Life Group Northwest Indiana - A Young Adults Small Group in Northwest Indiana

He had been a thorn in their side too long. There had been other opportunities to kill him in the past but those attempts had failed. Finally they had killed the messiah. Of course, I'm talking about the Philistines killing Saul. Naturally, some may be confused at the point. In today's lesson, we'll learn that the word "anointed" in the OT means "messiah." In the NT...

A few studies back, our lesson was on "How Do We Respond To Evil?" In that study, Nabal had treated David foolishly, causing David to seek revenge. Had it not been for God's grace and the wisdom of a woman, David would have placed a permenant blot on his record. In today's study, we'll cover chapters 29 and 30 of 1 Samuel. In chapter 29, David finds himself in a dilemma of hi...

It is safe to say that God does not inform the believer of every action he should take. From the moment he wakes up, he is making decisions. We can say we don't ask God what exact outfit to wear, or what coffee creamer to use, or what type toothpaste is best. God does expect His disciples to use godly wisdom, Scripture, prayer, and discernment to make decisions throughout his day, while yieldi...

In last week's study, we saw David at a high point. He refused to take the shortcut of killing Saul, discerning the situation as a test. Chapter 26 shows David in a similar situation and with a similar result. David will not raise his hand against God's anointed, even when it is what some might think is best for him, or what other's think God was doing in his life. But sandwiched betwe...

In today's study, we'll see David presented with a test. This test is unique in that it offers David something that seems good. David has been chased for years by Saul and his men. Saul receives intel that places David in the area of the caves of Engedi. David and men are forced into hiding in the caves and as God would have it, Saul walks in, alone, into the same cave David and his men ar...

If there is anything we know about our God, it is that He is working. He's working now and into the future. He is not bound by time and space. He is always working. That is what makes His working in our own little world all the more amazing. In today's study, we'll discover how God works today. While clearly not exhaustive, we'll discuss these three areas: Provision, Partnership, a...

How do we know the love of God? The most popular verse in the Scriptures tells us that we can know God's love for the world by His sending of His "only begotten Son." This mystery is understood by us today as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, isn't it still a mystery to us as to why God loves the world that much? Along with this mystery is another: Why does God partner with ma...

What is the one thing that is holding you back from success? Is it a person, or maybe a situation? Did someone else block you or did they receive an opportunity you should have? If you had the power to remove it/them, would you do it? In today's study, we'll discuss how Jonathan had every reason and opportunity to hate David and to eliminate him as a threat. But unlike his father, he didn&...

The rise of Saul to the throne is surpassed only by the rise of David. Saul had slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands. David's rise was meteoric. It's hard to imagine the amount of success David enjoyed. We understand it was God working in him and David working with God. But to see his status changed from shepherd to anointed to giant-killer to the son-in-law to the king to...to...

In this lesson, we'll discuss the "Leadership Lessons of Saul." But unlike most leadership books, these lessons of leadership are NOT to be copied. Saul was a man that used others to get his way and allowed anger to dominate him. We'll discuss these areas and more in today's lesson.

This portion of our series covers the epic story of David and Goliath. The story is so well known, that even people who've never read the Bible reference David's miraculous victory over Goliath. But what if what we've known about this story is wrong? What if, instead of David needing to overcome insurmountable odds in order to defeat Goliath, the story is upside down, and Goliath was t...

As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that God cannot speak one truth to one person, and another truth to another person. God cannot contradict Himself. So when a passage "seems" to contradict another, our understanding must be lacking. We must not understand the text properly. This concept has come up before in this series. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeyed God's command and God rep...

We interrupt our current series in reflection and celebration of the Resurrection of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are eager to discuss this defining moment in history. In this study, we'll hear two commands from Paul for the church to comfort one another with truth. The first comfort is the comfort of the resurrection of all saints, including those who sleep....

We all do it. We all assess others based upon height, athleticism, looks, knowledge, etc. There may be a place for noticing these things, but in today's passage, we see God doesn't assess that way. For one thing, God was the one who gave them height, athleticism, looks, or knowledge. So he's not impressed by them as we are. No, God is actually impressed by what is inside the person. He looks on th...

Have you ever met someone who wanted something so badly, it affected all their decision making? Have you ever heard anyone say that it seems no matter what they do, something bad happens? It may just be bad luck, but it possibly might be that that individual is dominated by their emotions, their desire for approval from others, or some other thing. At every turn, King Saul seemed to do the wrong t...

When was the last time you were faced with a test? Thinking back, how badly did you want to get through it? Did you ask God for help? We can measure how badly we desire something by what kind of deal we offer God. In today's passage, we remember three people who made a deal with God. We'd call their deal an oath. Basically, it's a negotiation with God saying, "If you do this, I&#3...

In our last study, we discussed "Why Spiritual Leaders Fall." In this study, we'll learn "Why Spiritual Leaders Rise." The tragic fall of Saul was due simply to his lack of obedience. But it is important to ask ourselves, "Why? Why did Saul disobey?" Bible scholar John Woodhouse wrote that ultimately, Saul disobeyed because he did not trust God would save the day....

Success and Failure in Leadership. Thousands and thousands of books have been written over the centuries about leaders and their successes and failures. It's safe to say thousands more will be written in the future. Wise people will study the past and make decisions with their stories in mind. Today's study is a short narrative passage about a king in Israel. Her first king. The king was p...

If you're anything like me, you'd agree it can be frustrating to read of the Israelites disobedience over and over and over again. Of course, I quickly remember that I have turned away from Him at times in my life. His grace is certainly most amazing. But have you ever asked yourself, "If God is so powerful and so full of grace, why do I turn away from Him?" It might be we have forgotten His great...

One might wonder how someone could come up with the title "How to Become a Skull-Crusher from 1 Samuel 11. We're glad you asked. This passage shows Saul in his greatest moment. After God's Spirit came upon him, Saul rallied Israel to fight against an enemy who is bullying their brothers and sisters in Jabesh-Gilead. Israel launched an attack in the early hours of the morning and took...

Have you ever observed someone who was caught in a lie, and would not admit the charade? Kids will often do it. They hold so tightly to the lie, even though we as adults see right through it. They still think they can talk their way out of being found out. The same thing goes for hiding. Often times, though we may not be able to put a finger on it, we can see that something is not right about that...

Are you a good person? If we are deeply religious, we may pretend and say we have a problem with this or that. But most people think they are good people. Typically, bad guys are easy to identify. They break laws, hurt or abuse others, take advantage of the weak etc. But most of us would say we're pretty good. Saul was a good guy. He's the kind of guy a Father would approve of if his daugh...

There is something in all humans that desires peace and prosperity. This is not sinful desire. There is nothing wrong with peace and prosperity. However, when they come, there is no telling what we will do in order to keep it. In this story, we'll observe the behavior of Samuel's sons as well as the elders of Israel. One question to keep in mind is, "Why do we need more, when already...

Every great leader has a story. In most cases, they had to wait for their moment to lead. Oftentimes, they thought opportunity had passed them by. Sometimes they thought they were ready to lead but the right moment and opportunity had not come yet. Samuel provides us with an illustration of a man who waited for the right moment to lead, but acted courageously when it came. Israel had suffered for...

In this passage, we see how patient God was with a heathen nation. Their offering to God was completely wrong, but they're motives were right. They were trying to glorify the God of Israel. So He played along with their test to prove Him. However, we also see God respond quickly to Israel's disobedience. As Luke 12:48 says,..."For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much re...