Tag: Bible study

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David Departs from Saul and Begins to Build His Team

David Builds His Team

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After David left Saul’s service, he set out to build a team to protect him from Saul. He needed people, food and supplies, and weapon. He was joined initially by a group of four hundred men that needed relief under Saul’s administration. They would be unreachable to Saul’s people by teaming with David and at the same time help protect David by building a team around him. David’s relationship with this group illustrates an important principle of team building.

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David and Jonathan: Loyalty and Support for a Chosen Leader

Loyalty and Support for a Chosen Leader

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Interactions between David and Jonathan illustrate a “Perfect Heart for Strategic Alliance.” As the son of 1st king of Israel and 2nd in command to his father, Jonathan had what would appear a legitimate shot at succeeding his father as king. However, a young man David that was recruited as harp player for Saul impressed Jonathan as a brave man with special leadership skills and faith of God. Jonathan did not see David as a hostile competitor for the throne of Israel as his father, Saul, advised him several times. Instead, he saw in David qualities of a chosen leader and believed that his role is to support David to be the best leader he could.

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Master versus Innovative Subordinate: Saul Tries to Kill David

Saul Tries to Kill David: Jealous and Afraid

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How Should a Master and an Innovative Subordinate Relate? Interactions between Saul and David after David killed Goliath indicate useful answers. David remained in Saul’s service after killing Goliath and was threatened by Saul because Saul was jealous and afraid of him. Saul was jealous of David because he killed Goliath and led Israel to victory over the Philistines at a time that Saul, the king, was visibly too frightened to try. He was afraid of David because God was with David and had left Saul, and David was successful and impressed the people of Israel in everything he did. Therefore, Saul, the master, felt out-performed by his subordinate, David, and reacted by threatening to kill him.

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Prayer, Battle Cry, and Sermon: David and Goliath

David and Goliath

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When David was about to confront Goliath in the battle of the Valley of Elah, he said a prayer that also was a battle cry and a sermon.

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Introducing Heart of David Series

David, Samuel, and Saul

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God rejected Saul as king over Israel because he disobeyed God by selectively performing only aspects of God’s instruction while doing as he liked regarding the others. After God rejected Saul’s kingship, he directed Samuel to seek out a son of Jesse and anoint him king.

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2015 Seminar Strategic Alliance

Strategic Alliance What and Why?

Strategic Alliance

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This is the first of a four-part series featuring the proceedings of the Banking Blessings Ministry seminar on the Power of Strategic Alliance. The seminar was led by Bishop Francis Bob Alonge, bishop of the Covenant Assembly Ministries and a Director of Banking Blessings Ministry. In this study, we will explore the meaning of Strategic Alliance: the people, friendships, or relationships that God brings our way in our journey of life, whether as family, friends, business associates, school mates, colleagues, church members, mentors, pastors, or others.

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Healthy Communication in Human Relationship

Fountain of Life

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This bible study, led by Rev. Julius Edah, pastor of the United African Presbyterian Church, Dallas, discusses healthy communication in human relationship. The study reminds of an interaction I witnessed recently between two men at a gas (i.e., petrol) station. The younger man had his car facing the wrong way at the dispenser. An older man advised him to drive out and turn his car around and offered to save his position. The younger man rejected the offer, somewhat angrily, and the older man asked him why he was “being a jerk about it.” They exchanged all manner of angry words. I thought about the encounter after I left the gas station but soon forgot it. However, it returned to my mind during the bible study. The leader, Rev. Edah, likened healthy communication to a “fountain of life,” citing Proverbs 10:11. I wondered how the two men drew so much bitterness from what really was an opportunity to share goodwill.

 

 

 

 

Family of Jacob, Famous Families

Jacob’s Wives and Children

Problems Due to Polygamy

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In this bible study, we learn about interactions within Jacob’s family during the birth of the children. The interactions illustrate an inherent problem in polygamist households. Because the husband cannot love two or more wives equally, the wives compete for their husbands love. The resulting rivalry among co-wives could dominate family life. For example, of the twelve sons of Jacob, nine were named in reference to rivalry between Leah and Rachel, two were named in reference to relationship with God, and one was named in reference to love. The passage reminds us of Paul’s counsel to Timothy to not appoint polygamists as overseers or deacons [1Timothy 3:2 & 12].

 

 

Family of Jacob, Famous Families

Jacob Marries Rachel and Leah

Council of Relatives in Family Interactions

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In this bible study we learn about Jacob’s first seven years in Paddan Aram, where he lived with his uncle Laban. The passage illustrates the role of family as a structure for regulation of human interactions. This function often is performed through the Council of Relatives, constituted by informally selecting family members to represent each family. The Council of Relatives is still the same and plays the same roles today as in the days of this bible incident. The council is referred to as Umunna among the Igbo people of Nigeria, for example.

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Family of Jacob, Famous Families

Jacob Relocates to Paddan Aram

Covenant at Bethel

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Spousal Interactions by Leading the Leader

In this bible study, we learn about Jacob’s departure from Canaan to live with his uncle in Paddan Aram. Informed that Esau was threatening to kill Jacob, Rebekah advised Jacob to flee to Paddan Aram. However, to secure Isaac’s approval, she presented a different case that she could not bear the possibility of Jacob marrying a Canaanite. Isaac was convinced by this argument and instructed Jacob to move to Paddan Aram. Thus, Rebekah persuaded her husband by focusing on an issue that she and her husband were likely to agree but did not mention her other concern that could have led to a disagreement with her husband.

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