I. Intro
Big Idea: God orchestrates everything to lead us to Him.
II. Prayed For…
A. Saul looked the part. 1 Samuel 9:1-2
B. Saul had flaws. 1 Samuel 9:3-10
III. Signs
A. We make flawed choices. 1 Samuel 9:11-21
B. God has a perfect plan. 1 Samuel 9:22-10:13
IV. Hidden
A. We can dodge our calling. 1 Samuel 10:15-22
B. God sets us apart. 1 Samuel 10:23; Hebrews 10:10
V. The King
​A. God has revealed our Deliverer. 1 Samuel 10:24; John 19:5
B. God guides us through His Word. 1 Samuel 10:25-27; John 17:17

​The Next Step
§ If you were to give an abbreviated version of Sunday’s message on 1 Samuel 9:1-10:27, what would you make sure to focus on?
§ What are some things we can learn about Saul’s character from 1 Samuel 9:1-10:27?
§ How is it possible for us to have free will and God to be in control at the same time?
§ What are some ways we can grow in Christ-centered confidence?
§ How has God reminded you of His faithfulness lately?
§ In what ways is Jesus the perfect King?
§ What’s a specific way you can respond to 1 Samuel 9:1-10:27?

I. Intro
Big Idea: God knows what we need.
II. Appointed
A. Samuel’s sons were not fit to lead. 1 Samuel 8:1-3
B. Israel wanted the wrong kind of king. Genesis 16:7; 1 Samuel 8:4-5; Psalm 127:1
III. Forsaking
A. God hears our prayers. 1 Samuel 8:6-8
B. Be careful what you pray for. 1 Samuel 8:9-10
IV. Claim
A. Kings take. 1 Samuel 8:11-17
B. God turns us over to our desires. 1 Samuel 8:18; Psalm 66:18
V. Listen
A. God provides a better King. 1 Samuel 8:19-20; Mark 10:45; Romans 12:2
B. Trust God as King. 1 Samuel 8:21-22; John 16:33

​The Next Step
§ What’s something you found meaningful, challenging, or encouraging about 1 Samuel 8:1-22?
§ Why do you think great men and women of God sometimes have kids who don’t follow God?
§ Who’s someone you’ve been tempted to look to for salvation and security instead of God? Why?
§ Why do our representatives in this world ultimately let us down?
§ Ever have God not answer a prayer and it turned out to be a good thing? What happened?
§ What’s a way God has blessed you in His reign over you lately?
§ Who’s someone you can serve in a specific way in Jesus’ name this week?

I. Intro
Big Idea: True repentance leads to true restoration.
II. Consecrated
A. The people had not turned to the LORD. 1 Samuel 7:1-2
B. We cannot serve two masters. 1 Samuel 7:3-4; Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
III. Assembled
A. Church consisted of self-denial and confession. 1 Samuel 7:5-6; Isaiah 58:1–7
B. Israel’s devotion led to conflict. 1 Samuel 7:7-9
IV. Battle
A. Our battle belongs to the LORD. 1 Samuel 7:10-11
B. Live out of the past. 1 Samuel 7:12
V. Peace
A. God accomplishes more than we hope for or imagine. 1 Samuel 7:13-14; Ephesians 3:20-21
B. God has a calling for us.1 Samuel 7:15-17

​The Next Step
§ What’s something you thought you’d never learn to do?
§ What part of Sunday’s message on 1 Samuel 7:2-17 did you most agree, or disagree with?
§ Why do you think it took Israel twenty years to repent of their idolatry?
§ What was the difference between Israel’s defeat when they lost the ark in 1 Samuel 4:1-11, and their victory in 1 Samuel 7?
§ How do we give our battles to the Lord?
§ How can our expectations about church shape our faith and our witness to others?
§ Read Ephesians 3:20-21. When has God accomplished more in your life than you thought was possible?
§ What’s a specific way God is calling you to respond to 1 Samuel 7:2-17?

​I. Intro
Big Idea: The only way to be saved from God is through God.
II. On His Face
A. God doesn’t need us. 1 Samuel 5:1-3; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14
B. God is Lord of all. 1 Samuel 5:4-5; Galatians 6:7
III. Very Heavy
A. The solution to what plagues us is not political. 1 Samuel 5:6-10a
B. We can’t send God away. 1 Samuel 6:10b-12; Mark 8:26-39
IV. Golden Tumors
A. Nothing happens by chance. 1 Samuel 6:1-9
B. God is in control. Joshua 21:16; 1 Samuel 6:10-12; Proverbs 16:33
V. Who Can Stand…?
A. Fear God. Number 4:20; 1 Samuel 6:13-20; Psalm 24:4; Hebrews 4:15
B. God’s glory will prevail. 1 Samuel 6:21-7:1

​The Next Step
§ If you had to give a shortened version of Sunday’s message on 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1, what would you make sure to focus on?
§ What was God communicating by having Dagon bow to Him?
§ Read Ephesians 2:8-10. What’s the difference between saying God needs us, and God can use us?
§ Why do you think the Philistines tried to solve the problem of the plague by moving the ark from town to town?
§ When people sin, what are some things they do to avoid God? How about you?
§ How can we show that we fear or have reverence for God?
§ What’s a specific way you’ve seen God’s glory lately?
§ What’s a belief, attitude, or action God is calling you to change based on 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1?

I. The Resurrection
Big Idea: Seeing Jesus changes us.
II. Death Conquered
A. Mary and the disciples didn’t believe in the resurrection. John 20:1-2
B. God is willing to convince us of the resurrection. John 20:3-10
III. Personal Calling
A. Jesus is nearby. John 20:11-14; Acts 17:27-28
B. God is the Father we need. John 14:7; 20:15-17
IV. Compassionate Commission
A. Seeing Jesus causes us to tell others. John 20:18
B. God gives us every resource we need in the gospel. John 20:19-23
V. Convinced Conviction
A. Seeing Jesus frees us. 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
B. Stop doubting and believe. Mark 9:24; John 20:26-29

​The Next Step
§ What’s something about John 20:1-23 that strikes you as challenging, encouraging, or confusing?
§ Can you relate to Mary’s grief and stress when she couldn’t find Jesus’ body? If so, how?
§ Why didn’t the disciples understand from Scripture that Jesus was supposed to rise from the dead?
§ Why was it important that Jesus return to the Father after He rose from the dead?
§ What’s one the most convincing reasons we can believe Jesus rose from the dead?
§ Read John 14:21. How does obedience help us to grow in faith?
§ Who’s someone you can pray for or share the truth of the resurrection with? Ask God to help you to help that person to see Jesus.