JONATHAN TRIUMPHS OVER THE PHILISTINES Youth Search The Scriptures JONATHAN TRIUMPHS OVER THE PHILISTINES Lesson 731

Memory Verse Focal Scriptures 1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 14:1-52 Main Text

We began to see the collapse of the kingdom and Kingship of Saul due to his DISOBEDIENCE Last week

Our Focus Today CONQUEST THROUGH DIVINE GUIDANCE 1Samuel 14:1-23; Numbers 25:6-8; Acts 20:22-24 CONSEQUENCE OF FOLLOWING A DEFIANT LEADER 1 Samuel 14:24-46; 13:3,4; 18:5-9 CONTINUOUS FIGHT FOR THE LAND OF ISRAEL 1 Samuel 14:47-52; 18:5-11; 19:1,10; 20:24-31 Our Focus Today

Looking at Saul and Jonathan Saul had most of the soldiers, but he could do NOTHING! Jonathan had only 1 soldier with him, yet he did SOMETHING! How does this apply to Christian youths today? Be not discouraged by the inactivity of the majority Your singular act of active and diligent service may spark up the long awaited revival. Looking at Saul and Jonathan

What can we learn from Jonathan and his Armour-bearer? We must not allow the sight of danger or difficulties to hinder us from forging ahead to victory Isaiah 40: 28 We must unite and team up with other serious minded Christian youths to fight temptations and confront our academic challenges Luke 18: 1

Benefits of Faith and Positive Confession God is always pleased with it Hebrews 11: 6 It causes our enemies to tremble 1 Sam 14: 14,15 Beyond his act of faith, Jonathan allowed God to lead Him 1 Sam 14: 8-10

What was wrong with Saul’s oath? It was not from God The oath has no scriptural basis Had no positive effect on the people who kept it Those who kept became very faint Those who observed it eventually sinned against God They ate with blood (1 Sam. 14: 33) What was wrong with Saul’s oath?

Consequences of following a leader that God has rejected Distress 1 Samuel 14: 24 Bondage 1 Samuel 14: 26 Fear Trouble 1 Samuel 14: 29

Saul’s attitudes that must not be emulated Saul always blamed others for his failure or poor spiritual condition Saul always loved to claim the victory achieved by others 1 Samuel 13:3,4; 18:5-9 Saul made altar but never used it before going down to battle (1 Sam. 14: 35, 36) Some have Bibles and Higher everyday, but won’t study before temptation strikes. Class works but won’t read and study ahead of time.

There is continuous battle between believers and Satan (Ephesians 6: 12) The Israelite’s battles were physical, but the believer’s battles are spiritual Prayer, God’s word, faith in God’s promises and Courage are our necessary weapons today Ephesians 6: 10, 11 Lessons from the continuous battle between the Israelites and Philistines

Questions What should be our attitude to God’s work when others are slacking? What lessons can we draw from Jonathan and his armour-bearer when faced with obstacles? What are the benefits of following divine leading to perform a given task? What should be our attitude to preachers whose rules and teachings are not based on the Scriptures? What spiritual battles do Christian youths face today?

References for images on the cover slide and slides 3, 6 and 9 https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/g ospel-library/manual/00001/king-saul_1327683_inl.jpg http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/saul-fighting- philistines.jpg https://feletviolix.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/hqdefault.j pg http://cdn.www.ministry-to-children.com/wp- content/uploads/2013/08/Saul-Rebel-Heart-1024x526.jpg http://biblestudyresources.org/saul-first-king-of- israel.html https://dailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/jonatha nhisarmorbearer-lookandlearn-com-368.jpg