Tag: Bible

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?

Reflections on Judges 9-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, God raises up Tola and Jair as judges.  One man raises up himself – Abimelech.  Observe:

  • Self-exaltation – God raised up judges to help the people of Israel. Abimelech raised up himself to the harm of God’s people.  Abimelech’s story is a sad affair of murder, betrayal, and fighting.  Are you trying to exalt yourself above others – no matter who you have to step on to get to the top?  Or will you follow God’s direction in I Peter 5:6 and humble yourself before the Lord, that he may exalt you?
  • True Repentance – After Tola and Jair, the cycle continues: the people rebel and God sends enemies as punishment. The people again cried out to God, confessing their sin, but they did not change their ways.  So God did not help them.  Are you confessing your sins, but not turning from them?  We must repent from sin not just in word but in our actions.  From what sin in your life do you need to truly repent?

 

Reflections on Judges 6-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Again, Israel is oppressed because of their sin.  When they cry out to God, God raises up a man named Gideon.  Note:

  • God’s presence – When God calls Gideon, Gideon responds that he is a nobody – how can he save Israel? God responds – “But I will be with you.”  Gideon is indeed a nobody, but with God he can do all that God calls him to do.  We too are nobodies on our own, but with God we can do all that he calls us to do.  What is God calling you to do?
  • Fear – God tells Gideon to break down the altar to Baal. Gideon obeys, but he does it at night because he is afraid.  Do you hide your relationship with Christ because you are afraid of what others will think?  Are you willing to take a stand for Christ for all to see?  God is with you.  When God calls you to take a stand for him, be strong and courageous like Joshua – not fearful like Gideon.
  • Trusting God – Gideon calls an army together to fight the Midianites. An army of 32,000 shows up.  God whittles it down to 300 men.  Why?  Lest Israel trust in themselves rather than God to bring about deliverance.  And with 300 men the Midianite army is routed, and Israel is saved.  Are you trusting in yourself to get you through your problems or are you trusting in God to help you?  Either way, you may have work to do, but who are you trusting in to bring success?

 

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?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Making the Most of Your Bible Reading – Godwin Sathianathan (FTC)
God desires to speak something to you. He has something for you in His Word for your particular day. Do you believe that? Are you eagerly anticipating what He might say to you today?

3 Truths to Speak To Your Temptation – Tim Challies
Sin promises joy but brings pain, sin promises happiness but brings shame, sin promises life but brings death, sin promises freedom but brings guilt, sin promises heaven but brings hell. It is always, always a lie.

Play Hard – Jared Wilson
We need to remember to play hard. We need to take having fun seriously. This means….being mindful in our rest, play, and fun that these things are gifts from God meant to help us celebrate being made in God’s image as Creator and project in some way the creative story he is telling with the universe.

Ten Things I Learned at Church on Sunday – Erik Raymond
God met us as a church in the ordinary and showed us his extraordinary faithfulness, grace, beauty, and power.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church meeting with our great God!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Forgetting the Past – Ed Welch (CCEF)
Scripture does help us with our painful pasts, but it does more than that. It tells us to forget things we want to remember, and remember things we are likely to forget.

The Character of the Christian: Mature and Humble – Tim Challies
Christian leaders—and all Christians—are to strive to become more like Christ—they are to grow in spiritual maturity. As they grow in maturity, they will necessarily grow in humility.

10 Things to Remember When Reading the Bible – Vern Poythress (Crossway)
God’s redemption takes place in history. Christianity is not merely a religious philosophy, a set of general truths about God and the world. At its heart is the gospel, the good news that Christ has come and has lived and died and has risen from the dead, and now lives to intercede for us. God has worked out our salvation by coming in the person of Christ and acting in time and space. The message of what he has done now goes out to the nations…

18 Things to Pray for Your Church – Jonathan Leeman (TGC)
It’s comparatively easy for you and me to pray for ourselves, our families, and our friends. But how can we learn how to pray more fervently and consistently for our local churches?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!