(Readings Mar 21-Mar 27)
13. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Ruth , Judges 13-21, 1 Samuel 1-12
Key Point:
These chapters show the stark contrast between integrity and depravity—those who remained faithful to God and those who turned their backs on Him.
Key Verse:
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
Main People:
Ruth, Samson, Delilah, Micah, Hannah, Samuel, Eli, Saul
Outline:
The Story of Ruth’s Love (Ruth 1-4)
The Judge Samson (Judges 13-16)
The Failure of Israel through Idolatry, Immorality, and War (Judges 17-21)
The idolatry of Micah and the Danites (17-18)
A Levite and his concubine (19)
Civil war with Benjamin (20-21)
Hannah and Her Son (1 Samuel 1-2)
The Fall of Eli; the Rise of Samuel (1 Samuel 2-7)
Thought Questions:
1. How does the story of Ruth compare and contrast with the book of Judges?
2. What spiritual lesson can be found in the story of Samson and Delilah?
3. Judges 19, the story of the Levite and his concubine, has been called the “Sewer of Scripture.” Do you agree? What would have cleaned it up?
4. What lessons for today can we draw from the story of Hannah?
5. Was Eli responsible for his sons’ failings? Are parents to blame when their grown child turns away from God?
6. God spoke to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. How do you hear God’s voice today? What could make you a better listener?
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