Lee Bradley Ott (Golden Light on the Giant Mount Rainier at Dusk)
Facilitator: Stephen Weller
1,017 words, 5 minutes read time
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God’s Power, Christ the Provider, Human Forgetfulness, and True Wisdom
Old Testament Reading
1 Samuel 5:1–7:17 — The Ark, God’s Judgment, and Israel’s Restoration
Overview:
After the Philistines captured the ark of God, they placed it in the temple of Dagon, but the idol repeatedly fell before the ark, demonstrating the Lord’s supremacy. God afflicted the Philistines with tumors, bringing fear and death throughout their cities, causing them to return the ark to Israel. The ark came to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for many years. Under Samuel’s leadership, Israel repented of idolatry, turned back to the Lord, and gathered at Mizpah. When the Philistines attacked, the Lord thundered against them and gave Israel victory. Samuel established a memorial stone called Ebenezer, declaring that the Lord had helped them, and he continued to judge Israel faithfully.
Theological Themes:
• God’s supremacy over idols and false gods
• Divine judgment against irreverence and unbelief
• Repentance leading to restoration and deliverance
Key Verse:
1 Samuel 7:12 – “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the LORD has helped us.’”
Discussion Questions with Answers:
- What does the fall of Dagon reveal about God?
Answer:
It shows that the Lord is sovereign over all false gods. Idols have no power, and God alone rules over heaven and earth, even in foreign lands. - Why did God judge both the Philistines and Israel in this passage?
Answer:
The Philistines treated the ark as a trophy, while Israel had previously treated it as a tool for victory without reverence. God demands holiness and proper worship from all people. - What role did repentance play in Israel’s victory?
Answer:
Israel’s victory came after they removed idols and returned to the Lord. Their deliverance was not based on military strength but on restored relationship with God.
New Testament Reading
John 6:1–21 — Feeding the Five Thousand and Walking on Water
Overview:
Jesus fed a large crowd of about five thousand men using five barley loaves and two fish, demonstrating His power to provide abundantly. After the people sought to make Him king by force, He withdrew to the mountain alone. Later, His disciples crossed the sea, and a storm arose. Jesus came to them walking on the water, calming their fears and revealing His divine authority over nature. The disciples received Him into the boat, and immediately they reached their destination.
Theological Themes:
• Jesus as the divine provider
• Christ’s authority over creation
• Faith in the presence of fear
Key Verse:
John 6:20 – “But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’”
Discussion Questions with Answers:
- What does the feeding of the five thousand reveal about Jesus?
Answer:
It shows that Jesus is the source of provision who satisfies both physical and spiritual needs. His power is abundant and exceeds human limitation. - Why did Jesus withdraw when the crowd wanted to make Him king?
Answer:
The people sought a political king, not the Savior who would redeem them through sacrifice. Jesus’ mission was to fulfill God’s plan, not human expectations. - What does Jesus walking on water teach about faith?
Answer:
It reveals that Jesus has authority over creation and that His presence removes fear. Faith grows when believers trust Him even in storms.
Psalms Reading
Psalm 106:13–31 — Israel’s Rebellion and God’s Mercy
Overview:
This passage recounts Israel’s repeated rebellion despite God’s mighty works. They quickly forgot His deeds, gave in to cravings in the wilderness, envied leaders, and turned to idolatry with the golden calf. They rejected God’s promises, grumbled, and joined in the worship of Baal of Peor. Yet even in judgment, God showed mercy. When Phinehas acted with zeal to stop the sin, the plague was halted, and righteousness was credited to him. The psalm highlights both human unfaithfulness and God’s enduring mercy.
Theological Themes:
• The danger of forgetting God’s works
• Persistent human rebellion
• God’s mercy amid judgment
Key Verse:
Psalm 106:13 – “But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.”
Discussion Questions with Answers:
- Why is forgetting God’s works so dangerous?
Answer:
Forgetting leads to unbelief and disobedience. When people lose sight of what God has done, they turn to their own desires and abandon His guidance. - What pattern is seen in Israel’s behavior?
Answer:
Israel repeatedly experienced God’s deliverance, forgot His faithfulness, fell into sin, and faced consequences. This cycle reveals the weakness of the human heart apart from continual reliance on God. - What does Phinehas’ action teach us?
Answer:
His zeal for God’s holiness stopped judgment and was counted as righteousness. It shows that honoring God’s holiness matters and that faithful obedience can turn away judgment.
Proverbs Reading
Proverbs 14:32–33 — The Security of the Righteous and the Place of Wisdom
Overview:
These proverbs contrast the fate of the wicked and the righteous. The wicked are overthrown by their own evil, while the righteous find refuge even in death. Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of the discerning, though it may not always be openly displayed among fools. True security and understanding come from a life rooted in righteousness and guided by wisdom.
Theological Themes:
• The ultimate security of the righteous
• The downfall of the wicked
• Wisdom dwelling in the discerning heart
Key Verse:
Proverbs 14:32 – “The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.”
Discussion Questions with Answers:
- How can the righteous have refuge even in death?
Answer:
The righteous trust in God, whose care extends beyond this life. Death is not the end but a transition into His presence, providing ultimate security. - Why is the wicked overthrown by his own actions?
Answer:
Sin carries its own consequences. The choices of the wicked eventually lead to destruction, revealing the self-defeating nature of evil. - What does it mean that wisdom “rests” in the heart?
Answer:
Wisdom is internalized and steady within the discerning person. It shapes thoughts and actions quietly, rather than seeking attention or recognition.
Anchor My Faith 
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