Part 1: A Pure Heart is Boldly Courageous |  03/03/19

Study Questions

1.  Do you think that society's increased comfort with being honest about who we are can result in us also becoming comfortable with being less bold than what God wants us to be?  Why/why not?

2.  Read 1 Samuel 16:11.  David's story includes overcoming family wounds and unfulfilled dreams and disappointments - he was considered 'small, insignificant and unimportant' by his family, and after being anointed as a teenager he didn't become king until he was thirty.  As you reflect on your life, how has your boldness been affected by your experiences?

     a)  Think of a time when you lived your faith most boldly.  What caused your boldness?

3.  Read 1 Samuel 17:8-11, 26, 37.  What are you most fearful of?  What compels you more - the fear of those things, or your love of God?  Why?

4.  Read 1 Samuel 13:14.  The words 'after his own heart' refer to our 'inner heart' and means 'the seat of courage'.  Purity has the idea of integrity with no mixed motives.  Think of a time when you lacked integrity or were afraid to act because you had mixed motives (an impure heart).  Looking back, what would you have done differently and how could it have had different consequences?

5.  Read Romans 8:7-11, 26.  What are the two different ways of living described in these verses?  What specific choice do these verses encourage us to make, and how do we make it? 

6.  Read 1 Samuel 17:37.  What's going on in your life right now where you need to believe that "God will help me do this"?

     a)  What can you remember that God has done in your life in the past to encourage your confidence in God?

     b)  What verse could you use to memorize or post somewhere that would give you encouragement?

7.  Read Psalm 1:3 and 119:9-11.  What can you do to develop a pure, single minded heart that will give you the courage to overcome and live boldly despite your past?

Part 2: A Faithful Heart is Boldly Persistent  |  03/10/19

Study Questions

1.  Share a time in your life when you lost hope in a situation, or your ability to get through it.

     a) How did your faith impact you during that time?

2.  During the events of 1 Samuel chapters 18 to 26, what are some of the ways that David’s faith in God’s protection impacted his fears?

3.  How does your fear overcome your faith?

     a) Read Psalm 34:4-6, Philippians 4:6-8, Romans 8:31-39.

          i) How could these truths help you live boldly instead of giving in to fear?

4.  David lost a spiritual mentor in the prophet Samuel, then lost favor with his men and it rocked him.  What does a bold life look like during discouraging times?

5.  What practical things could you put in place to make sure you persevere and stand strong during tough times?

6.  As a group, pray for each person in your group.  Pray specifically for their fears, encouragement and life needs.  Pray for boldness and faith.  Try praying scripture over them.

Part 3: A Tested Heart is Boldly Ambitious  |  03/17/19

Study Questions

1.  Read Galatians 4:18 and 1 Corinthians 12:31.  Do you think Christians should be ambitious?  Why/why not?

2.  Recall some of the times in David's life when he wrestled with the tension of wanting to take things into his own hands versus surrendering to God.

     a)  Think of a time when you've wrestled with this same tension.  What did you do?

     b)  What does the balance between obedient submission and ambitious action look like for you?

3.  Read Psalm 119:30-32.  What is the connection between our familiarity with God and His Word, and our bold ambition?

     a)  Could you describe yourself as able to 'run' in the paths of God's commands?  Why/why not?

4.  What vision do you have from God?  What would your life look like if you were boldly ambitious?

5.  Read Matthew 25:14-30.  What does God expect from us?

     a)  Are there any areas in your life where you think you're doing well but God might consider to be lazy and even wicked?

     b)  Is fear a factor in those areas?  If so, what insight does Psalm 119:105 bring to that situation?

6.  Pray and ask: what boldly ambitious step does God want you to take?

Part 4: A Humbled Heart is Boldly Confident  |  03/24/19

Study Questions

1.  Discuss the situations that lead to David’s failure.  What are some of the temptations in his story that you can identify with?

2.  Read  1 Corinthians 10:13.  How does this relate to us?  Discuss why we don’t always take the opportunities that God gives us to escape.

3.  Read 1 John 1:9.  What does it mean to be “cleansed from all unrighteousness”?  How does Romans 8:1-4 relate to you when you think about your failures?  What would you say to someone who felt that their sin was too bad for God to be able to forgive?

4.  Romans 7 describes Paul’s battle with his sinful nature and wanting to please God.  How does our awareness of our own sinfulness develop submission to God?   How might submission to God help us to accept responsibility for the consequences of our sin?

5.  God wants to bring redemption and resurrection to our situations after we have failed.   How might our failures fit into God’s biggest story?