Most of us know the value of being grateful for what we have. But that doesn’t stop us from thinking about what we want.

And sometimes, we even get what we desire.

But what is it that we really need?

Answering that question can be one of the most difficult things of all. This week, we’ll read parts of 1 Samuel 7-12 to learn from Israel’s successes (and failures) in learning what God knows we all need.

DOWNLOADS

See It Be It Video Audio Notes (download pdf) Notes (digital) iTunes

SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

DATE: September 3, 2017:  “Appoint for us a King”

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7-12

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes

Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to
catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

Most of us know the value of being grateful for what we have, however, that doesn’t always stop us from thinking about what we want. And sometimes, we even get what we desire. What we need to ask ourselves is, what do we really need? Answering that question can be one of the most difficult things to figure out. This week, we read parts of 1 Samuel 7-12 to learn from Israel’s successes (and failures), and the main point is: God has the wisdom to know we all need.

THE MAIN THOUGHT
What/who is going to rule your life?

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): In Chapter 7, what was Samuel calling the people to? What feeling did this generate in the people? How does this show the relationship between God & His people? In chapters 9-11, how do we see God’s hand orchestrating Saul’s kingship?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What do you think of Samuel’s example in 8:6 of going to the Lord when he was
troubled? When the people heard about the king they would get, why do you think they still wanted him? What were they focused on? How can we create space in our lives for the Spirit to change us? Despite our choices, God is still there; how do you remember that?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How do you discern quality of leadership? Look at Saul’s example in chapter 9 of letting God’s Spirit transform him. Do you really believe God uses people, despite their “baggage”? (10:22)

BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Exercise 15 minutes
Enter into two minutes of silence. Let God remind you of all the times He has delivered you.
Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes
Together share times when you’ve been tempted to abandon risky faith in God for the illusion of visual certainty: something that feels more predictable than God’s unseen presence. Were there times you resisted temptation and stayed with God? How did that work out?
Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
Be aware of those around you this week. Who is struggling to believe God is still on the throne? Ask God how to come alongside them to help them hear God is mighty and a faithful God and is for us and
not against us.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes

Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.