Big Idea: Fear is the enemy of faith.

            1 Samuel 21:1

In fear, we often:

• lie and isolate.

                        1 Samuel 21:2-4, 7-9

• turn to the wrong places for help.

                        1 Samuel 21:10-13

• make decisions we come to regret.

                        1 Samuel 22:6-13, 16, 18-22

            1 John 4:18

Message Questions

We’re in a year-long journey through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, tracing the rise, reign, and legacy of Israel’s most famous king. We’ll see the story of how God works through real people with real flaws to accomplish his purposes. This week we are in 1 Samuel 21-22, and the big idea is: Fear is the enemy of faith. 

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. Have someone read 1 Samuel 21:1-3. When David is confronted by Ahimelech, his first instinct is to create a cover story. Why does fear so often drive us to lie or isolate ourselves from others, and what do we lose when we refuse to be honest about our vulnerability?
2. Have someone read 1 Samuel 21:8-10. David takes the sword of Goliath and flees to Gath—the giant's own hometown. How does this moment illustrate the sermon's point that fear leads us to turn to the wrong places for help, and what are some "wrong places" people typically turn to today when they feel insecure?
3. Have someone read 1 Samuel 21:12-13 and 1 Samuel 22:22. In Gath, David pretends to be a madman, and later he realizes his actions contributed to a tragedy at Nob. When we look at these passages, how do we see fear causing a "snowball effect" of decisions we eventually regret?
4. The sermon highlighted that fear is the enemy of faith. What is one specific situation you are facing right now where you feel tempted to take matters into your own hands, and how can you grow in your ability to trust God's character instead of your own schemes?
5. Have someone read 1 John 4:18. Knowing that "perfect love drives out fear," how can you go and demonstrate that kind of sacrificial love to someone this week who is struggling with anxiety, using your own faith to help them find peace?