Samuel: The God Who Knows- Oct 25th, 2026

Israel demands a king—Samuel is aging and his sons are a mess and are not worthy of succeeding him. Israel then demands a king so they can be like other nations. Samuel is hurt and warns them that having a king will not be good for them. They demand a king anyway and God tells Samuel to let it happen. We should learn from their story and not desire conformity but allow God to lead us and tell us who we are. 1. Israel wanted a king so they could be like the nations around them. What are some ways we are tempted to conform to the world rather than trust God's direction for our lives? 2. Israel had legitimate concerns about Samuel's sons, but their proposed solution was wrong. How can we keep legitimate frustrations or fears from leading us to make unwise decisions? 3. God warned Israel about the consequences of having a king, but they insisted anyway. Why do we sometimes continue pursuing something even when we recognize it may not be God's best for us? 4. What is the difference between God allowing us to have something and God actually wanting it for us? How can we discern the difference? 5. Samuel was personally hurt by Israel's rejection, yet he continued faithfully delivering God's message. What can we learn from his response about remaining faithful when people disappoint or reject us? 6. Israel wanted to be like everyone else rather than embrace who God had called them to be. What does it look like practically to allow God to shape our identity rather than the culture around us?