New 8-Week Winter Schedule

Topics and Passages:

Jan 18 - King David (1 Samuel 17:40-51)
Jan 25 - Jashobeam (1 Chronicles 11:11; 2 Samuel 23:8)
Feb 1 - Eleazar (1 Chronicles 11:12-14; 2 Samuel 23:9-10)
Feb 8 - Shammah (2 Samuel 23:11-12)
Feb 15 - The Three (1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 2 Samuel 23:13-17)
Feb 22 - Abishai (1 Chronicles 11:20-21; 2 Samuel 23:18-19)
Mar 1 - Benaiah (1 Chronicles 11:22-25; 2 Samuel 23:20-23)
Mar 8 - Uriah the Hittite (1 Chronicles 11:41a; 2 Samuel 23:39)

Week #6 Study Questions

Abishai (1 Chronicles 11:20-21; 2 Samuel 23:18-19)

1. Abishai is outnumbered 300 to 1, but still achieve victory (1 Chronicles 11:20). Do you tend to be more positive ("I can beat this thing") or negative (Oh, woe is me") when the odds are against you?

2. Do you know anyone who needs to be the top dog in everything and has a hard time outside the spotlight/behind the scenes?

3. Consider the following thought process. Wrap your mind around it to see if you agree or disagree: "Jealousy is really a sin of mistrust in the sovereignty/rulership of God. Someone who's jealous is basically saying that God has made a mistake and is actually withholding something that really ought to be his (whether position, power, prestige or person)."

4. Abishai mistakenly believes that God has delivered King Saul into David's hand to be executed (1 Samuel 26:6-12). Have you ever been wrong about something that you believed God wanted done?

Week #5 Study Questions

The Three (1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 2 Samuel 23:13-17)

1. Do you know anyone who had done (or have you ever done) something at great risk to life and limb?

2. David has a craving for a drink of water, but not just any water. He wants water from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate (1 Chronicles 11:17). The problem is it's behind enemy lines. There's just no way that David will drink of this water unless someone is willing to put their life on the line. But it's just such a meaningless desire/request. Isn't it? I mean, why would anyone potentially sacrifice his life for something such as this?

3. Read Romans 12:1-2 and then describe how you see these two verses playing out in your life.

4. Each of us as men has a role to play, a task to complete, a mission to fulfill in relation to Jesus. What's yours?

Week #4 Study Questions

Shammah (2 Samuel 23:11-12)

1. Have you ever been "alone"? Have you ever been left "alone" or left to stand "alone"? What was the circumstance? How did you feel?

2. Consider the following quote as you go about your business this week. Read it at different times. Think and meditate on it keeping Shammah in mind. What does it say to you? Here's the quote: "Learn hence, how much religion tends to inspire men with courage. And when they became famous for piety, they became famous for bravery" (Wesley).

3. If someone were to ask you who your battle was against as a Christian, how would you answer him/her?

4. A fascinating study in the Bible surrounds the many names of God. One such name God goes by is Jehovah Shammah. Read the very last verse in the book of Ezekiel (48:35) to find out what Jehovah Shammah stands for (the last four words is the answer) and then describe what difference it makes in your life to know that God goes by that name when it comes to you.

Week #3 Study Questions

Eleazar (1 Chronicles 11:12-14; 2 Samuel 23:9-10)

1. Do you eat "fast food"? If you don't, did you used to in the past? What are some of the fast food restaurants you like to go to (or try to avoid)? Do you know anyone who lives on "fast food" (it seems that's all they ever eat for the most part)?

2. Eleazar standing with David to defend a field in some ways is a story of overcoming despite being abandoned (1 Chronicles 11:13-14). Have you ever felt like running away rather than staying and facing a time of testing and/or trial?

3. Share of a time in your life where you gave every last ounce of energy you had to the point where you had nothing left (2 Samuel 23:10a).

4. Have you ever heard of the concept of "praying through"? If you have, what does it mean to you? And if you haven't, what do you think it means?