The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Samuel 1-3
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 1 Samuel 1-3
Samuel was the last Judge and the human instrument of the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. His mother’s poem in chapter two reflects her gratitude for finally giving birth to a child, but it also serves as a sort of preview for what is to come. In the stories of the Kings, we will see the rise of the humble and the fall of the proud. Often this will be the same person. Humans don’t tend to do well with success; it makes them (us), foolish. We find that this was a time when “The word of the Lord was rare.” It is likely because no one was listening. Samuel was listening, and the Lord called him to be his priest, prophet, and judge. His very first assignment was terrible indeed. He was to tell his mentor that God had permanently judged his entire family. Eli had become a passive, foolish man. He rebuked his sons, but he also allowed them to continue to mock the Lord with their sinful behavior. Passive fathers often raise foolish children who suffer for their folly. Love is never passive; it is always proactive. Though Eli had been passive, the remnants of his faith are seen in his response to the terrible news: “He is the Lord, let him do what he thinks is good.” Judges ended with the genealogy of David. Samuel is the story of how God will work out his plans that will lead to the inauguration of David, Israel’s second greatest king. The greatest King, of course, will be King Jesus.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Jason & Lisa. Now that Ramadan has ended, they will be visiting their Muslim friends for a holiday. Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel in every home they enter.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call some now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.
Review the Storyline Map: Where we are in the Bible
Act 1 God’s Plan for All People
Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life.
Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God’s vision for life
Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life
Act 2 God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a Covenant People
Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people.
Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Week 14:
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Day 1: 1 Samuel 1-3
Day 2: 1 Samuel 4-8
Day 3: 1 Samuel 9-12
Day 4: 1 Samuel 13-16
Day 5: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59
Day 6: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalm 91
Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Scene 8: Exile: God disciplines his people
Scene 9: Return: God delivers his people again
Act 3 God’s New Covenant People
Scene 1: Christ’s coming: God’s true king arrives
Scene 2: Christ’s ministry: God’s true king manifest his kingdom
Scene 3: Christ’s deliverance of his people: God’s work through the death, resurrection, and enthronement of his king
Scene 4: Christ’s church: God’s people advance the kingdom
Scene 5: Christ second coming: God future for the kingdom