Community Group Weekly Resource

September 15 Service

1 Samuel 16:1-13 (Read the entire passage)

Vs. 7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”


As we return to 1 Samuel, remember that God has raised up Samuel as a prophet to Israel and now Israel desires a king like the other nations. This is not what God wants for them. Despite warnings, they continue to cry out for a king. God gives them over to their desire and thus Saul is appointed as the first king of Israel. Saul does not follow the ways of God’s kingdom, in fact, he acts when he should wait and waits when he should act, and he is led by the ways of the world. Israel experiences great hardship and multiple defeats under his kingship, causing them to again cry out to God. God hears their cry, rejects Saul as king, and sends Samuel to appoint one whom God will choose, a young shepherd boy, David.

Samuel obeys the Lord and goes to Jesse, of whom God has said, “I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel goes through 7 son’s with Jesse and determines none of them are the appointed one. He asks if Jesse has any other son and Jesse says, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” God often chooses the weak or unlikely things of the world for His purposes. David, a mere shepherd, is the one whom God has chosen. Why? “For the Lord sees not as man sees…but the Lord looks on the heart.” Man’s eyes are flawed. God’s eyes are perfect, knowing the true heart of a man. God wants a king whose heart will be devoted to Him and His Kingdom ways.


Reflection
1. In what ways do you see as man sees not as God sees?

2. What do God’s eyes look for?

3. What is the condition of your heart before God?

4. Consider Jesus, who is the true King over all creation. What was he like and what did he do?


Prayer: Thank you God for giving us a true, right and complete king who is a savior, redeemer, restorer and righteous king - the lord our righteousness, Jesus Christ your Son. All praise to the name of Jesus our king. Amen


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
Chad Hollowell

  1. Read all of 1 Samuel 16. What is the significance of God’s asking Samuel to select a new king from Jesse? Why is God doing this (reflect back on previous chapters)

  2. What does God mean with the words, ““Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Why is the important?

  3. Talk about the differences of how man sees and God sees. What do each look for and why?

  4. How does this help us with our own heart?

  5. How does this help us view others in leadership?

  6. Consider and talk about Psalm 139, a Psalm of David capturing the heart of this king. What does this show us? How does this instruct us?

  7. Why is this kind of heart important to God?