I. Intro
Big Idea: God’s grace empowers us to change.
II. Taken
A. We don’t know the whole story. 1 Samuel 30:1-2
B. The LORD gives strength. 1 Samuel 23:16-17; 30:3-8; Philippians 3:1
III. An Egyptian
A. Everyone matters.1 Samuel 30:9-12
B. Egyptians can have vital information. 1 Samuel 30:13-15
IV. Recovered
A. God empowers recovery. 1 Samuel 30:16-22
B. Live out the grace given to us. 1 Samuel 30:23-25
V. A Gift
A. Be wise. 1 Samuel 30:26
B. We have a gracious King. 1 Samuel 30:27-31

​The Next Step
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on 1 Samuel 30:1-31 you found convicting, encouraging, or confusing?
§ What are signs in this passage that David was restored in his relationship with God?
§ Why did David pursue the Amalekites even though he didn’t know who they were – or where they were?
§ Why do you think the author of 1 Samuel described what David and his men feed the Ethiopian when they found him?
§ What can we do when we find ourselves out of step with God?
§ How do we know we’ve experienced God’s mercy and grace to us in Jesus Christ?
§ What’s a specific way you can respond to 1 Samuel 30:1-31?

I. Intro
Big Idea: When we are in over our heads, God delivers.
II. Gathered
A. Aphek was Israel’s rock bottom. 1 Samuel 4:1-11; 29:1
B. David’s options had narrowed. 1 Samuel 29:2-3
III. Against
A. The Philistine rulers were not fooled by David. 1 Samuel 29:3-4
B. The Philistines didn’t like Hebrew music. 1 Samuel 29:5
IV. Turn
A. God used the Philistine rulers to save David. 1 Samuel 29:6-7
B. David almost overplayed his hand. 1 Samuel 29:8
V. Nevertheless
A. David escaped by God’s grace. 1 Samuel 29:9-10; Romans 2:4
B. David had to live with the consequences of his double life. 1 Samuel 29:11

​The Next Step
§ How have you been surprised or blessed by God’s grace lately?
§ Why do you think the writer of 1 Samuel included 1 Samuel 29:1-11 at this point in the book?
§ What were David’s options as he and his men march with Achish to battle?
§ What’s something you do when you find you’re stuck between what seems like two bad options?
§ What does this account show us about how God can work in and through people who are not believers?
§ How can we avoid taking God’s grace for granted?
§ What’s a specific way, by God’s grace, you can respond to 1 Samuel 29:1-11?

I. Intro
Big Idea: We either turn to light or to darkness.
II. Inquire
A. David was a double agent. 1 Samuel 28:1-2
B. We won’t hear from God if we don’t trust Him. Leviticus 19:3; 1 Samuel 28:3-7; Matthew 7:7; James 1:5-6
III. A Trap
A. Saul couldn’t keep his own law. 1 Samuel 28:8-9
B. God can do anything. 1 Samuel 28:10-13a; Matthew 17:1-13
IV. Great Distress
A. Samuel was done giving Saul counsel. 1 Samuel 28:13b-15
B. Saul had rejected God’s deliverance. 1 Samuel 28:16-19
V. Night
A. Saul never feared the LORD. 1 Samuel 28:20-23
B. Faith leads to living in the light. 1 Samuel 28:24-25; 1 John 1:6-7

​The Next Step
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on 1 Samuel 28:1-25 you found challenging, encouraging, or confusing?
§ Read James 1:5-6. Why do you think God didn’t answer Saul when he inquired of Him?
§ Read Leviticus 19:31. How can turning to other sources than God and the Bible to know our future defile us?
§ How can we avoid the hypocrisy that Saul took part in?
§ Why do you think Saul didn’t eat before going to battle?
§ Why didn’t Samuel have any good news for Saul?
§ How can you apply 1 Samuel 28:1-25 to your relationship with God?

I. Intro
Big Idea: Christ frees us to face what we fear.
II. One of These Days
A. David forgot that the LORD was his refuge. 1 Samuel 27:1; Psalm 11:1
B. David was stressed. 1 Samuel 27:2-4
III. Assigned
A. David had a plan. 1 Samuel 23:16, 27:5; Proverbs 3:5-6
B. Successful schemes aren’t always the best. 1 Samuel 27:6
IV. Raiding
A. David committed atrocities. 1 Samuel 27:8-9; Exodus 23:30-32; Hebrew 12:1
B. David found himself living a lie. 1 Samuel 27:10; John 8:32
V. Philistine Territory
A. We can become comfortable in our trespasses. 1 Samuel 27:11; Hebrews 4:13
B. Remember who you are. 1 Samuel 27:12; 28:1-2

​The Next Step
§ In 1 Samuel 26 David seems confident as he confronts Saul, but in 1 Samuel 27 he fears Saul and flees to Philistine territory. Can you relate to David? If so, how?
§ David lies a couple of times in this passage. Are there any circumstances under which it’s ok to lie?
§ Why is it dangerous to think that just because things are going our way, God is answering our prayers?
§ How can judging people’s motives, instead of their words and actions be dangerous?
§ Why would it be a mistake to make David the hero of this account?
§ How can we apply this passage to our lives together as a church?