Getting Rid of Your Idols

Check out what Samuel is up to this week (29 October – 4 November):

Read 1 Samuel 7.

Things to think about:
v2-4 – Samuel encourages the people to turn fully back to God by getting rid of their idols. What about you? Do you want to be sold out for Christ? What does that mean for you?

Complete Samuel’s sentence in v3 for your own life:
“If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourself of ………..and commit yourself to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of……………”

v7-9 – As part of your committment to God, are you committed to intercession? What do you do when times get tough? How high a priority is prayer?

Look at how Samuel prayed for the Israelites – it was pretty intense! What can you take from his example?

v17 – even when Samuel went home (interesting to note that it was where his parents lived, so I guess his mom got to spend some time with the son she gave up after all! But that’s a side-track issue – sorry!) Even when Sam went home, he continued to serve and worship God. He judged the people and built an altar.

Do you take holidays from God? Is that Biblical? How do you measure up living full-on for Christ and having a ‘life’ at the same time?

The Return of the Ark!

Bible Study for this week (22 – 26October):

Read 1 Samuel 6. – The Philistines Return The Ark

Things to think about:

What does the Ark of the LORD mean to you today?

Do you view God as Holy? If so how does that change your behaviour as a follower of Christ?

vs19 – what things are tempting to us that are not honoring to God?

The Trouble that Follows…

This week (15-21 October):

Read 1 Samuel 5.

Things to think about:

Read about all the trouble that followed the ark in the Philistine towns. Why do you think this happened?

What does this tell you about God?

Trusting in an ark, or turning to God?

Here’s this week’s Bible study (8-14 October)!  Go for it!:

Read 1 Samuel 4.

Things to think about:

v3 – The Israelites were defeated, so they tried to gain victory again through taking the ark with them to battle. God hadn’t told them to do this, but they did what they thought would work.
v4 – Eli’s sons went along with this idea and accompanied the ark as the Israelites took it to battle. Eli seemed nervous about the idea. (see v13).

So why did the Israelites decide to do this, and why did the priests go along with their idea? Did they feel the ark was like some kind of magic charm?

In the end, the ark didn’t help them. They were beaten and the ark was taken by the enemy.

Do I have anything like this in my life? Am I trusting in any ‘arks’ – things which seem great and good and right – even Christian – but expecting God to do what I want because of that?

When things go wrong with me, who or what is the first thing I turn to? Is it someone or something good, that has proved their worth in the past? Or is it God Himself?

Any other thoughts?

Knowing God

Hey!  Here’s the Bible Study for this week – this time we’re checking out 1 Samuel 3 and looking at what it means to KNOW God.  Go deeper!

Read 1 Samuel 3.

Things to think about:

v7 – Samuel didn’t know the Lord yet. But we know already that he ministered before God (2:11) and grew in God’s favour (2:26).
So what’s the difference between working for God and being dutiful, and KNOWING God?
How about you? Do you really feel that you KNOW God? Why? How?

v5-9 – Samuel didn’t know God himself, but he knew who did, and went to Eli for help. If Samuel hadn’t listened to Eli’s advice, he may never have realized that the voice of God was speaking to him.
Who do you know who knows God? Are you able to go to them for help in your relationship with God? Maybe you don’t know what to do in a certain situation. Who has God put in your life to help you get closer to Him?
If you could make time with that person, what would be the main thing you’d want to learn from them?
Why not try going to them this week?

v11-14 – When God speaks, what He says may not be what you want to hear. How do you deal with that? What does that tell you about how you understand God?

v18 – How did Eli respond to the difficult news? Can you say this in all areas of your life? In what areas of your life is this the most difficult thing to say?

v21 – How did God reveal Himself to Samuel? Do you want God to reveal more of Himself to you? How? What do you have to help? Share your ideas with the rest of us!