June 2, 2024 Service

1 Samuel 14 (Read the entire passage)

This week we have gotten to know Jonathan as a new character. Jonathan is Saul’s son but with a very different heart and faith than his father. Saul has continually demonstrated a fear based heart; acting when he should wait, waiting when he should act. Jonathan shows us how to walk by faith. He is fiercely loyal to God, a loyal friend, bold in his faith, and obedient to what God has made clear. Jonathan finds himself in a precarious situation, literally stuck between a rock (Bozez) and a hard place (Seneh). He is acting on the word of the LORD in faith as he presents himself to the Philistine garrison. Seemingly this is a terrible plan but Jonathan believes the LORD is with them as they are following God’s will. The LORD does come through, causing the Philistines to turn on themselves. Jonathan’s faith in the LORD saves Israel. Jonathan points us to the ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ. “It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” (vs. 6). God used one, Jesus, to make a way for anyone to be saved.

Reflection

1. Think about your faith the Lord, how far, how deep is it?

2. Consider God’s faithfulness, how far, how deep does it go? For you personally?

3. Jonathan shows us how to walk by faith.

   · Wisdom – knowing some things that God desires without asking Him.

His written word, His spoken Word, good and evil, right from wrong are all known things.

What wisdom do you need act upon that you already know to be from God?

   · Desire – desiring God and desiring to be used by God.

This leads to stepping and acting in faith with God’s word and will

How is God asking you to step in faith?

   · Trust – knowing we don’t know what we don’t know.

God knows best and faith will always require our ruthless trust in Him

How is God asking you to trust Him? Can you wait on Him?

   · Faith – faith is contagious and binds the godly to desire, trust, and act upon God’s will with wisdom.

How has or is God increasing your faith and how is faith binding others together for the gospel?

4. Think about Jesus, the ultimate Jonathan. What does Jesus’ walking by faith in these ways and other ways mean to you?

Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.

Grace and peace on this journey together,

Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor

COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION

Don Logan

1) Please read I Samuel 14:1-23. Can you see that Jonathan and Saul are being compared side by side? When you do that, what areas become more clear between these characters?

2) Look at what Jonathan has shown us in walking by faith, talk about each one in your own life. Where are you failing or excelling? Are there other faithful characteristics Jonathan shows us?

1) Jonathan knows some things that God desires without asking 
2) Jonathan desires to be used by God 
3) Jonathan knows that he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know 
4) Jonathan’s faith becomes infectious in his community of faith

3) Look at Saul now. What was he waiting for? Why is he unsure? Why does he have a priest and an ephod for hearing from God?

4) Can you think of the differences between religious and faithful responses in your life?

5) Prayer and praise