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) In 1 Samuel 12:6–18, Israel asked for a human king because they wanted security they could see and control, rather than trusting God. What is an area in your life (e.g., finances, family, career) where you are tempted to rely on human control or backup plans instead of trusting God completely?
2) God sent unexpected thunder and rain during the dry harvest season to shake Israel but of spiritual apathy and open their ears (1 Sam 12:17–18).Looking back, what is a recent moment or situation God used to get your attention and draw you back into awe of Him?
3) Matthew 6:24 reminds us that we cannot serve two masters. Making Jesus both King (Melech) and Lord (Adonai) means giving Him both authority and total ownership. Is there a specific “room” of your heart or life where you’ve let self or the world sit on the throne, and what would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
4) Romans 13:14 tells us to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”When you feel the internal pull (yetser hara) to take matters into your own hands or give in to temptation, how can you practically turn that moment into a dialogue/communion with God instead? What are some strategies that work for you?
5) 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” What is one “great thing” God has done in your life that serves as a reminder that He is in total control?
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”.