Anglican Bible study - STUDY 41, OCTOBER 9, 2022
STUDY 41
Anglican Bible study - STUDY 41, OCTOBER 9, 2022, 17TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY OCTOBER 9 2022
THEME: THE LORD GOD AND THE REIGN OF PEACE.
SUB-THEME: Evidence of godly rule- 2
TOPIC: Love
TEXTS: 1Sam 30:1-20
AIMS
i. to analyze the impact of love in godly rulers and
ii. to expose the effect of unloving attitudes of unloving rulers.
INTRODUCTION
The text today shows the effect of the love of David, a ruler with over six hundred soldiers and the city of Ziklag towards his captured citizens. It also reveals the negative effect of the unloving Amalekite warrior who decided to leave behind his wounded soldier. Many nations are suffering today under the hostage of insurgencies and banditry just because of the insensitivity of their rulers to the plight of the citizens. The Bible says in Prov 16:12 “It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,For a throne is established on righteousness”.The study today will expose more the importance of the love of a ruler for his subjects.
STUDY GUIDE
1. Examine the attitude of David in 1Sam 30:3-4 and justify his love for his people. Compare this with our contemporary leaders; can we see a leader or ruler who has empathetic tears for his/her people in distress?
2. How can the unloving attitude of a ruler be to the detriment of the people he/she leads? 1Sam 30:13-16. Compare this with the kind of insurgence and banditry occasioned by the unloving attitude of some leaders towards citizens.
3. How can love be a significant virtue for nation building? 2Sam 8:14-18; 1Pet 4:8-10;
4. Daniel was a leader in a foreign land. How do you understand his actions towards his own people in Dan 9:1-3, 16-19? Compare his attitude to what is mostly the case with today’s political office holders in this generation especially in Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
The easiest way to know an unloving wicked ruler is his/her insensitivity to the plight of citizens. Such will never care about workers’ salaries; they never care about the tears and agony of their citizens in the hands of insurgents. However, a godly ruler will be ready to go the extra mile in in order to have the good welfare of his people.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: God is love and godly rulers must rule with LOVE.
MEMORY VERSE: Prov 16:12 “It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness”.