Sermon Recap
This week’s message contrasted Saul’s life of flailing with David’s life of following God. Saul was a man who never built a close relationship with God, rarely sought His guidance first, and acted out of fear, pride, and self-reliance. When God didn’t respond the way Saul wanted, he took matters into his own hands—even doing things God had clearly forbidden. His story shows the danger of treating God as a last resort or as someone who exists only to give us what we want. Without intimacy and trust in God, Saul’s life spiraled into disobedience, insecurity, and destruction.
David’s story shows a very different way. While David was far from perfect, his heart was devoted to God. He waited on God’s timing, submitted to authority even when it was hard, endured suffering without losing faith, and resisted temptation at times—though he also fell into sin at others. The difference was in his response: when David sinned, he repented fully, trusted in God’s grace, and returned to obedience. His life reflected a deep trust that God’s ways were best, even in hard seasons. Because of that relationship, David could say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23).
The big lesson for us is that God does not want us to live like Saul—flailing, self-reliant, and treating Him like a backup plan. He wants us to live like David—following Him closely, seeking Him first, and trusting Him in every circumstance. Following God may involve waiting, submission, endurance, and resisting temptation, but it leads to a life that is abundant, secure, blessed, and eternal. God shows us both Saul’s failure and David’s faithfulness so we can choose the better way: to follow Him wholeheartedly and bring Him glory in our lives.
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
1 Samuel 28:3-20
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Psalm 23
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
In what areas of life are you most tempted to “flail” like Saul—relying on yourself or making God your last resort?
What does David’s example teach us about trusting God’s timing, even when His answers seem slow?
How can repentance, like David’s, change the course of our lives after we’ve made wrong choices?
Which part of Psalm 23 encourages you most in your current season of life, and why?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing me the lessons from Saul and David. I don’t want to live my life flailing in fear or self-reliance. Teach me to follow You wholeheartedly, to seek You first, and to trust Your timing in all things. When I fall short, give me a heart like David’s—quick to repent, eager to return to You, and ready to walk in obedience. Help me to wait on You, submit to Your will, and glorify You in every part of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Life Application
Seek God First: This week, commit to taking your needs, worries, and decisions to God before you seek advice from others, research online, or make your own plans.
Practice Waiting: Identify one area where you’re impatient with God’s timing. Each day, pray for patience and surrender that situation to Him, asking for His will to be done instead of your own.
Don’t Forget!
Night of Worship & Prayer Sept 7th @ 6:00pm
Additional Resources
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