Posts with the category “it-s-complicated-s1”

1 Samuel 18:14David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.I find it interesting that the word used for Saul’s emotions are not that he was “jealous,” but that he was “afraid.” How closely related are ...  Read More

1 Samuel 18:7 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands,    and David his ten thousands!”Coming back to this text today. This is quite a clever turn of phrase, but it is not helpful in the relationship between Saul and David. The women were coming out of their homes and singing this song, which makes me think it was perhaps already popular in the cities and towns where David and Saul had...  Read More

Psalm 131Lord, my heart is not proud;    my eyes are not haughty.I don’t concern myself with matters too great    or too awesome for me to grasp.2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,    like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.    Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—    now and always.1 Samuel 18:6 When the victorious Isra...  Read More

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Did you miss this week's sermon?  Or perhaps you'd like to hear the series as taught from a different voice or campus? Here is your chance to catch up with a sermon or podcast from our Crosswalk Media Content Team as we teach through our current series....  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe 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 QUESTIONSWho is one of your oldest friends (not in age, but in length of years you’ve known them), and what is one thing the two of y...  Read More

Psalm 55:1-8, 14, 16-171 Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help!2 Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.3 My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down.4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.6 Oh, that I had wi...  Read More

4 The next morning Jonathan spoke with his father about David, saying many good things about him. “The king must not sin against his servant David,” Jonathan said. “He’s never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could. 5 Have you forgotten about the time he risked his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the Lord brought a great victory to all Israel as a result?...  Read More

“1 Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan, because of his strong affection for David, 2 told him what his father was planning. “Tomorrow morning,” he warned him, “you must find a hiding place out in the fields. 3 I’ll ask my father to go out there with me, and I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll tell you everything I can find out.”1 Samuel 19:1-3Frien...  Read More

14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.-Psalm 55:14We’ve included Psalm 55 in this week’s focus because as we’ll learn more about on Friday when we look at more of this passage, scholars believe this Psalm was written by David after Jonathan died in battle.One of the complicated things about friendship is that entering into a friendship always comes with ...  Read More

“1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together wit...  Read More

Did you miss this week's sermon?  Or perhaps you'd like to hear the series as taught from a different voice or campus? Here is your chance to catch up with a sermon or podcast from our Crosswalk Media Content Team as we teach through our current series....  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe 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 QUESTIONSThe story of David and Goliath is a favorite tale for many who grow up in the faith.  Share one of your favorite childhood s...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:51-58When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and pl...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:41-50Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, sp...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:31-40… David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and go...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:12-30Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons. Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimeaa—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines. David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, but David went back and forth so he...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:3-11… the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoul...  Read More

Did you miss this week's sermon?  Or perhaps you'd like to hear the series as taught from a different voice or campus? Here is your chance to catch up with a sermon or podcast from our Crosswalk Media Content Team as we teach through our current series....  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe 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 QUESTIONSFamilies can be complicated things at times. Share with the group your family dynamic (siblings, parents, relationships), al...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:8)Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel a...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:7)But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, ...  Read More

(Psalm 21)For the choir director: A psalm of David.1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!    He shouts with joy because you give him victory.2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;    you have withheld nothing he requested. Interlude3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.    You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.4 He asked you to preserve his life,    and you g...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:2 )But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”Interesting. Is God telling Samuel to be deceitful? Or is it just a practical reality at this point in the stor...  Read More

(1 Samuel: 16)Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”Jesse belongs to the tribe of Judah and appears in 1 Samuel as a civic leader in the town of Bethlehem. Jesse was also the son of Ob...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe 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 QUESTIONSAs we begin this series, spend some time talking to each other about what kinds of things make life so complicated? Our fait...  Read More

(Psalm 23:6)WEEK 1: DAY 4 (Psalm 23:5, 1 Samuel 17:37)5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:537 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Sam...  Read More

(Psalm 23:5, 1 Samuel 17:37)5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:537 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Samuel 17:37Ok, we’re going t...  Read More

(Psalm 23:4, 1 Samuel 17:35-36)4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:435 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Phi...  Read More

(Psalm 23:3)3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3I can’t read the first few words of Psalm 23:3, without thinking of another famous passage from the prophet Isaiah…“31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:...  Read More

(Psalm 23:1-2, 1 Samuel 17:34-35)1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:1-2“34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal...  Read More

You may notice a new cadence for our daily study, starting with the It's Complicated Series.  From now on, we will be publishing the Daily Study on Monday through Friday.  On Saturday, you will find the small group study guide for each week.  On Sundays, we will have a "Weekend Recap", with a chance for you to re-listen to the sermon from Saturday.  We hope this new format will work well for your ...  Read More