Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Spears, Fears, and Responsibility
Scripture
6When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him…
Main Idea
Relationships are hard. There are unhealthy relationships like that of Saul and David. But healthy one can come down to how we deal with our fears, the spears thrown at us, and our responsibility to our calling.
Your calling is not irrevocable.
Discussion Questions
- Is it difficult for you to put up a healthy guardrail? Discuss relationships that have been or are challenging in that way. What makes it more difficult?
- Where may you be experiencing chaos that makes it difficult to remember or focus on your calling?
- Discuss the ways to help calm the chaos witheach other. What’s worked for some of you?
Summary
We need to watch how we manage our relationships. And sometimes we need to put some distance between us and them to go with God instead of the enemy. We are always called to treat people with grace, but sometimes we need to put up a guardrail too. Remember, their brokenness doesn’t need to become our baggage. We take on the character of God, not those around us. But when our surrounding relationships don’t point us toward God, the chaos that can ensue doesn’t change our calling. Just as David was, we’re called to be royalty. David acted like a king before he was one because he knew his calling.
Take Action
- Dive deeper into the life of David. There are many reading plans on YouVersion app about King David, before and after he was king!
- Pray over a specific relationship that you struggle to show grace, put up a healthy guardrail, or calm the chaos.
- Pray about boundaries that may be necessary for a healthier relationship.
Announcements
Next week is BIG!:
- Fast Track Essentials. We’ll condense Essentials into a 2-hour session with lunch provided It’s after the last service next week.
- Honor weekend! We’ll be showing honor to a lot of people who deserve it including first responders, veterans, and teachers.
- Baptisms! If you’d like to be baptized go to vel.city/baptism.
