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SUMMER 2016: Personal Study Guide HCSBEd Stetzer Gener a l Editor

Trevin Wax M a naging Editor

God’s Word to You A Summary of the Bible

In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death and the wrath of God.

Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how God acted mightily on Israel’s behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then giving them His holy law. But God’s people—like all of us—failed to rightly reflect the glory of God.

Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to renew the world and to restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.

Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the news of Christ’s work to the world. Empowered by God’s Spirit, the church calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results in a life of ongoing transformation.

The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God’s judgment and live joyfully in God’s presence for all eternity. God’s message is the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

EDITORS

A Word from the Editors

Ed StetzerGeneral Editor—The Gospel Project Executive Director, LifeWay Research

As far as important biblical themes go, ones that connect the Old and New Testaments and provide a guiding light through the storyline of Scripture, there aren’t many more important than kingdom, and with that, the necessity of a king. With the creation, God planted a garden and placed Adam and Eve in it to work it and watch over it—a king and queen in a perfect kingdom with everything provided for them. But with their rebellion came exile. Will we ever find our way back?

God promised Abraham and Sarah (“princess”) that kings would be born through them (Gen. 17:15-16). The Lord even incorporated the expectation for kings over His people into His law (Deut. 17:14-20). Yet the kings who would one day reign proved themselves to be just like their father Adam. Their sin and rebellion caused more sin and

rebellion, even to the point of another exile. What hope is a king who can’t maintain his kingdom? And ultimately, that’s the point. You see, we don’t need a king; we need a King! Not one like those

of the nations but One who will rule forever over the nations in perfect wisdom, righteousness, and justice. Not one who takes advantage of people but One who gives His life to save people from their sins. In Jesus, we have this great and gracious King, and in grateful response, we proclaim His praises and call others to join in with us in faith and obedience to the kingdom of our God.

Trevin WaxManaging Editor—The Gospel Project Author of multiple books, including Gospel-Centered Teaching, Counterfeit Gospels, and Clear Winter Nights: A Young Man’s Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After

We find ourselves now at the “middle parts” of the Bible—the riveting accounts of battle and intrigue during a high point in Israel’s history and the wisdom literature developed over centuries of reflection and praise. Here we are introduced to the flawed and insecure King Saul, to King David—the man after God’s own heart, but who eventually committed some egregious sins, and to King Solomon—the wisest man of his times, whose divided loyalties to God divided his kingdom between his son and his servant.

If there’s one theme running through this section of the Bible, it’s that God is faithful to His covenant and that one day a faithful king—a King of kings—will arrive on the scene, both to fulfill God’s promises and to establish God’s kingdom

forever. This is the all-powerful, all-wise Savior. This is the King we have longed for, the King who gives us wisdom as we join Him on mission.

WRITERS

The Gospel Project®Adult Personal Study Guide HCSBVolume 4, Number 4 Summer 2016

Eric GeigerVice President, LifeWay Resources

Ed StetzerGeneral Editor

Trevin WaxManaging Editor

Daniel DavisContent Editor

Josh HayesContent and Production Editor

Ken BraddyManager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Michael KelleyDirector, Groups Ministry

Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com.

Printed in the United States of America

The Gospel Project®: Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB (ISSN 2162-7207; Item 005461524) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources.

For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) 251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address.

We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Unit 1: J. D. Greear is the lead pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. He’s the author of Gospel, Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart, and Jesus, Continued…: Why the Spirit Inside You Is Better Than Jesus Beside You. J. D. holds a PhD from Southeastern Seminary. He and his wife, Veronica, have four children.

Spence Shelton lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Courtney, and their four children. Spence and his family were sent by The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham to plant Mercy Church in the fall of 2015. He holds a BSBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Unit 2: Greg Breazeale (sessions 7-12) resides with his wife, Heather, and three sons in Austin, Texas, where he is the North Campus pastor at The Austin Stone Community Church. He holds an MDiv from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a DMin in Expository Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Keith and Kristyn Getty (session 13) are writers of modern hymns that teach Christian doctrine sung in globally-accessible melodies. Some of their best known hymns include “In Christ Alone,” “Speak, O Lord,” and “The Power of the Cross,” all three co-written by Keith with Stuart Townend. Their hymns are sung in churches around the world, in fine concert halls of Europe and North America, and on US network and public television and the UK’s BBC. Keith and Kristyn live between Northern Ireland and Nashville with their three young daughters.

About the Writers

Table of Contents

Suggested for the week of

Unit 1: God the King (1–2 Samuel)

June 5 10 Session 1 When We Demand a King…

June 12 19 Session 2 The Downfall of Israel’s First King

June 19 28 Session 3 The King Who Fights for His People

June 26 37 Session 4 The King Who Befriends

July 3 46 Session 5 A King of Promise

July 10 55 Session 6 The King Who Needs a Savior

Unit 2: God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

July 17 65 Session 7 Solomon Asks for God’s Wisdom

July 24 74 Session 8 Wisdom for God’s People

July 31 83 Session 9 Solomon Builds the Temple

August 7 92 Session 10 The Foolishness of a Once-Wise King

August 14 101 Session 11 Solomon Reflects on the Meaning of Life

August 21 110 Session 12 Job and the Dilemma of Suffering

August 28 119 Session 13 The Praises of God’s People

6

Spring 2016 The Promised Land God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua) God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel)

Summer 2016 A Kingdom EstablishedGod the King (1–2 Samuel)God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

Fall 2016 Prophets and Kings God the Revealer (1–2 Kings, Isaiah) God the Pursuer (Prophets, 2 Chronicles)

THE GOSPEL PROJECT CHRONOLOGICAL A Journey Through the Storyline of Scripture

Fall 2015 The Story Begins God the Creator (Genesis 1–11) God the Covenant-Maker (Genesis 12–50)

Winter 2015-16 God Delivers God the Redeemer (Exodus) God the Lawgiver (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy)

7

Winter 2016-17 Exile and Return God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra) God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

Winter 2017-18 The Church on Mission The Spirit Who Empowers (Acts) The God Who Sends (Acts)

Spring 2018 Letters to God’s People The God Who Directs His People (Epistles) The God Who Changes Us (Epistles)

Fall 2017 Jesus Saves Jesus the Savior (Gospels) Jesus the Risen King (Gospels, Acts)

Summer 2018 Come, Lord Jesus God’s Prisoner (Acts, Epistles) The God Who Makes All Things New (Epistles, Revelation)

Summer 2017 Stories and Signs Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels) Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels)

Spring 2017 The Rescue Begins God the Son (Gospels) God Among Us (Gospels)

11Session 110 Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________

Session 1

Session

1 1. When we demand a king, we admit that God is not enough for us (1 Sam. 8:1-9).

1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. 2 His firstborn son’s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 However, his sons did not walk in his ways—they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”

6 When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord. 7 But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king. 8 They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. 9 Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.”

Samuel sensed that the people’s request represented a lack of trust in God. God was supposed to be their true King, as they were to depend on Him for everything. But the people were asking for something more than God to bring them security. The people had not rejected God outright; they were, in effect, saying, “God, yes, we want You, but we also need a guarantee of this, and that, and this, and that.”

In Israel’s story, we see two ways to reject God: one is to reject Him outright; the other is to say you follow Him but then not really depend on Him. This second form of rebellion is expressed whenever you insist on a number of other things to be present in your life before you can feel secure (ex. job, marriage, health, safety).

It would be so much easier to trust God if we could control Him, but we cannot. So, too often we create a list of requirements in addition to God. We will “follow” Him, but with our own stipulations.

Voices from the Church“The Lord reigns, not the idols. Not money or power. Not the rich or powerful. Not the beautiful. Not the nicest people, not the worst ones. Not companies or CEOs. Not human kings or presidents. The Lord reigns, and that is our only hope.” 1

–Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation

When We Demand a King…

THEOLOGICAL THEME: Our holiness is expressed in our dependence on God as the true King, not in our desire for substitutes.

For most people the idea of “God” is a welcome thought, yet there are those who reject the notion of a higher power. The tension for most people isn’t whether or not God exists but how much authority this God has in their lives. Many seem to be okay with God as long as He is just a spiritually uplifting thought or someone to turn to in hard times. But what about a God who dictates the purpose and shape of their lives? The notion of an intrusive, obedience-demanding deity is offensive. And because many do not see the evidence of God’s provision in their lives, they do not trust Him and His ways for their well-being.

Have you ever heard the phrase “My God is like…” or “My God would never do…”? What do these phrases communicate about one’s view of God?

As we resume our journey through the biblical narrative, we move from the period of the judges into the period of the kings. In this session we see the Israelites rejecting God as their King by demanding a human king to rule over them. This desire revealed that the Israelites did not believe God was sufficient for them. Their sinful demand opened the door for enslavement and made them resemble the other nations. Although today we may not demand a monarch, we search for “kings” to provide security for us. Israel’s story reminds us of the need to be fully satisfied in God as the true King.

15Session 114 Personal Study Guide • Summer 2016

If you have to have a certain kind of relationship to be happy…

You become the slave of that relationship.

If you have to be successful to find fulfillment…

You become the slave of success.

If you have to have some physical escape to release stress or feel relaxed…

It can quickly enslave you.

What are some examples of things in life that “promise” to give us something but instead “take” from us?

Every life has a “king.” A king in your life is whatever you must have in order to be happy and secure. And kings make all of their subjects into servants. The apostle Paul said it this way: “But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods” (Gal. 4:8). Or as Bob Dylan sang, “You’ve gotta serve somebody.” There are no exceptions. You are either submitted to Someone who brings life—God—or you are enslaved to something that brings death.

Where do you find yourself turning for fulfillment other than God?

How do these “lesser kings” fail to deliver on their promise?

3. When we demand a king, we look just like everyone else (1 Sam. 8:19-22).

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. 20 Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”

21 Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord. 22 “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”

Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you, go back to your city.”

Voices from Church History“The power of sin is broken by new power that is greater…Man now transcends his old self. He finds himself anew in his new resurrection life in Christ.” 3

–E. Y. Mullins (1860-1928)

1918 Personal Study Guide • Summer 2016 Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________

Session 2

Session

2

1. What are some specific ways you will affirm God as King over your life?

2. How can we display our happiness and satisfaction in God in a way that helps others recognize their enslavement to “lesser kings”?

3. Write a prayer asking God to help you point a specific person to the King of kings who provides true happiness and satisfaction—Jesus Christ.

HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION

MISSIONAL APPLICATION: God calls us to stand out from the world by showing that true happiness and satisfaction can be found only in God. The Downfall of Israel’s First King

THEOLOGICAL THEME: God requires total obedience to all of His commands.

God gave the people what they asked for when He chose Saul as the people’s first king. Saul’s rule began well, and it seemed like his heart was in the right place. But soon we observe Saul’s faulty and wavering obedience. Saul obeyed God, but only halfway. He followed God’s instruction, but not totally. His obedience was compromised, not wholehearted.

Think back to when you were a kid, or consider the children you interact with regularly. What are some instructions that a child is likely to obey only halfheartedly?

What are the signs that a child’s obedience is compromised?

In this session we witness the downfall of King Saul and his choice to rebel against God. In Saul’s story, we see how the failure to obey God completely leads us to rationalize and justify our disobedience, a sin that is compounded by the desire for human approval rather than divine grace. Halfhearted obedience is just another form of disobedience, and so, God calls us to renounce our hypocritical displays of righteousness and to submit fully to His purpose and plan.

Voices from Church History“The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies, but its obedience.” 1

–Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

8 Personal Study Guide

How to Use The Gospel Project

1Read the session in preparation for group discussion. Record any insights or questions you may want to discuss during the group experience.

2Gather with your group to discuss and learn together what God has to say. Contribute to the conversation and activities.

3Apply the truths of the session by working through “His Mission, Your Mission” with your group or by yourself.

Visit GospelProject.com/Blog for additional content related to the study. Visit GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources for links to podcasts, articles, and blog posts related to each session.

9

Memory Verses

Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.

–1 Samuel 15:22-23

Unit 1

God the King 1–2 Samuel

Writers

J. D. Greear is the lead pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Spence Shelton was sent by The Summit Church to plant Mercy Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the fall of 2015.

10 Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________

Session 1

Session

1When We Demand a King…

THEOLOGICAL THEME: Our holiness is expressed in our dependence on God as the true King, not in our desire for substitutes.

For most people the idea of “God” is a welcome thought, yet there are those who reject the notion of a higher power. The tension for most people isn’t whether or not God exists but how much authority this God has in their lives. Many seem to be okay with God as long as He is just a spiritually uplifting thought or someone to turn to in hard times. But what about a God who dictates the purpose and shape of their lives? The notion of an intrusive, obedience-demanding deity is offensive. And because many do not see the evidence of God’s provision in their lives, they do not trust Him and His ways for their well-being.

Have you ever heard the phrase “My God is like…” or “My God would never do…”? What do these phrases communicate about one’s view of God?

As we resume our journey through the biblical narrative, we move from the period of the judges into the period of the kings. In this session we see the Israelites rejecting God as their King by demanding a human king to rule over them. This desire revealed that the Israelites did not believe God was sufficient for them. Their sinful demand opened the door for enslavement and made them resemble the other nations. Although today we may not demand a monarch, we search for “kings” to provide security for us. Israel’s story reminds us of the need to be fully satisfied in God as the true King.

© 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

11Session 1

1. When we demand a king, we admit that God is not enough for us (1 Sam. 8:1-9).

1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. 2 His firstborn son’s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 However, his sons did not walk in his ways—they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”

6 When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord. 7 But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king. 8 They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. 9 Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.”

Samuel sensed that the people’s request represented a lack of trust in God. God was supposed to be their true King, as they were to depend on Him for everything. But the people were asking for something more than God to bring them security. The people had not rejected God outright; they were, in effect, saying, “God, yes, we want You, but we also need a guarantee of this, and that, and this, and that.”

In Israel’s story, we see two ways to reject God: one is to reject Him outright; the other is to say you follow Him but then not really depend on Him. This second form of rebellion is expressed whenever you insist on a number of other things to be present in your life before you can feel secure (ex. job, marriage, health, safety).

It would be so much easier to trust God if we could control Him, but we cannot. So, too often we create a list of requirements in addition to God. We will “follow” Him, but with our own stipulations.

Voices from the Church“The Lord reigns, not the idols. Not money or power. Not the rich or powerful. Not the beautiful. Not the nicest people, not the worst ones. Not companies or CEOs. Not human kings or presidents. The Lord reigns, and that is our only hope.” 1

–Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation

12 Personal Study Guide

What are some things that make you feel secure?

What are the signs that we are trusting in these things for our security and not in God alone?

God called their request for a king disobedience, but then He acquiesced. If this request was so bad, why did God give it to them? Why not simply say no? This is why: God will sometimes answer your prayers to let you learn the hard way that your motivation was wrong.

The reverse is also true. Some of God’s greatest mercies to us come in the form of unanswered prayers. Some people get mad at God for not answering their prayers, but the greatest blessing God could ever give is the ability to be happy in Him alone. Sometimes He has to teach us that by withholding blessings that we think would be beneficial.

To clarify, it is not wrong to ask God for good things. The problem comes when a person craves those things and feels like he or she could not be happy or secure without them. This is what was at the root of Israel’s request for a king.

Have you ever received something that you really wanted only to feel unsatisfied after you got it? Explain.

Voices from the Church“The reason the Israelites give betrays their apostasy, an abandonment of their missional calling…They wanted to be ‘like the other nations’—precisely what God had called Israel not to be.” 2

–Michael Goheen

13Session 1

2. When we demand a king, we open the door to enslavement (1 Sam. 8:10-18).

10 Samuel told all the Lord’s words to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots. 12 He can appoint them for his use as commanders of thousands or commanders of fifties, to plow his ground or reap his harvest, or to make his weapons of war or the equipment for his chariots. 13 He can take your daughters to become perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 He can take your best fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants. 16 He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys and use them for his work. 17 He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you’ve chosen for yourselves, but the Lord won’t answer you on that day.”

Samuel didn’t hold back when he foretold the consequences of Israel’s demand for a king. The dominant word in this description is take: the king will take your sons and daughters; he will take your crops and your lands; he will take the best years of your lives—he will exploit you and all your resources for himself.

The irony here is tremendous. The Israelites looked to a king to guarantee prosperity and security. What they would receive instead were kings who would take those things from them. They wanted a king whom they could control. Instead, their kings would wind up controlling them. What they thought would empower them would actually enslave them!

This is an Old Testament version of a New Testament principle: When you have other kings besides God, those kings do not save you; they enslave you. Whatever you depend on for happiness and security, you become the slave of that thing. For example:

14 Personal Study Guide

If you have to have a certain kind of relationship to be happy…

You become the slave of that relationship.

If you have to be successful to find fulfillment…

You become the slave of success.

If you have to have some physical escape to release stress or feel relaxed…

It can quickly enslave you.

What are some examples of things in life that “promise” to give us something but instead “take” from us?

15Session 1

Every life has a “king.” A king in your life is whatever you must have in order to be happy and secure. And kings make all of their subjects into servants. The apostle Paul said it this way: “But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods” (Gal. 4:8). Or as Bob Dylan sang, “You’ve gotta serve somebody.” There are no exceptions. You are either submitted to Someone who brings life—God—or you are enslaved to something that brings death.

Where do you find yourself turning for fulfillment other than God?

How do these “lesser kings” fail to deliver on their promise?

3. When we demand a king, we look just like everyone else (1 Sam. 8:19-22).

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. 20 Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”

21 Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord. 22 “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”

Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you, go back to your city.”

Voices from Church History“The power of sin is broken by new power that is greater…Man now transcends his old self. He finds himself anew in his new resurrection life in Christ.” 3

–E. Y. Mullins (1860-1928)

16 Personal Study Guide

Even though Israel had been warned that a king would ultimately abuse his power, they still demanded one. They wanted someone they could visibly see who would “fight their battles.” They were forfeiting the very thing that set them apart from every other nation. God is not like a human king, who will abuse his power and unfairly take from his people. God is a loving Father who has gone to great lengths to rescue and save His people. Yet Israel wanted to be like every other nation.

Similarly, when people who have been redeemed by Christ look to things in this world for protection, security, and validation, they start to look like everyone else. Forgetting their identity and the love that comes from a restored relationship with God, they become bound to a “king” they think will satisfy them. This is not what God intended for His people. This is not what He intends for you. He wants you to know the love and assurance that comes from knowing Christ. He doesn’t want you to obsess over things in this world that hold only empty promises.

How does the assurance of God’s love for us break the power of sin in our lives?

God warned the people of Israel of all the bad consequences of receiving a king. But they demanded one anyway. In the next few chapters, we see how God gave them exactly what they asked for. King Saul promised change, gave the people hope they could believe in, and guaranteed that Israel’s status in the world would be restored.

But after a good start, Saul started to do exactly what God said he would. He started to use the people for his own advantage. He turned out to be a self-idolizing, self-willed tyrant.

All earthly kings will disappoint. We have the chance to make the choice that Israel did not—the choice of faith. And we have more evidence to analyze than they did. We have a longer history of God’s faithfulness to reflect upon, more stories of His faithfulness in the midst of human faithlessness. Most importantly, we have the cross, the ultimate display of God’s love and faithfulness to us. There is no king we could serve who gave more for us than God did.

17Session 1

Many people find the idea of the Christian God just fine, provided they can institute certain conditions: “As long as God does this, prevents me from that, and provides me with this, then I will follow Him.” But that is not faith at all. That is rejection because conditional obedience is still disobedience. To follow this King, we must step out in faith, with absolutely no conditions and no exceptions. How can we be sure that God will take care of us? Because of the cross, we know He is the King worth trusting with absolutely everything.

In what ways do we stand out from the world when we are trusting in God alone as King?

How does standing out in this way aid us in our mission of making disciples?

Conclusion

Our society is full of people willing to make room for God as a piece in the puzzle of their lives. What sets believers apart from the world is that we find true happiness and satisfaction only in God Himself. The God who saved us is the same God who sustains us. When we begin to trust God alone with our entire lives, we will look different from those around us.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Israel’s demand for an earthly king was a twisted form of a good desire—for God’s kingdom to come through His anointed leader. God’s big plan incorporated Israel’s sinful desire and eventually led to the coming of Jesus, the King of kings.

99 Essential Christian Doctrines5. Authority of Scripture

Since the Bible is the inspired Word from God, God’s special revelation to humanity, the Bible is the ultimate standard of authority for the Christian. Because it is truthful in everything that it teaches, Scripture is humanity’s source for wisdom, instructing us on how to live life well to the glory of God. Submitting to the authority of Scripture means that we are to believe and obey God by believing and obeying His Word.

18 Personal Study Guide

1. What are some specific ways you will affirm God as King over your life?

2. How can we display our happiness and satisfaction in God in a way that helps others recognize their enslavement to “lesser kings”?

3. Write a prayer asking God to help you point a specific person to the King of kings who provides true happiness and satisfaction—Jesus Christ.

HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION

MISSIONAL APPLICATION: God calls us to stand out from the world by showing that true happiness and satisfaction can be found only in God.

128

SESSION 11. Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation, eds., “The Lord Reigns,” in The Mission of God Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2012), 596.

2. Michael W. Goheen, A Light to the Nations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 55.

3. E. Y. Mullins, The Christian Religion in Its Doctrinal Expression (Philadelphia: Roger Williams Press, 1917), 293.

SESSION 21. Oswald Chambers, in The Quotable Oswald Chambers, comp. and ed. David McCasland (Oswald Chambers Publications Association, 2008), 176.

2. Gregory the Great, Pastoral Care, 2.6, quoted in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2  Samuel, ed. John R. Franke, vol. IV in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 256.

SESSION 31. D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006), 25.

2. Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-by-Day (Nashville: B&H, 1998), 290.

3. Paulinus of Nola, Poems, 26:150, quoted in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2  Samuel, ed. John R. Franke, vol. IV in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament, 273.

SESSION 41. Helen Keller, quoted in Expository Eureka, by Diana Tham (Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2013) [eBook].

2. Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage (New York: Dutton, 2011), 95.

3. Augustine, Sermon 385.4, quoted in Late Have I Loved Thee: Selected Writings of Saint Augustine on Love (New York: Vintage Books, 2006), 400.

4. R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man (Wheaton: Crossway, 2001), 66.

5. Joseph Scriven, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” in Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWay Worship, 2008), 154.

6. Corrie ten Boom, quoted in “Preface,” by Elizabeth Sherrill, in The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2006), x.

SESSION 51. Nancy Guthrie, The Son of David (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 161.

2. Michael Williams, How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 46.

3. Richard F. Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1985), 41.

SESSION 61. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Temptation, in Creation and Fall & Temptation: Two Biblical Studies, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (New York: Touchstone, 1983), 132.

2. Adrian Rogers, in Adrianism: The Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, vol. 1 (Memphis: Love Worth Finding, 2006), 114.

3. Trevin Wax, “The Gospel and Repentance,” LifeWay Pastors [online], 12 May 2015 [cited 8 October 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.lifeway.com.

SESSION 71. Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence (New York: Bantam, 2006).

2. Thomas R. Schreiner, The King in His Beauty (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), 288.

3. Martin Luther, in What Luther Says, comp. Ewald M. Plass (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959), 1453.

4. George Whitefield, “An Exhortation to the People of God Not to Be Discouraged in Their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men,” in Sermons on Important Subjects (London: Henry Fisher, Son, and P. Jackson, 1828), 606.

SESSION 81. Jay E. Adams, The Christian Counselor’s Commentary (Woodruff, SC: Timeless Texts, 1997), 2.

2. Ambrose, Six Days of Creation, 1.4.12, quoted in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, ed. J. Robert Wright, vol. IX in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 7.

3. David K. Stabnow, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1035, n. 3:11-12.

4. Jonathan Leeman, “Wisdom,” The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide (Winter 2012-13): 113.

SESSION 91. “Vision,” Burj Khalifa [online], 2015 [cited 19 October 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.burjkhalifa.ae.

2. Michael Bird, Evangelical Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 717.

3. C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (San Diego: Harvest, 1964), 4-5, quoted in “The perfect church service,” Tolle Lege [online], 14 November 2009 [cited 19 October 2015]. Available from the Internet: tollelege.wordpress.com.

4. G. K. Beale, The Temple and the Church’s Mission (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004), 401.

SESSION 101. J. R. R. Tolkien, The Return of the King (New York: Ballantine, 1983), 274.

2. D. A. Carson, The God Who Is There (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010), 83.

3. John Wesley, “Sermon LXXXIII: On Spiritual Idolatry,” vol. 2 in The Works of the Reverend John Wesley, ed. John Emory (New York: B. Waugh and T. Mason, 1835), 188.

4. Andrew A. Bonar, Memoirs and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray M’Cheyne, (London: W. Middleton, 1846), 254.

SESSION 111. Daniel Schorn, “Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3,” CBS News [online], 5 November 2005 [cited 20 October 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.cbsnews.com.

2. William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 76-77.

3. N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 2008), 107.

4. Sam Storms, The Hope of Glory: 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007), 154.

SESSION 121. Oswald Chambers, in The Quotable Oswald Chambers, comp. and ed. David McCasland (Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 2008), 282.

2. Robert Yarbrough, “Christ and Crocodiles: Suffering and the Goodness of God in Contemporary Perspective,” in Suffering and the Goodness of God, eds. Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 31.

3. Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp, How People Change (Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2008), 78.

SESSION 131. N. T. Wright, The Case for the Psalms (New York: HarperCollins, 2013), 23.

2. Jonathan Leeman, “Psalms: Songs for New Creation Hearts,” The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide (Winter 2012-13): 96.

3. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1970), 14-15.

4. Ambrose, On the Christian Faith, 2.12.102, quoted in Psalms  51–150, ed. Quentin F. Wesselschmidt, vol. VIII in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2007), 263.

Notes

Personal Study Guide

129

To download this quarter’s recommended playlist of songs, go to LifeWayWorship.com/GospelProject.Get the following collection of great songs and artists:

“Christ Is Enough”—Hillsong Live

“Come as You Are”—Crowder

“God I Look to You”—Bethel Music

“Awesome”—Charles Jenkins

“God and King”—Gateway Worship

“What a Savior”—Laura Story

“Good, Good Father”—Housefires

“The Fear of the Lord”—Tommy Walker

“My Heart Is Yours”—Passion

“Hope and Glory”—Tim Hughes

“You Hold It All”—Travis Ryan

“I Am Not Alone”—Kari Jobe

“Jesus, the Anthem”—Shelly E. Johnson

PLAYLIST

130

1. PROMOTE GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION, NOT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

Every session points participants to the gospel of Jesus Christ as the source of life-transformation and the foundation for spiritual growth.

2. SEE HOW THE WHOLE BIBLE FITS TOGETHER

From Genesis to Revelation, understand how the entire Bible reveals God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

3. UNITE EVERY AGE IN CHRIST-CENTERED STUDY

For churches that wish to align all ages, The Gospel Project provides Christ-centered study for babies through adults.

4. COMPEL MEN AND WOMEN TO LIVE ON MISSION

Every session challenges participants to consider how the gospel compels them to live on mission every day.

5. UNDERSTAND THE KEY THEMES OF CHRISTIANITY

Helps men and women identify and understand 99 essential theological doctrines of the Christian faith as they are found throughout the Bible.

The Gospel Project Core Values

Personal Study Guide

Now you can study The Gospel Project anywhere. Just download the free app, and you can purchase the latest Personal Study Guide or Leader Guide

for your phone or tablet. Available in two Bible translations (HCSB® or ESV). To get started, just search your app store for The Gospel Project.

The Gospel ProjectA Kingdom Established

During the time of the judges, everyone did what was right in his own eyes. It was evident that a king was needed, but he must be God’s king and desired for the right reason—to shepherd the people for the glory of God in the world. Though the people desired otherwise, God would raise up a man after His own heart to lead His people. King David was flawed and sinful, but through him God would raise up the King whose kingdom is everlasting—Jesus, the Messiah.

God has ordered His world and His kingdom to work according to wisdom. Therefore, King Solomon rightly asked for wisdom as a gift from God in order to govern the people and to help them shine like a light to the nations. God’s wisdom instructs us how to live well and to praise our God, but it also teaches us how to reflect on the meaning of life and the suffering that we experience. For all his wisdom, Solomon still made foolish choices, and this points to our need for a greater Wisdom—Jesus, the very Word of God made flesh for us.

What’s Next? FALL 2016Volume 5: Prophets and KingsGod the Revealer (1–2 Kings, Isaiah)God the Pursuer (Prophets, 2 Chronicles)

WINTER 2016-17Volume 6: Exile and ReturnGod the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra)God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

SOME OF OUR UPCOMING WRITERSMary Jo SharpMichael KelleyDaniel Akin

Web: GospelProject.com Twitter: @Gospel_Project Facebook: TheGospelProject

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