Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
1) Reading through 1 Samuel 8 We saw that comparing ourselves to others leads to compromise. What is one practical way you can celebrate what God has given you this week without measuring yourself against those around you?
2) We often think that getting to “do what we want and be who we want” brings freedom, but your teaching showed that choosing our own way usually leads to a new kind of bondage. Have you ever pursued something you thought would be helpful or give relief, only to find it brought stress, burden, or fear instead?
3) Living as a subject of King Jesus means viewing our money, time, and talents as His, not our own. What is one area of your schedule or finances where you find it hardest to say, “Lord, this belongs to You, not me”?
4) Culture tells us to constantly hustle to build our own security, what did you see in verses 9-10 in Samuel’s reaction to the people wanting a King? Could you pivot like Samuel did?
5) When unexpected disruptions happen in life, our natural instinct is to try to regain control. What would it look like for you to shift from asking “How do I fix this my way?” to asking “Lord, how are You leading me through this?”
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.