1Sam17/ Leader's Guide 12/14/08

Small Group Leaders Guide December 14, 2008

Series: Go Big
Message: Surround Yourself with Big People
1Samuel 17

Relationship Review – This Sunday, we focused on relationships, who you surround yourself with. The following are questions to help you think through some of your past and present relationships

1. Who was influential in you coming to know Christ and/or your earlier years as a new believer? What about them made a difference?

• Help members identify what about the person made a difference. What is something they said, something they did, who they were? Is that a quality the group member is turning around and sharing with others?

2. Right now, who can you turn to for Godly advice and spiritual help?

3. Besides your immediate family, if you needed to call someone at 2:00 am in the morning to ask for help, who would it be?

4. Right now, is there believer that you’re investing in spiritually? Who? If not, who could that person be?

5. Right now, who is someone that you’re investing in, that doesn’t know Christ? If you don’t have someone, who could that person be?

• Help members to think through someone they can begin praying for, building a relationship with, reaching out to

Read the story of David’s men bringing him water in 2 Samuel chapter 23, verses 13-17.

1. Why do you think David shared his desire for a drink of water from this specific well out loud? Was he expecting someone to act on it or not?

2. Why do you think the men risked so much to get the water? Was it loyalty? bravery?

3. After all the work and risk they went through, why didn’t David drink the water?

• At first glance it may seem like a waste to take this gift that cost so much risk and pour it out, but David seems to do it out of respect for their sacrifice. It’s like when someone offers you a gift that is too much, don’t deserve it.

4. What does David’s response say about David?

5. In this story, David’s men went the extra mile for David? Can you share a story of when someone went the extra mile for you?

David’s Mighty Men - 2 Samuel 23 tells of David’s mighty men. On Sunday we looked at several of the stories.

1. Besides courage, are there other character qualities you see in this chapter?

2. David surrounded himself with people who were courageous. Are you facing a situation that requires courage? If so, share how God is helping you to face it?

Small Group Application – One of the goals of our small groups is to provide a setting for Christ-Centered Relationships to Develop.

1. What’s one thing your small group members could know about you, that could help them encourage you spiritually?

2. What’s one suggestion you could offer to improve the relationship building that happens in your small group?

Personal Application – Based on the relationship review above, are there steps you can take to strengthen an existing relationship or start up a new one?