Big Idea: When offense ignites your pain, God offers a better way. 

            1 Samuel 25:1, 6-8, 10-11

Responding with pride makes matters worse.

            1 Samuel 25:13, 22

Responding with vengeance results in more hurt.

            1 Samuel 25:17, 24-26, 30-31

Responding with wisdom and humility is Jesus’ way.

            1 Samuel 25:37-39

            Romans 12:17-19

Jesus is the greater David who covers our offense.

            1 Peter 2:23

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 25, and the big idea is: When offense ignites your pain, God offers a better way.

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 25:10-11, 13, 22. Nabal responds to David’s polite request with deep insult and pride, which immediately triggers David to "put on his sword.” Why is pride—both Nabal’s and David’s—such a dangerous catalyst for conflict, and how does David’s reaction illustrate the message’s point that responding with vengeance only results in more hurt?
2. Have someone read 1 Samuel 25:24-26, 30-31. Abigail steps in and takes the blame for a situation she didn’t cause in order to stop David from "participating in bloodshed.” How does her approach demonstrate the "wisdom and humility" mentioned in the message, and how does her focus on David's future "troubled conscience" change his perspective?
3. Have someone read 1 Samuel 25:37-39 and Romans 12.17-19. After David chooses to stand down, the Lord eventually "championed his cause" and struck Nabal dead. What is the difference between "leaving room for God’s wrath" and simply being passive, and why is it so difficult for us to trust that God "will repay" in his own way and timing?
4. The sermon highlights that when offense ignites our pain, God offers a better way. What is one specific offense you are currently holding onto, and how can you grow in your ability to "entrust yourself to the one who judges justly" instead of threatening those who hurt you?
5. Since Jesus is the "greater David" who did not insult in return when he suffered, how can you go and “live at peace with everyone" this week by choosing to cover an offense instead of avenging it, showing the world a different way to handle the heat?