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) Saul obeyed God in some areas but chose to ignore God’s instructions in others. Why do you think it’s tempting to obey God only when it fits our preferences? Are there areas where we can be tempted to practice selective obedience?
2) When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul initially defended his actions and blamed others rather than taking responsibility. When God reveals sin in our lives, what are some ways we tend to justify our actions instead of genuinely repenting?
3) In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” How can we become so focused on church attendance, serving, giving, or other religious activities that we neglect personal obedience to God?
4) Saul admitted that he disobeyed because he feared the people and listened to their voices. When have you found it difficult to follow God’s Word because you were concerned about what others might think? How can we grow in valuing God’s approval above people’s approval?
5) The sermon challenged us to consider whether we are truly surrendering to God’s authority or asking Him to approve the version of obedience we’ve chosen. Is there an area of your life where God may be calling you to trust Him and take a step of obedience? What would that step look like this week?
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”.