[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?
Virtually every life transforming event recorded in Scripture includes a journey, a process the people involved go through that leads to insight, transformation and new life for all willing to engage that journey. The journey always includes elements of sacrifice, worship, trust and faith. Christmas is about Jesus making the journey from heaven to earth, for the Magi it was the journey from wisdom to humility. For us, it is a journey to wonder and new life.