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).
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-31:13
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 58 mins 43 secs
Attention all history buffs! Get ready to begin a study of ancient history that addresses challenging events in a nation in chaos that would be right at home on our nightly news. Learn about Samuel who was a prophet, priest, and judge and why he cannot be the sole author of this book. Understand the difficulty of dating when the book was written and follow a timeline of the chronology of events that take place in it. Learn that this book was written for the Jews in Solomon’s generation as a warning to teach them the importance of obedience to God to bring prosperity, success, and victory over enemies. Accept that the message for today is that the people of our nation must either have a massive return to positive volition to God’s Word or we will feel the force of a repressive government.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 8 mins 13 secs
If you’ve always thought of the Bible as an obscure, pious book filled with stories of great Biblical heroes, think again. Listen to this lesson to learn about a country dominated by earthy, flawed, and sinful men, much as we have in our country today. Follow a dark period in Israel’s history and learn about three very different men, Samuel, Saul, and David. Learn about a murderous king influenced by demonism. See that as the book begins, God is working behind the scene, preparing to deliver Israel by bringing change. As you approach the study of this book, ask yourself if you’re like many in those days, trying to be a covert believer rather than living in open obedience to God’s Word.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 11 secs
What can we learn from history to help us solve the enormous problems we face in our country today? Listen to this lesson to learn that only when a period of history is based on revelation from God can it be instructive. Follow a timeline of the history of the nation, Israel, and see that they cycled from periods of spiritual truth to disobedience to God where they deteriorated into hopelessness, economic downturn, and despair. Learn that when they turned back and walked in obedience to God they were blessed once more. So it is for us. When we let things spiral out of control through disregard for God’s Word, we need to turn back and walk in the Lord to have stability in our lives.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: Judges & 1 Samuel
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 7 secs
What does the ancient country of Israel in the time of Samuel have to do with us today? Listen to this lesson to see that just as Israel neglected to obey God’s commandments and began to act just like their pagan neighbors, so we slip into thinking that we have no need of God, also. Find out the purpose of the book of Samuel and why it is categorized with the prophecies. Understand the negative cycle the Israelites went through that culminated in divine discipline to bring them back to God. Learn about nine Biblical purposes of human government. As a believer, live your life in accordance with God’s Word so people around you will want to know what you have and you can witness to them.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 13 secs
What this country needs are some good leaders to turn it around. Wrong! Listen to this lesson to see that what any country needs are people who turn to God and His Word for guidance. Hear about Israel under the judges which had reached a low ebb and had no respect for God or His Law. See how when a nation rejects objective truth it becomes subjective and each one only does what is right in his own eyes. Note the contrast between Samson and Samuel. Find out about a grandson of Moses who was a failure. Hear a story of decadence and immorality about a woman who was raped and murdered, leading to almost the complete destruction of one of the twelve tribes. Instead of longing for a leader to magically turn things around, put your trust in God and share the gospel with others.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-7:17
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 31 secs
Get ready for a high-stakes adventure as God is at work preparing to deliver Israel from what seems like a hopeless situation in the time of Samuel. See that the people of the land were evil and disobedient, including the priests in the Tabernacle. Listen to this lesson to hear that one obscure, anguished woman trusts God and gives her son, Samuel, to the Lord. Change comes slowly as God is disciplining the people and teaching them lessons they must learn. Find out how the angelic conflict is involved when there is anti-Semitism. Understand that God is always in control and nothing is too hard for Him when people turn back to God and trust Him for deliverance.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1 & Lamentations 3:20-24
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 26 secs
In a collapsing world filled with violence and chaos comes a little known, sorrowful woman who humbles herself before God and trusts in Him for help. Listen to this lesson to hear the story of how one woman and the son who was the answer to her prayer changed the course of history for Israel. See how God is always in control and honors humility and faith. Find out how Samuel stood at the crossroads of one of his country’s darkest hours and set in motion their deliverance from the Philistines. Hear the striking comparisons between Samuel and Moses and how each was used by God for seemingly insurmountable tasks. Instead of succumbing to hopelessness in the face of all that is happening in our country today, turn to God for the answers that are always available.
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-7
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 25 secs
Desperately longing for a child, Hannah cannot be comforted by her loving husband. At the tabernacle one day she prays silently, pouring out her troubles to the Lord and the high priest assumes she’s drunk. Listen to this lesson to see God’s marvelous answer to her prayer. Learn about Hannah’s devotion to the Lord. Understand that heartaches and trouble should always drive us to God for the solution, knowing that it may take time to learn to trust Him fully. See that no matter how hard our difficulties are, God’s grace is always sufficient.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:8-10
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 58 mins 39 secs
Whom the Lord loves He makes comfortable? No, the Bible doesn’t teach that our aim in life should be comfort. Instead, listen to this lesson to learn about Hannah, who suffered from her inability to have a child and went through many painful emotions as she sought an answer from the Lord. Hear the doctrine of the barren woman which was one of the hardest burdens for a woman to bear in Old Testament days. Find out what “bitterness of soul” means and whether or not it is a sin. Understand what the Bible has to say about weeping and emotions and get a clear understanding that counseling is mainly being taught the Word of God from the pulpit and applying it to our circumstances.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:8-10
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 40 secs
Can we trust our feelings and reactions to determine what we should do? Or do our responses lead us astray? Listen to this lesson to learn the correct role for emotion in the Christian life. Learn that emotion, in and of itself, is not wrong but that we cannot run our lives based on our feelings alone. Hear examples of weeping in the Bible and see that weeping can be for legitimate reasons or a sign of self-pity and manipulation. Instead of depending on emotions to guide our actions, we need to learn to depend on the Word of God.