CONNECT:  How can the account of David and Goliath and the example of Jesus inform the way you live as a disciple maker this week?

WARM-UP  Question

1. What is significant about a friendship between two followers of Jesus? How should it be different?

READ 1 Samuel 18:1-9

1. What was the significance of Jonathan giving his clothes to David? What was this foreshadowing?
2. In what ways is it necessary for us to lay down our own self-importance before Jesus as the true King?

READ 1 Samuel 18:10-16

1. Can you identify (in this chapter) all of the ways in which David is superior to Saul?
2. Why do you think it bothers Saul so much that the Lord is with David?
3. As you scan through chapters 18 and 19, can you find all of the ways in which Saul responds?
4. What do you think would have been the best way for Saul to respond to this situation?
5. Why do you think Saul struggled to get ‘on board’ with all that God was doing through David?
   Do you think that you ever resist God’s will and purpose? How so?
6. Do you think jealousy can be a problem for Christians? Should it be? Why or why not?
7. If we delight ultimately in God’s purposes, how does that practically cause us to delight in how God is at work in others, even if we struggle to see how he is at work in us?
8. When we find ourselves jealous, how should we respond? (Feel free to share an example) 

READ 1 Samuel 20:26-36

1. How does Jonathan rescue David through this incident? How else has David evaded Saul so far?
2. How is it evident that God is the ultimate one behind David being kept safe?
3. What does this teach us about God’s capacity to accomplish his purposes and promises?
4. If Jesus is the ultimate shield and protector, does this mean that we will be kept from all harm?
   How does this relate to God’s plans being accomplished in us?
5. What promises from Jesus can we be certain will be fulfilled? How has he covenanted this with us?

APPLY: What is one aspect of self-importance that you can hand over to Jesus this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: What are you reading that is helping you to grow as a disciple maker? There are some books from FOCUS that would be helpful for all ages. Check them out here.

Audio and Video 

• AUDIO: David Jackman on “1 Samuel 18-20”
• AUDIO: Jen Wilkin on “David’s First Flight”
• AUDIO: John Stott on “1 Samuel 18-31”
• VIDEO: Dominic Steele on “1 Samuel 18-19”
• AUDIO: Tom Schreiner on “Certain Hope in Trials - 1 Samuel 18-20”

Key Resource

• “1 Samuel For You” by Tim Chester is an excellent introduction to 1 Samuel that will be suitable for people reading at a range of levels. The guide includes helpful discussion of the content of 1 Samuel, along with plenty of practical and devotional application. Watch an introduction to the book by Tim Chester. 

Other Helpful Books, Articles, and Courses

• “1 and 2 Samuel: Hope for the Helpless” by Andrew Reid (“Reading the Bible Today Series”) 
• “1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart” by Dale Ralph Davis (“Focus on the Bible Series”) 
• “Is Hell for Real? And other questions about judgment, eternity, and the God of love” by Erik Raymond.
  

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