Life Group Northwest Indiana - A Young Adults Small Group in Northwest Indiana

The Gospel of Saul Christ - 1 Samuel 31

He had been a thorn in their side too long. There had been other opportunities to kill him in the past but those attempts had failed. Finally they had killed the messiah. Of course, I'm talking about the Philistines killing Saul. Naturally, some may be confused at the point. In today's lesson, we'll learn that the word "anointed" in the OT means "messiah." In the NT, Christ means anointed, messiah, or king. Saul was certainly not a type of Christ, but as scholar Michael Halsted teaches, Saul was a messiah, an anointed one. While the Philistines celebrated the death of Israel's messiah, they opened the door for David to become king, and for the prophesied line of Judah to take the throne. God even uses the wicked to accomplish His will, whether they know it or not. Today, we are to publish or proclaim the gospel or the good news of our Messiah, our LORD Jesus Christ!

How Do You Respond To Grace? - 1 Samuel

A few studies back, our lesson was on "How Do We Respond To Evil?" In that study, Nabal had treated David foolishly, causing David to seek revenge. Had it not been for God's grace and the wisdom of a woman, David would have placed a permenant blot on his record. In today's study, we'll cover chapters 29 and 30 of 1 Samuel. In chapter 29, David finds himself in a dilemma of his own making. He had fooled Achish too well. Achish needed David at his side; but the lords of the Philistines would not have the giant killer at their side in battle. So David was sent home, away from the war and away from the possibility of fighting Israel and taking part in the death of Saul. As they arrived back at Ziklag, they found their town burnt to the ground and their families taken. David's men were out for blood; David's blood. What does David do? In today's study we'll see David turn back to God and see how David responds to God's grace. Will he keep God's grace for himself?

How We Fall For Flawed Reason - 1 Sam 27:1 -28:2

It is safe to say that God does not inform the believer of every action he should take. From the moment he wakes up, he is making decisions. We can say we don't ask God what exact outfit to wear, or what coffee creamer to use, or what type toothpaste is best. God does expect His disciples to use godly wisdom, Scripture, prayer, and discernment to make decisions throughout his day, while yielding to any moment he or she feels God is speaking clearly. But oftentimes we fail to include these guardrails in our decision making. We may often reason to ourselves and use conventional wisdom instead of wisdom from above. In today's study, we'll find David use his own reason to come to a conclusion that was not right in God's eyes. In our study, we'll discuss some ways we might also make the same mistake using our own reasoning.

How Do You Respond To Evil - 1 Samuel 25

In last week's study, we saw David at a high point. He refused to take the shortcut of killing Saul, discerning the situation as a test. Chapter 26 shows David in a similar situation and with a similar result. David will not raise his hand against God's anointed, even when it is what some might think is best for him, or what other's think God was doing in his life. But sandwiched between these high points is a story that, had it not been for the grace of God and a wise woman, David might have committed an act that could disqualify him from becoming king. While David would never raise a finger against the king, God's anointed, he has no problem wiping out an entire household over a slight. David is a respector of persons. So today's study discusses how we fall into the same trap. The real question to ask ourselves is "Why? Why might we be a respector of persons?" Join us as we discuss this and more!

How to Discern When What Seems Good is Within Our Grasp - 1 Samuel 24

In today's study, we'll see David presented with a test. This test is unique in that it offers David something that seems good. David has been chased for years by Saul and his men. Saul receives intel that places David in the area of the caves of Engedi. David and men are forced into hiding in the caves and as God would have it, Saul walks in, alone, into the same cave David and his men are hiding. David's men see this moment as God's working in David's life. They see it as good. All their running can be over. In this podcast, we'll discuss how David saw this as a test and how he discerned why it wasn't good but actually evil.