Rise + Fall: A Journey through 1 + 2 Samuel
The books of 1 and 2 Samuel narrate pivotal transitions in the life of God’s people, encapsulating the journey from scattered tribes to a unified kingdom. This narrative unfolds through three key movements: the rise and fall of Saul, Israel's first king; the transition from Saul to David, God’s chosen ruler; and the establishment of the monarchy. Within these movements, the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David are intricately woven, revealing the peaks and valleys that resonate with the human experience.
Samuel emerges as a steadfast prophet, guiding Israel through the shift from tribal leadership to monarchy, embodying the rise of divine guidance. Conversely, Saul's ascent to power serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ambition and disobedience, culminating in his downfall. David, on the other hand, embodies the complexities of leadership and the human condition, his journey from shepherd to king showcasing both potential for greatness and the sobering reality of moral failings. Through these narratives, we are led to contemplate the peaks and valleys of our own lives, ultimately finding hope and redemption in the ultimate King, Jesus Christ.
For the next 13 weeks, we will study the book through The Daily, in our Groups, and at our Gatherings.
Grace + peace, on behalf of the Elder Team,
David
The Downtown Hope Theology Team
FULLY KNOWN | PSALM 139
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
As we wrap up our summer series "Rise and Fall" through 1 and 2 Samuel, we shift from David's dramatic highs and lows to the deeply personal reflections found in the Psalms. In Psalm 139, one of David’s most profound writings, we discover the powerful truth that God knows us completely. This reality can be both comforting and unsettling, but we’ll explore how the Gospel changes our understanding of God's intimate knowledge, assuring us that in Christ, we are fully known and fully loved.
HEART STRUCK AT THE THRESHING FLOOR | 2 Samuel 24
AUGUST 18, 2024 | JOEY TOMASSONI
We are familiar with a definition of sin that is "missing the mark" but what about when we hit a mark with precision, but out of an alternate motivation? Join us this Sunday as Joey walks us through 2 Samuel 24 to discover an account from David’s life where we discover the consequences of doing good things from ill motives, how His heart is struck and how God, in His mercy, meets us.
OUR SINS THEY ARE MANY, BUT HIS MERCY IS MORE | 2 Samuel 11-12
AUGUST 18, 2024 | CHRIS ADOMANIS
How did the faith-filled, teenaged shepherd who took on the Philistine giant Goliath solely for the Glory of God become a diabolical schemer who turns to murder to cover up his adultery!!! Join us this Sunday as we see how sin, when given just a small foothold, can wreak havoc on an individual, leading to destructive and life-altering consequences. But we’ll also see grace and mercy on display, given by a Holy God, who is more than ready, willing, and able to forgive when true repentance is offered.
THE OPEN HANDED LIFE | 1 Samuel 7.1-17
AUGUST 11, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
David finally finds himself at a place of rest after a long season of turmoil and strife. He plans to honor God by building a house, only to have God redirect his plans. This passage reveals the human struggle to find lasting peace and security and how God's promises offer a deeper, more significant rest. Join us this Sunday as we uncover how God's covenant with David points us to Jesus Christ, who offers true rest for our souls.
DESPERATE FOR GUIDANCE | 1 Samuel 28.3-19
AUGUST 4, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
Join us this Sunday as we explore the haunting story of Saul's desperate search for direction, uncovering the devastating effects of hypocrisy and disobedience. We’ll reflect on the profound joy that is found in trusting when God seems silent and the danger of compromising our faith in desperate times.
A BEAUTIFUL AVERSION | 1 Samuel 25
JULY 28, 2024 | JOSEPH TOMASSONI
When we suffer a wrong from another person, a small tear opens in the tapestry of the cosmos. The lacerate cries out for justice. An eye for an eye feels right but only opens more tears. How can fissures of injustice be mended?
Every religion or ideology has some answer to this question, but unique to the Christian faith is a resource that has the power to mend moral injustices while averting further acts of violence. Join us this Sunday as Joey walks us through 1 Samuel 25 to discover this resource and what it means for our lives.
ENVY -THE UNASSUMING ENEMY | 1 Samuel 18:1-16
JULY 21, 2024 | AARON MAYHEW
For centuries the wisest thinkers, people like Plato, Aristotle, and Christian theologians, have known that envy is one of the seven deadly sins which are the root of all human misery. They viewed envy as a kind of unassuming enemy that should be taken seriously because unchecked it can bloom into a destructive force in our lives. In 1 Samuel 18, we find an account of what it looks like when envy runs its course, and a picture of what it looks like when the gospel frees us from its power. Join us this Sunday as we explore the nature of envy, how to spot it in ourselves, and the pathway to freedom from it.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY | 1 Samuel 17
JULY 14, 2024 | CHRIS ADOMANIS
The epic battle between David and Goliath is known throughout the world, even outside both the Jewish and Christian faiths. If you had to summarize the key lessons found in this story, what would they be? Join us this Sunday as Chris Adomanis helps us to see how this very familiar passage not only shows us how the newly anointed King David is an archetype of the person and work of King Jesus but is also an excellent example for those who follow Christ and want to be an influential member of His army!!!
BEYOND THE SURFACE | 1 Samuel 16.1-13
JULY 7, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
Join us this Sunday as we explore the account of David's anointing and discover how God looks beyond outward appearances to see the true worth of our hearts. We'll challenge the superficial standards of success and significance that may be imposed on us, uncovering the profound truth that our real value lies in what God is doing in our hearts.
THE SOUND OF SHEEP - THE DECEPTION OF DEVOTION | 1 Samuel 15.10-26
JUNE 30, 2024 | ANUSH JOHN
What is a good way to assess one’s devotion to God? Is it difficult to make an unbiased, accurate assessment of our relationship with God? Join us this Sunday as Anush John, a member of our Teaching team, helps us examine the rise and fall of one person’s relationship with God and its effects.
DISORIENTED BY DISAPPOINTMENT | 1 Samuel 8-10
JUNE 23, 2024 | AARON MAYHEW
Disappointment starts to grow in our lives when what we thought was going to happen doesn’t. Every day we are struck with disappointments that leave us thinking, “This is not what I thought it would be.” Disappointment comes in all shapes and sizes and impacts everyone. If we're not careful, disappointment can grow into a disorienting, debilitating force in our lives. Join us this Sunday as Aaron walks us through 1 Samuel 8-10 and we explore what it looks like when our lives are disoriented by disappointment and how to break free from it.
WHEN FAITH FAILS: A STORY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS | 1 Samuel 4-7
JUNE 16, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
Join us this Sunday as we journey through 1 Samuel 4-7, where we'll witness the unexpected rise of God's power in the midst of defeat and despair. We'll discover how God's presence remains constant, even when human efforts seem to fail. Amidst the triumphs and failures we often face, we'll be reminded that God's power stands above it all, offering hope in every situation.
SLEEPING IN SIN, AWAKENED TO GRACE | 1 Samuel 3.1-19
JUNE 9, 2024 | JOSEPH TOMASSONI
Why do we so enjoy a serene landscape? As creatures with peace woven into our created fabric, we love things to be smooth and avoid conflict at all costs. The only problem is that the effects of sin are such that conflict infuses every human experience- it is completely unavoidable. Further, the consequences of avoiding pain only lead to more pain. Join us this Sunday as Joey walks us through 1 Samuel 3.1-19 to discover what happens when we find ourselves sleeping in the avoidance of our sin- unwilling to confront the injustices in our lives and our city and God’s grace for us despite our passivity.
TRUSTING GOD WITH OUR DEEPEST DESIRES | 1 Samuel 1.1-18
JUNE 2, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
Join us this Sunday as we begin our new sermon series: Rise and Fall! The books of 1 and 2 Samuel narrate pivotal transitions in the life of God’s people, encapsulating the journey from scattered tribes to a unified kingdom. This narrative unfolds through three key movements: the rise and fall of Saul, Israel's first king; the transition from Saul to David, God’s chosen ruler; and the establishment of the monarchy. Within these movements, the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David are intricately woven, revealing the peaks and valleys that resonate with the human experience.
Samuel emerges as a steadfast prophet, guiding Israel through the shift from tribal leadership to monarchy, embodying the rise of divine guidance. Conversely, Saul's ascent to power serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ambition and disobedience, culminating in his downfall. David, on the other hand, embodies the complexities of leadership and the human condition, his journey from shepherd to king showcasing both potential for greatness and the sobering reality of moral failings. Through these narratives, we are led to contemplate the peaks and valleys of our own lives, ultimately finding hope and redemption in the ultimate King, Jesus Christ.