to stay there?

5 – How is Absolom's action condemned in scripture? Does Amnon deserve to die?Whose job is it to ensure justice in the land? In the family?

When is it permissible to take revenge? What parallels do you see in David's sins and those of his sons?

6 – Look at Romans 12:19. What does it say about Christians taking revenge? Why do we want to? Why shouldn't we?

Why do we doubt God's justice? Why do we question his promise? Why is this difficult for us? How will we benefit?

"Retributive Justice" / 2 Samuel 13:23-39

Jim Rosenquist

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"Forbidden Fruit" / 2 Samuel 13:1-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, Amnon thinks he "loves" Tamar. Did he truly "love" her? If not, then what? How should "love" look, behave, be shown? See 1 Cor 13:4-7, Mt 22:36-40, Eph 5:25-27.

2 – In verses 3-5, what is Jonadab's advice to /Amnon? Why is he giving this advice? Does he know what Amnon's plans?

3 – In verse 7, why does David comply with Amnon's request? Is he really clueless, powerless and willing?

4 – In verse 13, why does Tamar feel shamed? Is she compliant?

5 – In verse 15, why does Amnon hate Tamar more ferociously than he 'loved' her?

6 – In verse 20, why does Tamar live the rest of her life as a desolate woman? Whose fault is this? What part does David have? What does he do?

7 – How can we be forgiven for sinning against others? How can we be healed, cleansed, made whole from the sins others have committed against us? Which is more difficult? How is the cross of Christ the answer?

8 – How does Zech 3:1-5 prefigure what Christ does for us? How?

"Forbidden Fruit" / 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Jim Rosenquist

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Philadelphia / Hebrews 13:1-6 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews explains what is meant by "acceptable worship" in 12:28. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. The word "worship" i 12:28 means "works of service" in the original koine Greek. How is service an expression of worship?

2. What is unique about Christian's philadelphia love for one another? As in, what's unique about its source, cause, or characteristics?

3. Why do you think the author exhorts his readers to let this brotherly love continue?

4. How can we show hospitality (Gk. philoxenia, 'love for strangers') to strangers? What's significant about the rationale for showing hospitality to strangers (v. 2)?

5. How can we remember those who are in prison or being mistreated for their faith, even if we don't encounter it as often in the United States?

6. Why does the author return again to the topic of sexual immorality in verse 4 after having just brought it up in 12:16? How does marriage fit into this discussion?

7. How seriously does God take sexual immorality? Why don't people seem to act like they believe God's Word on sex? Do you believe it? Do your actions align with your profession?

8. This passage tells us to not love money, but to be content. What's the reasoning and encouragement behind this?

"Philadelphia" / Hebrews 13:1-6

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Paraiteomai" / Hebrews 12:25-29

In this passage the author of Hebrews follows the climactic passage of his book with these

responses to the truths that have been proclaimed throughout Hebrews. Keep this context in mind

as you discuss these questions.

1. In verse 25, who is "speaking" and what is the message?

2. What does it mean to "refuse" him who is speaking? In what ways do we do this?

3. What argument is the author making when he says "if they did not escape...much less will we escape"? Who are "they" and from what could they not escape? From what will we not escape if we reject him who warns from heaven?

4. Why are the words "warned" and "warn" significant? Why would God warn us?

5. Why is it important to remember all of the promises of God, not just the ones we like?

6. Why is it important to tell the whole truth of the gospel, instead of "sanitizing" it by removing the aspects of hell, judgment, and repentance that we don't like or are embarrassed by? How have you heard or seen the gospel edited for content like this?

7. What is an eschatological (end times) world view, and how does the author convey one?

8. What's the "So What" of this passage? What's the proper response to these things?

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

"Paraiteomai" / Hebrews 12:25-29

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Aidos" / Hebrews 12:18-24 / Hanson Rosenquist

1. Verse 18 begins with "For," connecting it to the previous passage. What's the link, or flow, from the previous passage of vv. 12-17?

2. What event is being referred to in vv. 18-21? Why would this be significant to the original readers?

3. What was so terrifying about Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-20?

4. Why do people need a covenant in order to approach and relate to God?

5. How did people relate, or approach, God under the Old Covenant?

6. How did the Old Covenant point to the Lord Jesus Christ?

7. What claims did the Lord Jesus make about Himself during His earthly ministry? What's the significance of these claims?

8. How can we now relate to God under the New Covenant?

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

"Aidos" / Hebrews 12:18-24

Hanson Roesnquist

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"Hagiasmos" / Hebrews 12:12-17 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews teaches his readers correct responses to the knowledge that God disciplines us for our good and holiness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. What's the significance of the "therefore" in v. 12?

2. Why does the author use the imagery of physical suffering in v. 12? How do vv. 3-11 lead us to be encouraged to 'lift', 'strengthen', 'make straight', and 'be healed' in v. 13?

3. What emphasis does the author place on holiness? What absolutes does he use in his language?

4. What is holiness? What does it mean to strive for holiness?

5. Since personal holiness has such an important place in our salvation, why do we not talk about it more? Should we talk about it more?

6. What are some things the author calls us to do to live out our holiness in vv. 14-16?

7. How should followers of Christ love their enemies? How would this look in practice?

8. What are the dangers of bitterness and sexual immorality?

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

"Hagiasmos" / Hebrews 12:12-17

Hanson Rosenquist

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"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?

"Paideuo" / Hebrews 12:3-11

Hanson Rosenquist

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