2018

How to Approach God (2 Samuel 6)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What things can or have made it difficult for you to approach God?

  2. Consider David’s example in 2 Samuel 6. What about it surprises, challenges or encourages you about how to approach God?

  3. Jesus died so you can approach God freely. How does this affect your answer to question 1 above?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text?

Our Rightful King (2 Samuel 5)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. If you could change anything about how we, as a society, are led (by government and leaders), but for “better,” what would that look like?

  2. How is Jesus a good king of your heart and life? What are some examples from your own life?

  3. How would you help others to come into the good Kingdom of Christ?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text?

Sad Ending of the First King of Israel (1 Samuel 31)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What was the main cause to the contrasting results between what happened to David and Saul in Chapters 30 and 31? (1 Sam 28:18-19; 1 Sam 30:7-8) What does it mean to be faithful to the New Covenant in Jesus Christ?

  2. What happened to Saul after his death? (1 Sam 31:8-13) Do you believe in life after death and the judgment of God? If you do, how does that belief affect your life now?

  3. What kind of the life legacy or message that you would like to leave behind your life? How are you doing with following Christ?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text?

Sanctity of Life (1 Samuel 24)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. ME: We seldom have to make life/death decisions; but what is the most difficult issue for you to consider (abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, etc.)? Why?

  2. BIBLE: How does God express the value of life in His creation? What scriptural passage(s) made the most impact, whether from the sermon or other part(s) of the Bible?

  3. OTHERS: How can we do better in valuing and affirming the lives of others? How would you apply it in practical ways for the real people around you?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text? 

Self-Rule or the Savior’s Rule? (1 Samuel 19)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What stood out to you about the ways David escapes Saul’s attempts on his life? What ways do you see the people/institutions you are involved in resisting the reign of David’s greatest son, Jesus Christ?

  2. As you look at the text, which verses highlight the evil nature of Saul’s opposition to David? How did you oppose Jesus before becoming a Christian? In what areas do you sometimes find yourself still resisting his rule?

  3. What stands out to you from the text (both this one
    and the beginning of chapter 18) about Jonathan’s relationship with David? What do you learn from Jonathan’s life about how to resist the urge to follow self- rule rather than Jesus’s rule?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text? 

Wisdom and Innocence (1 Samuel 18)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. ME: Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you were forced to choose a side? What were the guiding principles in that decision?

  2. BIBLE: What is the expected response from the world when we are united to God in Christ according to [1Sam.18 & Matt.10:22; James 4:4]? But who gives us favor and strength to endure to the end? Have you experienced such divine help?

  3. OTHERS: Can you recall the meaning of “innocence” according to the sermon? How is that status established “covenantally”?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text? 

You're Not David... But Praise God You Have a David! (Samuel 17)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Which of your Goliath’s (i.e. the world, the flesh and the devil) are you most tempted to try to overcome on your own? What has been the result when you have fought in your own strength?

  2. Why is it important to see David as a Christ figure instead of trying to merely imitate him? Which of the eight ways that David foreshadows the life and ministry of Jesus was most impactful for you and why?

  3. Share one way where you have seen Christ working on your behalf and in you to enable you to make significant progress in battling the world, the flesh or the devil?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text? 

What God Sees (1 Samuel 16)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Have you ever wallowed and lingered, perhaps much longer than you should have, in “what could have been” situations? Do these occasions happen more frequently than they ought? How does dwelling in regrets betray the gospel?

  2. Does God’s omniscience comfort you or scare/threaten you? Why?

  3. How does David’s service/ministry to Saul inform us about how we may serve and comfort the world?

  4. What did you find most helpful/challenging/encouraging from the text or the sermon on the text? 

The God Who Gives and Takes Away (1 Samuel 13)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Have you ever had to deal with bad leadership? Why is it difficult to submit to bad leadership?

  2. How did Saul fail to care for his people, win blessing for them, and provide them with peace?

  3. How does King Jesus give you direction and purpose in life? How does Jesus provide us with what Saul failed to provide Israel?

  4. What are the areas of our lives that need to be transformed to reflect Christ’s character, not Saul’s?