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Summer 2026: The Testimony of Faithful Witnesses
Unit 1: Faithful Witnesses Model God’s Fidelity

This quarter will look at the examples of faithful witnesses from Scripture. These were people who heard the call of God, responded in faith, and testified to God’s mercy and fidelity to his promises through their words and deeds.

Faithful Witnesses in Ancient Israel
Faithful witnesses in ancient Israel model God’s faithfulness to his word. Deborah, a courageous judge of Israel, demonstrates her trust in God’s promise to save his people by risking her life in battle (Judges 4:4–10, 14; see lesson 1). In the period following the judges, a devoted supplicant named Hannah tearfully prays to God for a child (1 Samuel 1:9–20; see lesson 2). Because of her persistence, Hannah plays a vital role in God’s plan for Israel, dedicating her son to serve God. This son would become a significant figure in the monarchy of Israel.
During that time, the friendship between David and Jonathan shows the love and loyalty humans can share (1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:16–17; etc.; see lesson 3). David maintains this commitment even after Jonathan dies (2 Samuel 21:7), modeling the faithfulness that God shows to his people. Finally, in the era of the divided kingdom, the prophet Amos confronts his own people for their refusal to heed God’s warnings about impending judgment (Amos 2:11–12; 3:7–8; see lesson 4).

Lesson 1  Deborah, the Dutiful Judge. Judges 4:4–10, 14, 21–22
The book of Judges opens with the news that Joshua, Moses’ successor, has died. His death signals a transition to what we now call “the period of the judges” (about 1373–1043 BC). The firm, centralized leadership that nomadic Israel knew under Moses and Joshua is gone. A theocracy remains in its place—a rule by God.  Before the tribes of Israel went to their respective portions of land, they agreed to serve God (Joshua 24:14–28). But that didn’t happen; the Israelites’ commitment to God faded as the generation of the conquest died. The new generation worshiped fictitious Canaanite gods such as Baal and Ashtoreth (Judges 2:10–13) as “everyone did as they saw fit” (17:6; 21:25). Because of their idolatry, God handed his people over to their enemies.  Oppression and hardship resulted (2:14–15).  A cyclical pattern characterizes the book of Judges: (1) obedience to God brings peace and stability to Israel; (2) the people’s resolve weakens, and faithfulness to God’s covenant falters; (3) a disintegration of spiritual well-being breaks down the community, leaving God’s people vulnerable to repression and attacks from external enemies; (4) oppression and suffering trigger repentance; and (5) God mercifully raises a leader to deliver them from their enemies.
Typically, when we hear the noun judge, we think of a magistrate who renders legal decisions in a court of law. The Old Testament use of the term is much broader, however. The book of Judges uses the word judge to describe a leader who renders decisions for the nation. As such, the word is used to describe officials who make legal decisions in civil and criminal cases (example: Deuteronomy 25:1–2), prophets (Judges 4:4), military commanders (2:18), and even the Lord himself (11:27). In all instances, the “judge” was to lead in accordance with the will of God.  Today’s text takes us to approximately 1225 BC, where we consider the fourth of Israel’s judges.

Lesson 2  Hannah, the Faithful Supplicant. 1 Samuel 1:9–20, 25b
The events of today’s text occurred late in the period of the Judges, perhaps around 1100 BC. In 1 Samuel 1:1–8, Elkanah is introduced with two wives: Peninnah and Hannah. Elkanah may have been an important individual of the priestly Levitical tribe (1 Chronicles 6:23). Although Elkanah loved Hannah very much, she was unable to bear children (1 Samuel 1:8). Peninnah mocked Hannah,  perhaps jealous that Elkanah gave her a greater share of their family’s annual sacrifice (1:5–6). Even though Hannah was childless, Elkanah gave her a “double portion,” the amount typically given to a firstborn son and heir (1:5; see Deuteronomy 21:15–17).  Scripture often frames the ability to conceive children as a capacity under the sole discretion of God (Genesis 29:31; 30:22; 1 Samuel 1:6). This is a perfectly reasonable perspective in an age before medical interventions. Just like the fertility of crops and the success of a harvest, the blessing of bearing children was attributed to God (Psalm 127:3–5). But this left many ancient women in a difficult social position. The anxiety and sorrow of infertility became a special place of God’s intervention, often signaling the coming of a remarkable child: Isaac (Genesis 21:1–2); Jacob and Esau (25:21); Joseph (30:23–24); Samson (Judges 13:2–3); and, even later, John the Baptist (Luke 1:13, 24–25). As we examine Hannah’s story, we see God’s attention turned toward her. The child of her penitent prayers will be a leader for a leaderless generation.

Lesson 3  Jonathan and David, Resolute Friends   1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:16–17, 32–34, 42; 2 Samuel 1:26–27; 21:7
The books of 1 & 2 Samuel introduce three key figures: Samuel, Saul, and David. The boy Samuel grew up to be an important  transitional figure, taking Israel from the era of judges to the time of Israel’s united monarchy (see lesson 2). He first anointed Saul, then David as king (1 Samuel 10:1;16:13). Kings at this time (eleventh century BC) were seen especially as military protectors, able to lead their subjects in battle (example: 8:11–12).  Before Saul’s disastrous rule ended, God prepared David to take over as leader in Saul’s place.  The secret anointing of David and plan to make him king created a potential conflict with Saul and his household, especially with Saul’s firstborn son and heir, Jonathan. Jonathan had the most to lose and could have easily rejected God’s choice of king.  Jonathan is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 13–14, where he proves to be an impressive captain of fighting men. In one exploit, Jonathan and his armor-bearer manage to single-handedly defeat about twenty Philistines, turning the tide in favor of the Israelites (1 Samuel 14:1–14). Jonathan speaks like a virtuous leader, one who knows “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (14:6; compare 17:45).
But God’s choice of David, “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), interrupts the dynastic rule and demonstrates that God is in charge. Both then and in the future, the rise and fall of rulers and empires is subject to God’s control (see Daniel 7:27).

Lesson 4  Amos, the Courageous Prophet. Amos 1:1; 2:11–12; 3:7–8; 7:10–15
The book of Amos is one of 12 entries in the section of the Bible known as the Minor Prophets.  These books are not “minor” in  message; they are “minor” only in length when compared with the “major” prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.  Amos preached in the northern kingdom of Israel in about 755 BC (see more on Amos 1:1, below). He ministered during a period of economic prosperity (3:15; 6:4–6). The national borders had been extended significantly through military campaigns (2 Kings 14:23–28). All this resulted in excessive pride and injustice among the people (Amos 6:8, 12–13).  Despite material wealth, the kingdom was  in spiritual decline. The people practiced idolatrous worship at national shrines in the cities of Dan, Bethel, and Gilgal (Amos 4:4; 5:5, 26; 8:14; compare 1 Kings 12:28–30). The people silenced voices that challenged their practices (Amos 2:11). Again, the question is: Whose words will be heeded?

BIBLE STUDY

Adult Bible Study |  Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. To join virtual Bible Study please visit Zoom.us and enter Meeting ID: 802 973 031  To join by phone, dial 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID: 802-973-031

God’s love is stronger than the forces of hate and injustice that shape our broken world. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who draws near to the hurting and stands with the vulnerable.

This twelve‑session Bible study invites you to reflect that same heart. You’ll uncover God’s vision for justice and discover practical ways to live it out in your daily life. Each session challenges you to love what God loves, resist what harms His image in others, and live as a sign of His justice and compassion.

• 7/8 – No bible study
• 7/15 – VBS

Click title to access lesson.

1. Does God Care About Injustice? – Habakkuk 1–2; 3:16-19         LESSON 1 REPLAY

2. Acceptable Worship – Isaiah 58             LESSON 2 REPLAY

3. No Partiality – Acts 10            LESSON 3 REPLAY

4. Caring for Our Enemies – Jonah 1–4        LESSON 4 REPLAY

5. A Kingdom of Service – Mark 6:17-44          LESSON 5 REPLAY

6. The Lesser Become Greater – Mark 14:1-11          LESSON 6 REPLAY

7. Prejudice in the Early Church – Acts 6        LESSON 7 REPLAY

8. Challenging Nationalism – Acts 7

9. Cultural Identity – Exodus 3–4

10. Choosing the Better Role – Luke 10:38-42

11. The Temptation of Materialism – Revelation 18

12. Putting People Before Products – Matthew 12:1-21