ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE

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FOR THE WEEK OF

Sunday, April 2, 2023

1 Samuel 18:1-16

The self-sacrificial love of Christ is the only remedy for the jealousy that plagues our hearts.

Jealousy is not limited to high school dramas about boyfriends and girlfriends; it is rampant in our society as people want what others have. At the heart of the issue is a sense of entitlement; jealousy is motivated by a belief that we deserve something better than what we have. This attitude not only displays a lack of gratitude, it also is a challenge to the wisdom and provision of God.

Starting Out:
  1. How would you define the words “jealousy” and “envy”?
  2. What do you think prompts us to jealousy?
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-7:
  1. Given that Jonathan was first in line to the throne, how would you expect him to feel toward David?
  2. How were David and Saul received when they returned home from the war with the Philistines?
  3. Put yourself in Saul’s place. How would you have felt during this celebration?
Read 1 Samuel 18:8-16:
  1. Why do you think Saul became so fixated on David from this point forward?
  2. Have you ever found yourself jealously fixated on the success of others?
  3. When we are jealous of another, what does that jealousy reveal about what we believe about God?
Taking it Home:
  1. What are the areas in your life in which you can easily become jealous? How can you guard against jealousy in those areas?
  2. What are some practical ways we might grow to love seeing other people “get more and better” than they deserve?
Ways to Pray:
  • Adoration: Praise God for His sovereignty and wisdom, recognizing that He is in control of all situations.
  • Contrition: Confess any feelings of envy or jealousy that you might be struggling with.
  • Thankfulness: Thank God for His provision and blessings in your life, including the relationships and friendships that He has given you.
  • Supplication: Ask for the wisdom to discern the difference between healthy ambition and harmful jealousy.
Additional Scriptures to Engage with this week:
  • Psalm 49
  • James 3:13-18
  • Ecclesiastes 4
  • Proverbs 14:26-35
  • 1 Timothy 6:2-19
  • Philippians 1:12-26