Category Archives: Samuel
Are you in BIG WORD?
My kids are on break from school all this week. I’m not entirely sure why and I’m not complaining. However, it is an adjustment. I absolutely LOVE having them home with me, but it does make work an interesting challenge.
Such has been proven again and again this week. Today is no exception.
Our Bible study of 1 Samuel continues! I told everyone I would have our homework notes up this morning. It’s nearly 3pm and I just now got the .pdf posted. (You can find it on the Big Word page along with the notes and homework from previous weeks.) We’ve finished the first ten chapters and are moving on to the next two. The time of judges has come to an end and Israel has its first king. Saul.
The big question between last night’s discussion and our next is this: Was it God’s will that Israel have a king?
There are several verses in support of both assertions. You can consult the notes for specific references and arguments. I’m curious — what do YOU think? Why?
Let’s discuss!
If you haven’t joined our study yet, I encourage you to do so. It’s not too late! All the notes are available for FREE download. Take a look and jump into the comments section here.
NOTE: Normally we hold our study every other week, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays/Thursdays of each month. Next week, however, is Leap Day, so our next discussion will be in THREE weeks, not two. I hope you’ll join us!
BIG WORD Update: 1 Samuel Continues!
Have you noticed the new tab in our menu? It’s been there for a few weeks and I am just now drawing your attention to it!
We’ve been hosting Bible studies on this site since last fall. Affectionately dubbed “BIG WORD”, we are currently studying 1 Samuel. Last fall we did Judges. We didn’t officially do Bathsheba, but since that was a pretty lengthy series on this blog, I included that on the BIG WORD tab as well.
All of these Bible studies are FREE for you to download and either participate with us here online or use them in your own small group Bible studies. Either way, I want to hear from you! I would LOVE to know what you’re learning about God and what He is teaching you through your study.
For our current study posts typically go up on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (immediately following our in-house discussions on Wednesday nights). This week, however, I have a very special guest blogger visiting tomorrow and on Friday. I’ve posted our next set of “homework” already and am now opening the floor (aka comments section) for your thoughts on our last few chapters.
Your Turn: What did you discover in the study this week? How about that scene with Dagon? Wasn’t that AWESOME?!
BIG WORD: 1 Samuel 1–3
As a parent, do you ever wonder how much of your kids’ behavior is actually your fault? The question reaches wide because the answer changes with your child’s age. At some point, we have to let them make their own decisions, but even then — Is it our fault if they make the wrong decisions? Where is the delineation of responsibility?
The first three chapters of First Samuel offer two striking cases that, when juxtaposed, address this very issue. There we read about Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who showed tremendous faith and confidence in God. Not only did she trust Him to overcome her infertility, she faithfully surrendered her son back to Him. Her great faith in and faithfulness to God are contrasted with Eli’s passive approach to parenting and his less worthy sons.
This was just one part of our discussion last night at our Big Word Bible Study. To truly dive into this section of Scripture, hop over to the Big Word tab and download our homework notes.
If you’re already following along, here are a few things we talked about last night that weren’t included in the homework. Read the rest of this entry
Introduction to First Samuel
This is the first in a new online Bible study hosted right here at In the Dailies. Now through May we’ll spend every other Thursday (and maybe a few other days here and there) diving into the book of First Samuel. This follows right on the heels of our study last fall of the book of Judges. At the bottom of this post you can download homework to prepare for our next discussion. If you plan to participate, please let us know in the comments section!
The book of Judges spanned approximately 350 years of history for ancient Israel. The Bible records 11 judges during that time. These people (10 men and 1 woman) served as military leaders and catalysts for revival among God’s people. Unfortunately, upon the death of each judge (and even during the lives of some), a downward spiral continued of cultural and moral decay.
Throughout all of this we witness God’s persistence in pursuing those He loves. Regardless of how many times the Israelites turned to false gods and engaged in hedonistic lifestyles, God never stopped trying to redeem them. He was incredibly forgiving and ceaselessly faithful. Even in the face of their brazen unfaithfulness.
So what happened next?
Samuel, whom we will soon meet, was the last of the judges. He was not only a judge, but also a prophet and a priest. Some call him “The Kingmaker”, but that sounds too much like a make-up clad wrestling star to me. Samuel was the last judge because God used him to select and anoint the first two kings of Israel: Saul and David. Read the rest of this entry
