Discussion Questions

• Why is the human default to try to live independent of God? Where do you see that in your own life?
• When trials come in your life, what do you most often “strengthen yourself” in? How do you strengthen yourself in the Lord?
• When do you most often “inquire of the Lord?” When are you most tempted to lean on your own understanding?

Bill Krewson

1 Samuel 27:1-12

Discussion Questions

• How is repentance different from confession? Is there an area of your life where you might be confessing your sin but not fully repenting of it? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you.
• Since it is not enough to just turn away from sin, what does it look like to turn toward God?
• What reminders (Ebenezer stones) do you have in your life reminding you of God’s faithfulness and encouraging gratitude, worship and repentance?

Discussion Questions

• How do you respond to injustice? hopeless, helpless, enraged?
• What kind of court do you hold for the people around you? Who is your counsel?
• How can you rest in the finished work of the perfect son of Jesse this week knowing he is bringing and will bring perfect justice?

Discussion Questions

• Where do you most often see envy surfacing in your own life? How does it distort the way you see yourself and others?
• How can recognizing God’s sovereignty help free you when you feel overlooked or jealous of someone else’s success?
• What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate praise and gratitude instead of envy when others succeed?

Discussion Questions

• From our study in 1 Samuel so far, what does it mean to be “after God’s heart?”
• Jonathan surrendered his robe and weapons to David as the rightful king. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to King Jesus?
• What would it look like in your life this week to put aside rivalry or jealousy and instead to lovingly “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21)?

Discussion Questions

• How does the truth that God looks on your heart affect your life?
• What went wrong when you let appearance guide you wrongly about someone’s heart?
• What are two things you can do to cultivate a heart more after God’s heart?