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 01/08/2006 討論問題

Question 1:  1 Samuel 28:3-20    Samuel 3: 1-14

When Samuel was a boy ministered before the Lord under Eli, he did not recognize that it was God calling him at night at first. It was Eli, a priest, who instructed young Samuel how to listen to God and how to respond to the word of God. Samuel eventually became a prophet and pivotal person in the history of Israel. In chap 28, on the eve of a battle with Philistines, Saul asked counsel from the dead prophet Samuel via a woman medium. From these narratives, we learned that one of the important function for a prophet or priest is to help people communicate with God and understand God’s calling, our mission.

In this transition time for TAFPC, we no longer have a pastor to guide and counsel us. We walk alone in our journey. How can we discern and answer God’s calling for us without such guidance?  TAFPC 2006 main theme is "Here I am, You called". Can each one of us get up and answer like Samuel, first we say "Here I am, You called" then we say: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”? Doesn’t Baptism signify our willingness to publicly proclaim that Jesus is our Lord, and we are answering His calling?

Question 2:  1 Samuel 29:8 & 30:8     2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19; 5:23
Before taking major campaign and action, David frequently asked God for permission or direction. It appears that God kindly responded and gave him clear answers most of the time. Do we ask God for his direction before we take actions? Or do we just act then seek God's guidance later, especially when we encounter “problems”?

Question 3:  1 Samuel 30: 1-16      2 Samuel 1: 1-15
In these two events related to defectors, David gave them different treatment. He saved an Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by his Amalekites master. This slave eventually led David's troop to defeat his formal Amalekites master. On the second account, David ordered to strike down the Amalekites defector who reported Saul's death to his own credit. In your opinion, under what reasoning principle(s) did David treat them differently? Can we adopt the same principle in our working environment today? How does such principle apply to “company loyalty”, if any, today?
　

Question 4:  2 Samuel 2:1-4 & 8-11         1 Samuel 13: 8-14
In 2 Samuel Chapter 2, the Scripture described how David and Ishbaal, son of Saul, became King of Judah and Israel in two separate processes. Please compare these processes, list at least 3 differences between David and Ishbaal's official/public recognition as Kings.

With these differences in mind, go back to 1 Samuel 13 to read how Saul angered
God and lost his kingship. Do you think it is "fair" that David was able to keep his status as God's favored King, but not Saul?  Why or why not?

Question 5: From the two Books of Kings, what is the most significant act David
had done to preserve his kingdom? And how can we learn from David?