It's Complicated (S2): WK 1 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
The following guide is designed to facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN QUESTIONS
Share about an experience where you felt like you definitely did not belong in the place you were; somewhere you stood out like a soar thumb. Then share about a place you were welcomed in, no questions asked.

HEAD
1. Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27, 2:1-7 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Do you think David found any joy or relief in the death of Saul? Explain.
3. David’s grief over Jonathan would have been intense. Do you think he may have contemplated giving up on trying to be Israel’s king, or did Jonathan’s death spur him on?
4. When David asked God what to do next, do you think he was considering going straight to Jerusalem to be king of all Israel, or did he just need permission for the next step?
5. Which anointing service do you think was more meaningful for David, Samuel’s or Judah’s? Why?
6. Why was what David did in verse 5-7 so important for building trust with the rest of the Israelites?

HEART
1. What lessons, if any, have you learned about grief in the course of your life?
2. David had to wait so long for the fulfillment of God’s plans for His life. What helps you wait on God? Do you ever struggle to rush God and His plans?
3. David sought God’s guidance before he acted. Have you found ways that help you remember to do this? If not, what might be some helpful practices?
4. Jesus prayed on the night of his crucifixion for us to be united. In a world of division, how can you and I, and our faith communities, seek to be more like Jesus and less self-preserving? How can you and I help each other seek fame for Jesus, over ourselves?

HANDS
This week, give time thinking about some way, in your day to day lives, that you could bring attention to Jesus. This may be at your work, in your school, at your church, or in your home. It may be an act of service, it may be a post on social media, it may even be a text to someone you need to reconcile with. Don’t try everything, that can be overwhelming. But think through one act you can do this week to lift up Jesus more than yourself. Then, next week, try another, then another, then another…

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek
his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT 21

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21, NLT