What If You're NOT the Pilot?

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 24 to study Multiply, Chapter 2: The Command to Make Disciples.  Essentially, we're studying Matthew 28:18-20.  So, while this may be familiar to you, spend some more time with it this week (beyond the time you spend in the chapter of Multiply).

The chapter is broken down into sections where we look at this command in the context of church, our lifestyle, and roles within the church.  It ends with getting out there and doing it, looking for someone to disciple.

I want to stress to you again, this is not another discipleship program.  If you look at it as another program, you will miss the point completely.  The purpose to this study to provide a framework in which you will make disciples for the rest of your life.  The framework simply applies principles from Scripture to create boundaries and a perspective through which to approach your discipling activities covering the remainder of your time here on earth.

In order to help you with this 'framework' here's some thoughts on the Great Commission:

• The verb normally translated, 'go' is actually a passive participle.  It is normally translated as a command because it is possible for participles in Greek to 'borrow' their meaning from the various verbs around them.  But what if this one doesn't, and really is a passive participle referring to a verb describing transiting from one point to another?
• How can you be 'acted upon' and result be moving about from point A to B?
• 'Going' is often a euphemism for 'living your daily life' in Greek and Hebrew.  So what does that do to/for your understanding of the passive participle?
• The 'command' verb in these verses is 'disciple' (or 'make disciples').  If the previous participle forms the 'context' of this command, then what does that mean for your obedience to the command?
• In the carrying out of the command to disciple, are the active participles, baptizing and teaching.  How do these elements help inform your understanding of what goes into obeying the command?
• Why do you think Jesus 'brackets' this command with His authority and then with His constant presence with His disciples?

Sorry, I just couldn't get away from poking around in Bible even though we're reading study material.  It's what I do, just indulge me a bit.  But also read this chapter, probably several times, and be sure to answer the questions.  Really think them through.  Some of them we will not share answers, but some we will (or I will at least ask).

It may also be helpful to read ahead.  You won't ruin any surprises if you do.

Saul Can't Catch a Break With the Slippery Shepherd

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 10 to study 1 Samuel 19.  This is a fun chapter.  There are reversals, fun mistakes, deceit, intrigue, mysticism, and Samuel makes a guest appearance.

Read through the chapter several times.  It will be helpful to read ahead, if you can, through the rest of the book (Saul's death).  Read the chapter in as many different versions as you have (a King James Version might be helpful).  As you read, jot down questions and observations.  There are odd cultural quirks, social questions, and just figuring out who is doing what brings up questions.  Read altogether, it's a really entertaining story.  The details are fairly entertaining as well.

After you read through a few times, read through again with the questions below:

• Saul makes known his desire to put David to death (finally).  What does Jonathan's response tell you about how the people around Saul view this desire?
• Jonathan makes a plea for David, and it seems to be effective.  Why do you think it is that while he raves under the influence of the evil spirit from God that he gets angry with David?  Why does that seem odd?
• Now Saul's daughter helps David escape.  Now even those not in the 'king's court' support David.  So what does that tell you about how Saul's attempts to kill David are received or considered?
• Michal puts an idol in the bed to look like David.  Look up the word used in a Strong's Concordance or on "Blue Letter Bible" Website (follow the link at 'idol').  The Hebrew word is 'teraphim', a plural reference, but it's not altogether easy to know to what it refers.  There are articles at this link on the Blue Letter Bible website you can use to read about it.
• After reading the articles and reference, does David worship idols?  Does Saul's daughter?  And therefore does Saul?
• Why do you think that when he learns David is sick, Saul wants him brought to him to kill?
• Why would David go to Samuel when he escapes?
• Why is it so easy for Saul to learn about where David goes?
• How is it that the messengers from Saul all prophesy?  Considering the lessons on the Holy Spirit being given the past Sundays, what do you think this means?
• Finally Saul goes himself, but why send three sets of messengers first?  Why might Saul be hesitant to go himself?
• He prophesies (like before in 1 Samuel 10:10-11), but he goes further.  Why would the prophesying affect Saul so much more intensely?
• Besides keeping Saul occupied, what help does Samuel seem to provide David?  

That should be enough to keep us occupied for an hour.  Be sure to read ahead to gain some sort of context for all these events.  It will help you understand this small piece to fit it into the larger story.  Don't forget to bring your questions and observations.

Enemy Son-In-Law of the King

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting October 3 to study 1 Samuel 18.  We covered the documentary issues with the last chapter.  This chapter has similar issues, but far fewer.  This is simply a study of the odd character of King Saul.  I almost titled the study page, "Paranoid Much?" but thought we could best examine him without the easy improperly applied labels.

Read through the chapter a few times to get a feel for the people and events.  Read ahead a chapter or so to get a better sense of how this chapter helps the development along.  Jot down questions and observations.  You should have quite a few with this chapter.  Some of Saul's behavior is almost inexplicable.  Feel free to theorize about some things, but also focus on the things we do know.  We may not know why he does some of these things, but what does he actually do?  Break it down.

After reading through a few times, read through again with the questions below:

• Why might Jonathan not be mentioned in previous accounts of David and Saul?
• What traits of both David and Jonathan might make them prone to be knit together at the heart?
• What might it mean that Jonathan gives David his robe, armor, and kit?
• Verse 5 contains elements repeated several times throughout the chapter.  Why do you think this is this important?
• The song of verse 7 troubles Saul.  Look up "thousands" and "ten thousands" in a Strong's or online (at the links for each).  What could be some alternatives for Saul's interpretation?
• Why do you think Saul would treat David as he does in verses 12-15?  If he doesn't trust him why set him over the army?
• Why would marrying Saul's daughter endanger David with the Philistines?  What do you think is the connection Saul sees?
• Eventually David's reason for hesitating to be Saul's son-in-law becomes clear (he's too poor for the dowry - v.23), but what might be some other reasons in David's mind/heart?
• Why do you think Saul's request of a dowry of foreskins is more agreeable to David?  Why do you think he doubles the number?
• From verse 30, who esteems David highly? 

There are a lot of other issues and covering the repetition will also take our time, so the short list of questions may not be a good indicator of how long this chapter may take us.

Please remember to bring any notes you make to the study.

Blessings upon you all!

Who Are You Again?

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting September 26 to study 1 Samuel 17.  This is a deceptively simple chapter.  When combined with chapter 16 it seems to repeat the beginnings of David and Saul meeting.

This week I have attached a document to the email to help you get a sense of documentation issues with the chapter.  The .PDF file is the text of 1 Samuel 17 translated from the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures (Septuagint or LXX).  This Greek text may preserve an older reading from the Hebrew Scriptures that the Hebrew text normally used.  It's not certain, it's possible.  Read this together with what have in our modern translations, and take careful note of the differences.

Read this chapter in as many translations as you have available.  The differences may surprise you.  Look up strange word usage in a concordance (like Strong's).  Be sure to take notes on what you find as you read through, jot down questions and the answers you come up with.

After reading through several times, go back through again using the questions below:

• Why do you think all the detail about who was on which hill across which valley might be important?
• If a cubit is about 18 inches and a span is about 6, how many fingers does he have on his left hand? (2 Samuel 21:20 - you thought I was kidding didn't you?)
• If a "shekel" is about .5 oz, then about how heavy was Goliath's armor in lbs.?
• How heavy would the head of his spear be?
• Why do you think the ranks of Israel fled from one Philistine?
• Why would we be 're-introduced' to David in verse 12?
• If David goes back and forth from Saul to the flock, how known would he be by Saul?
• Why would the giant come out every day, all day, for forty days?  What's he and the Philistines doing?
•  Why do you think would Jesse send supplies to the commander of his sons, not just his sons?
• If David leaves early, and arrives as the giant is coming out, how long was his trip?  
• Think about the 'scuttlebutt' in the ranks as the giant comes out.  Saul has raised the stakes for a champion, everyone's talking about it, so why doesn't someone try for it?  What's the assumption in the ranks?
• Why might David want to hear the same spiel over and over?
• Why, if David was anointed right in front of him, would his brother be all upset by David now?
• How put off by his older brother is David?
• David volunteers to fight the giant.  What experience has he had with giants?
• What do you think of David's lion and bear fighting technique?
• What would David have been using against the lion and bear?
• If he's not wearing armor, what advantage would he have over the giant?
• David picks up 5 stones not 1.  In light of 2 Samuel 21, why might that have been a good idea?  What's he ready for?
• Back to taunting again.  Why is David's taunt so much better than the giants?
• Look at verse 49 in the attachment.  How does that help explain what the stone did to the giant?
• How did Goliath die?
• Where do you think the shield guy was?
• What does David do with the giant's stuff, like his head and his weapons?
• Why would Saul not know David?  Why wouldn't Abner?
• When David appears before Saul, where is the giant head now?

That should be plenty to fuel a discussion.  I look forward to seeing everyone Thursday!  Blessings upon you until then!

And Now We Meet David

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting September 19 to study 1 Samuel 16.  This chapter begins the ascent of David to the throne.  The account of  Saul has set this up for us, and from here on the narrative is pretty much about David.  This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book of 1 Samuel.

Read through the chapter several times on your own.  Jot down the funky strange things you will find.  Some will be blatant and really difficult to grapple with.  Others not so much, so be sure to look beyond evil spirits.  We will be working through the obvious ones as well as not so obvious ones; as you know, we don't skip much.  You are going to find ones I miss though, so please don't just rely on the questions below.

Once you've been through the chapter a few times, go back through again using the questions below:

• Why do you think Samuel mourns Saul so long when Samuel didn't even want a king in the first place?
• To get Samuel out of his funk, God gives him a job (not unlike Elijah later on).  Why, after facing down Saul at Gilgal, would Samuel fear him?
• God accommodates Samuel's fear (or excuse) by telling him to use a ruse.  Why would He do that?  Why not push Samuel to simply be obedient in faith alone?
• The elders of Bethlehem tremble when Samuel shows.  What might they be thinking to come out that way?  How do you think they perceive Samuel if this is how they go out to greet him?  What might we have missed to explain their behavior?
• What do you think Jesse might have thought that Samuel pays his family such attention?  After such attention by Samuel, why leave David out?
• What are the obvious similarities between Eliab and Saul (1 Samuel 9:2)? Do you think that God is using a different standard now than he did with Saul?  Why or why not?
• How many sons does Jesse have?
• When David arrives, how different is his description from Saul's (1 Samuel 9:2)?
• Who witnesses the anointing?  Keep that in mind for the next chapter.
• From this time on, the Spirit of Yahweh is on David.  How different is this from Saul in 1 Samuel 10 and 11?
• Verse 14 begins a totally separate account, but the connection is obvious.  Try reading chapter 17 entirely, and then coming back and reading the rest of 16.  How does that work in the literary flow of the story?
• God sends an evil spirit to terrorize Saul.  There's really no other way to translate this account, the spirit is evil, and it comes from God.  What does that say about God's character, what do you learn from that?
• The servants of Saul know what's going on with Saul, they realize both the spirit's evil, and that it came from God.  How strange is this sort of thing if they recognize it, and have a solution?
• Consider the sort of 'musician' they look for, why would these qualities beyond the ability to play an instrument/harp be so important?  
• So how old is David in this description?
• Jesse sends David with 'gifts' for Saul beyond his son.  Why do that if he's already sending his son?
• How does Saul view David?  What job beyond 'court musician' does David get?  Considering the guy that does that for Jonathan, how safe is such a job?
• Saul sends to Jesse to have David stay with him, so David is now employed full time.  How does that mesh with the following chapter?
• Read verse 23 in as many versions as you can.  If you have a Strong's Concordance, look up 'refreshed' (H7304) or look it up on the Blue Letter Bible website.  Look how similar it is to 'spirit' (H7307).  In fact, on the Blue Letter Bible website, you can listen to the pronunciation of both, and see how close they are to each other.  Why might this be an important literary element to this specific account of David and Saul?

I suspect that there is way more than enough in this chapter to discuss for one night.  Going forward the story gets more familiar, but still with plenty of peculiarities.  I look forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!

What God Regrets

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting September 5 to study 1 Samuel 15.  This is a very interesting chapter.  It recounts one of Saul's victories listed in chapter 14, but also the final failure and rejection of Saul as king.  There is no "time-table" so we don't know how far into his reign this happens.  It could be a decade or more of his twenty or so years reign.  Since for this account, timing is not important, we'll just study it as it's presented.

Read through the chapter several times, and note items like where are people when they are doing what is described.  It may be helpful to trace Saul's route on a map (or two maps perhaps - there's one down below).  Be sure to read the chapter in a few translations.  They read differently, and those differences are your clues to "difficulties" and the various possible solutions.  Make some note and bring them - we had some real good ones last week.

After reading through a few times, read back through using the questions below:

• Samuel gives Saul some instructions from God.  How explicit and clear are these instructions?  How much "room for error" did Samuel/God leave Saul?
• How long did Saul wait to start out?
• Who are the Kenites?  Look them up here.  Why let them go?  What "kindness" did they show Israel in the desert wandering?
• Verse 7 sounds good, then verses 8 and 9 depart from his instructions.  In the previous chapter (14:48), Amalek is described as ones having plundered Israel.  What difference might this make in influencing their obedience to the command of God?
• In verse 11, we are introduced to a word ascribed to God, a characteristic of His.  Look up H5162 in Strong's Concordance (your own or online).  Think about what this means, essentially all the meanings have a common thread.  What does this mean that God can do this?  Why might that be a problem "theologically" for people?
• This is where we trace Saul's route to Gilgal.  He comes back and goes to Carmel first.  Look at the map below.  Why is that a strange route to take?  Consider what he does there.  Hold that thought.
• When Samuel shows up at Gilgal, how does Saul greet him?  Consider that along with the thought you were holding from the previous question.  Now, how does Saul seem to view the situation?
• When Samuel asks Saul about the sheep and cattle, Saul says they are for sacrifice.  In such an act of worship, what happens to the sacrifice?  (think about this from previous references in Samuel).  So what is the intent of the people/Saul?
• In all the places where "utterly destroyed" or "completely destroyed" is used, it refers to this word at H2763, listen to it in addition to reading about it. Does the word sound familiar, but from a different context in the Middle East?  What is allowed to escape the "ban"?  Why or why not?
• Even through verse 16, Saul doesn't seem to grasp the situation.  Why might that be?  How could he not know he's done something wrong?
• Even as he answers Samuel, he still protests his innocence.  What is it the difference between Saul's intent, and the intent of the "ban"?  Wouldn't the end result be the same?
• In Samuel's response to Saul, he uses two words for "sacrifice", one the "whole burnt offering" where nothing is spared, all is burned, and then the word Saul has used throughout.  What's the difference?  How does this illuminate more about what is really wrong here?  But what would have been different had they intended a "whole burnt offering"?
• If God delights more in obedience than offerings, what does that say about our worship on Sunday's?  What is supposed to characterize us throughout the week?
• Read verse 23 in as many versions as you can find.  Saul's sins are rebellion (as bad as divination), and what?  What is as bad as idolatry?  Why might that be true, and connected to idolatry?
• Samuel calls what Saul has done, "rejection of God's command/word".  How aware was Saul of what he was doing and what it really meant?  Does God take that into account?
• Read both verses 24 and 30.  From Samuel's response, how much difference does it seem to make whether Saul is sincere or not?
• When Saul grabs Samuel's robe and it tears, consider what he says to Saul, what will God not do? This word "change His mind" or "relent" or "repent" is the same word used previously for God in verse 11 (H5162).  What's the difference here?  Why not here, but before God does?  Hold that thought.
• Samuel does go back with Saul, but he has other reasons than making Saul look good to the elders and the people.  What does Samuel do to Agag?  Look at verse 33 in as many versions as you have.  The NIV is "nicer" but the others are more accurate.  How does this influence your thinking about God?
• In verse 35, God again is said to "repent" or "regret", and it's our same word.  Again, why here, but not in verse 29?  What does Samuel's claim mean in verse 29?
• How does Samuel feel about all this?  Consider verses 11, along with 35.  Keep this in mind, because it comes back around in the next chapter.

That should keep us busy Thursday.  I look forward to studying with you then.

Rashness: Both Good and Bad

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting August 29 to study 1 Samuel 14.  There are peculiar twists and confusing descriptions in this chapter.  And it gives us probably the most positive view of Saul, and it's not all that good.

Read through the chapter several times to get a sense of the flow of events.  There is a part at the beginning that is sort of an annotation/interruption in the narrative, but it's not hard to pick up the flow of events immediately following.  It was supposed to give more detail on the setting, but so far from the events, it's almost obscuring rather than clarifying.  We have to trust that it meant something at the time of writing/compiling.

Jot down notes, questions, and insights into God's character, Saul's character, Jonathan's character and the people.  Note relationships and imagine what it would have been like to be there and hear what was said, see what was done, and see who was doing it.  After reading it through enough to get a good feel for it, and jotting down your insights, read it through again with these questions:

• As with the prior chapter, Jonathan starts the conflict.  In verse 1, it doesn't sound bad, but through verse 5, the situation is shown to be really lopsided.  What sort of character do you think it takes in a person to face such circumstances with just your "buddy"?
• Jonathan has a reason for his faith, that Yahweh isn't hindered by lack of numbers, he has history to demonstrate this (Gideon for example).  What is your faith based in, what sort of personal history?  And does that history support such acts of faith as Jonathan's?
• Jonathan chooses a sign to know if Yahweh has given the Philistines into his hand, but what does he use as his fall-back if the sign isn't given?  What does it mean for his character?  What do you think would have happened had the Philistines come down to him?
• Considering bravery and cowardice, so far in this account, the numerous Philistines versus the paltry few Israelites, who is courageous and who is cowardly?  Why might that be surprising?  What might support "caution" on the part of the Philistines?
• Read verse 15 in as many translations as possible.  Look up "trembling"/"panic" in the Strong's Concordance.  Then look up "trembled" in the Strong's Concordance.  These words have the same root, and the first (noun) is used at the end of the verse.  What do you imagine happening in the Philistine camp?  What does this have to do with Jonathan?
• What do the "spies/lookouts" for Saul see, what do you think it looked like?
• Saul figures out who is missing, so what does he do immediately?  There is debate about whether the "Ark of God" is referred to or whether it is the "Ephod" of the priest (long story).  What would make the Ephod make more sense in light of verse 18?
• Regardless of how confusing verse 17 and 18 are (and they are confusing), Saul decides not to inquire of God through the priest.  Why?  Think in terms of character and circumstance and don't be too quick to judge harshly.
• What do Saul and the army find when they reach the battle?  Where is Jonathan?
• Who are these "Hebrews", and where did they come from?  The Greek version uses the term "slaves", how does that influence your understanding?
• Who else joins the battle?  Where did they come from, and how did they know what was happening in Benjamin?
• Why would Saul swear an oath on the people to not eat?  What "military" value would that have had?
• When Jonathan's eyes shine from eating the honey, someone tells him of his father's oath.  How does Jonathan interpret his father's action?  What does that tell you of Jonathan's character?
• So at some point the people fall on the plunder and begin sinning by eating blood.  How do you imagine this scene?  When Saul is told, he says they are being treacherous.  What do you think about what happened and why?  If you had to ascribe fault, how would you do it (not who, but how would you decide)?
• Saul's solution is to roll a big rock to use to slaughter the animals.  It also says he built an altar, his first.  Do you think the large stone and the altar are the same?  What would that mean for what he did?  What does that say about his character?
• Saul wants to continue to pursue the Philistines, but what does it mean that the priest contradicts him?  Why would the priest do that?
• So what does God answer Saul?  What does that mean?  Saul decides what he thinks it means, so lots are cast, but why does Saul say the person offending will die?
• Prior to this the people say, "Do what is good in your eyes." But not here, what do you think they are thinking?
• Jonathan owns what he did, and whatever consequences.  What do we learn about his character here?
• The people stand up for Jonathan against the king.  If (or since) Yahweh brought victory through Jonathan, what can we guess is His opinion of what has gone on?
• The rest of the chapter summarizes Saul's reign and his family.  What do you think of Saul's victories and success?  What does that reveal of God's perspective of Saul?
• Saul's family will be important later, but a son is missing (2 Samuel 2:8), why might that be?
• Considering that "ab" means "father" in Hebrew, what do you think of Abner's name versus his father's name?  Why would someone name the child that way?
• So Saul's reign is characterized by conflict with the Philistines, so what is his usual practice?  Good idea or bad idea?  Or is it a necessity?

That should do for now.  Blessings upon you all until Thursday!