TAKE TIME: September 23-28, 2013 Reading Assignment

Introduction: This week the historical narrative of the nation of Israel transitions from the era of theocracy with its God-appointed judges to the kingdom period with its monarchy. We will read about when Samuel, the last judge of Israel anointed Saul, the first king of Israel, and of Saul's reign.

 Assignment:

• Monday - I Samuel 9:1-10:16
• Tuesday - I Samuel 10:17-11:15
• Wednesday - I Samuel 12:1-13:4
• Thursday - I Samuel 13:5-14:14
• Friday - I Samuel 14:15-52
• Saturday - I Samuel chapter 15

Memory Verse

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.    I Samuel 12:22


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for being the world's true Ruler. He allows others to govern under Him, but it is His world and His Kingdom.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

This week we will read about governmental rule, something with which we are all familiar. We will see that human governments are faulty, which will become abundantly evident as our study of King Saul progresses. God allows even wicked men to rule sometimes as a means of punishing His subjects or as a way of getting their attention but the Bible is clear that governments and rulers are ordained by God. This week make it a point to find out who it is that has the rule over you. Begin at the municipal, township, or school board level and make your way up the chain to your national leaders. Then pray for them! (This may not seem like much of a "social action" compared to some of the other things we have done but praying for people by name and for their specific needs and job obligations can be harder than writing a check or physically helping in some way.)