Runaway Donkeys and a Reluctant King

God is at work in every facet of our lives, from the largest to the smallest. How is God accomplishing his eternal plans through the "meaningless" and "mundane" of your life? Join us this Sunday at CrossWinds Church in Spencer as we consider the answer from 1 Samuel 9–10.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Using your own words, what is providence? Why is providence an essential doctrine of the Christian faith, especially when your life may not make sense?
2. What is one highlight from the sermon and one question that you had after hearing the sermon?
3. What are some ways that 1 Samuel 9–10 show the character flaws of Saul? What are some ways that we see these flaws appear in Saul’s reign?
4. Read 1 Samuel 9:15–17. In these verses, we are given insight on how God is using the seemingly random events of 9:1–14 to accomplish his purposes. God often doesn’t give us this insight and if he does, it is typically much later. Have you ever seen God’s providential hand at work in your life?
5. Read 1 Samuel 9:15–17. What does these verses tell us about the character of God? Why is this essential to rightly understand providence?
6. Read 1 Samuel 10:17–19. How does Israel reject God in choosing a king? How does this point us to the Easter story?
7. Read Mark 11:11; Psalm 118:25–26. What should we expect from Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? What actually happens? How does Palm Sunday give us confidence in the providence of God?
8. This Time Tomorrow: What are some ways that you will consider the “eternal plan of God” this week leading up to Easter?