NOTE: There is not a downloadable teaching plan this week. I hope the following commentary links, video suggestion, and discussion questions will help you present the very important session. Notice also that I have adjusted the title of the session again as well.
Primary Text: 1 Samuel 15: 7-30
Discussion Questions Regarding the Subject of Arrogance:
- How does arrogance cause us to justify our actions?
- How does arrogance cause us to overlook others' actions?
- How does arrogance cause us to make decisions without ever seeking God’s advice?
- How does arrogance cause us to desire to seek praise that should be directed toward God?
- How does arrogance lead to disobedience?
- How does arrogance lead us to lie?
- How does arrogance lead us to manipulate others?
- How does arrogance lead us to justify “small sins” as appropriate?
- How does arrogance keep us from taking responsibility for our sins?
- Is there a difference between arrogance and pride?
- Would you agree with this quote from Andrew Murray? “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.”
- Expositors Bible Commentary on Bible Hub
- Video Overview of 1 Samuel 15: ReConnect Sunday School
Map for Context: From Bible History Online
Discussion Question Option Based on the Biblical Text
1 Samuel 15:7-9
- Identify the compromises made by Saul. How were these expressions of arrogance?
- How is partial obedience an expression of arrogance?
- What would have been the harm in keeping the best animals and preserving the life of Agag?
- Why was it wrong?
- What makes settling for partial obedience so tempting? In what ways could a believer exclude the “best” from his or her obedience to God? (PSG, p. 65)
- How did Saul respond when confronted with his sin? Did he display humility or arrogance? Did he ever “come clean” regarding his sin?
- How would you rate the way Samuel approached Saul and his sin? What could you learn from Samuel regarding talking to someone about their sin?
- What makes confronting someone about his or her disobedience a challenge? What risks are involved when confronting someone? What risks are involved when we don’t confront someone? (PSG p. 66)
- Why did God desire Saul’s obedience over his sacrifice? What were Saul’s motives for the sacrifice? Do you think he really intended to make a sacrifice with the animals before getting called out for his sin?
- Why does God desire our obedience over sacrifice?
- How do people today demonstrate that they believe sacrifice is more important than obedience? (i.e. giving money for missions without ever considering going on a mission trip.)
- Review your life, looking for areas of partial obedience. What actions do you need to take to complete your obedience to God? (PSG, p. 70)
- Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. (1 Samuel 13:1)
- From a secular standpoint Saul was ideally equipped to be king; he was regal in appearance, had a demonstrated capacity to protect Israel’s material interests by devising and executing successful military strategies, and enjoyed popular support. However, Saul and his kingship were fatally flawed and doomed to failure.
- The reason for Saul's failure was multi-faceted: (1) The king was a spiritual rebel against the Lord’s word; (2) Saul rejected the divine word which was expressed through active disobedience, and supplemented the divine word with additional authoritative instruction.
- Saul established a pattern of disobedience and poor judgment from which he would not deviate.
- As a result, his dynasty would cease upon his death.
Enjoy this week's study with your group!
