Facing the Giants? (1 Samuel 17)

What is a big project you would like to accomplish in the next three years?

How are you preparing yourself to accomplish this?

How can someone be prepared for the future even if they don't know what the future holds?

How are you preparing for the future?

Discuss the story of David and Goliath by going around the group and having each person state one piece of the story that they remember. Assign one person to be the "fact checker". They will use 1 Samuel 17 to be sure everyone's memory matches the actual story in the Bible. Keep going around the group until you run out of things you remember. Then answer the following questions about the story.

In this story, what is David's greatest accomplishment? Why? (allow for competing perspectives on this)

In this story, who is the greatest failure? Why?

What do you admire most about David in this story? Which of his character traits would you like to develop in your own life?

Why do you think none of the regular soldiers of Israel were willing to fight Goliath? Why do you think Saul was unwilling to fight Goliath?

Was their unwillingness to fight a sign of cowardice or a sign of wisdom? Why?

Why do you think David was willing to fight Goliath?

How had David's past experiences prepared him for this moment?

What experiences do you have in your past that you could use right now? How can you utilize the difficulties you are currently experiencing to prepare you for the future?

What is God doing in your life right now that requires you to have courage? How can you respond well in this situation?

How can this group help?

More on the life of David:

Giving Back to God (1 Samuel 1)

What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you've ever received?

When have you had to give up something you really loved?

Are you more willing to give things up for those who are closest to you? Why?

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8.

How would you have felt if you were Hannah? How was Elkanah a good husband? How was he not a good husband?

Why do you think Peninnah mocked Hannah so often? What kind of things motivate people to be abusive toward others?

Read 1 Samuel 1:9-18.

When have you ever prayed like Hannah? What do you think it means to "pour out your soul to the Lord"?Why do you think she was so emotional?

Verse 17 says Hannah's face was no longer downcast. Why do you think her exchange with Eli encouraged her? Who do you know that could use some encouragement right now?

Read 1 Samuel 1:19-28.

How do you think Hannah felt when Samuel was born? When have you experienced an answer to prayer like this?

Do you think Hannah wanted to give Samuel up to God? Why or why not?

What do you think it would look like for people today to give their children up to God? How can you give your children to God?

What other things in your life do you need to give to God? How would your life change if you gave everything up to God?

How can this group help you take the next step in your spiritual journey?

Failure, Fear, and Faith: (1 Samuel 16)

What is one dream you would like to achieve in the next five years? What do you think are the chances of you actually accomplishing this dream? Why?

What do you think is something God would like you to do in the next year? What are some of the obstacles you will face if you try to do this?

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-3. Why was Samuel mourning for Saul? Why had God rejected Saul?

Samuel was the prophet who first anointed Saul as king. Do you think Samuel felt like he was partially responsible for Saul's failure? Why or why not?

How might someone's past failures keep them from moving on with their life? How does fear of failure sometimes keep people from doing what they know to be right? Why are people so afraid of failure? Is failure always a bad thing? Why or why not?

Why was Samuel afraid to go anoint a new king? (verse 2) Do you think this was a valid fear? Why or why not?

Have you ever been afraid to try something new because you were concerned about the possible consequences? When is this kind of fear healthy? When is this kind of fear unhealthy?

If God wanted Samuel to stay alive, would Saul have been able to kill him? How should this truth have changed the way Samuel thought about these instructions?

What are some Bible passages you could use to encourage someone who was afraid to pursue God's calling in their life?

What step do you need to take this week to move closer to what God is calling you to be? How can this group help you in this journey?

Who Impresses You? (1 Samuel 16)

Who is your favorite (have everyone answer two or three of these):

• Movie Star
• Athlete
• News Person
• TV actor/actress
• Reality TV character
• Author
• Politician
  
• Fictional Character
• Celebrity

What makes this person "impressive" to you?

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-7.

Why do you think Samuel though Eliab was God's chosen king? (verse 6) What criteria do you think Samuel was using in his thought process?

Why do you think God rejected Eliab?

Verse seven says that "the LORD looks at the heart." What do you think that means?

How do you feel about knowing that God is looking at your heart right now? Is he impressed with you? Why or why not?

What kinds of things do not impress God? (Read Proverbs 6:16-19) Have a few people give practical examples of these things.

What kind of heart does impress God? (Read Galatians 5:22-26) Have a few people give practical examples of these things.

What kind of people should impress us? What kind of people should not impress us? Have you observed times when people get this backward?

How has this discussion caused you to re-consider your view of yourself and other people?

The Promise: The Deliverer is a King (1 Samuel 8)

• Read 1 Samuel 8:4-5.  The people of Israel had never had a king, but wanted one to replace Samuel because they didn’t trust Samuel’s sons.  Read verses 6-9 and put God’s response in your own words. 
• Why would it be difficult to have God as the king of your nation?  Why is it hard to follow someone we cannot see?
• Ultimately, Saul was rejected as king of Israel.  Read 1 Samuel 15:22 to see why (the rest of the chapter is helpful as well).  If you were to rewrite this verse for the church of 2007, how would you write it? (note: we don’t sacrifice anymore, so how would you change that?)  What spiritual activities might get in the way of plain obedience to God? 
• When you think of King David, what are the stories that first come to mind?  In what ways do you think of yourself like him?  How are you not like him?
• Quickly, make a list of all King David’s sins.  How does this list make you feel about yourself?  Why do you think God called David, “A man after God’s own heart.”?  What would it take for you to be a woman/man after God’s own heart? 
• Although He isn’t sitting on an earthly throne right now, Jesus is still king of all creation.  How should your life reflect that truth?  What might you change this week to bring yourself more under the “rule of God?”