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Week 4

Waiting and Restraint

1 Samuel 24:1-15

While being relentlessly hunted by King Saul, David was given the perfect opportunity to kill his enemy in a cave. Instead, he chose restraint and patience, trusting that God would fulfill His promises without David having to force the issue or take revenge. This lesson is critical for navigating unfair treatment and conflict in modern life. We explore the powerful discipline of not retaliating and the freedom that comes from trusting God’s timing over our own need for immediate justice.

May 3rd Notes

The Context of the Waiting

David has been running from Saul for somewhere between 10 and 13 years. In this time he has been stripped of everything—his wife, his home, his mentor, and his dignity—forced to survive as a hunted fugitive in the desert among a band of outcasts. This period encompassed most of his 20s. He has endured years of constant betrayal and narrow escapes. He’s been anointed by God’s prophet as the king, but he’s endured an extended period of being a fugitive.

David spent most of his 20s—a decade of his life—living in caves while holding a promise from God that hadn't come true yet. What is the hardest part about "the middle" of a story, when you have the promise but are still living the fugitive reality?

1 Samuel 23:14 says Saul sought David every day, "but God did not give him into his hand." How does knowing that God is the one in control of the "delivery" change how you view your current struggles?

Discerning the "Open Door" Trap

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).

David's men used "spiritual-speak" to pressure him into a shortcut. Have you ever had someone give you "godly" advice that was actually just an invitation to take an easy way out?

How do we distinguish between a genuine "open door" from God and an opportunity that is actually a test of our integrity?

The Shadow of the Shortcut

Every sin is a form of impatience. Every sin is asking you to take a shortcut. Sexual sin is a shortcut to pleasure or intimacy. Lying or cheating is a shortcut to ambition. Anger or bitterness is a shortcut to trying to bring about justice. We sin because it holds some promise of satisfaction. But the satisfaction is always short-term. It replaces the irreplaceable God with some shortcut satisfaction. That’s idolatry.

Mat mentioned that "every sin is a form of impatience." When you look at the temptations you face, how much of the struggle is simply not wanting to wait for God’s timing or God's way?

Which "shortcut" is most tempting for you right now: the shortcut to being right (anger), the shortcut to being noticed (ambition), or the shortcut to being comforted (pleasure)?

Trusting the Final Courtroom

God promises to right all wrongs… one day. But not today. When Jesus returns, God says, 'I will right all wrongs.' Until that day, there’s going to be lots of injustice. But we can have peace because of what is written in Ecclesiastes 12:14: 'For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.' Nothing is missed. No secret conversation, no hidden lie, no unfair promotion is outside of God's courtroom.

David refused to be the judge and executioner in the cave because he trusted God to handle Saul. How would your stress levels change if you truly believed that God hasn't missed a single "secret thing" done against you?

David stayed satisfied in the wilderness by "earnestly seeking" God (Psalm 63). What practical step can you take this week to seek satisfaction in God’s presence rather than in the resolution of your problems?

Week 3

Abiding Friendship

1 Samuel 18:1-20:42

The bond between David and Jonathan is one of the Bible’s greatest examples of selfless, covenant love. Jonathan, the heir to the throne, chose loyalty to David over his own royal ambition, demonstrating sacrifice, honesty, and protection. This week helps us define what a truly Christ-like friendship looks like—one based on mutual encouragement and selflessness, even when that friendship is costly or difficult.


April 26th Questions

The Nature of Covenant Friendship

If we’re honest, friendships like this are extremely rare in our day. We have thousands of 'friends' on social media and plenty of acquaintances at work, but very few of us have a 'covenant' friend—the kind of person who walks with you through life, knows your soul and has your back. The friend you can call at 2am when your world falls apart and they’ll be there with no questions asked!

In a world of shallow, digital "friends" and surface-level acquaintances, what barriers stand in the way of creating genuine, deep friendships and how do we overcome them?

Who is the "2am friend" in your life?

Stewardship of Influence

We often pray for influence, but what we usually mean is that we want a platform. We want a crowd that cheers for us. But what if God’s answer to that prayer is to give you influence over one difficult person with a lot of influence? Before you trade your influence for the cheap satisfaction of 'speaking your mind' or 'being right,' remember: influence is a stewardship.

Is there a "Saul" in your life—a difficult boss, family member (don’t look at them!;-)), or colleague—where God might be calling you to be a "buffer of grace" rather than a rebel?

How can you shift your perspective from wanting a platform for yourself to seeing your current relationships as a stewardship for God’s purposes?

Shared Convictions and Trust

When you fight side-by-side, you don’t have to look over your shoulder, which means you are free to look ahead. Because Jonathan and David trusted each other completely, they could focus on the real enemy and accomplish more together than they ever could alone. You have to have deep trust in those who care for your soul and your life (who have your back) to be effective at completing the task you’ve been given.

Jonathan and David were "knit together" by a shared commitment to God's glory. What is the common goal or shared conviction that serves as the foundation for your closest friendships?

Are there areas in your life where you are trying to battle alone? How would having a trusted partner to stand "back-to-back" with you change your effectiveness?

Week 2

Unwavering Courage

1 Samuel 17:1–52

David faced the heavily armed giant Goliath not with sword and armor, but with a shepherd’s sling and unwavering trust in the living God. This story moves beyond simple bravery to define courage as reliance on God when the odds seem overwhelming. We examine the "giants" that have been defeated for us—sin and death—and learn how David's example calls us to use the tools God has given us, regardless of how small they seem.


April 19th Notes

God Decides the Battle

“What David says is a reminder that Yahweh is more powerful than the gods of the Philistines despite this behemoth standing before them. If battles were ultimately decided by the Gods, then the outcome of this battle isn’t decided by the strength of the champions.”

Is God in as much control today as the Israelites thought He was in war?

If God is in control, in what way do our decisions matter? Would God have defeated Goliath even if the Israelites kept cowering?

David’s Unconventional Experience

“Because he was keeping sheep, David got the opportunity to become dangerous and fight and kill lions and bears on his own, it was part of the job. David wasn’t just naturally dangerous, it’s something he became over time.”

God used David’s experience as a shepherd to develop David’s skills for a purpose. How might this fact change the way we approach the daily work God has given us to do?

What unconventional skills of yours have you seen God use for His purposes? How can we resist the temptation to use the skills God has given others?

Christ, Our Representative

“Combat by Champions was a fight between representatives of warring factions. By fighting Goliath, David was the representative of the Israelites. So when we seek what this passage means for the church, we must apply it to he who is our representative, namely Christ.”

Many apply this passage to say we slay our own giants. How does putting Christ in the position of David change our perspective? What if things were the other way around?

If Christ has secured the victory, why do we still encounter defeat in our lives? How can we recover from these defeats?

Week 1

A Heart after God’s own Heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13 

This week explores God's unique method of selection. While everyone (including the prophet Samuel) looked at David’s older brothers—the strong, tall, and experienced men—God looked past the outward appearance to the young shepherd's heart and character. We discuss the often-invisible work God does in our lives and how we can maintain faithfulness and integrity when no one is watching, knowing that God values the unseen heart over outward display.

April 12th Notes

Public Perception vs. Obedience

…So, God gave them Saul. He was the 'People’s Choice'—tall, handsome, and looked exactly like what a king was 'supposed' to look like. But Saul had a fatal flaw: He cared more about public perception and outward religious appearances than he did about actual obedience.

In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize looking the part over actually being obedient to God's instructions?

How can we shift our focus from seeking human approval to seeking God's heart in our daily decisions?

The Danger of Outward Appearances

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).

Think of a person or situation you may have recently judged based on outward appearance. How might God's perspective of that person or situation be different from your own?

What ‘resumé’ items or outward achievements are you currently leaning on for your sense of worth, and how can you practice valuing your heart's posture instead?

Faithfulness in the Preparation

…God never wastes a season. Maybe you’re sitting here today and you feel like you’re in a 'back pasture' season. You’re doing the laundry, you’re filing the paperwork, you’re working the job that no one notices, and you’re wondering, 'Does this even matter?' God used David’s time as a shepherd to prepare him for the task of being a King.

What current unseen role or menial task are you tempted to view as a waste of time or a distraction from your ‘real’ calling?

How could God be using the specific challenges of this season to ‘tune your heart’ and prepare you for the responsibilities He has planned for your future?

Radical Repentance vs. Deflection

…When Saul’s disobedience and sin was called out, he had a reflex: Deflect and Deny. He blamed the people, he made religious excuses, and he tried to protect his image... But look at David. When the prophet Nathan confronts him... David doesn't call his lawyers. He doesn't blame Bathsheba... David is undone. He shows 'Radical Repentance.' He takes the mask off."

When you are confronted with a mistake or a moral failure, is your first reflex to ‘deflect and deny’ or to ‘confess and repent’? What keeps you from being fully transparent?

What masks of perfection do we try to wear to hide our struggles from others and from God? How does the knowledge of living Coram Deo (before the face of God) change the temptation to try and hide our sins and struggles from God?