[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall
Eli is the head priest for the nation of Israel, but his reflection in the world, his sons, show an awful pattern. This is a pattern that extends beyond his family to fundamental issues with all of humanity, which caused the downfall of so many in the Bible and even still today. When pride and using God to your own advantage cause you to lose everything, we probably won't find salvation in anything we do.
Questions This Week
Recommended Reading 1 Samuel 2:11-Chapter 7
Where have you used God’s name to advance your own agenda?
Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11. What do the son’s of Eli hope to accomplish by using the ark of God? What happens? What do you learn from this?
Read 1 Samuel 5:1-12. What happens in the temple of Dagon? What does this teach us about the Israelite’s God?
Read 1 Samuel 7:5-14. What happens when the Israelites return to God? What lesson do you learn?
Listen to the bells being rung, God’s promise of peace, hope, and salvation breaking into the world, even in the midst of suffering.