Big Idea: God meets us in the place where we hit rock bottom.

            1 Samuel 27:1

Rock bottom usually comes after bad luck and bad choices.

            1 Samuel 27:2, 28:1-2

On our way to rock bottom, often we push God away.

            1 Samuel 29:6a

Even while we push God away, he still pursues us with his grace.

            1 Samuel 30:4, 6

What does God do when he meets us at rock bottom?

1. He teaches us to rely on him.
2. He grows our gratitude.
   1 Samuel 30:23
3. He uses us to bless others.
   1 Samuel 30:26

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 27, 29-30, and the big idea is: God meets us in the place where we hit rock bottom.

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 27:1-2 and 1 Samuel 28:1-2. After years of running, David convinces himself that he will eventually be "swept away" by Saul and flees to the Philistines—the enemies of Israel. How do David's own words reveal that rock bottom is often reached through a combination of "bad luck and bad choices" rather than a lack of God's protection?
2. Have someone read 1 Samuel 29:6 and 1 Samuel 30:3-4. While David is living among the Philistines and even agreeing to be the king’s bodyguard, we see a pagan king ironically swearing "As the Lord lives.” How does this show that even when we are pushing God away or hitting our lowest point, he is still pursuing us with his grace?
3. Have someone read 1 Samuel 30:6-8. When David’s town is burned and his own men talk of stoning him, he is in an extremely difficult position. Instead of making another independent decision, how does David’s "finding strength in the Lord" mark a turning point in how he relies on God to navigate the crisis?
4. In 1 Samuel 30:21-23, David stops his men from being greedy, reminding them that their success was a gift the Lord gave them. How can you grow in gratitude this week by identifying "plunder" or blessings in your life that you’ve treated as your own achievement rather than God's protection?
5. Based on David’s decision in 1 Samuel 30:26 to send gifts to the elders of Judah, how can you go and use a recent difficult experience or rock-bottom moment to bless and encourage someone else who is currently struggling?