"Retributive Justice" / 2 Samuel 13:23-39 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 23-27, Absolom waits 2 years from the time Amnon violated is sister. Why? What is happening in the meantime? Why does Absolom invite the king and his entire court to a festival? Why does David decline?

Why does Absolom want Amnon to attend? What reason does he give? Why does David question this move? Why would the king give his approval? What does he suspect? What precaution does David take?

2 – In verses 28-29, why does Absolom have his servants murder Amnon? Why not do it himself? How does he make the act seem valiant?

Absolom and the rest of David's sons flee from each other. What are they fleeing from? Where do they all go?

3 – In verses 30-33, How does Jonadab know what is going on? Why doesn't he warn his friend, Amnon, of the danger? What is his advice to David?

4 – In verses 34-39, Why does Absolom flee to Geshur? Does he plan to stay there?

5 – How is Absolom's action condemned in scripture? Does Amnon deserve to die?Whose job is it to ensure justice in the land? In the family?

When is it permissible to take revenge? What parallels do you see in David's sins and those of his sons?

6 – Look at Romans 12:19. What does it say about Christians taking revenge? Why do we want to? Why shouldn't we?

Why do we doubt God's justice? Why do we question his promise? Why is this difficult for us? How will we benefit?

"Forbidden Fruit" / 2 Samuel 13:1-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, Amnon thinks he "loves" Tamar. Did he truly "love" her? If not, then what? How should "love" look, behave, be shown? See 1 Cor 13:4-7, Mt 22:36-40, Eph 5:25-27.

2 – In verses 3-5, what is Jonadab's advice to /Amnon? Why is he giving this advice? Does he know what Amnon's plans?

3 – In verse 7, why does David comply with Amnon's request? Is he really clueless, powerless and willing?

4 – In verse 13, why does Tamar feel shamed? Is she compliant?

5 – In verse 15, why does Amnon hate Tamar more ferociously than he 'loved' her?

6 – In verse 20, why does Tamar live the rest of her life as a desolate woman? Whose fault is this? What part does David have? What does he do?

7 – How can we be forgiven for sinning against others? How can we be healed, cleansed, made whole from the sins others have committed against us? Which is more difficult? How is the cross of Christ the answer?

8 – How does Zech 3:1-5 prefigure what Christ does for us? How?

"Forbidden Fruit" / 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Jim Rosenquist

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Philadelphia / Hebrews 13:1-6 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews explains what is meant by "acceptable worship" in 12:28. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. The word "worship" i 12:28 means "works of service" in the original koine Greek. How is service an expression of worship?

2. What is unique about Christian's philadelphia love for one another? As in, what's unique about its source, cause, or characteristics?

3. Why do you think the author exhorts his readers to let this brotherly love continue?

4. How can we show hospitality (Gk. philoxenia, 'love for strangers') to strangers? What's significant about the rationale for showing hospitality to strangers (v. 2)?

5. How can we remember those who are in prison or being mistreated for their faith, even if we don't encounter it as often in the United States?

6. Why does the author return again to the topic of sexual immorality in verse 4 after having just brought it up in 12:16? How does marriage fit into this discussion?

7. How seriously does God take sexual immorality? Why don't people seem to act like they believe God's Word on sex? Do you believe it? Do your actions align with your profession?

8. This passage tells us to not love money, but to be content. What's the reasoning and encouragement behind this?

"Philadelphia" / Hebrews 13:1-6

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Paraiteomai" / Hebrews 12:25-29

In this passage the author of Hebrews follows the climactic passage of his book with these

responses to the truths that have been proclaimed throughout Hebrews. Keep this context in mind

as you discuss these questions.

1. In verse 25, who is "speaking" and what is the message?

2. What does it mean to "refuse" him who is speaking? In what ways do we do this?

3. What argument is the author making when he says "if they did not escape...much less will we escape"? Who are "they" and from what could they not escape? From what will we not escape if we reject him who warns from heaven?

4. Why are the words "warned" and "warn" significant? Why would God warn us?

5. Why is it important to remember all of the promises of God, not just the ones we like?

6. Why is it important to tell the whole truth of the gospel, instead of "sanitizing" it by removing the aspects of hell, judgment, and repentance that we don't like or are embarrassed by? How have you heard or seen the gospel edited for content like this?

7. What is an eschatological (end times) world view, and how does the author convey one?

8. What's the "So What" of this passage? What's the proper response to these things?

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Paraiteomai" / Hebrews 12:25-29

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Aidos" / Hebrews 12:18-24 / Hanson Rosenquist

1. Verse 18 begins with "For," connecting it to the previous passage. What's the link, or flow, from the previous passage of vv. 12-17?

2. What event is being referred to in vv. 18-21? Why would this be significant to the original readers?

3. What was so terrifying about Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-20?

4. Why do people need a covenant in order to approach and relate to God?

5. How did people relate, or approach, God under the Old Covenant?

6. How did the Old Covenant point to the Lord Jesus Christ?

7. What claims did the Lord Jesus make about Himself during His earthly ministry? What's the significance of these claims?

8. How can we now relate to God under the New Covenant?

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Aidos" / Hebrews 12:18-24

Hanson Roesnquist

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"Hagiasmos" / Hebrews 12:12-17 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews teaches his readers correct responses to the knowledge that God disciplines us for our good and holiness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. What's the significance of the "therefore" in v. 12?

2. Why does the author use the imagery of physical suffering in v. 12? How do vv. 3-11 lead us to be encouraged to 'lift', 'strengthen', 'make straight', and 'be healed' in v. 13?

3. What emphasis does the author place on holiness? What absolutes does he use in his language?

4. What is holiness? What does it mean to strive for holiness?

5. Since personal holiness has such an important place in our salvation, why do we not talk about it more? Should we talk about it more?

6. What are some things the author calls us to do to live out our holiness in vv. 14-16?

7. How should followers of Christ love their enemies? How would this look in practice?

8. What are the dangers of bitterness and sexual immorality?

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Hagiasmos" / Hebrews 12:12-17

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Paideuo" / Hebrews 12:3-11 Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews pastors his readers by giving them a theology of trials and

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

1. Why is it important for Christians to learn and talk about trials and struggles?

2. What are some examples of "wrong thinking" about trials and struggles?

3. What should inform our thinking about the difficulties we face in life? What are some unhelpful or wrong sources for our thinking about difficulties?

4. What does the author of Hebrew's use of the Old Testament teach us about the Bible's place in the life of a Christian? Do we really act like we believe what we say about it?

5. What does it mean that our thinking should be "informed by and conformed to" the Word of God? How do we do this?

6. What are some examples of "right thinking" about trials and struggles? What do we need to remember about God in our trials?

7. What are the results or outcomes of God's discipline?

8. In suffering, why is it crucial to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus and the gospel? What does the gospel tell us about our suffering?

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Paideuo" / Hebrews 12:3-11

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Manipulating God" / 2 Samuel 12:15-31 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 14 – 15, Nathan the prophet had declared that David's son with Uriah's wife would die. Why? Is this negotiable?

How certain is this outcome? What evidence is there that Nathan was right?

2 – In verse 16, why does David fast and pray? Why does he think God will change his mind? How serious is David? How do you know?

Why don't we fast and pray? Do we think God hears? Cares? Responds? Changes things?

3 – In verses 17 – 18, Why are the elders reluctant to tell David that his child has died? What did they suspect might happen? Why?

4 – In verses 20 – 23, why is it surprising that David went back to life as usual once the child died? Why does this surprise the servants? How is David resolved, content, at peace with the outcome?

What does this tell us about David's view of God? What do we know about David's view of the afterlife? (v 23)

5 – Is prayer effective? Does it change things? Does it change God?

How is fervent prayer different than manipulating God? How is it different from magic?

"Manipulating God" / 2 Samuel 12:15-31

Jim Rosenquist

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"True Manna" / John 6:22-40 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage John records a teaching event of the Lord Jesus' which takes places at a time when He was still very popular among the people for His miracles of healing and feeding. He challenges their motives for following Him. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. What benefits are there for us in religion in general? How do you personally benefit from being part of a local church family?

2. What benefits do you hear people state when they try to "sell" Christianity to non- believers? How are some of these things manna that perishes?

3. What motives does the Lord Jesus accuse the crowd of having for following Him? What is His tone while confronting them?

4. In what ways do we seek to gain the benefits of Christ yet ignore Christ Himself?

5. Could your church be explained without Jesus Christ? As in, is attendance due to friends, programs, and entertainment rather than a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ? In what ways do you see the Church in general lose its focus on the Lord Jesus and instead focus on other things?

6. What does the Lord Jesus tell the crowd they really need?

7. Why do you really need the Lord Jesus Christ? Why is He more important than food, clothing, etc.?

8. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"True Manna" / John 6:22-40

Hanson Rosenquist

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"Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend" / 2 Samuel 12:1-15 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, who was Nathan? (see 2 Sam 7: 1-17, 12: 25; 1 Kings 1: 8, 10, 22)

2 – In verses 1-6, How is Nathan's story of the rich man with many flocks and herds parallel to David's story? How does the story appeal to David? Why is David so animated?

What judgment does David decree as just and fitting? Why doesn't he see himself in the story?

3 – In verse 7 what does Nathan mean, "You are the man?"

4 – In verse 9, how does David "despise" the word of the Lord? Why is this indictment so serious? Where has David encountered this charge before? (see 1 Sam 2:30, 17:42, 2 Sam 6:16)

Contrast the "I" statements of verses 7-8 with the "You" statements of verse 9.

5 – In verse 13, how does David respond to the charge? Does he make excuses?

David is forgiven, but still faces consequences of his sin. How is he forgiven? Why are there still consequences?

6 – How can we experience both forgiveness and consequence? Why? What kind of consequences.

How are our temptations to sin like the traveler in Nathan's story?

"Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend" / 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Jim Rosenquist

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