4G Family: Recent Episodes
Bill and Art Morris
This lesson centers on 1 Corinthians 15 and the hope of the resurrection, emphasizing that Christ is the “firstfruits” and that death is the last enemy to be defeated. It also connects the resurrection to Christian living, urging believers to stay steadfast, reject corrupting influences, and live with urgency because Jesus could return at any time. The message closes with encouragement about the rapture, final judgment, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth, offering comfort and motivation to remain faithful in the Lord.
This lesson argues that the Bible is the sole and sufficient authority for the Christian life, grounded in eyewitness testimony and divine revelation rather than human invention. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, it emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the central, non-negotiable foundation of the gospel, supported by early creedal statements and multiple witnesses. It also situates Paul’s teaching within the broader context of addressing a troubled church, showing that belief in the resurrection is essential to authentic faith and perseverance.
This episode reframes 1 Corinthians 13 by placing it back in its original context as Paul’s corrective rebuke to a divided, immature church, rather than a standalone poetic reflection on love. It explores how spiritual gifts, knowledge, and outward ability are meaningless without Christlike love, which is defined by humility, patience, truth, and self-sacrifice in real relationships. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that genuine love—formed by the gospel and evidenced in the heart—is the true mark of spiritual maturity and the clearest sign of God’s transforming work. The YouTube video reference during the lesson can be found here:https://youtu.be/AeZMYaUFQBo?is=MgFNpH70UlLzqY_4
Paul emphasizes that believers should do everything for God’s glory, live in a way that does not cause offense, and follow Christlike examples, while also affirming the value of apostolic traditions. He explains that instructions about head coverings and gender roles reflected a God-ordained order rooted in creation but were also shaped by the cultural context of Corinth, highlighting the importance of understanding Scripture in context. The chapter then corrects abuses in church gatherings—especially divisions and misuse of the Lord’s Supper—teaching that communion must be taken with unity, self-examination, and reverence.
This lesson concludes Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 8–10 on food sacrificed to idols, emphasizing that Christian freedom must be guided by love, avoiding idolatry, and considering how one’s actions affect others’ faith and perception of the gospel. Paul teaches that while believers may have liberty, they should willingly limit it for the sake of unity, witness, and the conscience of both weaker believers and unbelievers, doing everything for God’s glory. The passage ultimately calls Christians to live with discernment and humility, imitating Christ by prioritizing others’ spiritual good over personal rights in a complex and culturally mixed world.
Paul uses Israel’s history in 1 Corinthians 10 to warn believers that shared spiritual blessings do not guarantee faithfulness, as many fell into idolatry, immorality, and unbelief despite God’s provision. He emphasizes that these events serve as examples, urging Christians to exercise self-control, avoid idolatry, and recognize their unity in Christ through spiritual “food and drink” fulfilled in Him. While temptation is common, God faithfully provides a way to endure it, so right relationship with Christ—not mere outward behavior—is the foundation for faithful living.
The lesson reviews the biblical foundation of marriage as a covenant established by God in Genesis, emphasizing that a husband and wife become one flesh and that parents must release married children to form their own household. It then addresses divorce through passages in Deuteronomy, Matthew 19, Malachi, and 1 Corinthians 7, arguing that divorce is serious, painful, and never to be treated casually, but also that there is no “one size fits all” rule, especially in cases involving abuse, abandonment, or other weightier violations of marriage. The teacher stresses that while God hates the damage caused by divorce, God can forgive repentant people, and the church should not treat divorced believers as second-class Christians.
The lesson emphasized that Scripture is God’s true and sufficient revelation, and that believers must rely on it rather than cultural opinion, personal bias, or modern confusion. Turning to 1 Corinthians 7, marriage is God’s covenant design between one man and one woman for life, stressing faithfulness, mutual responsibility, communication, and sexual intimacy within marriage.
This lesson on 1 Corinthians 6 emphasizes that the gospel and resurrection power should produce real change in a believer’s life, not just words or intentions. Paul warns the Corinthian church against habitual sin, especially sexual immorality, and reminds them that their bodies belong to Christ and the Holy Spirit. The heart of the message is that Christians have been washed, sanctified, and justified, so they should glorify God by living differently.
The Sunday school lesson on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 points out that Christians should be resolving disputes through direct reconciliation rather than lawsuits, mirroring Paul's rebuke of Corinthian believers suing each other in secular courts. Paul argues that saints, destined to judge the world and angels, should handle internal grievances wisely among themselves to avoid shaming Christ, sending a poor witness, and forgetting their transformed identity as washed, sanctified, and justified believers. The teacher emphasizes living into one's identity in Christ with grace, truth, and justice—preferring church mediation for believer disputes while recognizing government's role in broader cases—and urges overlooking petty offenses for the gospel's sake.
Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for tolerating a case of sexual immorality among its members. He urges them to excommunicate the unrepentant man, using the "leaven" metaphor to warn that unchecked sin corrupts the whole community, and emphasizes the need for church purity.
The central lesson of this 1 Corinthians 2 passage is that true Christian teaching and faith are rooted in God’s power and the Spirit, not human wisdom or persuasive speech. Paul contrasts the world’s lofty rhetoric and intellectual pride with the simple, cross‑centered proclamation of “Christ crucified,” showing that the Spirit’s work—convicting hearts, revealing God’s hidden wisdom, and giving believers the mind of Christ—is what actually produces genuine faith and discernment.
Deuteronomy 30 shows that God both warns Israel of covenant judgment and promises future restoration and heart-level transformation, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant and tied to Israel’s future turning to Christ.## Deuteronomy 30: Covenant, Exile, Restoration- Moses foresees Israel’s future: they will break the covenant, experience curses and exile, but God will later *restore them when they repent and “return to the Lord.”- Unlike a human contract (like a mortgage), God’s covenant astonishingly includes a promise of renewed mercy and a “second chance” after failure.[1]## Circumcision of the Heart and the New Covenant- Deuteronomy 30:6 promises that God will “circumcise your heart,” language for an inner work of God that enables true love and obedience—salvation, not just outward law-keeping.- Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 pick this up as *New Covenant language: God will give a new heart, write His law within, forgive sin, and put His Spirit in His people.## Israel’s Story in Scripture- Israel’s history—conquest, decline, division, Assyrian and Babylonian exile, and partial return under leaders like Daniel and Nehemiah—shows partial, historical fulfillments of Deuteronomy 30’s restoration promises.- Yet the full spiritual renewal described (new heart, universal knowledge of the Lord) has not yet occurred for Israel as a whole and points forward to a future large-scale turning to Christ.## Romans 11 and Israel’s Future- Romans 11 describes a “partial hardening” of Israel until the “fullness of the Gentiles” comes in, after which “all Israel will be saved.”- Evangelicals differ on whether “all Israel” means all the elect (Reformed view) or a future mass conversion of ethnic Israel (Dispensational view), but both anticipate a significant future softening of Jewish hearts toward Christ.***## Practical Emphases- God’s grace is woven into the covenant from the start: He disciplines, but also restores and transforms. - Christians already share in the New Covenant blessings (new heart, Spirit, forgiveness), while also looking forward to God’s future work in Israel and the completion of His redemptive plan.
The Sunday school lesson traced the biblical theme of covenant and redemption from Deuteronomy through Joshua, Jeremiah, Malachi, Galatians, and Hebrews. Bill Morris explained how Moses commanded Israel to obey God’s law, Joshua faithfully carried it out, and later prophets foretold a new covenant written on the heart. Paul then revealed that through Christ, believers—Jew and Gentile alike—are adopted as Abraham’s heirs, united by faith rather than law. Hebrews affirms that Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled the old covenant once for all, cleansing the conscience. The overall message emphasized God’s sovereignty, humanity’s need for obedience, and the truth that salvation and spiritual adoption come only through Christ’s redeeming blood.
In this week’s class, we walk through Deuteronomy 26–28 and watch Israel stand at a kind of covenant “I do” moment with God. We look at the offering of firstfruits, where God tells His people how to give thanks for a harvest they have not even seen yet, and talk about how that kind of forward-looking gratitude can calm our own fears about the future. We also notice how Israel retells its rescue-from-Egypt story and ask what it would look like for our families to have a simple, honest way of saying, “This is my story, and this is where God showed up.”From there, the lesson moves to the dramatic scene on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, with blessings and curses echoing back and forth across the valley, painting a vivid picture of what life with God looks like when His people listen—and what it becomes when they walk away. We touch on hot-button questions about Israel, the church, and “replacement theology,” while holding on to the mystery that God is not done writing Israel’s story or ours.We finish by tying all of this into Christmas: the way Jesus steps into the story as the true rescuer, the One who bears the curse, breaks the cycle of slavery, and invites us into a better Exodus—out of sin, into freedom, and into a new identity as God’s treasured people. It is a hopeful, honest look at judgment, mercy, and what it means to let God be the author of your story.
The class session was a detailed Bible study on Deuteronomy 22–25, framed within a broader overview of the book’s structure and purpose. The teacher began by reviewing the *three major addresses of Moses in Deuteronomy: 1. Chapters 1–4 – a review of Israel’s wilderness journey and lessons learned. 2. Chapters 4–28 – the main body of laws and covenant stipulations (the current focus). 3. Chapters 29–34 – covenant renewal, the commissioning of Joshua, and the Song of Moses. The teacher explained that Deuteronomy mirrors the form of ancient suzerain-vassal treaties—including a preamble, historical prologue, general and specific stipulations, blessings and curses, and witnesses—arguing this supports Mosaic authorship and historical authenticity.He then summarized chapters 22–25, highlighting numerous civil, moral, and ceremonial regulations, such as: - Responsibility to help recover a neighbor’s lost property. - Prohibitions on cross-dressing and mixing seeds, animals, or fabrics. - Rules about marital faithfulness, sexual conduct, and punishments for adultery. - Commandments regarding fair treatment of debtors, the poor, and foreigners. - Ethical practices for labor, honesty in business, and justice in the courts. - Provisions for widows (levirate marriage), gleaning for the poor, and humane treatment of animals.These were presented as evidence of God’s comprehensive concern for justice, purity, mercy, and community well-being. After reading through these laws, the teacher turned to theological reflection, emphasizing: - The Mosaic Law was temporary, meant for Israel under the old covenant. - The new covenant in Christ replaces it, written on believers’ hearts (Jeremiah 31). - Christians are no longer “under the law” but under grace (Galatians 3, Hebrews 9). - Yet the laws remain profitable because they reveal God’s character and priorities—especially His holiness, fairness, and covenant faithfulness. He urged the class to see that, like ancient Israel, Christians represent God to the world, and their obedience and relationships should display His character publicly. He contrasted this biblical communal focus with modern “individualistic, easy-believism,” quoting an author who argued that Sinai teaches believers to live as God’s representatives in daily life, not just to secure an afterlife. Class discussion reflected on how purging evil served as communal protection and how God still desires involvement in the details of believers’ lives. The session closed with a prayer thanking God for His detailed care, asking for sensitivity to His guidance, and reaffirming a desire to live as examples of holiness in Christ.
The lesson contrasts Old Testament law in Deuteronomy with New Testament revelation in Christ, and wrestles with how ancient laws relate to believers today. Bill emphasizes that God’s character and moral principles remain constant even though covenant arrangements and historical circumstances have changed, with Hebrews 1 used to show that God’s final and clearest word is now through His Son.
SummaryThis Sunday school lesson on Deuteronomy 19 covers cities of refuge for unintentional killers (manslayers), boundary markers, witness requirements, and the "eye for eye" principle, while affirming God's sovereignty despite practices no longer observed today.## Cities of RefugeThe teacher reads Deuteronomy 19:1-13, explaining these as safe havens for accidental manslayers to escape blood avengers, distinct from premeditated murderers who face execution. References to Exodus 21:13, Numbers 35 (six Levite cities), Deuteronomy 4:41-42, and Joshua 20 confirm their establishment post-Jordan crossing. The lesson notes these evolved away like outdated tech (e.g., BlackBerrys to smartphones), yet highlight God's provision of mercy within justice.## Justice LawsVerses 14-21 prohibit moving boundary stones (echoing "don't steal"), require two or three witnesses for convictions, punish false testimony equally, and enforce "life for life, eye for eye" (repeated in Exodus, Leviticus, contrasted with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount). These purge evil, deter sin, and ensure fairness, linking to Israel's conditional land inheritance through obedience.## Theological ReflectionsDrawing from Deuteronomy 4:32-40, the teacher emphasizes God's unique revelation to Israel—voice from fire, mighty deliverance—proving His sole sovereignty ("I am God, and there is no other"). Israel served as Messiah's channel, Scripture's authors, and fellowship objects; modern believers inherit promises as "redeemed Israel."
The lesson traces God’s design for Israel’s communal and spiritual life as Israel transitions into the Promised Land, focusing on justice, leadership, and purity of worship. It discusses the continuity from Deuteronomy 16's feasts—Passover, Weeks, and Booths—which foreshadow Christ’s redemptive work and remind believers of God’s past deliverance, provision, and presence. The text then shifts to rules for worship and justice: offerings must be pure, idolatry is strictly forbidden, and severe (but equitable) consequences are prescribed for apostasy, emphasizing fairness (e.g., requiring 2–3 witnesses) and showing both men and women are held equally accountable.Deuteronomy 17 establishes an early form of Israelite appellate court, requiring local disputes too difficult to resolve to be brought before priests and judges, whose decisions are binding—demonstrating principles of fairness, order, and deterrence. The passage also anticipates Israel’s eventual desire for a king, prescribing that the king must be an Israelite, refrain from military buildup, excessive wealth, or many wives (to prevent pride and idolatry), and most importantly, must personally copy and continually study God’s law to remain humble and obedient. Historical failures of Israel’s kings (like Solomon) are noted as resulting from ignoring these instructions.The lesson continues into chapter 18, highlighting that the Levites (priests) are provided for by offerings rather than land, reinforcing dependence on God’s provision. God's people are prohibited from occult practices, divination, and seeking supernatural knowledge through forbidden means, with a warning against influences that would turn them from God.The lesson culminates in God’s promise to raise up a future “prophet like Moses”—interpreted as a direct prophecy of Jesus Christ, who uniquely fulfills the roles of Prophet, Priest, and King. Criteria are also given for distinguishing true from false prophets: their words must come true and align with God’s revealed will. The overall point is that God’s instructions, given through Moses, establish a community built on justice, holiness, and continuous dependence on God's leadership, ultimately pointing forward to Christ as the perfect fulfillment of these roles.
- Recap of previous lesson on Deuteronomy 13-15 - Deuteronomy 13: Warning Against Idolatry - Don’t listen to prophets or family who lead to idol worship - Destroy a city if it wholly turns to other gods - Deuteronomy 14: Holiness and Celebration - Avoid self-harm for the dead; you are God’s treasure - Dietary laws: clean and unclean food - Tithing practices include communal eating and generosity to Levites and the poor - Deuteronomy 15: Compassion and Justice - Forgive debts every seventh year - Treat bond servants kindly and set them up for success - Dedicate firstborn males to the Lord - Deuteronomy 16: Festivals and Worship - Observe Passover in the month of Abib (Nissan) at the chosen place - Eat unleavened bread for seven days, remember the haste of Egypt exit - Celebrate Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), inclusive of all community members - Feast of Booths (Tabernacles): joyful harvest celebration and connection to Jesus - Three annual festivals require all males to appear before the Lord with offerings - Emphasis on justice, avoiding bribery, and righteous judgment - Warning against restoring idolatrous high places and altars - Challenge to keep God central in celebrations and everyday life - Closing Reflections - Challenge in balancing worship and recreation during holidays - Historical notes on Thanksgiving as a holiday of gratitude to God - Encouragement to live hospitably and generously, embodying God’s principles in seasonal celebrations
This Sunday school lesson covering Deuteronomy 13-15 highlights God’s call to unwavering faithfulness, personal holiness, and compassion for others within the Israelite community.Deuteronomy 13: Loyalty to GodThe chapter strongly warns against idolatry, emphasizing that anyone—including prophets, close family members, or an entire city—who tries to entice others away from worshipping the LORD must be rejected, no matter how persuasive they appear. Severe penalties are prescribed for leading others into idolatry to preserve the spiritual purity of Israel. The core teaching is to follow and cling to God alone, even when tempted by miraculous signs or influential individuals.Deuteronomy 14: Holiness and DistinctionDeuteronomy 14 gives dietary laws, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals to remind Israel of their unique status as God’s people. These food laws symbolize separation from pagan practices and reinforce the call to personal holiness. The chapter also includes rules about tithing—a practice of setting aside a tenth of one’s produce to honor God and support religious leaders and the needy.Deuteronomy 15: Compassion for the PoorThe focus in chapter 15 is on economic and social justice. Every seventh year, debts among Israelites are to be forgiven, and slaves given freedom, reflecting God’s mercy and the importance of community well-being. The chapter urges generosity toward the poor, teaching that God’s blessing is linked to open-handedness and compassion. Those who lend to the poor should not be tight-fisted or resentful, since they, too, were once slaves in Egypt and recipients of God’s grace.Overall, these chapters teach that faithfulness to God, a distinct and holy identity, and practical generosity are core values for God’s people, and that these must shape every aspect of community and individual behavior.
This lesson on Deuteronomy 11 emphasizes Moses’ charge to the Israelites to remain obedient and faithful to God’s commandments as they prepare to enter the promised land. It reviews historical moments of discipline, outlines the practical requirement to teach and remember God’s laws, and stresses the clear outcome: blessing is tied to obedience, and cursing follows disobedience. The lesson connects ancient scriptural principles to present-day faith practice, encouraging ongoing commitment to learning and living out God’s word.
The people are exhorted to remember their stubborn and rebellious past and to understand that God is giving them victory out of grace, not because of their own righteousness.
Let the past inform you, let the present inspire you, let the future invite you, let thanksgiving impel you, and let the warning ignite you into joyful obedience, humble dependence, and wholehearted devotion to God.
Max Morris shares God’s plans for his chosen people to clear out the tribes who hated God. Emphasis given to God’s promises in the process.
Justin Dutton shares the Ten and the greatest commandments that offer authentic ways of loving God
The Prodigal Son filtered through the eyes of ancient Middle Eastern culture; informed by the teachings of Dr. Kenneth Baileyhttps://www.kennethbailey.net/articles
The episode dives into the parables of joy found in Luke 15, focusing on the themes of being lost and found, and the contrasting attitudes of Jesus and the Pharisees towards sinners.
Joy in Recovery: The parables highlight the happiness of finding what was lost, showing God's love and care for sinners1.
Pharisees' Attitude: The Pharisees are portrayed as critical of Jesus for hanging out with sinners, reflecting a separatist mentality that clashes with Jesus’ inclusive approach
Lost Sheep: This parable emphasizes the shepherd's persistent search for the lost sheep, symbolizing God's relentless pursuit of the lost
Lost Coin: A woman's search for a lost coin mirrors the shepherd's story, stressing the value of each lost individual and the joy when they are found
Heavenly Joy: Both parables end with the idea that there's joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, reinforcing the theme of divine grace
Different Receptions: Jesus attracted sinners through compassion, while the Pharisees repelled them through legalism, highlighting the different approaches to evangelism
If the first half of Luke is leading to the question, "who is Jesus?", then the second half pivots on this passage discussing "what are you going to do with Jesus?"
Resources:
Study notes
Tim Keller sermon on this passage in Luke (audio only)
Tim Keller sermon on the parallel passage in Mark (audio only)
Ray Steadman sermon (audio and transcript) on the parallel passage in Mark
Lesson Synopsis (Google Gemini)
Introduction
Today, we'll delve into Luke chapter 7, starting from verse 18. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus was in Capernaum, His hometown. He paid the temple tax there. Later, He went to the village of Nain, where a young man was raised.
The Question of Expectation
As we explore this passage, let's consider the concept of expectation. What do we expect? Holiday Inn once had a slogan: "The best surprise is no surprise." This implies that we have certain expectations, whether it's cleanliness in a hotel room or a particular outcome in a situation.
Luke, in his narrative, seems to be playing with this idea of expectation, particularly regarding Jesus. We've seen the announcement of Jesus' birth, John the Baptist's preaching, and Jesus' early ministry. John's preaching of repentance suggests that the people's current practices were insufficient.
John the Baptist's Doubt
John the Baptist, despite prophesying about Jesus, seems to be experiencing doubt. He sends two disciples to ask Jesus if He is the one who is to come. This raises questions about John's expectations and the reality of Jesus' ministry.
Jesus' Response
Jesus responds to John's disciples by performing miraculous healings. He then sends them back to John with a message: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Jesus' Critique of the Crowd
Jesus then addresses the crowd, comparing them to children who are never satisfied. They criticize John for his austere lifestyle and Jesus for His more social approach.
The Wisdom of God
Jesus concludes by highlighting the wisdom of God's plan. The true followers of God are those who recognize His wisdom and trust in His ways.
Aligning Our Expectations with God's
As we reflect on this passage, we should consider our own expectations of Jesus and His kingdom. Are we aligning our expectations with God's plan, or are we clinging to our own preconceived notions?
The Christmas season is a time to remember the true meaning of Christ's birth and to align our hearts with His purpose. Let's strive to be people who are not easily offended by God's ways and who trust in His perfect plan.
Ephesians, aong with Psalms 15 and Proverbs 10, echo the important points of Psalm 1, including contrasting the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked.
Here is a website to access Grudem’s Systematic Theology with a convenient podcast feed— https://apologetics315.com/category/wayne-grudem/Here is Grudem’s website— https://web.archive.org/web/20191212160153/http://www.christianessentialssbc.com/messages/systematic_theology
In this Christmas themed lesson we look at Philippians 4:8 where we are instructed to think on “whatever” things. Examples where people have been inspired by good things from the past are given and we closed with “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”.
A link to the video we played during the lesson is here.
So many themes land together in this passage: God/Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows and calls His sheep (those in the [Israelite] fold and those without), bad shepherds who cause problems for the sheep, sheep that are in danger who can be rescued by a Shepherd who can lay His life down for the sheep.
John uses the amazing story of a blind man receiving his sight from Jesus as an excellent example of how Jesus gives new life as promised in John chapter 3.
Speaking around the time of Passover Jesus transitions the crowd from a discussion about literal bread to a discussion about the metaphorical Bread of Life that can give eternal life. Of course, the Passover instruction to the Israelites was that they were supposed to eat everything!
In a very rich passage (which is only partially covered by today's teaching) John displays Jesus the Rabbi who calls the people to consider God as the source of the Bread that they should be desiring. There are glimpses of human nature, of the tension between election and belief, and of a God who is always working.
This miracle, the only one recorded in all four gospels, is famous for many wonderful reasons: the power of God is demonstrated, we get the opportunity to speculate on how things played out, and we think it's cool that Jesus did so much with so little. But, John's treatment highlights how this miracle ushers in a deep discussion later in the chapter about the true nature of the bread that Jesus provides.
There is a reason why John 3:16 and the verses around it are so popular with evangelical Christians that even popular culture has developed an awareness: it is a very concise explanation of the gospel and it is very good news! In these verses we are reminded that by our very nature we are apart from God. Yet, God, through the work of Jesus being "lifted up" made a way for us to enter the light of His good favor. The ultimate purpose is so that we can show how wonderful He is!
There is also a reason that some "progressive" (i.e. heretical) pastors choke on this verse: it's clear that Jesus is described as the only path to God. Anyone promoting reconciliation with God apart from faith in Jesus is simply wrong.
The conversation with Nicodemus continues as Jesus calls him to a deeper understanding of who God is and how He works.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee recognizes Jesus’ signs as being from God and comes to Jesus with questions. Jesus then informs him that he needs a new and better qualification to partake of God’s kingdom.
Moses asked to see God and the only safe thing he could see was God's back. John (and other witnesses) saw what Moses couldn't: God, in the flesh, bringing us grace upon grace.
Using scripture to shed light on scripture, Bill Morris unpacks the truth that Jesus is God. Most of the major world religions and also many “Christian“ cults can be defined (and unmasked) by examining what they think about Jesus and His divinity.
Though many have debated the authorship, structure, purpose, and dating (and more) of this book, the traditional view that this work of Good News is brought to us by John, the son of Zebedee, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and coparent (along with Peter) of the early Jerusalem church seems to have stood the test of time. Archeology and scholarship provide ample support for a trustworthy document that views Jesus as God and worthy of belief.
Our study of Samuel completes in this lesson and we see how this shepherd-king foreshadows The Good Shepherd and King of Kings!
The consequences of David’s sin echo in this passage where his (horrible) example and his guilt are in full display.
As David appreciated his own "house", he considered that the ark was still in a tent. God replied, in essence, that a dwelling wasn't really at the top of his priority list. Rather, God describes his plans for David and his legacy; what is called the Davidic Covenant. This blessing is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
In 1 Sam 26 we learn that the Spirit of the Lord was upon David. In this arc of three chapters we see a king in the making who is listening to God through his conscience and through Abigail. Big themes of providence, vengeance, leadership, humility, patience, are all available to be explored in this passage.
Once again, David is on the run from Saul. But, this time we get a behind the scenes look at what he was feeling. We see parallels to when Jesus cried out to God, as well.
In this extensive narrative we learn how Saul determines to kill David and how David, with the help of Saul's son and David's covenant friend Jonathon, eludes him. The class listened to the story from The Message.
If you want to listen, go here and then click the speaker icon.
In this lesson we see how Saul was never fully aligned with God’s will and when he missed it he put on the trappings of obedience but had no heart behind it.
In today’s passage we are reminded of God’s continued desire for a covenatal relationship with the people he has called his own. We also start to see that Saul doesn’t quite get it.
In today’s lesson, we find out how Saul was introduced to his kingship and we see the stuttering start to his reign.
Bill’s introductory remarks are here.
The nation of Israel rejected the theocracy of Jehovah, as administered by the Judges, and wished for a king like their pagan (and confrontational) neighbors. The Lord consents but Samuel lays out a sobering warning as to what it will be like
Bill's introductory remarks are here.
Today’s passage describes a very low point for God’s people. They‘ve reduced him to a status so that He’s not much different than the pagans — basically a lucky charm to be brought out when you need special favor. God proves otherwise.
In this portion of 1 Samuel we see the sons of Eli and their corrupt practices contrasted with the life of Samuel who, like Jesus, "grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man".
Bill Morris' introductory remarks are here.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 2:26). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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