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) Running Ahead vs. Pausing First – 1 Samuel 4:1–3 / 7:3–6 When life hits a bump, Israel’s go-to move was to grab the Ark and sprint into battle without even talking to God first. When you’re stressed or facing a tough situation, what does your version of “running ahead” look like instead of taking a breath to pray?
2) God as a “Lucky Charm” – 1 Samuel 4:3 / 7:3 The Israelites treated the Ark like a magic token to get out of trouble. Have you ever caught yourself treating spiritual things—like saying a quick prayer or showing up to church—like a lucky charm rather than actually talking to God?
3) Losing the Awe Factor – 1 Samuel 6:19–20 / Exodus 3:5 / Heb 12:28-29 The people in Beth Shemesh got way too casual with the Ark and forgot who they were dealing with. It’s super easy in our culture to lose that sense of wonder and respect for God. What’s one area where we might be taking God’s holiness or His Word a little too casually?
4) Having It Both Ways – 1 Samuel 7:3–4 & Revelation 3:15–16 Israel wanted God for protection, but they ran to Ashtoreth for comfort and pleasure—trying to keep one foot in both worlds. What are some modern “Ashtoreths” (things like comfort, money, or culture’s approval) that tempt us to settle for a lukewarm faith?
5) Ebenezer stone moment? – 1 Samuel 7:12 They poured out water before the Lord, a sign of complete repentance and surrender and they fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against Yahweh.” Samuel then sets up the Ebenezer stone, declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” What’s an Ebenzer stone in your life? Reminding you of who the Lord is throughout the day?
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”.