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Waiting for the True King a Series in 1 Samuel

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Waiting for the True King a Series in 1 Samuel WAITING FOR THE TRUE KING A SERIES IN 1 SAMUEL 1 CONTENTS HOW TO READ THE OLD TESTAMENT 4 MAP 6 BIBLE TIMELINE 8 5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF THIS SERIES COMPANION 9 WAITING FOR THE KING 11 SERVING THE KING 21 LISTENING TO THE KING 31 WORSHIPPING THE KING 41 CROWNING THE KING 51 OBEYING THE KING 62 SEEING THE KING 73 SWEARING ALLEGIANCE TO THE KING 83 THE SUFFERING KING 95 WAITING FOR THE TRUE KING 105 3 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the HOW word. – Luke 1:1-2 TO READ THE OLD Luke introduces his Gospel as a fulfilment story – ‘the things fulfilled among us.’ Luke’s story of Jesus TESTAMENT is a fulfilment story. It’s the story of the fulfilment of the Old Testament in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and pouring out of the Spirit. And as we read on from these opening two verses, chapter by chapter we meet a rich array of both Old Testament quotations and allusions as Luke weaves his fulfilment tapestry. Finally, in Luke’s last chapter, Jesus’ own words most strikingly announce the totality of this fulfilment: He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. – Luke 24:25-27 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will 4 suffer and rise from the dead on the the Old Testament anticipated these third day, and repentance for the things about Jesus: forgiveness of sins will be preached • he is the Messiah – God’s true King. in his name to all nations, beginning • core to his role as Messiah was his at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of suffering and his resurrection. these things. I am going to send you • repenting – turning to this Jesus – what my Father has promised; but brings forgiveness of sins. stay in the city until you have been • this message will be proclaimed to clothed with power from on high.” all nations. – Luke 24:44-49 • he sends the Holy Spirit, In these two resurrection appearances, empowering this worldwide mission Jesus tells his followers how to read of the gospel (which Luke shows us the Old Testament. It’s all about him. in his second volume – Acts). All of it. In the first scene he refers From the great lookout of Luke 24, to “all the Scriptures”. In the second Jesus shows us how to read every scene he says the same thing a page of the Old Testament. Whatever different way – the three-fold division book you’re reading, from Genesis to of “the Law of Moses, the Prophets and Malachi, it’s all about these key truths. the Psalms” was a common way of It’s all about Jesus. referring to the entire Old Testament. It’s a stunning claim. The entire Old Testament – every page – every word – is about Jesus. Specifically, 5 N TYRE BETH- MAPW E ANATH KEDESH ARAMEANS ACHZIB BETH-SHEMESH S RAMAH NAVEH ACCO CHINNERETH APHEK ASHTAROTH HANNATHON APHEK ACHSHAPH HAMATH S E A O F CHINNERETH DOR EN-DOR MEGIDDO JEZREEL RAMOTH-GILEAD TAANACH RIVER JORDAN BETH-SHEAN IBLEAM JABESH-GILEAD HEPHER BEZEK SOCOH TIRZAH ZAPHON SHECHEM SUCCOTH ZARETHAN APHEK ADAM AMMON JOPPA JOGBEHAH JAZER OPHRAH RABBATH- BETH-EL BENE-AMMON MIZPEH GILGAL GEZER GIBEON RAMAH KIRIATH-JEARIM GIBEAH OF SAUL HESHBON EKRON JEBUS ASHDOD BETH-SHEMESH MEDEBA GATH AZEKAH BETHLEHEM ASHKELON KEILAH LACHISH EGLON HEBRON GAZA DIBON EN-GEDI AROER DEBIR ZIKLAG ESHTEMOA THE DEAD SEA HORMAH JUDAH ARAD BEER-SHEBA AROER KIR-HARESETH ZOAR 6 Jacob’s 12 sons who became the 12 tribes of Israel (they move to Eygpt) the people wander in the adam & eve desert until the time of Blessing: Joshua... the First Heavens North Kingdom destroyed and First Earth Hosea (called Israel) Amos 10 Commandments Later named Israel the flood northern prophets A picture of judgment and salvation samuel saul Samuel the final judge annoints Saul jacob (who fails) NORTHERN KINGDOM SOUTHERN KINGDOM southern prophets South Kingdom exiled (called Judah) moses david 400 years A taste of blessing: of silence Promises coming true: the fall God’s people in he leads Israel out of Curse: God’s people God’s place under Egypt in the Exodus thrown out of God’s God’s King presence. The promise of a serpent crusher. abraham Isaiah Jeremiah The exiles return to Promise of blessing: Joel Jerusalem God’s people in Micah God’s place Zephaniah under God’s rule judges Habakkuk new heaven Sin persists: a repeated cycle of Jesus sends the + new earth sin and judgment foreign nation exile Holy Spirit Curse: God’s people again Blessing forever king solomon prophets thrown out of God’s presence because of Jesus David and Solomon’s sin causes a split in Israel, resulting in… Jesus takes the curse the age of to bring blessing, Jonah fulfilling the the Spirit joshua Nahum Old Testament in his God’s presence in his people isaac God’s people enter the Obadiah Abraham’s son promised land... death and resurrection spreading blessing across the earth ISAIAH 1-2 SAMUEL JONAH PROVERBS JEREMIAH DANIEL ESTHER MATTHEW GENESIS LEVITICUS JUDGES 1-2 KINGS NAHUM NUMBERS JOSHUA ECCLESIASTES JOEL EZEKIEL NEHEMIAH MARK LETTERS REVELATION EXODUS DEUTORONOMY RUTH PSALMS OBADIAH 1-2 CHRONICLES MICAH MALACHI ZACHARIAH LUKE SONG OF SOLOMANS AMOS EZRA HAGGAI JOHN ZEPHANIAH HOSEA HABAKKUK 7 BIBLE TIMELINE 8 Our Growth Groups are all about growing our servant hearts together. Here are some tips for how to best use this Series Companion for that goal. 5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE 1. KEEP IT WITH YOU MOST OF The reason this booklet is called a ‘Series Companion’ is because it’s a resource not just for THIS SERIES your time with your Growth Group but also for taking COMPANION notes during the Bible Talk, when using Grow Daily, using the Family Growth material, etc. Keep it with you throughout the series. 2. SERVANT NOT MASTER The studies in this Series Companion are a servant for your group not a master. Each group will use them differently. That’s great. Discuss together as a group how you’d like to approach the series. 3. HEAD, HEART, HANDS One of the great advantages of doing Bible Studies which are linked to Bible Talks is the potential to integrate ‘head’ learning with ‘heart’ engagement, and ‘hands’ application. We want transformed heads and hearts to lead to transformed lives. Give good attention to each aspect. 9 4. PREPARE A helpful Growth Group member is one who: prepares the study beforehand; shares their answers as well as their life; and listens thoughtfully and actively to what others have to say. Commit yourself to the other members of your group by being there each week and doing these three crucial things. 5. PRAY A key way we respond to listening to God in his word together is by talking to him together. It’s a vital part of our ministry to each other – both when gathered as a Growth Group and also beyond that gathered time. You will notice that we have changed the prayer page. We would really like you to be reflecting on things to pray about in your life as a result of what you have learnt this week, in the section called personal prayer. We would also love you to pray for the needs of your group and your Cross Cultural Connect Partner as well as 1 or 2 of your unbelieving friends or family. It would be great to discuss with your group during the first week, some unbelieving friends or family that you would like to pray for over the course of the term. 10 1WAITING FOR THE KING BIG IDEA Hannah epitomises the plight of Israel: empty and afflicted, but still loved by God. The difference is that Hannah is waiting for God’s true King. This anticipates the whole world’s need for Jesus. KEY VERSE “ those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” - 1 Samuel 2:10 11 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS 12 PRAY TO BEGIN Note: Before you read the passage and begin the study, refer to the Bible timeline. As we turn to 1 Samuel chapter 1, what’s just happened in Israel’s history? What’s still up ahead? (See Dig Deeper for further detail on this). READ 1 SAMUEL 1:1-20 HEAD/HEART 1. What struck you about this story? (What did you like; or find jarring/confusing?) 1 Samuel 1:3 is the very first time the phrase “Lord of hosts” is used in the Bible. This is a militaristic term for God, with “hosts” meaning “army”. In a story which is all about leaders, and ultimately Israel’s king, we are reminded that God is the ultimate king, who leads Israel out into battle, and fights for them.
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