討論問題

TAFPC Adult Sunday School Bible Study

台美團契長老教會成人主日學三年讀經運動 04/02/2006 討論問題

Question 1:  1 Chronicles 1- 9 ( extending to 12:23-37 )

            The long and winding way of presenting Israelite genealogy may not be very palatable for our reading today, however, it does show the readers how Israelites treasure their family and cultural origin. Today when we try to introduce our Holy Scripture to our friends in the Taiwanese American community, questions relating the "ancestral worship" vs. "memorial service" come up again and again.

            In your opinion, what practical measures can we take to show that "Honoring your parents" is an important commandment of our Bible, and to correct the stereotypical accusation of "Baptism signifies turning your back toward your own ancestors"?

Question 2:  1 Chronicles 10: 1-7, 10:13-14,   1 Samuel 8: 6-9 

            Right after the long genealogy in previous chapters, the Chronicle’s author described that Saul fell and died in his military failure to the Philistines.  The writer attributed this outcome to Saul’s unfaithfulness to God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).  Saul was the first king of the Israelites.  Although at that time each tribe still maintained military capability, when the Israelites saw Saul and his house die, without defense they abandoned their own towns and fled from the Philistines.  The unfaithfulness resulted to the devastation of the first Israeli monarchy, the leader and the people who had asked God for kingship (1 Samuel 8: 6-9).

What does faithfulness mean today in our religious context?  To discuss this topic with extension, what factors can help us be faithful in stationing at our own posts at church currently without a full-time pastor?

Question 3:  1 Chronicles 11: 1-3,   2 Samuel 2:4, 5:3

            David became king over Israel after Saul.  The Chronicle’s author told the story that all the elders of Israel came to Hebron to ratify David their king.  Such a description interestingly differs from that in 2 Samuel in which the story was told that David was confirmed by the Southern and the Northern tribes of Israeli on different occasions. 

What’s author’s intention of framing this unified episode during the post-exile era as the Israelites were allowed to come back from Babylon in Persian ruling?  People often split because dealing with the same issue in different stances.  Is it possible that we individuals can still learn to in some way relate to each other even different in opinions or identities? 

Question 4:  1 Chronicles 12: 16-18

            Many capable people came to join and help David after Saul’s tragedy.  It was difficult for David to detect whether or not these new comers carried good motive and reliable.  However, he trusted in God and received them as fellows.  Amasai, one of the new comers, was thus full of spirit to hail David in “peace”.  Peace in the original text was written as “shalom” which also means joy, integrity, and prosperity.

Most of us are not easy to step out of our own comfort zones to learn new things, such as different cultures, and have new friends.  How can we learn to be open to new experiences?  Please share some personal stories / testimonies.