Sermons - Calvary Community Church

1 – In verses 1-4, what is David's situation? Why might he and his people be in dire need? Why might he be pleased with Ziba's gift? Why might he question the gift? Does he? Is Ziba really trying to help David? Are his motives honorable? How do we know that Ziba is lying? (see 2 /Samuel 19:24-30) How is Ziba a war profiteer? 2 – In verses 5-14, why does Shimei risk his life to insult David? Why do...

1 – In verses 1-6, why is Absolom parading around the city? Why is he glad-handing people who come to court? How? For what purpose? What does he imply he would do if he could? What results does he achieve? (v6) How is Absolom a "great politician? A man of the people? 2 – In verses 7-11, what is significant about Hebron? Why does Absolom chose this location to stage a rebellion? 3 – In verses 12, w...

1 – Is Joab a fan of Absalom? (see 14:30-31, 18:14) Why does Joab want Absalom to come back to Jerusalem? Where is he now? 2 – How is the woman from Tekoa similar and dissimilar from the prophet Nathan? How is her story similar and dissimilar? 3 – David doesn't seem troubled to be tricked by the fabricated story. Why not? Why might he be actually happy about the legal precedent his decision render...

1 – In verses 23-27, Absolom waits 2 years from the time Amnon violated is sister. Why? What is happening in the meantime? Why does Absolom invite the king and his entire court to a festival? Why does David decline?Why does Absolom want Amnon to attend? What reason does he give? Why does David question this move? Why would the king give his approval? What does he suspect? What precaution does Davi...

1 – In verses 1-2, Amnon thinks he "loves" Tamar. Did he truly "love" her? If not, then what? How should "love" look, behave, be shown? See 1 Cor 13:4-7, Mt 22:36-40, Eph 5:25-27. 2 – In verses 3-5, what is Jonadab's advice to /Amnon? Why is he giving this advice? Does he know what Amnon's plans?3 – In verse 7, why does David comply with Amnon's request? Is he really clueless, powerless and willin...

In this passage the author of Hebrews explains what is meant by "acceptable worship" in 12:28. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.1. The word "worship" i 12:28 means "works of service" in the original koine Greek. How is service an expression of worship?2. What is unique about Christian's philadelphia love for one another? As in, what's unique about its source, cause, or char...

In this passage the author of Hebrews follows the climactic passage of his book with theseresponses to the truths that have been proclaimed throughout Hebrews. Keep this context in mindas you discuss these questions.1. In verse 25, who is "speaking" and what is the message?2. What does it mean to "refuse" him who is speaking? In what ways do we do this?3. What argument is the author making when he...

1. Verse 18 begins with "For," connecting it to the previous passage. What's the link, or flow, from the previous passage of vv. 12-17?2. What event is being referred to in vv. 18-21? Why would this be significant to the original readers?3. What was so terrifying about Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-20?4. Why do people need a covenant in order to approach and relate to God?5. How did people relate, or a...

In this passage the author of Hebrews teaches his readers correct responses to the knowledge that God disciplines us for our good and holiness. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.1. What's the significance of the "therefore" in v. 12?2. Why does the author use the imagery of physical suffering in v. 12? How do vv. 3-11 lead us to be encouraged to 'lift', 'strengthen', 'make s...

In this passage the author of Hebrews pastors his readers by giving them a theology of trials andstruggles. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.1. Why is it important for Christians to learn and talk about trials and struggles?2. What are some examples of "wrong thinking" about trials and struggles?3. What should inform our thinking about the difficulties we face in life? What...

1 – In verses 14 – 15, Nathan the prophet had declared that David's son with Uriah's wife would die. Why? Is this negotiable?How certain is this outcome? What evidence is there that Nathan was right?2 – In verse 16, why does David fast and pray? Why does he think God will change his mind? How serious is David? How do you know?Why don't we fast and pray? Do we think God hears? Cares? Responds? Chan...

In this passage John records a teaching event of the Lord Jesus' which takes places at a time when He was still very popular among the people for His miracles of healing and feeding. He challenges their motives for following Him. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these questions.1. What benefits are there for us in religion in general? How do you personally benefit from being part of a loca...

1 – In verse 1, who was Nathan? (see 2 Sam 7: 1-17, 12: 25; 1 Kings 1: 8, 10, 22) 2 – In verses 1-6, How is Nathan's story of the rich man with many flocks and herds parallel to David's story? How does the story appeal to David? Why is David so animated? What judgment does David decree as just and fitting? Why doesn't he see himself in the story? 3 – In verse 7 what does Nathan mean, "You are the...

1 – In verse 1, the women start out while it is still dark. (John 20:1) Why so early? Since they watched Jesus taken down, wrapped in burial clothes and placed in a tomb, what more were they hoping to accomplish? Why? 2 – In verse 2, when they got to the grave, they found it already opened. How did the stone get moved? (Matthew 28:2) How did Jesus get out of the tomb? How did he get out of the bur...

1 – In verse 13, what is the significance of waving palm branches when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Why do we do it today? Is there an example of this in the old testament? Where does the custom come from? What does this action tell us about the expectations of the crowd that day? 2 – Why were they quoting Psalm 118:25? What did it mean? 3 – In verse 14, how does riding a baby donkey into Jerusalem fu...

1 – In verses 1-2, was it wrong for David to stay behind in Jerusalem while his army was besieging Rabboh? Was it wrong to lounge around all day long? Was it wrong to notice a beautiful woman? Was it wrong to inquire who the woman was? At what point did David's behavior become a problem? At what point was it wrong? At what point was it sinful? 2 – In verse 3, who was Uriah the Hittite? Who was he...

1 – In verse 1, who is Hanun? Who is his father, Nahash? (1 Sam 11) Why might Nahun be looking for an opportunity to end relations with David and Israel? 2 – In verses 2-3, what did David intend by sending envoys to Hanun? What motivation did Hanun's advisors attribute to David's envoys? 3 – In verse 4, why was Hanun's treatment of David's envoys so humil1ating? What did they think would happen? 4...

1 - It's the practice of kings to exterminate all threats to the throne, especially the descendants of the former regime. What reason does David give for seeking out a survivor of Saul's family? Why does David want to? What kind of a relationship existed between David and Jonathan? 2 – In verses 2-4, why is Jonathan's son always refered to as a cripple? Why is Mephibosheth at Lo-debar and not with...

1 – David launched four pre-emptive strikes against Israel's neighbors. What did he hope to accomplish? Did it work? Is fighting a war sometimes the avenue to peace? How so? 2 – In verse 2, David executed 2/3 of the Moabite soldiers. Why not kill them all? Was this vicious or gracious? Why? How is it an example of mercy? Did David have the right to kill them all? Why does this act offend us? 3 – I...

1 – What does the architecture of man's house of worship tell us about his God?About his relationship to his god?2 – In verses 1-7, why is David interested in a building for the ark? What does theark represent? How has it been housed historically? What has changed?What does the ark's housing represent? Whose idea was it to build a temple? Whatdoes Nathan first tell David to do? Why does he reverse...

1 – In verses 1-2, why would David want to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem? Why not leave it where it was? Why is it at Baale-Judah, (Kireath-Jearim)? Under what conditions did it get there? 2 – In verses 3-4, why did they carry the ark of God on a cart? Where did they learn that? How was it supposed to be transported?3 – In verse 5, why was David and the crowd so enthusiastic? What ele...

1 – In verses 1-5, what three things do the elders acknowledge about David's rightful claims as king over Israel? If they knew this, why didn't they make him king sooner? 2 – In verses 6-10, why was David's first act as king over united Israel to attack Jebus, a city never before conquered by the Jews? Why did the Jebusites taunt David that he could never take them? How was the invasion accomplish...

1 – In verse 1, why is Ishbosheth afraid? Of what? Why are the people dismayed? 2 – In verses 2-3, why is it important that the assassins are from Benjamin? 3 – In verse 4, who is Mephibosheth? Why is his condition and age significant to the story? 4 – In verses 5-8, why did the assassins murder the king? What do they ultimately hope to accomplish? Why did they cut off his head? Why are they in a...

1 - In verses 21 – 25, it says, "David sent Abner away in peace.” Why is that astonishing? What was the cost of peace? Why is Joab angry about this? What does he want instead? Is Joab insubordinate in his questions to David? What does Joab suggest Abner's motives really were? 2 – In verses 26-30, Why does Joab murder Abner? What motives might he have that are not stated here? How does David distan...

1 – In verses 1-7, what examples are given which show David getting stronger? Does the Bible endorse polygamy? Why, or why not? What example is given of Abner attempting to strengthen his position? What is the problem with his choice? Does Abner have a legitimate claim to rule? Why, or why not? 2 – In verses 8-19, why does Abner respond to being questioned with anger? What does he determine to do?...