Of Fools and Faith

How we treat God says an awful lot about us. What is your life saying? Join us this Sunday at CrossWinds Church in Spencer as we consider the answer from 1 Samuel 4.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Consider this statement: “What you think about when you think of God is the most important thing about you.” What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree?
2. What is one highlight from the sermon and one question that you had after hearing the sermon?
3. Read Psalm 14:1. What is the Bible’s definition of a fool? What are some ways that we live as though God does not exist?
4. Read 1 Samuel 4:1–4. Who defeats the Israelites at Aphek? Why? (read Judges 2:11–15; Judges 10:6–7; Judges 13:1)
5. Read Deuteronomy 28:15, 25. According to these verses, why does God defeat Israel at Aphek? 
6. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What would have been the proper response of the people when they were defeated at Aphek? Why is regular self-examination a crucial part of the Christian life?
7. The Israelites try to control and manipulate God into doing their will rather than walking the hard road of repentance and obedience. What are some ways that we attempt to control or manipulate God into doing what we want?
8. Discuss the following statement from the sermon: “when we attempt to control God or manipulate him to do what we want, he’s not the true king—we are.”
9. This Time Tomorrow: How does this passage transform your thoughts, actions, or interactions at this time tomorrow?