Message 3: The Problem with Saul’s Armor

David: 1st & 2nd Samuel

By Dr Larry Osborne, January 22, 2022

The Problem with Saul’s Armor

Two Different Battle Plans

1 Samuel 17:32-40

Saul’s Goofy Battle Plan: Send out a dressed like a .

David’s Brilliant Battle Plan: Dress like a , fight like a .

SAUL’S ARMOR or DAVID’S SLINGSHOT?

Religion vs Relationship

AN IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

A personal relationship doesn’t mean a different set of .

It means a different way of .

John 14:15/ 1 John 2:3-5/ Ephesians 6:10-19

RELIGION vs RELATIONSHIP:

  1. One size vs No two are

Galatians 4:5-6/ 1 Corinthians 12:7-27

  1. A God vs A Father

1 Samuel 15:22/ Matthew 9:9-13

  1. Focused on the vs the
  • Values over CHARACTER

1 Corinthians 8:1/ 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

  • Turns into
  1. and vs and

Matthew 23:4/ Matthew 11:28-30

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Life Group Study Questions

For the week of January 23, 2022

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

  1. If you had the opportunity to be on any TV game show, past or present, which one would you most want to be on?

o Family Feud o Jeopardy o The Price is Right o Wheel of Fortune o Who Wants to be a Millionaire? o Deal or No Deal o Other ____________

  1. Larry talked about tools that can help us grow our relationship with God. Are there any tools you’ve used that have helped you to grow (popular tools include reading/listening to the Bible, prayer, journaling, Bible memorization, podcasts/online sermons, devotionals, time in nature, and solitude)?

Any tools you’ve used that you found weren’t helpful or you used for a while and then stopped using?

3. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. This weekend we heard that in contrast to Saul’s ill-fitting armor which David choose not to wear, there is armor that perfectly fits every believer so we are equipped to fight the spiritual battle. In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a Roman soldier suited up in full armor to help us understand the spiritual battle we face and the spiritual armor that is available to us. As you read through this passage…
  • Circle / highlight any words that are repeated more than once.
  • Underline any words or phrases talking about what we’re supposed to do to prepare for the spiritual battle
  • Put an X next to anything that confuses you.

(On digital notes, you can use the “your notes” section for this.)

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

What are you reminded of or what do you learn about the spiritual battle from this passage?

Can you think of any ways Christians experience the spiritual battle Paul talks about?

Pick two of the pieces of armor and jot down any thoughts you have on how each of them could help us live the Christian life?

Why do you think Paul ends this passage with such an emphasis on praying for one another?
  1. Jesus told a parable in Luke 18:9-14 about two men at the temple with very different attitudes concerning how they approached God. In what ways do you see the difference between religion and relationship reflected in these men?

Luke 18:9-14 (New International Version) – 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

How would you describe how each of these men related to God?

What would it be like to have these two men in your Life Group? How do you think they’d relate to everyone else in the group?

TAKING IT HOME

Larry mentioned four ways that religion differs from a personal relationship with Jesus. Which of the four is most important or most challenging for you to remember?

PRAYER REQUESTS

TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being in Life Group. Over the years we've found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines.

WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME - Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request either before prayer begins or during the prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it's covered, the group moves on to the next topic.

PRAY MORE THAN ONCE - Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray.

WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE - Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it's hard for the other members to stay focused and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.

COMMUNITY SERVICE IMPACT

Looking to serve with your Life Group? To check out all your options, go to NorthCoastCommunityService.org