Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights

1 Samuel

The Useful Servant

Introduction:

Characteristics of a Useful Servant: (1 Samuel 3:10-21)

  1. A Useful Servant: is Submissive to God's Word. (1 Sam 3:10-14)
  2. A Useful Servant: Truthfully Speaks God's Word. (1 Sam 3:15-18)

    Proverbs 30:56 - "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

  1. A Useful Servant: is Blessed by God's Word. (1 Sam 3:19-21)

Steps we can take when Declining in Usefulness:

  1. Step Away
  2. Step Up

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Samuel 3:10-21

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Why do you think Eli didn’t fully submit to God’s instruction?

  3. In what areas are you lacking useful servitude to God and how can you be better?

  4. What are some ways you’ve seen God’s blessings in your life when serving Him faithfully?

  5. Step away vs Step up… when should each approach be used? Specifically to Step Up, what are some examples of doing this?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

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Saul: Disobedience.

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Introduction / Review:

4 Big Problems with Disobedience (1 Samuel 15:1-23)

  1. It is always Unacceptable . (1 Sam 15:1-9)
  2. It Grieves God and His people. (1 Sam 15:10-11)

    Ephesians 4:30 - do not grieve the Holy Spirit

    John 14:15 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

  1. It is a Gateway to more sin. (1 Sam 15:12-21)

    2. The Disobedience Gateway Leads Me To:

    1. Exalt myself (1 Sam 15:12)
    2. Deceive myself (1 Sam 15:13,19)
    3. Shift Blame away from myself (1 Sam 15:15,21,24)
    4. Justify myself (1 Sam 15:15, 21)
  2. It is the same as Idolatry to God. (1 Sam 15:22-23)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23

  1. What place does obedience have in the life of a Christian, since a Christian is not saved by obedience (or "stays saved" by obedience)? How would you respond to someone who says, "Christians aren't called to obey, we are saved by grace!"?

  2. Why is disobedience like divination (1 Sam 15:23)? Like idolatry? Does this change the way you view your own sin?

  3. Why do you think disobedience grieves God? See Ephesians 4:30.

  4. Share a time you did something wrong and blamed someone else? Why is that such a "natural" inclination?

BREAKOUT

Do you have any area of disobedience in your life right now? How does Saul's story motivate you to change? How will you go after turning your disobedience into obedience? 
Pray for one another.