1st And 2nd Samuel (2015)

What did God do to protect His creation? Listen to this lesson to hear about Divine institutions established by God that would allow mankind to live successfully. See that Israel wanted a change in government after they had created a cultural mess by rejecting God. Observe why a literal interpretation of the Genesis account of creation is necessary to understand God’s sovereignty. See the biblical meaning of evil. From Israel’s example, learn not to substitute anything for God in your own life.

What is the most serious responsibility given to government? Listen to this lesson to learn that capital punishment for those who commit murder was delegated to human governments. See that God instituted government and learn seven points about it. Learn the importance of not protecting people from their own mistakes and sins but allowing them to fail. Find out about our dual citizenship and our responsibilities, especially in this time of our country’s decline.

“But everyone else is doing it, Mom.” Most kids use this line to try to get their way at some time. Listen to this lesson to learn that the people in ancient Israel asked the prophet Samuel for a king so they could be like the other nations. Understand that God instituted government and that its success depends on a responsible, moral people and their leaders. Hear the requirements for choosing the right leader and find out the importance of a righteous value system to modern civilization. Apply principles of the Bible as you exercise your right to choose our leaders.

What does the Bible say about human government? Listen to this lesson to learn that God instituted government for two basic functions but that unbelieving mankind corrupts it for its own selfish aims. Learn that our founders followed biblical principles and stressed that the preservation of our country depended on integrity. See that Israel’s government was a theocracy but the people wanted a human king. Understand that as believers we need to seek leaders who understand freedom.

If you’re looking for help in studying the Bible, listen to this lesson. Go through the different sections of Samuel seeing what you can learn about four aspects: what does this section say about God, what does it say about man, what does it say about salvation, and what does it say about problem solving? Focusing on these questions, see important truths about how God is always working in human history. Much like our land today, Israel in those days was suffering from the outcome of their wrong decisions, but we see that God did not desert them. Hear promises from God’s Word that we can apply to our lives today.

Whoops! You’ve done it again. You’re a Christian and you’ve disobeyed God. Now what? Listen to this lesson to hear how confessing our sins to God can turn us back to the right path for our life. See what Samuel told the Israelites they needed to do to get serious about trusting God. Learn the significance of the water at Mizpah and of Samuel’s burnt offering for the people. Find out how God won the battle for them against the Philistines. When you’ve failed, realize that you are to confess your sin and walk by means of the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him again.

Have you ever tried to pull the wool over God’s eyes? Impossible, isn’t it? When you know you’ve done something wrong, what should you do? Listen to this lesson to learn the meaning of confession of sin. See the relationship between confession, regret, remorse, and repentance. Understand that the goal is not to feel bad over what you’ve done but to change from spiritual disobedience to spiritual obedience. See that there are two options when we sin. We can either grieve and lament or we can admit our sin and turn back to God and recover our spiritual life.

Triumph turned to tragedy and horror. That’s the story of what happened to the Philistines when they thought they had conquered God. Learn how God handled them with dire consequences tinged with humor. See how they turned in desperation to their demonic gods for answers and sent the Ark back to Israel. Learn six aspects of the holiness of God and what God means when He tells us to be holy for He is holy. Begin to think more precisely about the holiness of God and realize its implications for your own life.

Caution! Parts of this lesson may be offensive to those who insist all religious beliefs should be treated with equal respect. Listen to learn that when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines they rejoiced in triumph which soon turned to terror. God showed His superiority by wreaking havoc on their god, Dagon, and sending humiliating and painful tumors which decimated the population wherever the Ark was taken. As we face the problems in the world today, we need to remember to relax because God is always in control and is bringing His ultimate plans to pass.

Why should we learn about the events that happened long ago in ancient Israel? Listen to this lesson to hear about a time when it looked like God had been defeated. See how the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. Find out where they took the Ark and how discouraged the people of Israel became. Learn four things that this defeat showed about how God works in human history. When we feel God has let us down and that doctrine doesn’t work for us, see that we need to confess our sins and make God the centerpiece of our life.

If you’re a fan of true battle stories you’ll want to listen to this lesson to learn about a battle that determined Israel’s future for many years. Find out that when they lost the first skirmish, they decided to take the Ark of the Covenant with them as a good luck charm. Learn that they lost even more disastrously, including the enemy capturing the Ark, and when the news was brought back to the high priest, he fell backwards and died. Find out what the name his daughter-in-law gave her new baby means. See how these watershed events are mentioned throughout Scripture. Learn that although God is very patient and gave the Israelites many chances to change, eventually He stepped in and judged them. See that often when we continue in disobedience, He deals with us in the same way.

Warning! This lesson may make you uncomfortable. Learn how individuals and nations who do not follow divine institutions and obey God will implode. Find out about a time in Israel when they were being oppressed by the Philistines and were trying to solve their troubles their own way rather than follow God. See that when the Israelites were defeated in a battle they decided to use the Ark of the Covenant as a good luck charm. Learn about the Ark of the Covenant, its characteristics, and what it represents about God. To avoid divine discipline in your own life, never compromise with your sin nature but submit to God’s authority.

How should we handle the problems that wreck our lives? Advice is given to us from every side for quick solutions but listen to this lesson to see that only the Bible has all the answers. Understand that we need to learn the basic foundation of the events of the Bible in order to apply the doctrinal principles. See that in the days of Samuel the people were turning to their cultural solutions rather than trusting God. Begin to realize the depths of depravity of our sin natures and see that we cannot compromise but must battle through the ministry of God the Holy Spirit to defeat its effects and find divine peace. The book Dr. Dean references in this class is called The State of the American Mind: 16 Leading Critics on the New Anti-Intellectualism. Dr. Dean also quoted from Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America by Robert Whitaker.

What does morality have to do with freedom? Listen to this lesson to learn that obedience to God’s standards has consequences in all areas of life. Begin an outline of the book of 1 Samuel and see how God works to bring about a shift in the direction of Israel. Learn the time frame for these events and the correlation between Judges and 1 Samuel. When problems in our life or in our nation have us in a downward spiral, accept that the only solution is to turn to the Word of God which is sufficient for all of our needs.

Light versus darkness. Self destruction or illumination and hope. Listen to this lesson to hear about a time in Israel very much like our own when moral degeneracy was rampant and there was little knowledge of God’s Word in the land. Hear about how Samuel obeyed the Lord while Eli, the high priest, stumbled around in the darkness. Hear the doctrine of the silence of God and the reason for His silence at different periods. Reflect upon your own life and ask yourself if you are a light in the darkness of the culture around you because of the Word of God you have learned.

Guilty! God pronounced judgment on the degenerate sons of Eli, the high priest. In contrast, listen to this lesson to learn how the child, Samuel, obeyed the Lord. Hear about how cultures who reject God become sexually degenerate and manifest this in countless ways, such as in our country today. Learn that God has provided a Mediator between Himself and mankind in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who provides salvation.

“If it feels good, do it.” Remember that old slogan from the 70s? Listen to this lesson to hear that at any given time we are either serving God or serving our sin nature. Learn about the contrast between Samuel who pleased the Lord and the evil debauchery of the two sons of the high priest. Hear about a prophecy that illustrates the faithfulness of God. Look at life through the grid of God’s Word and take God’s holiness seriously. Daily go on a seek-and-destroy mission to root out the evil that slips in so easily. Remember that we can always trust God to solve the problems of paganism and carnality.

Have things gone too far off the rails for our country to ever recover? Listen to this lesson to hear how Hannah and the writers of the Psalms describe God’s sovereignty. He is the one who controls life and death and everything in between. He alone can thwart the evil plans against us. When we think through life’s problems, we need to remember the attributes of God and trust Him to always provide and protect us. Since people who appear to be powerful will be brought down by God and those who are powerless will be strengthened, we can rest knowing that we have nothing to fear.

Who decides what’s right and what’s wrong? The law? The courts? Public opinion? Listen to this lesson to learn that the creator God is sovereign and only He rules on what is right. See that what God decrees, He always carries out. Learn that He intervenes to reverse the plans of corrupt humanity and ultimately will break the power of those who think they are winning. Learn more about how Hannah’s psalm shows the power and majesty of God and how she praises Him. Because God has given mankind freedom, at times evil seems to be winning but fully trust that God is always in control.

Do you have trouble sleeping some nights after listening to news about disaster after disaster? Listen to this lesson to learn that God is sovereign which means that He rules over His creation. Explore the question of causation and see how God gives mankind the freedom to make choices. See the difference between God’s decreed will and His permissive will. Take comfort in the fact that power and might do not make right. Trust that no matter what evil schemes are being devised, God intervenes in human history so His plans will ultimately succeed.