Broken Kingdoms: WK 1 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with 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:  Can you remember a time in your life when your parents, or someone, told you what would happen if you did or did not do something, but you were convinced they were wrong? This would have let me have an, “I told you so” moment. Or maybe it was something you tried to advise someone else on. Share if you remember.

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  1 Samuel 8:4-18, 9:1-2, 10:24, 13:5-14, 15:12-26, 18:6-5

Pay attention to Saul’s journey from chosen by the people, to self-proclaimed prophet.

HEAD: Explore the Text

1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
2. Do you think Samuel was surprised at God’s response to the people’s request in verse 7? How does Samuel NOT take the people’s rejection personally?
3. Why do you think God allows them to have a king even though he knows what will happen?
4. Knowing that the description of what a king will do is really a list of how we, as fallen human beings, act, what are some of the characteristics of us given in I Samuel 8?
5. By all appearances, Saul definitely fit the bill of someone who could lead. Why do you think we’re so drawn to appearances and what’s outside, instead of what’s inside?
6. What was Saul’s sin (or rejection of God)?
7. Do you think Samuel felt that Saul’s rejection was his fault? Explain.

HEART: Personal Reflection

1. Make a list of some of the ways you think God’s kingdom is different from man’s kingdom. How God, as a leader, is different from a human as a leader.
2. When you read through the story of Saul, what characteristics of Jesus was Saul in need of to lead better? 
3. We often struggle much with patience and trust in God. In our fast-paced society, we want to keep moving, instead of waiting on God and his timing. What are some ways we could help each other be more patient? What are some ways we could practice increasing our trust in God and going at his pace, instead of our own?
4. Did God reject Saul as a person, or a leader? Is there a difference? 
5. To let God lead, means learning to walk humbly behind him. What do you think this looks like and how do we help each other, as brothers and sisters in Christ, keep Jesus in the lead versus jumping ahead?

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Learning to Trust

• In what ways, with what things, do you need to grow in your trust with God? Make a list of things that you worry about, things you struggle with.
• Over the next several days, ask God to reveal any other areas in your life that you haven’t fully trusted God with (your marriage, your kids, your finances, your career…).
• Then, commit to asking God to help you release your worries and concerns in these areas, to trust in Him more.  Commit the words from Proverbs to memory, “Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

FINISH WELL: Bring It Home

1. What is one area in your life that you know you want to release control over, and let God lead?
2. What is one thing you could pray over for your church this week, that you know needs a God-like miracle or blessing?

CLOSING PRAYER (Leader or Participant Reads)
Abba, Father,
We confess that there are areas in our lives that we struggle to let go of control.
We struggle to fully trust in you and your timing.
We repent and ask you to help us trust you more.
Help us let go.
Help us rest in you.
Who knows, maybe that which we thought was so important, will fade away, in the light of your glory and grace.
In the glorious name of King Jesus.
Amen.