Category: OT Studies

I Samuel 13-18: A Tale of Three Men

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(13) How did Saul disobey God?  What excuses does he make?

What do Saul’s actions and excuses tell you about his heart?

(15) How did Saul disobey God?  What excuses does he make?

What do Saul’s actions and excuses tell you about his heart?

How would you summarize v22?

How should we apply this verse (and the entire passage) to our lives today?

(13-14) What contrasts do you see between Jonathan and Saul?

What do you learn about Jonathan’s heart?

(16-17) God is going to provide for himself a king.  What is God looking for, and not looking for (16:7, see also 9:2, 13:14)?

How might we apply 16:7 to our own lives today (see I Timothy 4:7-8)?

How does David exhibit what God is looking for in chapter 17?

How do David’s actions against Goliath point to Jesus?

(18) Again, what contrasts do you see between Jonathan and Saul?

What do you learn about each man’s heart?

(14, 17)  How do Jonathan and David demonstrate the truth found in II Corinthians 12:9-10?

How do we need to apply this truth to our lives today?

I Samuel 7-12: Where Is Your Heart?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(7) What three instructions does Samuel give in v3?  How are they related to each other?

What commentary does this verse give to our culture’s obsession with the call to “just follow your heart”?

How does God respond to their repentance to further woo their hearts in this chapter?  How has God wooed your heart?

(8) On what are the hearts of Samuel’s sons set?

On what are the hearts of the people of Israel set in this chapter?  Why (v5, 20)?

How are we tempted in similar ways?

Samuel’s warnings of what a king will mean for them falls on deaf ears.  What are some examples of people whose hearts are set on something and so refuse to accept warnings?

(9-11) What characteristics does Saul have that might seem to make him a good choice for a king?  What concerns might there be?  How would you describe his heart?

God’s Spirit comes upon Saul making him a new man with a new heart to lead the people and fight their enemies (10:6, 9; 11:6).  So God is ultimately responsible for their victory over the Ammonites, as Saul himself recognizes (11:13).  Why is that important for the people to remember?  For us?

God touches the hearts of many men of valor to fight with Saul.  What has God placed on your heart?

(12) What instructions does Samuel give in v20-25?  What incentives are provided?

What are some empty things the world chases after that we might be tempted to also chase after?

What would it look like to serve God with all your heart?

I Samuel 1-6: To Honor God Or Not

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) What word is used three times to show how Elkanah’s family honored God (1:3, 19, 26)?   What did that look like?

By application, what does that look like for us?

(1-2) In what ways does Hannah show honor to God?

How does the end of her prayer (2:10) foreshadow later events in this book and beyond?

(2) How does the rest of the chapter contrast Samuel and Eli’s sons as it relates to honoring God?

What applications might we find here for today?

(3) How does the author’s comment in 3:7 contrast to what we learned about Samuel in chapter 2?

In what ways might we see this contrast today?

(3) How does Samuel show honor to God? How does God respond?

(4) After Israel is defeated in v1-2, what smart idea do they have?  Are they honoring God or not?  Why?

How is this different from Hannah’s prayer in chapter 1?

When are we tempted to treat God like Israel did?

(5-6) How do the Philistines treat God at the beginning?  How does God respond?

How do the Philistines change their approach to God?  What do they decide to do?

(6) How do the people of Beth-shemesh treat God?  What happens?

What can we learn from the Philistines and the people of Beth-shemesh?

Ruth 1-4: The Story of Ruth

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-2) What evidence do you see of Ruth’s full commitment to the God of Israel (1:16-17)?

What does she leave behind?  What has she gained (2:12b)?

How does her example challenge you?

(1-4) Kindness is a recurring theme throughout the book.  How does Ruth show kindness to Naomi?  To Boaz?

How does Boaz show kindness to Ruth and Naomi?

How does Naomi show kindness to Ruth?

How might we apply their example to our own lives?  Be specific.

(1-4) Kindness in 2:20 could refer to Boaz’s kindness or to God’s kindness.  How does God show his kindness toward Ruth and Naomi?

In what similar ways, has he shown his kindness toward you?

(2-4) Another recurring theme is redemption.  In what way is Boaz a redeemer for Ruth?  How does she ask?  What does he do?

How does Boaz’s redemption of Ruth point to Jesus?

How does their son point to Jesus (4:14-16)?

(1-4) What evidence of God’s sovereignty do you see in the details of this story?  In this story’s place in God’s plan of redemption?

(1-4) The book begins with loss as Naomi comes back bitter and empty.  By the end of the book there is new life, and Naomi has found blessing and joy.  How is that an encouragement to you?

Judges 17-21: Right In Our Own Eyes

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) In one sentence, summarize the story of Micah and his mom.

Which of the Ten Commandments did they break and how?

How is their story a good example of “do-it-yourself” religion?

Give some examples of “do-it-yourself” religion in our world today.

(18) How does Micah’s idolatry spread to a whole tribe?

Again, which of the Ten Commandments did the Levite and the tribe of Dan break and how?

(19-21) Chapter 19 relates horrible events that first mirrors the story of Sodom, and then gets even worse – all of it now taking place in Israel!  How does Israel respond in chapter 20?

What small glimmer of godliness is found in chapter 20?

What problem does Israel now have in chapter 21?  Did they seek the Lord’s direction to address the problem?  What did they do?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer make four times in this passage (17:17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25)?

Why is that significant?  How does it relate to Israel’s wickedness in these chapters?

What application is there for us today?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer use as a bookmark for these chapters (17:6, 21:25)?  Why is this a good summary of these chapters?

In what ways do you see this in our country and world today?

When are we tempted to live this way?  Why?

Judges 11-16: Learning From Samson

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(13) A whole chapter is given to Samson’s parents. What details are given, and what do those details tell us about their relationship with God?  Be specific.

In what ways should we follow their example?

What does Manoah want to know about their child (v8)?  How is this a good example for us?  Where would we find the answers?

(14) Describe Samson’s attitude in v1-3.  How does this compare to our culture’s attitude?  Be specific.

What does v4 teach us about human choices and God’s sovereignty?  How might this encourage you as you look around the world today?

(14-16) Many details of Samson’s life are given in these chapters.  From those details, what character flaws do you see in Samson?

How do these character flaws lead Samson into trouble?

In what ways do you see these same character flaws in our culture today?

(14-16) From the details given about Samson, what good character traits do you find in him?

In what ways should we follow his example?

(13-16) What part does the Spirit play in Samson’s life (13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14)?

Despite Samson’s many imperfections, God still used him.  How does that encourage you?

At the same time, Samson’s end is tragic.  What warning do you find here for your life?

Judges 6-10: Learning from Gideon

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(6) How does Gideon respond to God’s call for him to save Israel v15)?  When have you felt this way?

What assurance does God give Gideon (v16)?  Why does this assurance make all the difference?

(6) God tells Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal.  When does he do it, and what does that tell you about Gideon?

Can you identify with Gideon?  When are we tempted to hide our good deeds or our relationship with God?

(6) Gideon calls an army together, and then seeks another sign.  What does this tell you about his faith?

Should we lay out fleeces before the Lord?

(7) How does God whittle Gideon’s army down to 300 men?  Why?

When are we tempted to boast in ourselves instead of God?

(7) Gideon’s army surrounds the enemy, but again Gideon is afraid.  What does God do to give him courage?

How can we find courage from God to overcome our fears?

(7-8) How does God defeat the Midianites?  When have you seen God bring victory using your weaknesses?

(8) The people want to make Gideon a king.  How does he respond?  Why are we prone to look to men instead of God?

What does Gideon ask for and receive? Why is this a problem?

Later Gideon names one of his sons Abimelech which means “my father is king.”  What does this suggest?  Why are we so tempted to rule over others?

In summary, what major lessons can we learn from Gideon’s life?

Judges 1-5: Unfaithfulness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-2) Though Israel started well, they quickly became unfaithful to God.  What phrase is repeated in 1:27-33 that shows their first step of unfaithfulness?

What second step of unfaithfulness do you see in 2:11-13?

How is the second step related to the first?  What can we learn from this?

In what ways can the people around us lead us astray today?  What steps can we take to minimize our culture’s pagan influence in our lives and families?

(2) What tragedy do we find in v10 that further leads to Israel’s unfaithfulness?

What application is there in this verse for parents?  The church?  Youth?

(2-4) Judges 2:11-19 describe a continuous four-part cycle found throughout the book of Judges.  Describe each part of the cycle.

Summarize how this cycle plays out in the following passages:

3:7-11 –

3:12-30 –

4:1-24 –

(4-5) Despite their unfaithfulness, God did not desert them, but continued to deliver them from their enemies.  What assurance did Deborah give Barak (4:14)?  How does this assurance encourage you today?

How did Deborah and Barak respond after God delivered them (chapter 5)?  Are we quick to do the same?

Joshua 18-24: Faithfulness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(21) How did God show his faithfulness to the people of Israel (21:43-45)?

How do these verses encourage you today?

(21-23) What did God grant Israel according to these verses: 21:44, 22:4, 23:1?

Where do we find rest today (Matthew 11:28-30)?  What does this rest look like?  In what current circumstances do you need to find this rest?

(23) The faithfulness of God is not always good news for people.  What promises will God be faithful to keep to Israel in v15-16?

What “negative” promises has God made today (John 3:18, 36, Revelation 21:8)?  How should we respond?

(22-24) In response to God’s faithfulness, God calls his people to be faithful to him.  List the expectations in 22:5 and 23:6-8.

How might we practically apply these instructions to our lives today?

What part does the heart play in keeping these instructions (22:5, 24:23)?

What might we do to incline our hearts to God (Ezekiel 36:26-27, Psalm 19:8, Hebrews 3:12-13, 10:24-25)?

(24) Joshua again reminds Israel of God’s faithfulness in v1-13.  In v14-15, Israel was to respond by serving God fearfully, sincerely, faithfully, and exclusively.  Why are each of these four descriptive words important in serving God?

What would it look like for “you and your house” to serve the Lord?

Joshua 8-17: Faithfulness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(8-17) What promise did God make to Abraham back in Genesis 12:6-7?  How does God show his faithfulness to keep his promise in chapters 10-12?

In chapters 14-17?

How has God shown himself to be faithful to keep his promises in your life? (Consider for example: Romans 10:13, I John 1:9, Psalm 9:9-10, 23:4, 34:18, 55:22)

(8) After conquering Ai, the people gather on Mt Ebal and Mt Gerizim as Moses had commanded in Deuteronomy 27.  How does this location specifically point to God’s faithfulness (using the map, compare with Genesis 12:6-7 and 33:18-20)?

(8, 10-11) What promise does God give in each of these chapters (8:1-2, 10:8, 11:6)?  In light of that promise, what do they not need to do?

When are we tempted to be afraid?  How can God’s faithfulness to keep his promises give us courage?

(9) How did Israel prove to be unfaithful in this chapter (see especially v14)?  When are we tempted to act like this?

What did Joshua do after he discovered the deception?  Why?  What application do you see for your own life?

(13-17) In what way did Israel prove to be unfaithful in these chapters (see 13:13, 16:10, 17:12-13)?

Compare their unfaithfulness to Caleb’s faithfulness.  What did he do in his old age (15:13-17)?

What phrase is used three times to describe Caleb (14:6-15)?  What did that look like in Caleb’s life?

What would that look like in our lives today?