1 Kings 15:9-15

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Asa, King of Judah

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BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God comes before family.

  2. God is a gracious grader.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s use our time wisely for God.

  2. Let’s use our things wisely for God.

QUESTIONS

  1. How many good kings were there in the northern kingdom? In the southern kingdom?

  2. Who was Asa? What was his ancestry? What was he like?

  3. What does Asa illustrate concerning a godly life?

  4. Who should come first – God or family? How was this shown by King Asa?

  5. What does it mean, “God is a gracious grader?”

ANSWERS

  1. None in the northern kingdom (Israel). Most of the kings in the southern kingdom (Judah) were evil (but there were eight good kings).

  2. Asa was the first good king of Judah. He did not have a godly heritage, for he was the son of Abijam, an evil king, and the grandson of Maachah, the evil queen mother. Asa, however, walked in the ways of his ancestor David, and his heart was loyal to the Lord all of his days. He banished the perverted persons from the land, and brought reform to the land, including cutting down idols.

  3. A godly heritage is not necessary in developing and maintaining a godly life.

  4. God comes before family, as a guard against ungodly families. Asa removed Maachah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she did wickedly against God. Generally, however, your family is to have your love and respect. Putting God first encourages us to love and respect them.

  5. God does not lower His standards, but He is gracious. For example, King Asa was not perfect, nor did he do all that was needed for total reform, but he was graded with the comment, “Nevertheless, his heart was loyal…” I Kings 15:14.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. How do you use your time and all that you have? Which do you consider first – God or your own interests? Cite examples.

  2. Sometimes it seems easier to confront strangers about ungodly behavior than to confront family. Why is this? Discuss how to guard against ungodly families while still showing love and respect.

CHALLENGE

  1. Keep a diary of how you use your time (especially your free time) and your things (home, car, computer, TV, etc.) this coming week. Would God have been honored?

  2. Review the verse to be memorized. Could this be said of you? Is there a “nevertheless” clause in your life?

KEY VERSES

  • “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David.” 1 Kings 15:11

  • “Nevertheless, Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days.” 1 Kings 15:14

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 15:9-15