Small Group Questions
February 15 - 21
Sermon Series: What in the World
Week 3: Interpreting the Times
Ice Breaker, if Needed:
If you could eliminate one holiday from the calendar, which would it be, and why?
Discussion Questions for Small Groups or Individual Study
1. God will always accomplish His purposes. What are God’s purposes? How is He enlisting you in accomplishing them? Are you enlistable?
2. We might be eager to enlist, but often we find our conviction and patience lacking. Why? Let’s look at David’s rise from shepherd boy to king, a process that took 15-20 years.
● Read 1 Samuel 15:24-28. Why was Saul rejected as king? What does God’s rejection of Saul reveal about God’s character? What is the biggest barrier to submitting to God’s authority?
● Read 1 Samuel 16:13. Like David, God anoints you with the same power when you declare Jesus is your Lord. What does it mean to know God is ordering your steps?
● Read 1 Samuel 16:18. What was David’s reputation? How is your reputation? Would others say you have the Lord with you? What is the evidence?
● Read 1 Samuel 16::21-23. What is the role of humility in patience?
● Read 1 Samuel 17:32-37. How have your experiences with opposition and doubt shaped trusting God? Who does He say you are?
● Read 1 Samuel 18:5. What is favor? How can you turn favor you’ve earned into opportunities to help God accomplish His purposes?
● Read 1 Samuel 20:30-31 and 1 Peter 5:8. What was David up against?
● Read 1 Samuel 23:14. Why can you count on God’s protection? What did David learn to appreciate about God’s timeline?
● Read 1 Samuel 24:8-10 and 1 Peter 5:6. What is mercy? What is the relationship between mercy and patience? What is “due time”?
● Read 1 Chronicles 12:23 and 1 Chronicles 12:32. What does it mean to “understand the times”? What happens when you enlist where God is moving? Where do you see Him moving today?
3. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. How did David’s life foreshadow and anticipate the reign of the Messiah, Jesus? How is He asking us to be a part of what He is accomplishing? If David had Mighty Men, who does Jesus have? Do you “understand the times”? What steps of humble allegiance can you take today?