Big Idea: God desires people who will worship him with obedience.

What does it mean to worship God?

            Revelation 4:11

            1 Samuel 15:1-3, 7-9

Partial obedience is disobedience.

            1 Samuel 15:10-12

Responding to failure with pride:

1. Blaming circumstances for our failures
2. Blaming others for our failures
3. Ignoring our failures

            1 Samuel 15:13-15, 19-23

Worship through obedience matters more to God than any ritual.

            1 Samuel 15:24, 27-29

How is God calling you to worship with obedience right now?

Resources

3/23/23 sermon: Does God Command Genocide? https://youtu.be/rYV4gfJiz1A

Book: The Skeletons in God’s Closet https://a.co/d/beiTc5u

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 14-15, and the big idea is: God desires people who will worship him with obedience.

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 15:1–9. Where do you see examples of Saul obeying God—and where do you see examples of him disobeying? What might partial obedience look like in your life?
2. Have someone read 1 Samuel 15:10–15. How does Saul respond when confronted about his disobedience? How do you tend to respond when someone lovingly points out a failure in your life?
3. Have someone read 1 Samuel 15:22–23. Why do you think God values obedience more than sacrifice? What’s one area of your life where obedience might be more difficult than religious activity?
4. Have someone read 1 Samuel 15:24–31. What do Saul’s words and actions reveal about what matters most to him? Are there moments when you’ve cared more about how others see you than how God sees you?
5. How can we grow from Saul’s failure by becoming people who value obedience over appearances? What would it look like to learn from Saul’s mistakes rather than repeat them in our own lives?
6. How can we go forward this week with a heart of obedience, not just sacrifice? What is one specific step of obedience God is calling you to take?