God the Deliverer Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video

Our Search for Identity and Our Hope for Renewal

Randy Frazee

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780310134794
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Biography

God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. In this 8-session video Bible study (streaming included), enter the unfolding progression of the Old Testament and the advancement of God's complex plan to deliver his people.

Deliverance is what the story of the Bible is all about. But throughout the Bible, there are two parallel dramas unfolding:

• The lower story, which describes the events from our human perspective.
• The upper story, which reveals how the events unfold from God's perspective.

The goal of the God the Deliverer Bible study is to introduce you to these lower and upper stories as told in the Old Testament books of 1 Samuel through Malachi and the thread of deliverance that weaves through them both.

As you read these narratives—featuring characters such as Samuel, Saul, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah—you will see how God has been weaving our lower story into the greater upper story that he has been writing.

This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:

• The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and Scripture readings.
• An individual access code to stream all eight video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!).

Sessions include:

• Standing Tall, Falling Hard (1 Samuel 1–15)
• From Shepherd to King (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 24)
• The King Who Had It All (1 Kings 1–11)
• A Kingdom Torn in Two (1 Kings 12–2 Kings 16)
• The Kingdom Fall (2 Kings 17–25)
• Daniel in Exile (Daniel)
• The Queen of Beauty and Courage (Esther)
• The Return Home (Ezra–Nehemiah)

The God the Deliverer Study Guide is part of The Story Bible Study Series: a three-part Bible study drawn from Randy Frazee's bestselling The Story, which reveals the Bible as a single, continuous narrative of God and his people.

Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Session 1

STANDING TALL,
FALLING HARD

1 SAMUEL 1–15

WELCOME

There is a natural desire within each of us to want fit in and be like everyone else. It is in our relational DNA. Just consider the ways we admire people in our society, whether it is a sports star, a talented musician, or an influential leader. We see that person’s success and decide we want that in our lives. We want to be just like that person we have placed on a pedestal. The people of Israel were no different from us. God had called them as a nation to be different and set apart for him . . . but they wanted to be just like the other nations around them. In particular, they wanted to have a king. God had previously warned them of the consequences of having a king—and would warn them again through the prophet Samuel. He always prefers that in our lower story we do things his way. But ultimately, he decided to grant their wish.

VIDEO TEACHING NOTES

Welcome to session one of God the Deliverer. If this is your first time together as a group, take a moment to introduce yourselves. Watch the video (see the streaming video access provided on the inside front cover) and use the following outline to record some of the main points. The answer key is found at the end of the session.

• God is going to reveal his plan through a nation that he has built called ________________. God wanted to be their only __________, but they had a different idea in mind.

• God opens the womb of a woman and provides her with a _____________. She appropriately names him “__________________,” which means “heard from God.”

• God allows the Israelites to have a human king. It isn’t the way that he ______________ it unfolding in the lower story, but it doesn’t change the ultimate ____________ in the upper story. God is still working out his promise to reveal his presence, his power, and his plan to get all people back.

• Samuel tells the Israelites that what they are doing is _____________, but that God is allowing it. The warning to both the Israelites and the new king is that they must ______________ God. If they don’t, it’s going to be trouble.

• Saul is __________________ God, causing people to get the wrong picture of him—as cruel and greedy versus just and holy.

• God calls Christians to live distinctively different ___________________. We are challenged by Jesus that although we live in the world, we should not be of the world.

GETTING STARTED

Begin your discussion by reciting the following key verse and key idea together as a group. Now try to state the key verse from memory. On your first attempt, use your notes if you need help. On your second attempt, try to state it completely from memory.

Key Verse: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Key Idea: God wanted to be Israel’s only king, but the people wanted a human king so they could be like the surrounding nations. God allows them to select a man named Saul as their king and places his Spirit inside him to empower him. But Saul quickly fails in his mission to represent God and creates consequences in the life of Israel. So God intervenes and removes Saul from the throne.

GROUP DISCUSSION

Take a few minutes with your group members to discuss what you just watched and explore these concepts in Scripture.

1. What part of this week’s teaching encouraged or challenged you the most? Why?

[Your Response Here]

2. Why did God want the people of Israel to see him as their king?

[Your Response Here]

3. Why did Saul seem like the perfect choice for a human king over Israel?

[Your Response Here]

4. What situation caused God to ultimately reject Saul as king over Israel?

[Your Response Here]

5. How does God call us to live differently today from the rest of the world?

[Your Response Here]

6. What is your biggest takeaway as you reflect on what you learned this week?

[Your Response Here]

CLOSING PRAYER

One of the most important things we can do together in community is to pray for each other. This is not simply a closing prayer to end your group time but a portion of time to share prayer requests and life, to review how God has answered past prayers, and to actually pray for one another. Use the space below to record prayer requests and praises. Also, make sure to pray by name for people God might add to your group—especially your neighbors.

Name	Request/Praise
[Your Response Here]	[Your Response Here]
[Your Response Here]	[Your Response Here]
[Your Response Here]	[Your Response Here]
[Your Response Here]	[Your Response Here]
[Your Response Here]	[Your Response Here]

FOR NEXT WEEK

Next week, we will look at the story of how God raises up a seemingly unimportant shepherd to replace Saul as king over Israel. Before your next group meeting, be sure to read through the following personal study, complete the exercises, and memorize the key verse for the session.

VIDEO NOTES ANSWER KEY

Israel, king / child, Samuel / envisioned, outcome / wrong, follow / misrepresenting / lifestyles

PERSONAL STUDY

Every session in this guide contains a personal study to help you make meaningful connections between your life and what you are learning each week. Take some time after your group meeting each week to read through this section and complete the personal study. In total, it should take about one hour to complete. Some people like to spread it out, devoting about ten to fifteen minutes a day. Others choose one larger block of time during the week to work through it in one sitting. There is no right or wrong way to do this! Just choose a plan that best fits your needs and schedule and then allow the Scripture to take root in your heart.

KNOW THE STORY

God wanted to be Israel’s only king, but the people wanted a human king just like the nations around them. So God determined to honor the people’s request f...