Main Idea: Throwing Spears
Check-In (Highs & Lows) 15 min
A great, quick way to catch the highlights of what is happening in the lives of the people in your group is to take turns quickly sharing the “highs & lows” of your week. High: What was your biggest highlight since we last met? Low: What was the low point during this time?
Settle-In (Ice-Breaker) 10 min
What is something that someone else had that you REALLY wanted? Why did you want it?
Dig-In (Scripture) 35 min
1. Read 1 Samuel 8:4-5. The Israelites clamored for a king like other nations around them. What do you think this says about human nature?
2. Read 1 Samuel 8:6-9. When was a time where you feel that you rejected God? What happened? How did you learn from it?
3. What do you see in the character of God through his response to Samuel?
4. Read 1 Samuel 8:10-18. Even though the people of Israel were warned of what having an earthly king would bring, they still chose one. What is something in your life that has been or is taking away from your relationship with God? What have you given power that is not glorifying to God?
5. When we give power over to something or someone that is not God, there is a good possibility that we can expect “spears” to come our way. When the spears come, do you tend to flight, fight, freeze, or appease? Discuss a time when you have been the target of spears, how you felt, and how it made you feel.
6. We can also be guilty of throwing spears ourselves. Bryan spoke about living in peace and seeking Christ first before even picking up the spear to throw. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Isaiah 53:7. How does reading these passages put things into perspective for you when it comes to throwing spears?
Gear-Up (Application) 15 min
1. What are some practical ways you could better respond to spears being thrown your way that would give glory to God?
2. Instead of throwing spears, what are some God-honoring ways that you could handle difficult situations?
Step-Up (Homework)
Act of Forgiveness—The trail of spears can leave a deadly battlefield. If you have wronged someone or someone has wronged you, find them and ask for forgiveness or discuss the hurt (they may not even know they threw a spear).