"Terminus" / Hebrews 10:1-18 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of the book of Hebrews concludes his teaching on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself being the final, once-for-all sacrifice for sin which therefore abrogates the old covenant sacrificial system. Whereas animal sacrifice could do not more than remind of sin, Christ Jesus beings lasting forgiveness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.

1. In what sense was the law (Gk. nomos; meaning in this context the old covenant religious system) "a shadow of the good things to come"? What were the good things to come?

2. What argument does the author of Hebrews use in v. 2 to show that the animal sacrifices could not bring lasting forgiveness? Why is this significant?

3. Verse 4 declares that it is impossible for animal sacrifices to take away sins. What does that mean for the sin problem of the human race?

4. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, what did He need to bring lasting forgiveness for sin (vv. 5-7)?

5. According to vv. 9-10, what are the effects of Christ Jesus' sacrifice of Himself?

6. How do vv. 11-14 demonstrate the finality of Christ's sacrifice? That is, how do these verses show that there is no further sacrifice needed?

7. In what way(s) are vv. 17b-18 good news for you personally?

"Raising Ebenezer" / 1 Samuel 7:2-17 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 2, why did the Israelites, "mourn and seek the lord?" In verses 3 and 4, what action does Samuel say should accompany returning to the Lord? Why would this action be difficult? What did they do? What idols do we need to put away to, "serve the Lord only?"


2 – In verse 6, what does fasting have to do with repentance? Why did they fast? Should we? Why or why not? If we should fast, then why don't we?


3 – In chapter 4, the Israelites were confident in the power of the ark to save them. Now, they are not confident. What do they do differently this time?


4 – In verse 9, Samuel offers a sacrificial offering. Why? What is it, and why did he do it? What corresponding offering do we present to God?


5 - In verse 12, Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance. What is it? What other commemorative stones does scripture refer to? What corresponding "stones" do we have as Christians? What does Samuel mean, "Thus far, the Lord has helped us?" What confidence do we have that God will help us in future trials?

"A Series of Unfortunate Events" / 1 Samuel 6:1-7:2 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In the last chapter, the Philistines looked to their political leaders for advice about what to do with the ark of the covenant. See verses 5, 8 and 11. This time they ask the religious leaders, why? See verse 6:2. What advice do the religious leaders suggest? Why a guilt offering? What do the offerings represent? Why?

2 – How does the ark narrative compare with the Exodus? What do the religious leaders mean, "Don't harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did?" What other parallels do you see?

3 – In verses 7-8, how is the return of the ark organized in a way that makes it incredibly unlikely to succeed? Why? What does it prove?

4 – What did the Israelites of Beth-shemesh do right? What did they do wrong? What happened? Why?

5 – The people of Beth-shemesh ask, "Who can stand before the Lord, this holy God?" What do they mean? What's the answer? How is it possible for anyone to stand before the holy God?

"Haz Mat" / 1 Samuel 5:1-12 / Jim Rosenquist

Verses 1-5

1 – Why did the Philistines set the ark in Dagon's temple? What power did they think it had? How could they use it?

2 – Why does Yahweh, the almighty creator of the universe, bother with a statue of a fake God? What is He trying to communicate to the Philistines? To us?

3 – Why do humans worship idols? What idols do we worship today?

4 – How does Dagon falling a second time and breaking off is head and hands communicate his worthlessness and impotence?

Verses 6-12

5 – What do the Philistines already know about the history of the ark? (see 1 Sam 4:8) How does a plague among the Philistines reinforce what they already know about God?

6 – Why are the Philistines reluctant to simply return the ark to Israel? Why are we reluctant to give up our idols?

"Elvis Has Left the Building" / 1 Samuel 4:12-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 12, how do we know the runner has bad news? Why is he running? What's so urgent?


2 – In verses 13-15, what is Eli doing? Why? Why doesn't he recognize that the runner has bad news? What is he expecting?


3 – In verses 16-18, The runner has four increasingly terrible news announcements. What were they?


4 – In verse 19, Phinehas' wife responds to the same news in inverse order. What is it? Why is she distraught?


5 – In verse 20, why does she name her son, "Ichabod?" What does the name mean? What does she mean? Is she referencing the loss of the ark, or something worse?


6 – What happens to thriving churches that lose sight of their message? Does God name them, "Ichabod?" What are some examples? Could that happen here? How? How do we prevent it?


7 – How can someone who lost God's glory regain it?

"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?