Digging Deeper
AS YOU READ CHAPTER 14
Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week. Bible readings that correspond with this week’s reading can be found at log.org/resources/ the-story
1. Rehoboam sought counsel from the elders who had served his father first and then to the young men who had served him. To whom do you turn when you need advice in making difficult decisions? Why? Who else would you like to include in this circle?
2. This chapter is full of stories of conflict. Do you tend to avoid conflict, provoke it or address it head on? What lessons about conflict and conflict resolution can you learn from the stories in this chapter?
3. Jeroboam turned away from the LORD and caused Israel to sin in order to hold on to his position and power. When in your own life have you sinned against God in order
to maintain a position, hold on to power or boost your standing? What safeguard could you put in place to help you make God-honoring choices in the future?
4. When the man of God spoke against Jeroboam, the king was outraged (p. 196). How do you receive correction?
5. The anger of the LORD is mentioned four times in this chapter. If someone asked you what makes God angry, what could you tell him or her? To which of the Ten Commandments was God’s anger related (p. 62)?
6. In the midst of these stories of conflict and idolatrous kings, God’s upper story still reveals that he relentlessly pursues his people. How do you see God pursuing you when conflict and chaos seem to be a part of your life?
Prayer
God,
Save me from the myth of self-promotion and importance, especially when it hurts and neglects others. Help me to be aware of when I am being tempted to compromise my loyalty to You. Help me see when my actions are tearing my life and relationships apart. Give me the humility to confess, the wisdom to repent, and a craving in my heart for You and no other. Amen.
Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week. Bible readings that correspond with this week’s reading can be found at log.org/resources/ the-story
1. Rehoboam sought counsel from the elders who had served his father first and then to the young men who had served him. To whom do you turn when you need advice in making difficult decisions? Why? Who else would you like to include in this circle?
2. This chapter is full of stories of conflict. Do you tend to avoid conflict, provoke it or address it head on? What lessons about conflict and conflict resolution can you learn from the stories in this chapter?
3. Jeroboam turned away from the LORD and caused Israel to sin in order to hold on to his position and power. When in your own life have you sinned against God in order
to maintain a position, hold on to power or boost your standing? What safeguard could you put in place to help you make God-honoring choices in the future?
4. When the man of God spoke against Jeroboam, the king was outraged (p. 196). How do you receive correction?
5. The anger of the LORD is mentioned four times in this chapter. If someone asked you what makes God angry, what could you tell him or her? To which of the Ten Commandments was God’s anger related (p. 62)?
6. In the midst of these stories of conflict and idolatrous kings, God’s upper story still reveals that he relentlessly pursues his people. How do you see God pursuing you when conflict and chaos seem to be a part of your life?
Prayer
God,
Save me from the myth of self-promotion and importance, especially when it hurts and neglects others. Help me to be aware of when I am being tempted to compromise my loyalty to You. Help me see when my actions are tearing my life and relationships apart. Give me the humility to confess, the wisdom to repent, and a craving in my heart for You and no other. Amen.