Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Part 2
The Survey is divided into three parts, each containing several studies. This approach requires minimal preparation from the participants, and I have found
my class attendees very faithful in at least reading the required chapters. Many have
1. Genesis to Judges
read all of the suggested chapters, and some have done a fair bit of research each
2. Kings & Prophets week as well. Such responsiveness has been very rewarding.
3. Exile & Return; The Inter-testamental Period
However, the approach does require a fair bit of work from the class presenter. The
introduction I have provided for each study is about the right amount to present to the
I have planned each part to be studied in about fifteen weeks, with two studies each
class, but the person leading the class must have a much better grasp of the material
week. Each study should take about twenty minutes, so two studies can be completed
than is presented here. There are many good aids available, including Commentaries,
in a one hour Adult Sunday School or Bible Class. However, each group may feel
Bible Dictionaries, and books surveying both Old Testament history, and the OT
free to use the material as they like.
books themselves. I would recommend that the presenter spend at least 30 minutes
preparing for each study in addition to reading all of the suggested chapters.
The purpose of each study is two-fold.
Most of the material below is organised so that two lessons are printed on one A4
The participants' weekly reading and the introductory comments at the beginning of sized sheet. If the lessons are then printed or photocopied onto both sides of A4
each class are intended to help participants to gain an overview of the Old Testament sheets, they may be cut into A5 sized sheets, each containing one lesson on each side
in its historical context. The summaries should also guide the participants to see of the sheet. Some of the introductory material is organised to fill two sides of an A4
relevance to the New Testament. sheet which may then be folded in half.
However, such study on its own could prove academic and sterile. God's Word
should touch our lives and draw us closer to Him. The studies themselves, therefore,
in a gentle way, draw out theology and principals, and seek to encourage application.
1 1 Samuel 1 - 7 Samuel - the last of the Judges Isaiah 13 - 23 Against other Nations
6 Micah Against Israel & Judah 13 Ezekiel 33 - 48 Hope for the Exiles
7 2 Kings 14 - 17 Israel Taken Captive 14 Isaiah 56 - 66 New Heavens & a New Earth
1. Samuel was the last of the judges. What three functions did he fulfil?
7:6, 15-17
Both Eli (1:17; 3:9) and Samuel were men of God. 6. What were Saul's weak points? 13:7-10; 14:24, 41-44; 15:3, 7-9, 15
2:12-16
2. Note the effect of jealousy on Saul. How do you regards another person's
success?
5. In whom is this promised fulfilled today?
6. Why did God prohibit David from building a "house" for Him?
3. Note David's character. See especially: 16:13, 18; 17:26, 36, 37, 45; 20:41;
26:7-11; 27:1; 30:7, 8, 21-25
What particularly can you learn from him?
7. How should we regard church buildings today?
4. What should be the result of forgiveness? 7. What things does this list suggest that you could pray for?
Read 2 Samuel 15
5. Note David's attitude to what was happening. What can we learn from this?
Most of the kings of Israel "did evil in the sight of the Lord", and often they were
deposed violently as one dynasty ended and another began.
In contrast, many of the kings of Judah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord".
And even though some of them did evil, God maintained a single dynasty for the sake 6. Read 19:1 - 18
of His promise to David. Note how Elijah sinks into depression immediately after his great victory.
How does God comfort him?
1. Whom did Rehoboam turn to for counsel? 12:1 - 17
2. What sort of people do we (should we) look to for counsel when we need
guidance?
7. What can we learn about depression and about dealing with it from these verses?
3. What were Jeroboam's motives for making calves of gold? 12:25 - 30.
3. Read 5:1 - 27 What were Naaman's expectations? 8. What can we learn from his example?
10. What can we learn about the stewardship of offerings from 12:10?
2. In 2:6-16 Amos turns to the sins of Israel, a theme which he returns to throughout
his prophecy. How do you think the people reacted?
(See 7:10-13)
6. In contrast, what sort of behaviour does God desire? 6:6-8
4. What does 7:1-9; 8:1,2; 9:11-15 reveal about the way God deals with sinners?
2. Is 7:10-16 - How long would it be before God would deliver Judah from the
Syria-Israel coalition?
It is no wonder, therefore, that when the prophet Zephaniah arose some time after
Manasseh's 55 year reign, Judah was infested with all types of religious, moral, and
social evil. Indeed it may have been Zephaniah's preaching which spurred the
subsequent reform under King Josiah.
5. In 2:4-20 five evils are decried. What are they? What are modern day
equivalents?
9. This message of hope also extends far into the future. What things are
promised in 33:14-22?
2:4
8. 12:17
2. What lessons can we learn?
Note: After the defeat of Judah, God's people are often again referred to as "Israel",
the name that for over three hundred years referred only to the Northern Homework Skim Ezekiel 33 - 48; Read Ezekiel 33, 34, 37
Kingdom. Skim Isaiah 40 - 55; Read Isaiah 40, 53
Recall that Ezekiel had been made dumb by God, and that his message that Jerusalem The Jews must have felt that Assyria and Babylon's triumphs over Israel and Judah
would be destroyed was mainly by enacted prophecy. also represented a triumph over their God. Isaiah, therefore, brings comfort, restores
confidence, and provides hope.
After Jerusalem was defeated a messenger came to the exiles with the bad news, and
the night before he arrived, Ezekiel's voice was restored. When the messenger We also find in these chapters four "Servant Songs" (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-
arrived, Ezekiel began to speak. He needed to explain to the destraught people why 53:12). In some places these seem to refer to the nation of israel; in others to an
God had forsaken His holy city, and to give them some hope for the future. individual.
1. What was Ezekiel's responsibility? (33:1-9) 6. Of whom and of what event in the NT is 40:3-5 applied?
Isaiah 56 - 66 New Heavens & a New Earth 1050 - Beginning of the Monarchy 931 - The Divided Kingdom
Samuel - the last of the Judges The Divided Monarchy
The book of Isaiah can be divided into three major sections:
Samuel & Saul Ahab & Elijah
1 - 39, at the time of the imminent fall of Israel, anticipates and warns of the fall of
Judah over 100 years later. Saul & David Elijah & Elisha
40 - 55 looks forward to the end of the exile and provides hope of return and renewal. David's Reign Consolidated Other Kings
These final chapters look much further into the future. David's Reign Threatened & Reaffirmed
1. What characteristics of God are portrayed in chapters 55, 58, & 61? Solomon's Reign