"Diatheke," / Hebrews 9:15-22 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage, the author of the book of Hebrews explains how the Lord Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant, established the New Covenant by His death and that just like a will, the first and second covenants were inaugurated with blood.

Bear this context in mind as you discuss the questions below.

1. How does Christ's death redeem those who are called "from the transgressions committed under the first covenant"?

2. Why, or in what ways, was the first covenant insufficient?

3. Why and how does the author of Hebrews use a will as an illustration of how the Old and New Covenants were established?

4. Why must there be a death to establish the New Covenant?

5. Why is the Lord Jesus Christ the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin?

6. How did King Jesus tell us to remember the blood of the covenant?

7. What has this passage taught you about God, about yourself, and about growing in holiness?

"Game Day" / 1 Samual 2:1-11 / Jim Rosenquist

1A – How is the sanctuary like the stadium and sports games like the church? Why is that so?

B – If man is created for worship and we don't worship God, then who or what do we worship?

C – How do sports games draw out, "the right kind of worship to the wrong kind of god?"

2A – In verses 1-2, How is Hannah's praise a good pattern for us? She exults with her, "heart, horn and mouth." What does that mean?

B – People who don't worship God rightly end up disappointed with God. Why? What do they expect? Who is God to them?

C – How are feelings related to worship? Which comes first? What if it is done backward?

3 - When we come to church, what should be our primary interest or concern? How is that evident?

4A – What similarities do we see between Hannah's song and Mary's song in Luke 1:46-55?

B – Who is the King who is anointed that both songs anticipate?

C – What is the importance of each women's song?

"Leadership Crisis" / 1 Samuel 1 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – There is a lot of material on being a good leader: what criteria is there for choosing a good leader?

2 – a) In verses 1-2, the introduction goes to great lengths to show us somebody who is a nobody. Why? Why would this be significant in Israel's history?

b) Verse 1 says, Elkanah was an Ephrathite (soneone from Ephathah – Bethleham,) which up until then was nowhere. Who else comes from this town? ( see Micah 5:2) Hint: 2 Kings

3 – How does Hannah's barrenness illustrate Israel's? How was Israel in 1025 like America in 2025? How does each face a crisis of leadership?

4 – In what ways does Hannah model powerful and effective prayer? See verses, 10, 11, 15, & 16.

5 - What happened that Hannah's attitude went from deep anguish (verse 16,) to no longer sad? (verse 18)

6 – Did Hannah bargain with God? Did she bet her son's life? Does this sound like the tale of, "Rumpelstiltskin?" Is there a moral to the story? What's the difference?

"Come Before Winter" / 2 Timothy 4:9-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 9-10, a) Why was Paul so eager for Timothy to visit?

b) Was Paul disappointed in Demas? Does Paul say that Demas abandoned his Christian faith? What is in Thessalonica for Demas?


2 – In verse 11-13, a) Why is it significant that Paul wants Mark to come with Timothy?

b) What personal belongings does Paul want? Why?


3 – In verse 16, a) Why would Paul's friends abandon him at his preliminary hearing? How did Paul feel about that?

b) What does Paul mean he was delivered from the lions? How do we know he means this figuratively?


4 – In verse 21, a) What would happen if Timothy does not get there before winter?

b) What urgent things do you need to attend to now and not postpone? What fences need mending; what choices need making; what actions need to be taken? Why don't you?


5 – In verse 22, In light of Paul's certain and soon execution, how is this closing verse encouraging to Timothy? To you?

"A Strong Finish" / 2 Timothy 4:6-8 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Why does Paul use the metaphor of his impending death as a drink offering? What does it mean?

2 – How is death, especially that of a Christian, like a ship casting off its mooring lines?

3 – How is the Christian life like, "the good fight?" What's good about it?

4 – Why is it important to finish the race, not "win" it?

5a – The victor's crown for the early Olympic athlete was intrinsically valueless, but highly prized. Why?

5b – Who will receive a crown of righteousness? How? Why?

5c – Why is righteousness what we most need?

5d – How do we obtain righteousness?

6 – How does this farewell address from Paul encourage Timothy? Us? How does it affect our lives today?

" 'Tis the Reason for the Season" / 2 Timothy 4:1-5 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, Paul gives a charge to Timothy that sound much like a court of law. Why so solemn?


2 – In verse 2, what specific task is Timothy charged to do? When? What does it involve? What does it mean? How does this charge relate to us?



3 – In verse 3, what does Paul mean by "itching ears?" Why would it be difficult to "endure" sound teaching? In what ways do we see people today "accumulating" teachers who tell them what they like to hear?



4 – Nowhere does scripture say that Timothy had the gift of evangelism nor the office of evangelist, yet Paul commands Timothy to, "do the work of the evangelist." What does he mean? How does this apply to us? May we excuse ourselves from sharing the gospel with others because we don't have the gift, the knowledge, or the incentive? Then, why don't we?

"Reliable Teachers" / 2 Timothy 3:10-17 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 10-11, Paul compares is life and teaching with the misguided teachers in Ephesus. Compare 3:10-11 with 3:2-7.

2 – In versus 12-13, Paul says that all who desire to live godly in Christ should expect persecution. Why? How have you experienced it?

3 – In verse 14, Paul tells Timothy why he can have confidence in what he has learned from Paul, his mother and his grandmother. What are they, and why is it so?

4 – In verses 16-17, what does it mean that scripture is, "God-breathed." How does scripture equip us for life and service to God?

5 - What does this passage tell us of the importance of teaching our children (our own and our church kids) about the gospel, the scriptures, and our Christian values? How does it warn of about the teaching of false teachers?

6 – What good and reliable teachers have you had in school, church, and life? What made them valuable contributors to your life?