Life Group - Study Guides

If you’ve watched any of the “Indiana Jones” movies, you probably have some strange ideas from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The Ark of God was actually lost several times. The events around the first capture of the Ark are found in 1 Samuel, Chapter Four. It was a dangerous, risky business, but we can learn from this huge mistake. In fact, we can learn how to bounce back from a huge failure by following the Israelites’ example

Have you ever heard of Deborah or her co-hero, Jael? This passage from the time of the Judges offers a glimpse into God’s strategy of inviting us into His battles, where He has already assured us the victory, but where we have choices.

Samson: The Marvel Comics Superhero of the Bible. Strong, blessed, good-looking, but he could not keep his act together. With all that he had going for him, he repeatedly failed. Yet he was also repeatedly restored and used by God again. Be encouraged in his come-back story.

There is a misconception that the life of a Jesus follower is easy, and that faith is a crutch for the weak-willed. As believers, we often forget that we are joining up for a life-long battle. Though we are to be peaceable and meek, we are also to be ready for warfare and prepared for the next battle. Benaiah should be an example for us to take the fight to our foe and defeat it once and for all.

The time between that last book of the Old Testament and the New Testament is referred to as “the 400 years of silence.” From the time that Isaiah prophesied of the virgin birth as a sign of the coming Messiah until the birth of Jesus was approximately 700 years. A steadfast hope that God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, kept the Israelites looking for the Promised One. What are you waiting for today? What hope do you have or need?