Ancestry of the Nation—1 Chronicles 1:1–3:24
Topics: Family, Heritage, History, Name
Open It
1. *What do you know about your family’s ancestors?
2. Who in your family has an unusual name (first, middle, or last)?
3. Why would it be interesting or important to learn about your ancestors?
Explore It
1. Who is the first person listed in the genealogical records? (1:1)
2. *What kind of people are mentioned in this genealogical record? (1:1–3:24)
3. Who were the sons of Noah? (1:4)
4. Who was the father of Abram (Abraham)? (1:26–27)
5. Who were the sons of Abram (Abraham)? (1:28)
6. Who were the sons of Isaac? (1:34)
7. Who were the sons of Israel? (2:1–2)
8. *Who was the father of David? (2:13–15)
9. *Who were the sons of David? (3:1–9)
Get It
1. *What is important about the people mentioned in this genealogical record?
2. How can knowing your family history give you a sense of identity, heritage, or destiny?
3. What does a long list of names in the Bible tell us about the kind of relationship God has with His chosen people?
4. Why is this genealogical listing important as related to the birth of Jesus?
5. *How have the lives of your ancestors (including grandparents and parents) positively or negatively affected your life?
6. Who among your family and ancestors has provided you with a positive spiritual foundation?
7. How do you want to be remembered by your descendants?
8. What spiritual heritage do you want to leave to your children?
Apply It
1. Who could help you discover and record your family’s spiritual heritage?
2. *Which of your living family members who has been a positive spiritual force for you could you take time this week to thank with a note or a call?
The Tribes of Israel—1 Chronicles 4:1–9:1
Topics: Family, Heritage, History, Name, Prayer
Open It
1. How much does the review of a movie or a play influence your decision to see it?
2. *What is the hardest part about praying?
Explore It
1. *For what is Jabez remembered? (4:9–10)
2. *What was the content of Jabez’s prayer? (4:10)
3. What are the names of the people who were craftsmen? (4:13)
4. Who was married to Pharaoh’s daughter? (4:18)
5. What were some of the skilled trades of the clans? (4:21–23)
6. *What was noteworthy about the men listed in this chapter? (4:38–40)
7. Who was the firstborn son of Israel, and what did he do that dishonored his name? (5:1)
8. Who gained the birthright of Israel although he was not the firstborn son? (5:2)
9. What tribes of Israel had a large force of men ready for military service? (5:18)
10. Who were unfaithful to God and worshiped false gods? (5:24–26)
11. Who was the father of Moses? (6:3)
12. Who were the brother and sister of Moses? (6:3)
Get It
1. *In what way should we model our prayers after Jabez’s prayer?
2. Jabez is remembered for being one who prays rather than one who did a heroic act; whom do you know who is like Jabez?
3. *Why should we pray for God to be at the center of all areas of our life?
4. If we pray for God to protect us from evil, what is our human responsibility to avoid or resist evil?
5. Like Reuben (see 5:1), how do the consequences of sexual sin follow a person and their family members?
6. Like the half-tribe of Manasseh who had skill and strength but failed to put God first in their life, what goals do we substitute for pursuing God in our life?
7. What does God want us to do more than anything else?
8. How could your Christian life be summarized in one sentence?
Apply It
1. *When could you pray daily this week for God to be the center of your life?
2. What changes in attitude or action do you need to make so your life may be more pleasing to the Lord?
Returnees from Exile in Babylon—1 Chronicles 9:2–44
Topics: Church, Idolatry, Security, Service, Unfaithfulness, Worship
Open It
1. What are the major challenges for a family when they move?
2. *What jobs or occupations are commonly despised or avoided by most people?
3. What do people substitute in their life for God?
Explore It
1. To where were the people of Judah taken captive? (9:1)
2. Why were the people of Judah taken into captivity? (9:1)
3. What period of Jewish history does this passage describe? (9:1–2)
4. When the people of Judah returned from captivity, who were among the first to resettle on their own property? (9:2)
5. Who had initiated the job of the gatekeepers? (9:22–23)
6. *What was the main job of the gatekeepers? (9:22–27)
7. What did the gatekeepers guard? (9:26)
8. *What additional duties did the gatekeepers have? (9:28–33)
9. *Why were some of the temple workers exempt from certain duties? (9:33)
10. Who administered the temple in Jerusalem? (9:34)
11. What does this passage tell us about Saul? (9:35–44)
Get It
1. What are the consequences of worshiping idols or material things other than the true living God?
2. In what ways do you think our society has succeeded or failed to honor and obey God?
3. In what way do children sometimes suffer consequences for their parents’ sin?
4. *What are some of the most importance and least important jobs in the church?
5. What can we do to recognize the important of all jobs in the church and honor all workers regardless of their position?
6. What qualities should a worker in the church have?
7. *What job in the church has God prepared you to do?
8. What must a person do to be known as reliable, honest, and trustworthy?
9. How do you think our commitment to worshiping God today compares to the commitment of the Israelites?
10. What makes a worship service more than just attending another church meeting?
11. In what ways can we make our worship of God more meaningful?
Apply It
1. In what area of your life do you want to be more faithful than you have been?
2. *In what way can you offer your skills in service to the church this week?
3. What can you do to prepare yourself for the corporate worship service of your church this coming week?
Saul Takes His Life—1 Chronicles 10:1–14
Topics: Disobedience, Judgment, Results, Sin
Open It
1. What do you think of tabloid newspapers and television shows that report scandals about famous people?
2. What examples can you recall of famous people whose career went downhill or who died in disgrace?
3. *What sort of pressures or crises have you been facing lately?
4. What do you think might cause a person to think about suicide?
Explore It
1. Who were the enemies of Israel who fought against them? (10:1–2)
2. *What important event in the history of Israel does this passage describe? (10:1–14)
3. How did the Philistines wound Saul? (10:3)
4. *What awkward conversation did Saul have with his armor-bearer? (10:4)
5. What did Saul want his armor-bearer to do to him? (10:4)
6. What was the armor-bearer’s response to Saul’s request? (10:4)
7. *What happened to the Israelite towns after Saul killed himself? (10:7)
8. What did the Philistines do to Saul’s body to celebrate their victory? (10:8–10)
9. Who retrieved the bodies of Saul and his men to give them a decent burial? (10:11–12)
10. Why did Saul die? (10:13)
11. Where had Saul sought guidance during his reign as king? (10:13–14)
12. What did God do to Saul because of his unfaithfulness? (10:14)
13. Who became the new king of Israel? (10:14)
Get It
1. *What kind of a man was Saul?
2. What did Saul do that was disobedient to God?
3. In what way can a wrong decision be the start of a person’s destruction?
4. Why was Saul willing to kill himself rather than be captured?
5. What was wrong with Saul’s committing suicide rather than letting himself be captured by his enemies?
6. How can a person facing tremendous personal problems find help from God to cope and continue on in life?
7. *What causes someone to be stubborn and resistant to God’s commands?
8. How might God bring judgment on a person who stubbornly disobeys Him?
Apply It
1. What is one small step you can take this week to develop your love for and loyalty to God?
2. *The next time you are feeling pressure or opposition, in what ways can you turn to the Lord for help and guidance?
3. What Christian friend could you ask to counsel and help you in your obedience to God?
King David and His Mighty Men—1 Chronicles 11:1–47
Topics: Friendship, Giving, Obedience, Rewards, Trust
Open It
1. How do you react when you hear someone brag?
2. What is an example of what it means to really love someone?
3. *For what kind of national leaders do most people wish?
Explore It
1. *Why were the leaders of Israel comfortable with David’s becoming king? (11:1–3)
2. Who anointed David king of Israel? (11:3)
3. What steps did David take to establish himself as king? (11:3–9)
4. What city did David rename Jerusalem? (11:4)
5. What were the qualifications and name of the man who became David’s commander-in-chief? (11:6)
6. What nickname did Jerusalem get after David took up residence there? (11:7)
7. *What caused David to become more and more powerful? (11:9)
8. Who were the three mighty men, and what did they do to gain their reputation? (11:11–14)
9. What did the chiefs do for David when he longed for a drink of water from a well in Bethlehem? (11:17–18)
10. *How did David react when his three chiefs risked their lives to get him water from Bethlehem? (11:18–19)
11. Who was the commander of the three mighty men? (11:20–21)
12. For what exploits was Benaiah held in great honor? (11:22–25)
Get It
1. In what ways does God reward people who serve Him?
2. *In light of the fact that David’s triumph in Jerusalem came seven and a half years after he had become king and twenty years after he had been anointed by Samuel, what does this story say about the timing of God’s acts in our life?
3. *How should we react when we work hard for God and we get little or no recognition?
4. How does trusting in God increase a person’s strength and power?
5. What pressure do we put on ourselves when we are trying to get attention from others and build our own reputation?
6. If we desire to leave the results of our work to God, what type of work habits should we practice?
7. What are the risks of trying to help someone and meet his or her needs?
8. When is it worth taking a risk to serve others and meet his or her needs?
9. How should we react whenever someone gives us a gift that he or she sacrificed greatly to obtain?
Apply It
1. What can you do this week in your job to please or glorify God?
2. *Throughout this week, how can you remind yourself to be more concerned with what God thinks of you than what others think?
3. What appropriately sacrificial or risky act could you do this week to help another person who is in need?
Warriors and Others Join David—1 Chronicles 12:1–40
Topics: Commitment, Friendship, Heroes, Leadership
Open It
1. What do you think makes it hard for people to commit themselves to a cause?
2. *What qualities of effective leaders do you value most?
3. What is an example of a movement of people mobilized for a cause?
Explore It
1. What does this passage tell us about David’s development as a powerful king? (12:1–40)
2. What were the special skills of the men from the tribe of Benjamin? (12:2)
3. What reputation and skills did the Gadites have as fighting men? (12:8)
4. What were David’s concerns when the Benjamites came to offer their services to him? (12:16–17)
5. Who was chief of “the Thirty”? (12:18)
6. *What word of blessing and statement of loyalty did the chief of “the Thirty” give to David? (12:18)
7. *How did the warriors of Manasseh that joined David help him? (12:19–21)
8. *What was the result of the warriors coming to join David? (12:22)
9. What was the goal of the fighting men who joined David’s fighting ranks? (12:38)
10. What role did the families of the fighting men play in supporting these men and their allegiance to David as king? (12:39–40)
Get It
1. *What were the qualities of a good warrior in David’s time?
2. What are the qualities of a good coworker?
3. Why do weak leaders often surround themselves with weak followers?
4. What qualities must a leader have to attract and employ strong followers?
5. Why is it hard for many people to commit themselves to working with a church or Christian ministry?
6. How should Christians decide whether to give their time and money to serve in a church or work under a particular leader?
7. What are (or were) the leadership qualities of the finest Christian leader you have known?
8. *Who are some Christian leaders you admire?
9. What Christian leaders rely on you in some way?
10. What are some of the many skills and abilities a church or Christian organization needs to succeed in their mission?
11. In what way can you be a help to a Christian leader?
12. What are the qualities of a Christian “hero” that we should strive for in our own life?
Apply It
1. What are some specific skills you possess that you can use for God?
2. What can you do this week to develop your skills either as a leader or a follower?
3. *To what pastor or Christian leader can you show support with a phone call or note of commitment to their cause?
Bringing Back the Ark—1 Chronicles 13:1–14
Topics: Direction, Disobedience, Instructions, Punishment
Open It
1. *Which people in your family read the instruction manual for assembling or operating things you purchase? Who doesn’t?
2. Who do you think is often better at asking for help and following directions—men or women? Why?
Explore It
1. What project did David undertake? (13:1–3)
2. How did David reach a decision about whether he should move the ark? (13:1–4)
3. Where had the ark been located? (13:5–6)
4. *By what means of transportation did the Israelites move the ark? (13:7)
5. *What happened to Uzzah as he marched beside the ark? (13:9–10)
6. *How did David feel toward God when Uzzah died? (13:11–12)
7. What did David do with the ark after Uzzah died? (13:12–13)
8. What happened to the family who provided housing for the ark? (13:14)
Get It
1. *How had David and the people ignored God’s rules for handling the ark? (See 1 Chronicles 15:13.)
2. How can a person know what God wants him or her to do in a particular situation?
3. What are the dangers of doing what you think is best rather than consulting the Bible for direction?
4. What are some of the subjects for which God has given clear commands and instruction in the Bible?
5. What makes it difficult for us to listen to God’s Word and be obedient to it?
6. What help can a Christian seek from others when making decisions?
7. *How can Christians help each other be wise?
8. What decisions are you in the process of making for which you need God’s wisdom?
Apply It
1. *Who can help you search the Bible for guidance for a decision you have to make?
2. To whom do you want to turn the next time you need wisdom beyond your own?
3. When can you read the Bible this week for guidance concerning some area of your life?
4. Where in the Bible do you want to read this week to refresh your memory of God’s commands?
David, His Family, and the Philistines—1 Chronicles 14:1–17
Topics: Guidance, Idolatry, Victory
Open It
1. How has your ability to handle problems changed as you have grown older?
2. *What person has given valuable guidance to you in your life?
3. When are you most likely to ask for a friend’s help? most unlikely?
Explore It
1. What did Hiram, king of Tyre, send to David? (14:1)
2. How did David feel about his position and role as king of Israel? (14:2)
3. In his prosperity what happened to the size of David’s family? (14:3–6)
4. Who were the enemies of King David and Israel? (14:8)
5. *What did David do about the Philistines’ raid on the Valley of Rephaim? (14:9–10)
6. What prompted David to pray? (14:9–10)
7. What promise did God make to David regarding the Philistines? (14:10)
8. *Why did David attack the Philistines? (14:10–11)
9. What was the result of David’s battle with the Philistines? (14:11)
10. What did David do with the abandoned Philistine idols? (14:12)
11. *What orders did God give David about his second battle with the Philistines? (14:13–15)
12. What did defeating the Philistines do to David’s reputation? (14:17)
Get It
1. *How important is it to ask God’s help or guidance when we are facing a decision?
2. *What decisions in life require God’s help, and which ones can we handle on our own?
3. In what ways does God give us direction and guidance?
4. What role can active listening play in our prayer life?
5. Why do we often forget to praise God or give Him credit when we are successful?
6. David did not allow his men to keep any idols (false gods); what are some of the idols we should not allow to be in our possession?
7. What stops us from getting rid of things, loyalties, or habits that we have served as false gods?
8. How has God used different methods in different situations to make His will known to you?
Apply It
1. *When can you take time this week to listen to God’s voice of guidance for a decision you need to make?
2. For what concern or problem will you pray for wisdom each day this week?
3. What ungodly materials or influences do you want to remove from your life today?
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem—1 Chronicles 15:1–16:6
Topics: Failure, Obedience, Praise, Success, Tasks, Worship
Open It
1. What major task have you spent a long time trying to complete, and how does it feel when you finally complete such a project?
2. What role does dancing play in your life?
3. *In your line of work, what tasks or procedures are important to carry out correctly?
4. What is one mistake you have corrected and overcome in your life?
Explore It
1. To where did David want to bring the ark of the Lord? (15:1)
2. What had David prepared to house the ark? (15:1)
3. *What event does this passage describe? (15:1, 3)
4. Whom did David appoint as the sole transporters of the ark? (15:2)
5. *What instructions did David give the Levites about transporting the ark of the Lord? (15:11–16)
6. How were the Levites to prepare themselves to transport the ark? (15:12)
7. How did the Levites carry the ark of the Lord? (15:15)
8. What were the jobs of the people who accompanied the ark of the Lord as it was transported? (15:16–24)
9. How did David dress and act when the ark was transported? (15:25–29)
10. Why was David dancing? (15:29)
11. How did Michal, David’s wife, react when she saw David accompanying the ark into the city? (15:29)
12. *What did David and the Levites do when they had placed the ark in its new location? (16:1–6)
Get It
1. *How was David careful to obey God’s instructions?
2. What had David learned from his mistakes?
3. How does God use our mistakes and failures to teach us to obey Him?
4. How has following God’s Word changed the results of decisions you have made in your life?
5. How should we be preparing ourselves to serve God and do what He commands?
6. *In what way is following God’s instructions carefully a freeing experience?
7. What emotional and physical restraints do we put on ourselves when we worship God?
8. What are some appropriate ways to celebrate God’s goodness?
9. In what settings should we be willing to release our praise and thankfulness to God regardless of what others might think of us?
Apply It
1. *In what area of your life do you want to renew your commitment to obeying God’s commands?
2. What about God’s goodness to you do you celebrate today?
David’s Psalm of Thanks—1 Chronicles 16:7–43
Topics: Praise, Thankfulness, Worship
Open It
1. *What is your favorite hymn or praise song? Why?
2. When was the last time you felt overwhelmed with thankfulness or gratitude?
3. In what place or location have you most enjoyed worshiping God?
Explore It
1. *What is the subject of the song David wrote? (16:7–36)
2. *In writing this song, what did David call on people to do? (16:7–36)
3. *According to David, why should we give thanks to the Lord? (16:8)
4. What should people tell others about God? (16:9)
5. What attitude should a person have toward God? (16:10–12)
6. What are the character qualities of God listed in this psalm? (16:15–22)
7. What had God done for Israel? (16:15–22)
8. What is the difference between the God of Israel and other gods? (16:26)
9. What jobs did David give to those he assigned to stay with the ark? (16:37–42)
10. What did David do when the celebration was over? (16:43)
Get It
1. How often do you take time to think about what God has done for you?
2. What can you tell others about what God has done for you?
3. *How did David express his thanks to God?
4. How should we express our thanks and appreciation to God?
5. What kind of protection does God promise to His people?
6. Why is the God of the Bible the only true God?
7. What kind of offerings can we bring to God?
8. *Why is music a useful way of praising God?
9. For what specific reasons should we praise the Lord?
10. How can praising the Lord change our attitude and outlook on life?
11. How much should we verbally praise God during the week?
Apply It
1. What are some of the reasons you have to be thankful to God?
2. *How can you use music to help you focus on and celebrate God in your life this week?
3. Instead of talking only about family, sports, shopping, or weather with your friends this week, what about the greatness of God can you mention as praise?
God’s Promise to David and David’s Response—1 Chronicles 17:1–27
Topics: God’s Will, Humility, Patience, Promises, Tasks, Thankfulness
Open It
1. If you could solve one problem in the world, what problem would you solve?
2. *What have you always wished you could do?
3. In what ways have you been privileged?
Explore It
1. *What concerned David about where the ark was being housed? (17:1)
2. What is the major subject of this account? (17:1–27)
3. Who are the major persons in this passage? (17:1–27)
4. How did God make His will known to David? (17:3)
5. *What was God’s message to David about housing the ark? (17:4–15)
6. *Whom had God selected to build a temple to house the ark? (17:11–14)
7. What assurances did God give David about his successor? (17:11–14)
8. For what did David express thanks to the Lord? (17:16–19)
9. What special qualities of God did David recount? (17:20–22)
10. What did David say about the promise that God has made to him and his family? (17:23–27)
Get It
1. *What would be wrong about David’s or any other Christian leader’s pushing ahead with his or her plans despite warnings that those plans were unwise or not God’s will?
2. In what way would you like to make a big impact in this world?
3. How do you know if a person’s motives are pure when he or she wants to do something for God?
4. How can we know if what we want to do for God is really His will?
5. How should we respond when God prevents us from carrying out our plans?
6. How is David’s prayer (17:16–27) a model for us in how we pray?
7. What are the signs of true humility in a person?
8. What is true humility?
9. For what reasons would a Christian leader ignore the signs of God’s disapproval of his or her plans?
10. What kind of attitude can keep us open and receptive to hearing and knowing God’s will for us?
11. *What do you wish you could do for God?
Apply It
1. When can you take time this week to check your motives for serving God, to see whether you are serving yourself or God’s glory?
2. *Using David’s prayer as a model, what dream or plan that God has disallowed can you entrust to the Lord in prayer?
David’s Victories—1 Chronicles 18:1–17
Topics: Courage, Culture, Giving, Morality, Righteousness, Victory
Open It
1. What sorts of competition do you like to play or watch?
2. In your opinion what’s the best thing about winning?
3. *Why do we value leaders who are both strong and just (or scrupulously fair)?
4. How would you define courage?
Explore It
1. In what geographic areas did David and Israel expand? (18:1–6)
2. *What kings and nations did David subdue? (18:1–6)
3. What price did the Moabites pay for being subdued by David? (18:2)
4. What did David gain through his conquests? (18:4–10)
5. *Why did Tou king of Hamath send his son to David’s court? (18:9–10)
6. What evidence is there that David was building a reputation for being a strong and commanding leader? (18:9–10)
7. What did David do with all the gifts he received? (18:11)
8. How did David honor God with his success? (18:11)
9. What was the reason for David’s expansion and success? (18:13)
10. *What did David do for his people as their leader? (18:14)
11. How did David’s sons get to serve their father as king? (18:17)
Get It
1. *Where have enemies of God established strongholds in our society and around the world?
2. *What social and spiritual battles do God’s people fight today?
3. What is good or bad about Christians being actively involved in social issue protests?
4. What is the danger of not giving God credit for our successes?
5. David was successful wherever he went; what amount of success can we expect to see in our life because of our faith in God?
6. How should a Christian use the “spoils” of his or her victories over evil for God’s glory and not for personal gain?
7. What was courageous about what David did?
8. What kind of courage does it take to fight evil in our society today?
Apply It
1. *In what way can you stand up against evil in society?
2. In what way can you set an example of dedication to fairness?
3. How can you give credit and glory to God in everyday conversation for your successes?
David at War—1 Chronicles 19:1–20:8
Topics: Arguments, Disagreements, Quarrels, Relationships, Revenge
Open It
1. *Why are most people eager to hear and believe bad news about someone else?
2. When was the last time one of your acts of kindness was misinterpreted as a trick or mean gesture?
3. What untrue (bad) reports have people ever heard about you?
Explore It
1. *What started David’s dispute with the Ammonites? (19:1–5)
2. How did Hanun misread David’s intentions in sending a delegation to visit him? (19:3)
3. What did Hanun do to David’s men to humiliate them? (19:4)
4. *What did the Ammonites do when they realized they had made a mistake in how they handled David’s men? (19:6–7)
5. How did the Ammonites misjudge David a second time? (19:6–7)
6. *What was Joab’s military strategy? (19:8–13)
7. What did the Arameans do after their first battle loss? (19:16)
8. When David joined the fight against the Arameans, what was the result? (19:17–18)
9. From where did David get a new crown to wear? (20:1–2)
10. Who were some of the enemies of Israel that David’s armies defeated? (20:4–8)
Get It
1. *When Hanun realized his mistake with David’s men, why did he prepare for hostilities rather than just apologizing and correcting the situation?
2. What false assumptions did the Ammonites make?
3. *What are some common misunderstandings between people, friends, or in families?
4. When have you believed something told to you about someone that (you eventually found out) wasn’t true?
5. In what ways are we more suspicious of people today than we used to be?
6. Why are we so quick to respond to people with hostility?
7. In what ways do we try to cover up our mistakes?
8. What is so hard about admitting our mistakes and making peace?
9. How hard do you find it to forgive a person who has hurt or humiliated you?
10. What can we do to avoid prejudging or misunderstanding the truth whenever we hear bad news about someone else?
11. What steps can you take to correct a misunderstanding or repair a broken relationship?
Apply It
1. *To whom do you need to talk this week about mending a broken relationship or correcting a misunderstanding?
2. How do you want to respond the next time you hear a bad report about someone that may or may not be true?
3. What can you do to judge others’ motives as generously as you judge your own?
David Numbers the Fighting Men—1 Chronicles 21:1–22:1
Topics: Confession, Giving, Judgment, Pride, Repentance, Restitution, Wrath
Open It
1. In what ways do you think it is more difficult for rich or successful people to trust in God?
2. Of what do you most like to have an up-to-date and accurate accounting (checkbook, clean dishes, change in your pockets, etc.)?
3. *What is one lesson you’ve learned the hard way?
Explore It
1. *What caused David to take a census of his fighting men? (21:1–2)
2. *Who tried to stop David from taking a census? (21:3)
3. What was Joab’s response to King David’s command? (21:3–5)
4. How many fighting men did David have in Israel? (21:5)
5. Why did Joab not carry out the full extent of David’s command? (21:6)
6. What did God think of David’s call for a census? (21:7)
7. *What did David do when he realized his mistake? (21:8)
8. What choices did God give David? (21:9–12)
9. What punishment did David choose? Why? (21:13)
10. How did the Lord change the punishment He had originally intended? (21:15)
11. When David saw his people being killed, what did he ask the Lord to do? (21:17)
12. What did Gad tell David to do? (21:18)
13. Why did David want to buy Araunah’s threshing floor? (21:22)
14. Why did David refuse Araunah’s offer and insist that he pay full price? (21:24)
15. How did God respond to David’s sacrificial offering? (21:26–28)
16. What decision did David make about how the threshing floor site would be used in the future? (22:1)
Get It
1. Why was God displeased with David’s call for a census?
2. In what way does having success or gaining material wealth tempt us to forget our dependence on God?
3. *Just as David refused to listen to Joab, what causes us not to heed the warning of friends and leaders about unwise decisions we are considering?
4. Why is it often so difficult for us to admit and confess our disobedience to God?
5. What was admirable about David’s response to God’s punishment of plagues on the people?
6. How does David’s refusal to take Araunah’s offer to give him the property to use for a sacrifice set an example for us?
7. Judging from David’s experience, what is the secret of turning a personal failure into a success?
8. Why is it so difficult to make restitution and pay the full price for our mistakes?
9. What example does David set for all believers regarding giving to God?
10. How did David’s purchase of the threshing floor work into God’s plan for the building of the temple?
11. *How can we take our defeats and failures and turn them into something that will help us and others in the future?
Apply It
1. What lesson that you’ve learned from failure or defeat do you want to share with others?
2. *In what area of your life do you need to pay greater attention to what a Christian friend has already suggested or warned?
3. In what way can you give sacrificially to God’s work?
Preparations for the Temple—1 Chronicles 22:2–19
Topics: Advice, Encouragement, Instructions, Preparation, Tasks
Open It
1. What projects have you undertaken that required planning?
2. *If you were to have a house built for you, in which tasks would you probably want to be involved?
3. What do you think is most important for a parent to pass on to his or her children?
Explore It
1. Whom did David hire to help him? (22:2)
2. What preconstruction steps did David take in preparing to build the temple? (22:2–4)
3. What human and material resources did David make available to Solomon for use in building the temple? (22:2–4, 14–18)
4. *Why didn’t David leave all the preparations to his son Solomon? (22:5)
5. According to David, why was Solomon to build the temple? (22:6–10)
6. What had God promised to Solomon for his reign as king? (22:9)
7. *What instructions did David give Solomon about his relationship with the Lord? (22:11–13)
8. *What spiritual reminder did David keep giving to Solomon? (22:19)
9. What was the purpose of building the temple? (22:19)
Get It
1. In what ways was David like a typical father looking out for his son?
2. Why did God want the temple built by a man of peace and not a man of war?
3. *How is it important for a father to give instruction and encouragement to his children?
4. How can a father inspire his children to seek God’s will and serve Him with full devotion?
5. *What should parents share with children about their own spiritual journey and their hopes for how their children will serve God?
6. What spiritual advice would you give to your children about what it means to follow the Lord?
7. From what other sources can a parent find spiritual help for their children?
Apply It
1. *To whom in your family can you be a spiritual encouragement this week?
2. What can you do this week to begin building a spiritual heritage in your family?
The Levites—1 Chronicles 23:1–32
Topics: Administration, Church, Instructions, Jobs, Ministry
Open It
1. In what ways have you been involved in church work over the years?
2. What’s the difference between being a church volunteer and giving your time to any other charity organization?
3. *What do people mean when they say, “That person is a real professional”?
Explore It
1. What major event took place? (23:1)
2. *Whom did David gather together for his instructions? (23:2)
3. How did David provide for and support worship in Israel? (23:2–6)
4. What were the main job categories that David designated for certain men? (23:4–6)
5. What age requirement did David place on those counted among the Levites who could serve in the temple? (23:24, 27)
6. *Why did David redefine the jobs of the Levites? (23:25–26)
7. What were the various duties of the Levites? (23:28–31)
8. When did the Levites serve? (23:31)
9. Who led worship in Israel? (23:32)
Get It
1. *What is the value of having certain people whose sole duty is to lead and assist others in worship?
2. How have others helped you or led you in worship?
3. What’s wrong with coming to church just for worship and staying out of all the administration and service jobs in the church?
4. What opportunities for service in the church exist for people who are excessively busy?
5. *What are the essential jobs in a present day church?
6. In what ways can a person get too involved in church work?
7. What instructions has God given to Christians about how they should worship?
8. What jobs in the church are most important?
9. What can a church do to teach people that all jobs are equally important in God’s plan and are vital to a healthy church?
Apply It
1. What job or duty can you do in your church?
2. *In what way can you show honor and respect this week to someone who leads in worship at your church?
3. When can you take time this week to express your appreciation to someone in the church who is quietly serving?
The Divisions of Priests—1 Chronicles 24:1–31
Topics: Accountability, Administration, Church, Fairness, Favoritism
Open It
1. *Who is the most organized person in your family?
2. How do you react to a person who believes he or she deserves special treatment because of his or her family name or seniority?
Explore It
1. Who was the ancestor of all the priests of Israel? (24:1)
2. Who were the two sons of Aaron from whom all the priests came? (24:2)
3. *Why did David divide the priests into specific groups? (24:3)
4. How were the priests divided and assigned to serving times and order? (24:5)
5. *How did the Israelites ensure fairness and objectivity in how the priests’ duties were assigned? (24:5, 31)
6. How many lots did the priest draw? (24:18)
7. *Where did the prescribed regulations for the priests originate? (24:19)
8. Who was the original ancestor of the nation’s clergy? (24:20)
9. What role did the age of descendants play in how they were assigned their duties? (24:31)
Get It
1. How would our families today be different if all of our children followed their parents’ occupation as did the descendants of Aaron and Levi?
2. *Why did the Israelites give the job assignments to the priests and Levites based on a drawing of lots and without regard for family or birth order?
3. How can favoritism hurt a family, an organization, or a church?
4. What role can personal ego play in the leadership problems a church might be having?
5. How can order and structure in a church give freedom to worship God? How can it stifle worship?
6. In what ways do we need to guard against overorganizing or underorganizing our lives? our worship? our churches?
7. *In what relationships or settings do you need to take steps to ensure objectivity and avoid favoritism?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to be objective and fair at home? at work or school? somewhere else?
2. What can you do this week at church to make new members or younger people feel just as important as those who have been members for a long time?
3. How can you use a gift for organizing or spontaneity to help others worship God?
The Singers—1 Chronicles 25:1–31
Topics: Church, Praise, Worship
Open It
1. *What was your favorite music when you were growing up?
2. How have your musical tastes changed over the years?
3. What is your favorite Christian song or hymn?
Explore It
1. *What special group of people did David set apart for the ministry of prophesying? (25:1)
2. *What accompanied the prophesying? (25:1)
3. What kinds of instruments did the musicians use in worship? (25:1, 6)
4. What was Jeduthun’s style when he prophesied? (25:3)
5. What was Heman’s job for the king? (25:5)
6. How had God exalted Heman? (25:5)
7. Who supervised the musicians? (25:6)
8. In what way was the ministry of music a family affair? (25:6–7)
9. *Who participated in the ministry of music? (25:6–8)
10. What role did age and seniority play in determining the musicians’ assignments? (25:8)
Get It
1. What were some of the ways people could contribute to worship in the temple?
2. What are some of the ways you can contribute to worship in your church?
3. *What can music do to praise God and teach about His character?
4. *What role does music play in your Christian life and your worship of God?
5. How might you expand the role of sacred music in your life?
Apply It
1. Which of your gifts or talents can you offer for use in the worship services of your church?
2. *What is one piece of music to which you can listen this week to strengthen and nourish your Christian life?
The Gatekeepers, Treasurers, and Other Officials—1 Chronicles 26:1–32
Topics: Giving, Jobs, Tasks
Open It
1. What is the most beautiful church building you have ever seen?
2. How do you think most people decide how much to give in the church offering?
3. *How have you benefited from an especially skilled leader or boss?
Explore It
1. *What made some of Shemaiah’s sons rise to leadership in their family? (26:6)
2. *What was the job of a gatekeeper in the temple? (26:12)
3. What method was used to divide up the assignments? (26:13–16)
4. How did the families ensure fairness in who got which assignments? (26:13–16)
5. How many gatekeepers were on duty each day? (26:17)
6. Who was in charge of the treasury? (26:20–24)
7. From where had some of the contents of the treasury come? (26:27)
8. Who was assigned for duty as judges and officials away from the temple? (26:29)
9. *What assignments did David make? (26:30–32)
Get It
1. What provision did the Israelites make for administering the temple?
2. *Why is it important to administer a church well—a place where God’s people worship together?
3. What responsibility do we have to place capable people in positions of leadership?
4. What responsibility do capable people have to lead?
5. The temple gatekeepers were called ministers; in what way is everyone who serves the Lord a minister?
6. What is the proper attitude we should have when we give a gift to the church?
7. *What important jobs in the church are sometimes overlooked? Why?
Apply It
1. What skills or services can you offer in helping your local church work effectively?
2. *What is one way this week you can affirm the leaders and servants God has placed in your life?
3. In what ways can you share from your money, time, or other resources to serve God and His people this week? 1
David’s Army and Officers—1 Chronicles 27:1–34
Topics: Administration, Jobs, Tasks
Open It
1. What items do you collect (or have you collected)?
2. How does serving in the armed forces change a person?
3. *Who was the best boss you ever had?
Explore It
1. *What list of people does this passage contain? (27:1)
2. How often were the army divisions on duty? (27:1)
3. How many men were in each army division? (27:1)
4. How many tribes of people were in the nation of Israel? (27:16–22)
5. *What group of young men did David exclude from his counting? Why? (27:23–24)
6. Why was the counting of men not completed? (27:24)
7. *What were the major jobs to which leaders were assigned? (27:25–34)
8. Who was the commander of the royal army? (27:34)
Get It
1. What value is there in having a detailed list of officers who served in Israel’s army?
2. *In what way did David spread the key responsibilities of running the kingdom among many people?
3. How did David delegate responsibility to others?
4. What is the value of spreading key responsibilities in an organization among a large group of people?
5. *In what way does a family, church, or organization run better when many people are involved in leadership and assigned regular duties?
6. In what way were all of the jobs in the king’s service—from serving in the military to ministering in the temple—equally important?
7. Why do leaders deserve to be recognized?
Apply It
1. Who are the “commanders,” “officers,” or other leaders whom you want to recognize?
2. *To whom can you delegate a responsibility that needs to be done?
David’s Plans for the Temple—1 Chronicles 28:1–21
Topics: Advice, Holiness, Instructions, Tasks, Worship
Open It
1. *What do you think is important for parents to pass on to their children?
2. What are some of the difficult tasks or challenges you have faced in your life?
3. What advice about life would you give to a young person graduating from high school?
Explore It
1. Whom did David gather for a meeting in Jerusalem? (28:1)
2. What did David say to the gathered leaders about his desire to build a house of worship? (28:2)
3. Why was David not allowed to build a house of worship? (28:3)
4. What did David acknowledge about his own role in rising to power in Israel? (28:4)
5. How did David get to be king of Israel? (28:4)
6. Who would be the next king after David? (28:5)
7. *What tasks did God have for Solomon while he was king? (28:6)
8. What conditional promise did God make to Solomon? (28:7)
9. What charge of responsibility did David give the leaders? (28:8)
10. *What life principles did David give his son Solomon? (28:9–10)
11. *What type of detailed instructions did David give to Solomon about the building and furnishing of the temple? (28:11–18)
12. What did David say was the source of the temple plans he had written down for Solomon? (28:19)
13. What words of encouragement did David give to Solomon about his task of building the temple? (28:20–21)
Get It
1. *What responsibility do Christians have to prepare younger Christians for duties and responsibilities that they will pass on?
2. What spiritual responsibility does the older generation have to the younger generation?
3. *What advice would you give to a person who is succeeding you in a work you are doing for God?
4. Why didn’t God follow the normal line of succession (father to firstborn son) in picking the kings of Israel?
5. What are the qualities God would desire and look for in selecting a leader?
6. Why is knowing and obeying God’s written Word a crucial factor for the success of a Christian leader?
7. What does the condition of our mind and heart have to do with our ability to worship God?
8. How does it make you feel to know that God knows all of your secrets?
9. How should knowing that nothing can be hidden from God affect our actions?
10. What can a Christian leader do to overcome discouragement or fear when facing a big task?
Apply It
1. What can you do each week to learn from God’s Word?
2. *What advice or counsel could you pass on to a younger believer who would be receptive to it? Who?
3. In what challenging situation in your life do you need to trust God and seek His help?
David’s Reign Ends, Solomon’s Begins—1 Chronicles 29:1–30
Topics: Blessing, Building, Giving, Praise, Worship
Open It
1. What great challenge or task would you like to attempt or accomplish during your lifetime?
2. *How have you seen the life and legacy of a parent affect the accomplishments of his or her sons or daughters?
3. What words of advice helped you when you were first striking out on your own?
Explore It
1. How did King David describe his son Solomon? (29:1)
2. According to David, what made Solomon’s task great? (29:1)
3. What resources had David provided for the building of the temple? (29:2–5)
4. After David listed his personal gifts, what was his challenge to the people? (29:5)
5. How did the leaders respond to David’s challenge? (29:6–9)
6. What did David do in front of the entire crowd? (29:10–13)
7. How did David describe the Lord when he praised Him? (29:10–15)
8. How did David describe himself as he praised the Lord? (29:14–15)
9. What does the Lord God want to find in a person when he or she is tested? (19:17)
10. *What did David wish and pray for his son Solomon? (29:19)
11. *How did the people respond when David told them to praise the Lord God? (29:20)
12. *In what ways did the Lord bless and confirm Solomon as Israel’s king? (29:23–25)
13. For how long did David serve as king over Israel? (29:27)
Get It
1. How important is the personal example of a parent or leader when challenging others to give to a worthy cause?
2. What kind of response can generous giving bring from those who are considering giving?
3. What is the best financial or material gift a person could give to a church?
4. For what qualities and actions should we praise God?
5. How would you describe God’s greatness?
6. How would you describe yourself in light of God’s presence in the world and in your life?
7. *How did David challenge Israel with his charge to Solomon? with his public prayer?
8. In what ways can we challenge other believers to follow God wholeheartedly?
9. *What kind of character does God look for in a person?
10. What advice would you give to a leader who is just beginning his or her term of service?
11. What causes a person to have a wholehearted devotion to serving and pleasing God?
12. In what ways have you seen God bless and prosper people and leaders who seek to please Him?
Apply It
1. *What young or inexperienced believer can you support or encourage this week? How?
2. What resources can you give to God’s work this week?
3. At what point during each day can you praise God with a spoken word, written word, or song?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. 1 Ch 1:1–29:30.