THUS FAR HAS THE LORD HELPED US

1 Samuel 7:2-17

Key Verse: 7:12

• SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AT MIZPAH (2-14)

1. How had the Israelites’ attitude toward the LORD changed? (2) B. How had this come about? (4:1a; 6:19-20) C. How did Samuel challenge them and what did he promise? (3) D. How did they respond? (4) E. How did Samuel lead them to true repentance on a national level? (5-6) F. What can we learn here about true repentance?

2. How did the Philistine rulers respond to Israel’s assembly? (7a) B. In this desperate situation what did the Israelites do? (7b-8) C. How had they changed? (4:2-3)D. What did Samuel do? E. How did the LORD answer him? (10) F. How did the Israelites gain strength? (11) G. What does this show about a spiritual leader’s prayer? About God?

3. Read verse 12. A. After the victory how did Samuel help them commemorate the event? B. Why did they need to remember this spiritual lesson? C. What does the expression “Thus far has the LORD helped us” mean to us nationally and personally? D. What was the effect of Samuel’s leadership? (13-14)

• SAMUEL’S CIRCUIT MINISTRY (15-17)

4. A. How did Samuel serve Israel? (15) B. Where did he visit each year? (16) C. Locate these places on a map. D. What was the spiritual legacy of these places? (Jos11:3,8; 1Sa7:12; 19:18-20; 2Ki2:1-2)

5. A. What did it mean to be Israel’s judge? (Jdg2:16-17; 1Sa3:19-4:1a; 7:3,6b,9) B, What did his building an altar at Ramah mean? C. What can we learn from his diligent circuit ministry?