1 Kings 12–14

Common Theme
These chapters show how quickly God’s people turn from His ways when leadership is driven by fear, pride, or convenience. Both Jeroboam and Rehoboam lead their kingdoms into sin, and God responds with warnings and judgment.

Questions

• What does this passage reveal about the danger of self-protective leadership?
• How does God confront idolatry among His people?

God Shot
God is the sovereign King who sees the heart and responds with both justice and mercy. He sends prophets, gives warnings, and remains holy even when His people are unfaithful.

Proverbs 30–31

Common Theme
Both chapters contrast the limits of human understanding with the enduring value of godly wisdom. Agur humbly acknowledges his lack of knowledge apart from God, while Lemuel’s mother teaches that wisdom is shown in upright leadership and virtuous living.

Questions
– How does Proverbs 30 challenge self-reliance in favor of dependence on God’s revelation?
– What qualities in Proverbs 31 define true strength and honor from God’s perspective?

God Shot
God is the source of all wisdom and the one who defines what is truly noble and praiseworthy. He exalts humility, justice, and faithful stewardship, and He delights in those who fear Him above all else.

1 Kings 10–11; 2 Chronicles 9

Common Theme:
Solomon’s reign displayed extraordinary wealth and wisdom, but his heart strayed as he pursued foreign alliances and idolatry. God’s blessings are not a substitute for obedience—true faithfulness requires an undivided heart.

Questions:

• Why did Solomon’s wisdom not prevent his downfall?
• What does this reveal about the danger of compromise in our spiritual lives?

God Shot:
God is generous with wisdom and favor, yet He remains holy and just. He will not allow divided devotion to go unchecked—His heart desires love that is loyal, not distracted by power or pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 7–12

Common Theme
Life under the sun is fleeting and full of paradoxes, but fearing God and keeping His commandments is the only true foundation for wisdom and meaning. The Teacher concludes that while much in life is uncertain and beyond control, God remains the ultimate judge and source of purpose.

Questions

• What does it look like to fear God when life feels futile or unclear?
• How do you reconcile the call to rejoice in life with the reality of death’s certainty?

God Shot
God is the righteous Judge who sees every deed and will bring all things into judgment, both good and evil. He desires reverence and obedience, not because life is simple or fair, but because He alone gives life meaning beyond the vanities of the world.

Ecclesiastes 1–6

Common Theme:
Life under the sun appears fleeting, repetitive, and ultimately unsatisfying when pursued apart from God. The Teacher exposes the vanity of wealth, wisdom, toil, and pleasure, pressing readers to fear God amid life’s apparent meaninglessness.

Questions:

• What do I pursue that promises meaning but ultimately proves empty?
• How does the fear of God reshape my perspective on life’s limitations?

God Shot:
God is the sovereign giver of time, toil, and enjoyment, placing boundaries on human understanding to humble us. He alone grants satisfaction, showing that even joy is a gift, not a guarantee. It is rooted in His sovereign purpose, not our striving.

Proverbs 27–29

Common Theme
These chapters contrast the wise and the foolish, emphasizing the value of discipline, humility, integrity, and listening to correction. They highlight the blessings of righteous leadership and the dangers of pride, flattery, and injustice.

Questions

• How do I respond to correction—defensively or with humility?
• What kind of influence does my integrity have on those around me?

God Shot
God is a God of justice who delights in uprightness and hates wickedness (Prov. 29:27). He exalts leaders who govern with righteousness and brings down those who exploit or oppress—His rule favors the humble and correctable over the arrogant and self-willed.

Proverbs 25–26

Common Theme

These chapters contrast wise and foolish behavior, with a strong emphasis on the power of words. Proverbs 25 highlights the benefits of self-control, humility, and timely speech, while Proverbs 26 warns against engaging with fools and exposes the destructive nature of deceit and laziness.

Questions

How do my words reflect either wisdom or folly in daily conversations?

Am I honoring or undermining others by how I handle conflict, correction, and truth?

God Shot

God reveals Himself as a God of order, discernment, and truth. He delights in wise speech, hates deception, and governs with righteousness that both conceals glory and reveals justice in perfect measure.

1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8

Common Theme
God confirms His covenant with Solomon but warns of the consequences of unfaithfulness. Solomon’s kingdom expands with construction, prosperity, and organization, yet the narrative begins to shift toward signs of compromise.

Questions

• Why does God emphasize both promise and warning in His response to Solomon?
• What early indicators of drift or compromise can be seen in Solomon’s reign?

God Shot
God is a covenant-keeping Lord who delights to bless but does not overlook disobedience. He reveals Himself as both faithful and just—committed to His promises and equally committed to holiness.

Psalms 134, 146–150

Common Theme
These psalms form a crescendo of unbroken praise, exalting God as the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Righteous Judge. They celebrate God’s unmatched power, faithful love, and enduring reign, calling all creation to praise the LORD.

Questions

• What specific attributes or actions of God compel the psalmist to praise Him?
• How does the call to “let everything that has breath praise the LORD” shape our understanding of worship?

God Shot
God is the eternal King who made heaven and earth, lifts up the humble, heals the broken, and delights in those who fear Him. His glory fills the universe, and His steadfast love compels all creatures—from angels to the smallest breath-bearing being—to praise His holy name forever.

2 Chronicles 6–7; Psalm 136

Common Theme
God’s covenantal faithfulness and glory are central in Solomon’s temple dedication and the Psalm’s refrain. Both passages highlight that God’s steadfast love endures forever and that His presence among His people is cause for worship and awe.

Questions

• How does God’s presence in the temple shape Israel’s identity and purpose?
• Why is the repeated phrase “His steadfast love endures forever” such a powerful theological anchor in both celebration and repentance?

God Shot
God reveals Himself as the covenant-keeping King who hears, forgives, and fills His dwelling place with glory. He delights to be near His people—not distantly ruling, but actively responding, forgiving, and reigning in loyal love that endures forever.