Days 12-13

Day 12


The Future of the Nation

Read 1 Samuel 16-20.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
Who was anointed King of Israel as Saul’s replacement?
How did Samuel find Him?
What did David do that made him famous in Israel?
How did Saul respond to David getting better press than Saul?
Who was Jonathan?
What did Saul do to try to kill David?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.
Express to God how grateful you are for His love. Ask Him to teach you how to love people the way that He does. Thank the Lord for the plans He has for your future.

Day 13

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Read 2 Samuel 11-12:25.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
What was David’s first mistake?
Who was Bathsheba?
What did David do to Uriah? Did this please the Lord?
Who was Nathan?
What happened to David and Bathsheba’s first child? Who was their second child?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.
Ask God to show you what you are doing wrong. Ask for His forgiveness. Thank Him for loving you despite your mistakes.

Understanding the Old Testament: David is in the lineage of Jesus. Jesus is the descendant who will sit on the throne of David and rule forever.

Days 10-11

Day 10


Worthless and Worthwhile

Read 1 Samuel 1-3.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
Who was Eli?
Who were Samuel’s parents?
Who were Eli’s sons?
What did Eli’s sons do that was so bad?
How did the Lord call Samuel?
What was Eli’s response when he found out what the Lord told Samuel?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.
Thank God for loving you. Thank God for what He has done in your life in the past few months. Ask God to prepare you for serving Him so that you will not be worthless like Eli’s sons.




Day 11

A New Leader

Read 1 Samuel 8:19-13.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
What request did the people of Israel make that made the Lord unhappy?
Who was the person chosen as king?
How did Saul run into Samuel?
What did Saul do to defeat the Ammonites?
What did Samuel say in his farewell address to Israel?
How did Saul mess up and lose the Lord’s blessing?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.
Thank God for giving you the Bible to read. Thank God for preserving a record of how men and women of old followed Him faithfully. Ask God to help you grow in wisdom and knowledge of Him.

Days 8-9

Day 8


Don’t Judge Me

Read Joshua 1:1. Continue as far as you can in the given time.

As you read watch for the answers to the following questions.
Did the Israelites complete the conquest of the land as God had commanded them to?
Why did the Lord begin to raise up judges?
What made the judges so special? (Hint: 2:18)
Did the Lord drive out the nations that Israel left in the land?
List the first five judges as they appear in Scripture.
Which judge killed people with an ox goad?
What happened after a judge would deliver Israel? (Hint: 2:18-24)

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer. Thank God for His watch and care over us. Thank Him for His faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness. Tell God about how your life is a lot like the way the Israelites were in the book of Judges.




Day 9


The Start of Something Good

Read the entire book of Ruth (it’s only 4 chapters).

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
Who was Ruth’s husband and mother-in-law?
What happened to Ruth’s husband?
Who did Ruth meet that was a possible new husband?
Why was Boaz a good guy?
How did Ruth announce her desire to be with Boaz?
What is a kinsman redeemer?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.

Thank God for redeeming you and making a way for everyone to be redeemed. Ask God to prepare you for your future spouse and to prepare him or her for you.

Understanding the Old Testament: Boaz and Ruth are found in the lineage of Jesus. Boaz was the kinsman redeemer (a redeemer from within the family, next-of-kin) for Ruth, like Christ is the kinsman redeemer for both Jews and Gentiles (for all within the human race).

Days 6-7

Day 6

The 10 Commandments

Read Exodus 20.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
How many commandments did God give the people of Israel?
What are they, in order?
How many commandments deal with your relationship with God?
How many deal with your relationship with others?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.
Thank God for giving us the 10 commandments. Thank Him for giving us an understanding of how impossible it is for us to “be perfect.” Ask Him to show you your sin, and ask Him for forgiveness.

Understanding the Old Testament: It is impossible for anyone to keep all of these commandments. Jesus goes as far to say that if you lust, you commit adultery, or if you hate, you are guilty of murder. The New Testament uses the 10 Commandments as a way of helping us understand that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness that can only come through Jesus.




Day 7

Who will you serve?

Read Joshua 24 14-28.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.
What decision did the people of Israel have to make?
What was the choice of the people?
What was Joshua’s response to their decision?
What was made to the witness against Israel?
How old was Joshua when he died?
After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.

Thank God for His love. Thank Him for being faithful in His love for you despite your failures. Tell God what your choice will be: Will you choose to serve Him, yourself, stuff, popularity or other people? Say a prayer dedicating yourself to Him.

Understanding the Old Testament: We each face the same kind of decision: Will you chose to serve the Lord, or will you serve what the culture around you says is important?