Lesson 78 – 1 Kings 11–16

1. Lesson 78 – 1 Kings 11–16 The Third Fall

2. Before we start… • There has been some controversy in the news about the LDS church.

3. What should we say? • Official word from the church: “Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that they may be baptized by proxy for deceased ancestors who never had that opportunity. The policy of the Church is that members can request these baptisms only for their own ancestors. Proxy baptisms of Holocaust victims are strictly prohibited.” (Link) • How would you answer if someone asked you about this situation?

4. Some of my thoughts… • Some of my thoughts: • There is no religion after death, so we aren’t converting them from one religion to another. • The ordinance is not taking away any aspect of someone’s life and what they worshipped. • We perform ordinances, but the deceased still must choose to accept them. • The purpose of ordinances for the dead is to connect us with our family throughout all history. (SM?) • Turn the question into an opportunity to share your beliefs with a friend, share truths about eternal families.

5. King Solomon: Let’s Review • David’s son, called to be king before David even died. • Was visited by the Lord, what did he ask for? • An understanding heart • What were his big accomplishments as King? • The Temple • Expansion of the kingdom of Judah to the full promise of the Abrahamic Covenant

6. Queen of Sheba visits • 1 Kings 10:1-9 – Look for her reaction • She praised his wisdom and prosperity • Then she attributed it to Solomon’s God • If we are blessed, let us make sure that those who know our blessings know why we are blessed. • 1 Kings 10:18-20, 21-23 • Are you starting to get worried?

7. The Fall of Solomon • 1 Kings 11:1-3 – Look for what Solomon did wrong. • What are “strange women”? • Women from other nations • Why would he do this? • Political reasons – It was common to cross marry royalty as a symbol of treaty. • Personal reasons – Continual obsession with prosperity and the things of the world. • Eventually it leads to idol worshipping • 1 Kings 11:9-11 • No political measures can save a kingdom from the justice of God

8. Saul, David, and Solomon • What do these three Kings have in common? • 1 Samuel 8 • They were warned • What is the first commandment? • “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.” • It has two meanings: letter of the law and spirit of the law • Each of these men put something between them and the Lord, a false God.

9. What was between each of these men and the Lord? Saul The Lord Power The Lord David Desire The Lord Solomon Greed

10. What are our walls? • None of us will be a king (most likely). What do we learn from the lessons of these men? • We can build up walls in our own life that distance us from our Father in Heaven. • How do we break these walls down? • Only through humility, faith, obedience, charity, all the attributes that help us think of others or the Lord over ourselves.

11. Notebook Ideas • How have you been blessed in your life with earthly things? How can you not let those things be a hindrance or block to your faith? • Write about the walls that may be starting to build up in your life and how you can tear them down.