"God in a Box" / 1 Samuel 4:1-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Ultimately, why were the Philistines a problem for Israel?

2 – In verse 3, what reason did the elders give for Israel's defeat in battle? What solution did they invent? What assurance did it provide? How was their solution and action the practice of magic?

3 – In verse 4, how is the ark described? Why?

4 – In verses 5-8, both the Israelites and Philistines view the ark as powerful magic. What differences did they have? What did each group already know about the ark?

5 – In verses 10-11, what were the results of the next engagement? Why?

6 – Phinehas' wife names her son Ichabod because, "the glory has departed." What glory? When did it leave? Why?

7 – In what ways do modern Christians employ magic?

8 – God does respond to our requests; why? What motivates God to act for us.

"Alethinos" / Hebrews 9:23-28 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of the book of Hebrews shows that since the Old Covenant copies

needed to be purified by blood, then the greater New Covenant "true things" required a greater

sacrifice. He then demonstrates how Christ's sacrifice of Himself was God's final way dealing

with sin and this was demonstrated when Christ Jesus said, "It is finished" (Jn. 19) from the

cross. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. From the cross the Lord Jesus cried out, "It is finished." What was unfinished before His death?

2. What does the author mean by referring to the Old Covenant objects and practices as"copies"? What were they copies of?

3. What do the Old Covenant copies teach us about the true heavenly things?

4. Why did the Old Covenant sacrifices need to be repeated? What does that tell us about our need for a greater sacrifice?

5. Verse 26 says that Christ Jesus has appeared at the "end of the ages". What makes the New Covenant era the "end of the ages"?

6. How did the author illustrate the truth that when Christ returns it will not be to deal with sin?

7. Are you eagerly waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ? Why or why not?

"Before the Light Goes Out" / 1 Samuel 3: 1-21 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, why was the word of the Lord rare in those days? With no shortage of churches, preachers, and media, why might what we hear not actually be from the Lord?

2 – In verse 3, in what ways was, "the lamp of the Lord," about to go out?

3 – In verse 4, Why does Samuel not recognize the Lord calling him?

4 – In verse 11 and following:

A – How is the message God gives Samuel terrifying? Why would Samuel not want to convey it to Eli?

B – How is the message of God in the Gospel potentially terrifying? Why might we be reluctant to convey it?

C – If the Gospel message is more than, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life," then what is it?

5 – In verses 13-14, scripture says nothing good about Eli's sons, only harsh criticism, and offers no hope for them now nor for their salvation. They served God and their people only for how it benefited them. They disregarded God's instructions. They treated with contempt the sacrifices for atonement. How does that describe people today? Christians? How will we guard against this in our lives and churches.

"The Fall of the House of Eli" / 1 Samuel 2 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-26, what was going on with Eli's sons? Why was Eli's rebuke too weak? What should he have done? Why didn't he? Why is it terrifying to treat God's sacrifices with contempt? How is this done today? With what consequence?


2 – In verses 27-29, the unnamed prophet confronts Eli. He reminds Eli of three acts of God: I revealed, I chose, I gave. What is his point? What did God do in each case?Why is Eli implicated in this charge? What did he do?


3 – In verses 30-34, the prophet declares what God will do in three steps: a) verse 30, a promise forfeited, b) verses 31-32, a punishment incurred, c) verse 34, a precursor to judgment. What is this about? What does it mean?


4 – In verse 35, who is, " the faithful priest?" How is this fulfilled in Samuel, Zadok, and Jesus?

"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?