The Town Church / Fort Collins

This Easter Sunday, we celebrate what Paul identified as a message of first importance: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although we know this event is difficult to believe, we can still rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the promise it brings for eternity.

This week, we unpack two big words that were highlighted in the sermon: rejection and regret. How should we wrestle with the idea of rejection and the reality of our sin as Christians? What does "regret" really mean in this context? Who has the best joke? Let us know! 

1 Samuel 15 is a heavy passage that ends with God's rejection of Saul as king. It reveals just how deeply God hates sin, and it challenges us to consider our own view of sin and how that impacts our view of God Himself. 

What are things we personally seek for security and peace of mind? Where do we see Saul's shortcomings as a leader in this passage? This week, we answer these questions and more as we dive a bit deeper into 1 Samuel 13 and 14 (or, in Eric's words, 1 Samuel 8, chapters 13 and 14). 

In 1 Samuel 13-14, Saul's shortcomings as king come to life, reminding us that earthly leaders will always end up falling short. Despite these things, this passage also reminds us that God's presence will always be with His people. What things are we seeking for security and peace of mind? How does the failure of these things to satisfy us point us back to God? 

Today we unpack some of the main points from yesterday's sermon and examine patterns we've seen throughout 1 Samuel. Why is it significant that Samuel continues to remind the people that they sinned against God by demanding a king? How can our hearts shift toward being grieved by our sin and not just the consequences of that sin? Why must we remain steadfast in our faithfulness to God? AND: What is Eric's favorite ice cream/syrup flavor? 

1 Samuel 11-12 reminds us that we do have an enemy who is trying to steal our affections and allegiance away from God. However, we also have a Savior who restores us and brings us back to the Lord. What is our response to God's faithfulness to deliver us? How can we truly be faithful to Him? 

Today, we wrestle through our own tensions surrounding God's plan to instate Saul as Israel's king. While we see many flaws in Saul's character, we also know that he is one of the many imperfect people the Lord has used to carry out His perfect plans. Additionally, we hit on ways we have seen God reshape our own hearts both in the past and the present. BONUS: Eric gets usurped from his hosting role!!

1 Samuel 9 and 10 introduce us to Saul, God's first chosen king for Israel. Although the events of this passage seem random, we know that they are all pieces of God's plan to appoint a king. How do we see God directing us toward His plans in our own lives? How is He changing our hearts to prepare us for what He has before us? 

How have we demanded things of God like Israel did? What was the outcome when He provided those requests? What things are we currently longing for that the Spirit brought to mind through yesterday's sermon? Bonus: in a wild turn of events, Eric fails to answer today's intro question!

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel grows tired of the system of judges that God had set in place and demand a king. Their dissatisfaction challenges us to consider ways we may be discontent with our own lives and how that can impact our view of God. 

Today, the conversation on coincidences and the sovereignty of God continues. Do we view everyday occurrences in our own lives as under God's control? What specific ideas from these three chapters convicted our own hearts? This episode begs the question: will Eric ever try pogo sticking again? 

Does anything happen by coincidence? These chapters in 1 Samuel reveal God's providential hand in all things -- for His glory and for the good of His people. 

What are we expecting from God in each of our lives? How do we move forward when we feel defeated? Our discussion of 1 Samuel 4 brings about these questions, as well as recognition of God's sovereignty and His faithfulness to do all He has promised. TIP: don't keep your leftovers as long as Betty so you don't end up like her. 

This week's passage challenges us to remember that God's plans are sovereign, even when they don't play out in ways we expect or desire.

We are reminded this week of how vital the Word of God is to the life of the Christian. How do we personally engage with Scripture? What does it look like to remain in the Word even in seasons where it is more exhausting than fruitful? How have we sensed God speaking to us in our own lives?  

We live in a world where the truth of God has been abandoned, and the absence of God feels as real as it did in the opening verses of 1 Samuel 3. However, we know God desires to be known, and He graciously gives us the means to know Him. Where do we find our own hearts as we exist in this culture? How can we seek God's presence through His Word?  

Today, we flesh out some harder topics from yesterday's sermon and consider how the passage struck each of us individually. ALSO: Eric uses "flesh out" correctly in a sentence! 

This week's passage contrasts the rebellion of Eli and his sons with the righteousness of Samuel and his family. How does God respond to unrepentant hearts? What hope can we find in the midst of a dark story? 

This week we flesh out some big questions from the passage, including the Lord's role in closing Hannah's womb, her heart behind her prayer, and...polygamy?