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Bible Study: June 26, 2016


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passages: 1 Samuel 8:4-9, 19-22

Discussion Questions: What keeps us from giving God control in every area of our lives? How does the desire to be like other people impact a person’s values and character? To what extent do you agree with the following statement: many people trust their government leaders for security more than they do God? Explain.

Food for thought:

No one should underestimate the power of a blanket. When Julius was born, he was wrapped in a blanket made by his great grandmother. That blanket became a mainstay in his life. Whenever he fell and scraped his knee, he scrambled to find the blanket. If the blanket got left at the grandparents or baby sitter, Julius’ parents would retrieve the blanket knowing they would be in for a sleepless night without it. “In blanket we trust” would have been a fitting slogan for Julius! It’s funny what we trust for security when we are kids.

In today’s text, Samuel was getting older so he appointed his sons to take his place. They were not nearly the men Samuel was so the leaders approached Samuel about an alternative. They requested that Samuel appoint a king over them so that they could be just like the other surrounding countries (1 Samuel 8:5). The problem was the people had grown to trust Samuel and had failed to trust Samuel’s God.

Many people trust others, objects and institutions more than they do God for their security. We begin to worship a person rather than the One who gifted and allowed that person to be a leader in the first place. We forget that God created the object we carry in our pocket to every important meeting. Even as adults, we still have our “blankets” — they just look a little different and may not be as noticeable. Trusting in God requires us to ignore what others around us are doing. Our “blanket” may be comfortable, but God wants to provide more than comfort. He wants us to have a trusting relationship with Him, which may not always be comfortable but will always be fulfilling.

Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources