Study Questions for Groups
By Michael C. Mack
1. In what practical ways did you live with God as your king over the past week?
2. What was the biggest challenge you faced last week?
Ask two people to read 1 Samuel 10:20-24 aloud,one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask the same two people to each read 1 Samuel 13:13-14.Repeat the process with 1 Samuel 15:10-24.
Ask a third person to retell the entire story in their own words. (Remind them to keep the retelling simple, in about a minute or less.)
3. What traits of Saul demonstrate his potential to be a good leader?
• What character traits expose him as a poor, or foolish, leader?
(For both of these questions, think in terms of both worldly and godly attributes.)
4. Let’s dig deeper:
• What do you see in these passages that makes someone a godly leader?
• How would you characterize both God and Samuel’s responses and feelings toward Saul’s foolish choices?
• Look through the passage and identify instances of Saul’s
– arrogance
– lying
– blaming others
Then discuss how each of these behaviors are forms of rebellion and rejection of God’s word.
• What connections do you see between foolishness, disobedience, and evil?
5. What do you learn about God from these passages?
6. What do you learn about people?
7. Let’s examine how we can apply Samuel’s response in 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Look up and read each of the following verses and discuss what they reveal to you about the significance of obedience: Proverbs 21:3; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:20; 12:7; John 14:15; 1 John 2:4.
8. In what specific way will you commit to obeying God in fulfilling the mission on which he has sent you?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What challenge do you anticipate this week as you obey God?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 1 Samuel 16:7; 17:32-50. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
