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On-Going Mini-Series

Bible Studies

Codes & Descriptions

Class Codes
[A] = summary lessons
[B] = exegetical analysis
[C] = topical doctrinal studies
What is a Mini-Series?
A Mini-Series is a small subset of lessons from a major series which covers a particular subject or book. The class numbers will be in reference to the major series rather than the mini-series.

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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)

1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)

February 2015 - November 2020

The quote from the title slide is from the words of a young David in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine”, that we derive the central theme for this study of 1st and 2nd Samuel, THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’s.

We all face overwhelming circumstances in our life and the only thing that can give us strength to overcome those horrific circumstances is a realization that it is not by our might or power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the only way that we can overcome and address the challenges that we have in life.

One scholar has praised the writing of Samuel: “It is no exaggeration to say that the author of Samuel produced what is still the best book ever written in the Hebrew language.”

In this series we will cover an array of significant biblical teachings on everything from how to face and surmount the giants in our lives, to biblical worship and praise, to the divine viewpoint of politics and leadership, to the importance of the Davidic Covenant and Messianic prophecies, and so much more. An understanding of these key teachings in Samuel is foundational to the rest of the Old Testament, the arrival and mission of the Messiah, the gospel, and many passages in the New Testament. Every believer should have a thorough understanding of the material covered in this series.

Note: Classes in this series are arranged with the most recent class appearing first.

Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.

To view all video Bible studies in the 1st and 2nd Samuel series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

To listen to this series as a podcast, copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software.
www.deanbibleministries.org/podcasts/2015-12samuel.xml		  
26 - Ichabod: Glory in Exile [B]
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 4:5-22
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 0 mins 46 secs
If you’re a fan of true battle stories you’ll want to listen to this lesson to learn about a battle that determined Israel’s future for many years. Find out that when they lost the first skirmish, they decided to take the Ark of the Covenant with them as a good luck charm. Learn that they lost even more disastrously, including the enemy capturing the Ark, and when the news was brought back to the high priest, he fell backwards and died. Find out what the name his daughter-in-law gave her new baby means. See how these watershed events are mentioned throughout Scripture. Learn that although God is very patient and gave the Israelites many chances to change, eventually He stepped in and judged them. See that often when we continue in disobedience, He deals with us in the same way.
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25 - Consequences of Disobedience [A]
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 4:1-22
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 51 secs
Warning! This lesson may make you uncomfortable. Learn how individuals and nations who do not follow divine institutions and obey God will implode. Find out about a time in Israel when they were being oppressed by the Philistines and were trying to solve their troubles their own way rather than follow God. See that when the Israelites were defeated in a battle they decided to use the Ark of the Covenant as a good luck charm. Learn about the Ark of the Covenant, its characteristics, and what it represents about God. To avoid divine discipline in your own life, never compromise with your sin nature but submit to God’s authority.
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24 - Sufficiency of God [A]
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 4:1
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 58 mins 13 secs

How should we handle the problems that wreck our lives? Advice is given to us from every side for quick solutions but listen to this lesson to see that only the Bible has all the answers. Understand that we need to learn the basic foundation of the events of the Bible in order to apply the doctrinal principles. See that in the days of Samuel the people were turning to their cultural solutions rather than trusting God. Begin to realize the depths of depravity of our sin natures and see that we cannot compromise but must battle through the ministry of God the Holy Spirit to defeat its effects and find divine peace.

The book Dr. Dean references in this class is called The State of the American Mind: 16 Leading Critics on the New Anti-Intellectualism.

Dr. Dean also quoted from Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America by Robert Whitaker.

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23 - The Essence of True Freedom [A]
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 4:1
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 57 mins 48 secs
What does morality have to do with freedom? Listen to this lesson to learn that obedience to God’s standards has consequences in all areas of life. Begin an outline of the book of 1 Samuel and see how God works to bring about a shift in the direction of Israel. Learn the time frame for these events and the correlation between Judges and 1 Samuel. When problems in our life or in our nation have us in a downward spiral, accept that the only solution is to turn to the Word of God which is sufficient for all of our needs.
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22 - From Darkness to Light [B]
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 3:1-21
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 57 mins 59 secs
Light versus darkness. Self destruction or illumination and hope. Listen to this lesson to hear about a time in Israel very much like our own when moral degeneracy was rampant and there was little knowledge of God’s Word in the land. Hear about how Samuel obeyed the Lord while Eli, the high priest, stumbled around in the darkness. Hear the doctrine of the silence of God and the reason for His silence at different periods. Reflect upon your own life and ask yourself if you are a light in the darkness of the culture around you because of the Word of God you have learned.
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21 - God Prophesies Judgment on the House of Eli [B]
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:12-36
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 59 mins 19 secs
Guilty! God pronounced judgment on the degenerate sons of Eli, the high priest. In contrast, listen to this lesson to learn how the child, Samuel, obeyed the Lord. Hear about how cultures who reject God become sexually degenerate and manifest this in countless ways, such as in our country today. Learn that God has provided a Mediator between Himself and mankind in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who provides salvation.
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20 - Feckless Fools and God's Faithful Prophecies [B]
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:12
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 40 secs
“If it feels good, do it.” Remember that old slogan from the 70s? Listen to this lesson to hear that at any given time we are either serving God or serving our sin nature. Learn about the contrast between Samuel who pleased the Lord and the evil debauchery of the two sons of the high priest. Hear about a prophecy that illustrates the faithfulness of God. Look at life through the grid of God’s Word and take God’s holiness seriously. Daily go on a seek-and-destroy mission to root out the evil that slips in so easily. Remember that we can always trust God to solve the problems of paganism and carnality.
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19 - God Rules Over Life and Death [B]
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:5-10 & Psalm 2
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 31 secs
Have things gone too far off the rails for our country to ever recover? Listen to this lesson to hear how Hannah and the writers of the Psalms describe God’s sovereignty. He is the one who controls life and death and everything in between. He alone can thwart the evil plans against us. When we think through life’s problems, we need to remember the attributes of God and trust Him to always provide and protect us. Since people who appear to be powerful will be brought down by God and those who are powerless will be strengthened, we can rest knowing that we have nothing to fear.
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18 - God Creates; God Rules [B]
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:4 & Psalm 135
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 58 mins 36 secs
Who decides what’s right and what’s wrong? The law? The courts? Public opinion? Listen to this lesson to learn that the creator God is sovereign and only He rules on what is right. See that what God decrees, He always carries out. Learn that He intervenes to reverse the plans of corrupt humanity and ultimately will break the power of those who think they are winning. Learn more about how Hannah’s psalm shows the power and majesty of God and how she praises Him. Because God has given mankind freedom, at times evil seems to be winning but fully trust that God is always in control.
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17 - Sovereignty of God [B]
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:4-6
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 11 mins 13 secs
Do you have trouble sleeping some nights after listening to news about disaster after disaster? Listen to this lesson to learn that God is sovereign which means that He rules over His creation. Explore the question of causation and see how God gives mankind the freedom to make choices. See the difference between God’s decreed will and His permissive will. Take comfort in the fact that power and might do not make right. Trust that no matter what evil schemes are being devised, God intervenes in human history so His plans will ultimately succeed.
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