L I F E
B I B L E
S T U D Y
Table Of Contents Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................8
Lesson 1— Samson: Desperate from Shame..........................................................................................................11 Lesson 2—Ruth: Close to the Brokenhearted.......................................................................................................20 Lesson 3—Hannah: Is God Listening?..................................................................................................................28 Lesson 4—Hezekiah: Desperate Deliverance........................................................................................................36
How to Use This Book . . .
This study has been designed to help you prepare for a group Bible study experience, to use during a group Bible study experience, or as an individual Bible study guide. To get the most from this study, consider the following suggestions: 1. Gather your favorite Bible, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter before you begin. As you study the commentary, stop and read the assigned passage first. You will have the opportunity to dig deeper into some of the verses at the end of each section. 2. Use the commentary and sidebars to guide your personal Bible study. You may want to keep a Bible atlas or map handy to help you locate the places that are key to your understanding of each passage. 3. Continue your Bible study during the week using the devotional passages and journaling assignments. Allow God this time to transform you through your study and your time with Him. 4. Take your book along to your small group study. The worksheets and other handouts will be helpful to you during your study time.
Be prepared to consider, examine, and evaluate God’s Word as you move through this study. Our prayer is that this study will give you the opportunity to better understand how you can turn to God during your darkest hours.
STATEMENTS OF FAITH
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD AND EMPOWERER
When studying the Bible broad themes, or essential truths, become obvious. These themes become the foundation for understanding who God is and how He has revealed Himself. Life Bible Study curriculum is designed to highlight eight truths that are essential in understanding the character and work of God.
The Holy Spirit is supernatural and sovereign, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. He lives within all Christians beginning at the moment of salvation and then empowers them for bold witness and effective service as they yield to Him. The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of sin, uses God’s Word to mature believers into Christlikeness, and secures them until Christ returns.
GOD IS
SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE
Only one true and living God exists. He is the Creator of the universe, eternally existing in three Persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each equally deserving of humanity’s worship and obedience. He is infinite and perfect in all His attributes.
THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD The Bible is God’s written revelation to people, divinely given through human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is entirely true. The Bible is totally sufficient and completely authoritative for matters of life and faith. The goal of God’s Word is the restoration of humanity into His image.
PEOPLE ARE GOD’S TREASURE God created people in His image for His glory. They are the crowning work of His creation. Yet every person has willfully disobeyed God—an act known as sin— thus inheriting both physical and spiritual death and the need for salvation. All human beings are born with a sin-nature and into an environment inclined toward sin. Only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ can they experience salvation.
JESUS IS GOD AND SAVIOR Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He is Christ, the Son of God. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. He died on the cross to provide people forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory.
All human beings are born with a sin nature, separated from God, and in need of a Savior. That salvation comes only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior, as a person repents of sin and receives Christ’s forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation is instantaneous and accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and not on the basis of human works. All the redeemed are secure in Christ forever.
THE CHURCH IS GOD’S PLAN The Holy Spirit immediately places all people who put their faith in Jesus Christ into one united spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the head. The primary expression of the Church on earth is in autonomous local congregations of baptized believers. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by taking the gospel to the entire world and by building its members up in Christ-likeness through the instruction of God’s Word, fellowship, service, worship, and prayer.
THE FUTURE IS IN GOD’S HANDS God will bring the world to its appropriate end in His own time and in His own way. At that time, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. Both the saved and unsaved will be resurrected physically to be judged by Christ. Those who have trusted Christ will receive their reward and dwell forever in heaven with the Lord. Those who have refused Christ will spend eternity in hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The certain return of Christ motivates believers to be faithful in their daily lives.
The Darkest Hours
Major events . . . celebrations . . . “mountain top” experiences. We have all had them. Graduations, weddings, births, a first home, a new job—all are reasons to celebrate the joy of life and God’s blessings. Unfortunately, life is full of occasions that are not so joyous. At times, life can seem downright terrible, maybe even hopeless or desperate. We can struggle in our darkest hours because of poor choices, unfulfilled hopes, or threatened security. How can God allow these dark times to come into our lives? Life’s journey can take us through valleys filled with overwhelming darkness. Shadows of desperation can be long and heavy. Questions abound: How did I get here? How much longer will this last? Will I ever see daylight again? Where can I go for help and hope? The experiences of several people in the Bible can help us know how to seek answers to those questions. Even before Samson was born, an angel of the Lord revealed God’s purpose for Samson to his mother. From his earliest experiences, Samson knew he was set apart for God’s special purpose. But Samson chose to live in his own strength rather than God’s. Ultimately, God allowed him to be humiliated by the very enemies he was supposed to defeat. Desperate from shame, Samson finally turned to God, admitted his sinful choices, and begged God for another chance. Are you like Samson? Perhaps you knew from a young age that you had the potential to do great things for God. But rather than walking with God, you lived on your own terms. Maybe the choices you made have resulted in terrible consequences, leaving you in the valley of desperate shame. Like Samson, you have the opportunity to turn back to God and find Him waiting for you. Ruth was a young woman overwhelmed by life circumstances beyond her control. Her husband, brotherin-law, and father-in-law all died, leaving her brokenhearted and unable to provide for her needs. In the midst of her pain, she trusted God to provide for her needs and the needs of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Returning to Israel with Naomi, Ruth received God’s abundant blessings of provision and security. Do you find common ground with Ruth? Have circumstances beyond your control have left you desperately brokenhearted? Have you faced losing what was most important to you? Like Ruth, you have the opportunity to turn to God during your darkest hours and find Him waiting for you. Hannah wondered if God heard her prayers. She desperately wanted a child, and begged God to grant her request. But God responded slowly, in His preferred timing rather than hers. Hannah allowed her grief to overshadow the blessings she already had received. Compelled by grief and longing for a child, Hannah continued to pour out her heart to God. 9
Perhaps you can relate to Hannah. Maybe you have prayed for a child, yet remain childless. Maybe you mourn the death of an unborn child. Or maybe you have a different dream that remains unfulfilled. Maybe, like Hannah, you are desperate for some sign that God has heard your cries. Refuse to give up. Just as He heard Hannah, God also hears you. As king of Judah, Hezekiah faced the threat of a foreign country overtaking his own. As the nation’s leader, Hezekiah was responsible for defending his home, his family, and all of Judah from invasion. Knowing that he was not strong enough for the challenge, he turned to God in desperation. Perhaps Hezekiah’s life parallels with yours. When the responsibilities of leadership become overwhelming, where do you go for help? Maybe you are a teacher or a coach who despairs over the lifestyle choices your students make. Maybe you are the owner of a struggling business and feel the weight of responsibility for the lives of many employees. Maybe you are a government official who desperately wants to honor God as you make decisions for your constituents. When you turn to God, you will find Him waiting for you, just as Hezekiah did. All people, even Christians, experience desperate times. In each case, we have to decide how we will respond. Think of it this way: the desperate situation is not really the challenge. The real challenge and test of our faith is how we respond to the situation of our darkest hours. Do we run from the situation, threatening to withdraw into the quiet darkness of isolation from others? Do we take matters into our own hands by devising a strategy to overcome all obstacles? Do we attack others whom we blame for our circumstances? Or do we turn to God, desperate for His comfort, guidance, and provision? Though the valley of desperation may be dark, lonely, and frightening, when we seek God, we experience His love in unexpectedly magnificent ways. God can comfort our broken hearts better than anyone else. He provides the perfect guidance for our complicated, desperate situations. God blesses us abundantly beyond our “just get me through this” requirements. His light shines brightest during our darkest hours.
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Samson: Desperate from Shame Biblical Passages: Judges 13:1–7; 16:4–30 Supporting Passages: Judges 13:8–25; Judges 14–15; 16:1–3, 31; Hebrews 11:32–34 Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:4 Biblical Truth: G od restored Samson’s strength and used his shame to bring Samson closer to Him and to carry out judgment Philistines on the Philistines.
Consider . . . There are moments in life when we blow it . . . like, really blow it. Sometimes it seems that we could not make things worse even if we tried. What are we supposed to do when this happens? How can we make things better? Fix things with ourselves? With God? Samson was a guy divinely blessed in a unique way, and someone with whom God showed incredible patience and mercy. But Samson blew it . . . really blew it. Toward the end of his story it seems that he could not make things any worse even if he tried. However, thankfully for him, and for us, his story did not end there. In a moment of complete desperation, Samson finally got it right. He realized God had created him for a specific purpose. He learned that although many were against him, he was solely to blame for his own sin. And despite everything, God was still there whenever Samson cried out for Him.
The Philistines were a tribal group that lived in the southwest part of Palestine. The Philistines were a major threat to early Israel’s existence. The word Philistine in Hebrew means “immigrants.” They were a fierce fighting force. They were a powerful sea people who formed five major cities: Gath, Ekron, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Gaza. Their political organization weaved the five cities into one, giving them great success in the region. They were extremely religious. Victories were celebrated in their temples. For many generations, the Philistines proved to be a challenge to the people of Israel. 11
Created for a Purpose (Judg. 13:1–7) Following the death of Joshua, a generation arose among the people of Israel who did not know God or much about His work. They turned to their own way of doing things. God would get angry with the people and allow another nation to rule over them. The people would then cry out to God for deliverance, and He would anoint a judge, someone to help deliver and counsel the fledgling nation. Eventually, Israel would return to doing things their way, creating a cycle that runs throughout the Book of Judges. In Judges 13, the people of Israel had turned away from God and His ways once again. In response, God allowed the Philistines to invade and conquer them. After 40 years of Philistine domination, however, God decided to deliver His people. The angel of the Lord came to visit the wife of Manoah of Zorah, who was unable to have children. The angel told her that she would conceive and bear a child. Because the son she would bear had a very special purpose, she was forbidden to drink any wine or eat anything unclean. Her son would be a Nazirite and would deliver Israel from the Philistines. She told her husband and did just as God commanded. Reread verses 4–5. What do you think it meant for Samson’s parents to know that God was working out His purposes for Samson’s life even before his birth? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ What does it mean for you to know God was working out His purposes in your life even before your birth? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 12
Solely to Blame (Judg. 16:4–22) Samson’s reign as judge did not come without controversy. He married a Philistine woman. He broke two of his Nazirite vows by drinking wine and touching the carcass of a dead lion to get some honey. He murdered 30 of his enemies to pay off a gambling debt. He gave his wife to his best man once he tired of her. He visited prostitutes. And he seemed to delight in the torment of his enemies by finding increasingly creative ways to harass and kill them. In spite of all of this, however, God remained with Samson and used him in mighty ways. But then Delilah entered Samson’s life.
angel of the Lord The angel of the Lord was a messenger of God who at times is described as the Lord Himself. The messenger conveyed revelation or instruction to people who otherwise could not see God Himself and live. Nazirite A Nazirite took a vow to separate from the world and consecrate himself to God. The word in Hebrew means “consecrated or devoted one.” The Nazirites committed to do three things: abstain from wine or other intoxicating drinks (maintain self-control), refuse to cut their hair (a visible symbol of the vow), and refuse to touch or go near a dead body (stay ceremonially pure). Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist were the only lifelong Nazirites found in the Bible.
Samson fell blindly in love with Delilah, a Philistine woman. In an effort to conquer Samson, the leaders of the Philistines hatched a plan with Delilah to discover the source of Samson’s strength. Three times, Delilah used her intimate relationship with Samson to attempt to persuade him to reveal his secret to her. He responded by lying. During each of these times, the Philistines attempted to destroy the false source of strength Samson had told Delilah. Yet Samson still did not catch on. The third time Delilah begged him to tell her, Samson relented and revealed to Delilah that his uncut hair, the last of his Nazirite vows to remain unbroken, was the source of his strength. This time the Philistines cut
Samson’s hair. Samson discovered that his strength was indeed gone because the Lord had left him. The Philistines seized and bound him and gouged out his eyes. They imprisoned Samson and forced him to work hard labor. Despite Delilah’s cunning deceptiveness and the constant threat of the Philistines, Samson only had himself to blame for his predicament. Samson did not lose his strength because his long hair had held some sort of magic. Rather, God decided Samson would now have to suffer the consequences of his sin.
it. God’s strengthening of Samson resulted in the death of more enemies of Israel than throughout Samson’s reign as judge as well as a display of God’s power over that of the Philistine’s god, Dagon.
Reread verses 15–17. Since Samson was obviously aware of his vows and purpose in life, why do you suppose he was so eager to defy God and do things his way? What makes it easy for us to act the same way?
Reread verses 28–30. What do you think led to Samson’s newfound humility in his prayer to God? How does God use your own shortcomings to produce good in you?
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A Cry of Desperation (Judg. 16:23–30) The Philistines celebrated their victory over their enemy Samson by offering a sacrifice to their god, Dagon. As part of their celebration they had Samson brought out of the prison so that he could entertain them. Since Samson had lost his eyes, he had to be led to the celebration. Once there, he requested that his hands be placed on the pillars of the house. Then in desperation, Samson cried out to God, asking the Lord to grant him strength one last time. God heard Samson’s prayer and answered by granting his request. Samson pushed the pillars so hard that the house collapsed, killing himself and all of his enemies. In this final act Samson displayed a humility he had never before possessed along with a willingness to fulfill the purpose for which he had been created. He recognized his sin and asked that God remember him in spite of
______________________ Because God Is, He told Samson’s mother, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive” ( Judg. 13:3). What is not possible with humanity is within God’s control.
Delilah Delilah, the Philistine woman with whom Samson fell in love, conspired with the rulers of the Philistines to discover the source of Samson’s strength and subdue him. She received 1,100 pieces of silver from each ruler. Dagon Dagon is an ancient Mesopotamian deity. He usually has the body or trunk of a fish with the head and hands of a man. Dagon is the national god of the Philistines. Baal is considered the son of Dagon. Dagon is a grain and fertility god with famous temples in Gaza and Ashdod. Some historical texts show Dagon being worshiped before the time of Abraham. The Canaanites worshiped Dagon up to the time of Christ.
Because God Is, He is able to accomplish His purposes despite our failures. The angel had pronounced that Samson would “begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines” ( Judg. 13:5). Yet, Samson’s life seldom demonstrated the faithfulness God expects from His people. Nevertheless, God’s purpose was accomplished through Samson, in spite of Samson’s failures. What Samson had failed to accomplish through his own strength, God allowed him to accomplish at the end of his life. 13
Daily Bible Readings Day 1 — Before I was Born Read Judges 13:1–6. Samson understood that even before he was born, God had called him to a special task. He knew even in the midst of tough times that God had created him for a specific purpose, and that purpose proved to be even greater than he originally thought. As you journal below, consider: What does it mean for you to know God has had a purpose for you even before your birth? What role do you think God has called you to play in bringing His salvation to the ends of the earth?
Pause to Pray: Pray for God to birth in you a renewed passion for the purpose to which He has called you. Ask Him where He would use you to further His Kingdom here on earth.
Day 2 — Set Apart Read Judges 13:7–8 and Numbers 6:1–21. God explained that Samson was chosen, even before his birth, to work as a Nazirite. God gave the people of Israel specific guidelines for those who desired to be set apart for His work as a Nazirite. The guidelines required demonstrating self-control, remaining ceremonially clean, and displaying a visible symbol of this vow. As you journal below, consider: How has God called you to be set apart for His work? What guidelines has He established for your life that you might live obediently and effectively? How does He help you live according to His guidelines?
Pause to Pray: Pray for God’s forgiveness when you have failed to be set apart from the world. Pray for His continued help in living a life set apart for Him according to His guidelines.
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Day 3 — Unfaithful Read Judges 14:3–9. Although Samson was called to serve in the special role of a Nazirite, he abandoned that role. As he traveled to Timnah, a lion confronted him. God gave him the strength to kill the lion. Unsatisfied, however, Samson returned to the lion’s body and touched its carcass, breaking a Nazirite vow. He had forgotten what God required of him and decided to do things his way. As you journal below, consider: When have you have neglected God’s faithfulness? Do you ever choose to live life your way as opposed to God’s? What is it like to suffer consequences for your sin? How has God delivered you from sin?
Pause to Pray: Pray that God will reveal to you areas in your life in which you live on your own terms. Repent of that sin. Then praise God for His grace, mercy, and deliverance.
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Day 4 — Restore Me Read Judges 16:23–31. At the end of Samson’s life, he realized how far he had strayed from what God had called him to do. He recognized his sin but did not wallow in his guilt. Instead he cried out to God, asking for one last chance to do God’s work. As you journal below, consider: Have you ever felt paralyzed by your shame and guilt? How did you respond to God’s conviction in those moments? How did He respond to you? What good have you seen God accomplish in spite of your shortcomings?
Pause to Pray: Praise God for His continued faithfulness in your life. Pray that you might find motivation rather than paralyzation during moments of shame from sin. Thank God for continuously working good in your life.
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Day 5 – He Hears Read 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. At the consecration of the temple in Jerusalem, God wanted His people to know that even when He chooses to punish them for their sin, He is always ready and willing to hear their prayers. As you journal, consider: When have been some moments that you have cried out to God in desperation? How did He respond in each circumstance?
Pause to Pray: Thank God for the times He has heard your prayers and answered them. Commit to rely on God and not use Him as a last resort.
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Samson: Desperate in Shame
Lesson 1—
Biblical Passages: Judges 13:1–7; 16:4–30 Memory Verse: “ No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:4 Table Talk Question: Does shame in your life bring you closer to God or farther away from Him? DESPERATE IN SHAME 1. God calls us to be ___________ and ___________ for His Kingdom ( Judg. 13:1–7).
2. God allows us to face the consequences of failing to ___________ ___________ our callings ( Judg. 16:4–22).
3. God does amazing things when we cry out to Him in ___________ ( Judg. 16:23–30).
Questions To Consider • What instructions did God give for Samson’s life? How does God want all of us to live a consecrated life? •H ow did Samson put his trust in Delilah instead of God? In what ways do you put your trust in people instead of God? •H ow did Samson experience shame for his sin? How have you experienced shame? •H ow did Samson’s shame bring him to a point of desperation for God to work in his life? •H ow can shame bring you closer to God? In what ways do people allow shame to keep them from depending on God?
For Free Thought “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.” —Aristotle, In Stobaeus, Florilegium
Answers: 1. useful, consecrated; 2. live out; 3. desperation.
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OUTER VS. INNER We can use our gifts outwardly to serve God and bless others. However, sometimes we have inner areas of weakness associated with these gifts. A gifted communicator may feel tempted to manipulate others with words. A generous person may have pride if he or she gives to gain others’ praise. Record three gifts you believe God has given you, and then answer the following questions.
Gift #1: _____________________________ How am I using this gift to bring glory to God? ______________________________________________________ Is there a potential weakness associated with this gift that might cause me to sin? _________________________________________________________________________________________ What can I do to strengthen myself inwardly so that I use this gift appropriately? _________________________________________________________________________________________
Gift #2: _____________________________ How am I using this gift to bring glory to God? ______________________________________________________ Is there a potential weakness associated with this gift that might cause me to sin? _________________________________________________________________________________________ What can I do to strengthen myself inwardly so that I use this gift appropriately? _________________________________________________________________________________________
Gift #3: _____________________________ How am I using this gift to bring glory to God? ______________________________________________________ Is there a potential weakness associated with this gift that might cause me to sin? _________________________________________________________________________________________ What can I do to strengthen myself inwardly so that I use this gift appropriately? _________________________________________________________________________________________ 19
The Darkest Hours: Seeking God in Desperation When have you faced a truly dark time in life? Perhaps it was when you lost a dearly loved parent. Maybe it was when your marriage crumbled before your eyes. You could have had a scare with cancer or some other life-ending disease. For most people, life includes times of great light, full of joy and celebration. Most of us also experience times of night in which we experience acute grief, fear, or guilt. People in the Bible struggled with the same heart issues we struggle with today: shame, grief, loneliness, fear. When you read about their lives, you discover that they often faced those times by desperately seeking God. As you look at the lives of Samson, Ruth, Hannah, and Hezekiah, you will find that God is near even in your darkest hours. He may not end the times of darkness immediately, but He will be present. He will love you through those times. This book will serve as your study guide for the next four weeks. Inside you will find material to help you with your personal Bible study along with suggestions to enrich your prayer life. You will also find Bible study activities designed to use during your small group study. (To obtain access to the online Bible study plans for this study or to order more copies of this book, visit our Web site: www.lifebiblestudy.com.)