Heart Over Hype: Calling and Insecurity

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: 1 Samuel 9.

overview

In this chapter we get our introduction to Saul who would become Israel’s first king. But before he is king, he is a son of an influential man from the tribe of Benjamin who has been sent by his father to go find some missing donkeys. After traveling for a few days, Saul is ready to give up and head back home. His servant knows of the Seer, Samuel, and suggests they find him and ask for directions. It’s notable to mention that Saul lived in the same region as Samuel, yet he did not know who Samuel was or that he lived in the area, showing his own ignorance on spiritual matters. From Saul’s perspective, this is just an exhausting week. From heaven’s perspective, every step has been ordered by God. 

question 1

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9). Share a time when you felt you were wandering along, exhausted, and ready to give up hope, and then you realized you were right where God wanted you to be. 

discussion

Read 1 Samuel 10. This chance meeting with Samuel changes Israel’s trajectory and most importantly Saul – a man who did not seem to care much about spiritual matters, but who ends up being chosen and equipped by God. God equips those he calls and provides the Holy Spirit to transform us for his purposes. God changed Saul’s heart, and he continues to change the hearts and minds of every person who steps into a relationship with Jesus. What hope for us! We are renewed and washed by the blood of Jesus and his Spirit dwells in us. We do not need to travel to find a Seer or a Pastor to give us wisdom, we need only ask the Holy Spirit in us to direct our steps and empower us to do the will of God. Don’t wait to obey God – trust in his provision and equipping for you.

question 2

God has a purpose for each of us – we are not all called to center stage, but we are called to minister in the areas God has us. Who or where has God led you lately, acting as his ambassador?

Read Ephesians 2:10. After such dramatic events, Saul goes back home and does not share any of it with his family. In fact, when Samuel comes to town to publicly proclaim him as king, Saul hides. How can a man God has chosen still try to hide? Because God’s calling does not automatically settle our identity, and we see Saul’s insecurity overtake him. For believers, we might have to take a stand against other people’s voices, the lies of the enemy, or our own doubts and insecurities and daily remind ourselves who God says we are, remind ourselves that he called us and equipped us – every single one of us! Memorizing Scriptures that tell us who God says we are as well as sharing our insecurities with others and receiving prayer will help us to build our confidence in the Lord and free us from our own hiding.      

question 3

Does anyone want to share your own journey from insecurity to confidence in God and in believing who he created you to be?

weekly application

If you are struggling with your own insecurities and doubt, look up Scriptures that tell us what God says about us. Consider memorizing a few of them, keep them on your phone, and every time an insecurity pops into your mind, replace it with God’s truth. God’s Word is Truth to live by.