1.Have there been times when you broke a rule but knew that God wanted you to do it?

2.If you were going to sum up the heart of Saul versus the heart of David in one sentence what would it be?

3.Do you think the choices David made in this chapter were the best choices, under the circumstances? If not, what should he have done differently?

4.How do you guard your own heart?

1.If you grew up in a dysfunctional environment, who helped you stay grounded?

2Who helps you see past your blind spots?

3.When did someone have your back when you needed it most?

4.Do you think Jonathan should’ve just bailed on his dad and teamed up with David? What are positive and negative arguments for that choice?

5.What does Jesus being your friend mean to you?

1.How much dysfunction was there in your family growing up?

2.What family do you know that really seems to exemplify healthy function?

3.Have you ever found yourself enabling someone?

4.What helps you create more healthy interactions with others in your life?

5.Are you more likely to be like Saul or like his enablers?

1.When has someone else’s success bugged you? How did you handle it?

2.Have you ever let jealousy make you irrational?

3.What have you had a hard time accepting, once it happened?

4.How have you celebrated the success of others?

5.What makes you feel over-the-hill?

1.What is your favorite part of the David and Goliath story?

2.How do you think David’s brothers looked at him after this victory?

3.Have you ever lost a battle that you expected to easily win?

4.Have you ever won a battle you didn’t think you could win? What was your strategy?

5.What giants are you facing in your life now? What are the preparation and strategies you are using, and what are you doing to enhance your courage and faithfulness?

1.Have you ever had a really humbling task that turned out to be a blessing?

2.How do you try to look beneath the surface with people?

3.What do people see in you if they don’t get past the surface?

4.What positive role does music play in your life?

1.How do you feel about God ordering the Amalekites to be destroyed?

2.Have you ever felt regret and mixed emotions after doing the right thing?

3.Why does leadership so easily destroy people?

4.Do you think Samuel felt sorry for Saul?

5.What was the hardest obedience you’ve ever done?

1.Was there ever a time when playing it safe caused you to miss out on something exciting?

2.What risky ventures are you contemplating now?

3.Who inspires you in the way they go for it?

4.What energizes you?

5.What about Jonathan inspires you most?

1.Growing up, when was a time you wanted to run away from home?

2.What would you say is the message of this story?

3.What do you suppose Jonah was thinking as he fled to Tarshish?

4.What have you found most often keeps you from doing something you believe God wants you to do?

1.Can you share a time in your life when you had a difficult situation and you “trusted in the Lord with all your heart”?

2.Share a time in your life when you faced adversity and did not “trust in the Lord with all your heart” what happened?

3.Do you find it easy or difficult to “lean on your own understanding”? Explain to the group your answer.

4.How often during the course of your day do you “in all your ways acknowledge God”? Do you have to think about it, or does it come naturally? Do you struggle with this or is it just part of your daily routine?

5.During the course of your walk with Jesus do you see Him “directing your paths”? If so, please explain to the group.

6.If you find “trusting in the Lord” difficult, what is keeping you back from doing this? Is it something you think you can work on? Please explain to the group.