Theme: The Importance of Obedience
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 13:1-23
Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)
Know: King Saul impatiently offered a burnt offering to God, breaking the command of the Lord.
Think: Have the mindset that obedience is always the best choice.
Do: Commit to obey the Lord in every area of life, no matter the circumstances.
Notes and questions:
B1 Background: Israel was having problems with the Philistines. The Philistines were lording it over Israel and stealing from them. There was a garrison of soldiers at Gibeah.
C1 1 Samuel 7:7 NRSV When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines.
C2 1 Samuel 13:3-4 NRSV Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba; and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!" 4 When all Israel heard that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines, the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
C3 The actions of Jonathan infuriated the Philistines, who gathered their soldiers to fight Israel. 1 Samuel 13:5 GW The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel. They had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and as many soldiers as the sand on the seashore. They camped at Michmash, east of Beth Aven.
C4 The Hebrews were terrified and most ran and hid. 1 Samuel 13:6-7 GW When the Israelites saw they were in trouble because the army was hard-pressed, they hid in caves, in thorny thickets, among rocks, in pits, and in cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan River into the territory of Gad and Gilead. But Saul remained in Gilgal, and all the people who followed him trembled in fear.
B2 Obedience-disobedience
C1 Defined
D1 What is the difference? Give an example.
D2 When is disobedience required for the Christian?
D3 When is obedience required for the Christian?
D4 What or who makes the difference?
C2 What is the difference between obedience and disobedience in the following?
D1 Romans 5:19 NKJV For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
D2 John 14:15 NKJV If you love Me, keep My commandments.
D3 1 John 3:4-7 WEL Everyone doing sin also is doing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you are aware that he appeared to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in him does not keep on sinning. Everyone who keeps on sinning has not seen or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; he who is doing what is right is righteous just as he is righteous.
C3 What did the Apostles do differently than Saul?
D1 1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.
D2 Acts 4:18-19 GNB So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, "You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight—to obey you or to obey God?”
B3 1 Samuel 13:8-9,
C1 Seven days: 1 Samuel 10:8 NKJV You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.
C2 Did King Saul not understand what Samuel say?
B4 1 Samuel 13:10-12,
C1 Why did King Saul not wait? Was his excuse acceptable?
C2 What does waiting have to do with obedience to God? How does impatience cause difficulties in our lives?
C3 When King Saul states, “You did not come within the days appointed,” what is Saul doing? (He is making excuses).
D1 By making excuses, Saul was NOT facing reality. He was NOT acknowledging the truth. The truth was that he was to wait.
D2 How do making choices affect our Christian life?
D3 Choices have consequences.
D4 We use a compass to help us with directions. How can you apply this to Saul’s situation?
B5 1 Samuel 13:13-14,
C1 What can we learn and apply to our life when Samuel tells King Saul, “You have done foolishly?”
C2 When are we to rebuke someone? What standard are we to use?
C3 How does this verse apply to King Saul’s actions: Proverbs 12:15 NKJV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise? How does it apply to us?
C4 Have you ever made a foolish decision? How did it turn out? (You don’t have to response, just think about it). How would you advise another person facing the same situation?
C5 What did King Saul lose? Was there any repentance? Could this judgment be reversed?
C6 Do Christians today lose blessings like King Saul did?
C7 Can you think of examples of Christians forfeiting God’s blessings?
C8 Now God is going to seek a man after his own heart, that is, loyal. Samuel is referring to David, whom he has not met—yet. What is the difference between King Saul and King David? A few translations render this: 1 Samuel 13:14 NET But now your kingdom will not continue! The LORD has sought out for himself a man who is loyal to him and the LORD has appointed him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the LORD commanded you.
B6 1 Samuel 13:15-18,
C1 The Philistines are trying to surround King Saul and his small army of 600.
C2 Before King Saul sinned, he had 2,000 soldiers, and General Jonathan, his son, had 1,000.
B7 1 Samuel 13:19-21,
C1 Why did the Israelites have so few swords and no blacksmith? (The Philistines had oppressed Israel to the extent that there was so little).
C2 What were the reasons the Philistines did not allow blacksmiths in Israel?
B8 1 Samuel 13:22-23,
C1 Does the situation look bleak?
C2 What are we to do when our life, as a Christian, looks bleak?
C3 How do we have hope in a hopeless world?
C4 How do we have hope when we have sinned?
B9 Hope
C1 Psalms 42:5 GNB Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.
C2 Psalms 119:114 NKJV You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
C3 Titus 2:13 NKJV Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
B10 Next week:
C1 The Harder They Fall
C2 Theme: Courageous Faith
C3 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:1-58
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