Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

This week in The Story we examine “Chapter 11 – From Shepherd to King" that is part of the series entitled "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

Monday: Read Psalm 51. This is one of King David’s psalms of repentance. Circle the words of Psalm 51 that shows us God the FATHER’S grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.

Tuesday: Read Psalm 85. In this psalm the psalm writer (unknown) seeks God the FATHER’S mercy. Read the psalm through once completely then go back and pray the psalm with the psalm’s words being your words of prayer.

Wednesday: Read Psalm 18:1-11. In this psalm the writer shows us glimpses of God the KING. Underline the words and concepts that communicate God’s strength, power, and authority. What are two challenges in your life that need God the Kings attention? Lift these areas of life up to God in prayer.

Thursday: Read Psalm 71:1-8. In this psalm the psalm writer speaks of God the KING’S strength and protection. How does the writer depict God as King and what are some of His characteristics? Think of a time in your life when God was your refuge saving you from something bad. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving praising God for his protection.

Friday: Read 1 Samuel 17:45-48. Read Verse 48 two times. What battle line is God calling to? Each of us have a different battle line, but all of us have one. Sometimes when we see the line we run, sometimes we freeze, sometimes we run toward it. What is your stance toward the battle line God has placed in front of you? Look to God in prayer to give you strength in face of your battle line?

Saturday: Read Psalm 78:70-72. God led David from being a shepherd to being a king. While David’s family saw little in him, even when David was a shepherd God saw qualities that he knew a good king would need. David was fully engaged in caring for his sheep. He protected and rescued his sheep from danger. David, most importantly, was a man after God’s own heart. What are qualities that God has cultivated & grown in you that are needed for faithful service in God’s Kingdom?

The Bible passages covered in The Story includes: Chapter 12: 1 Samuel 11-12, 18-19; 1 Chronicles 22, 29; Psalms 23, 32, 51.

 Read 1 Samuel 3:19-21. What did God tell Samuel He was going to do to Eli’s family?

What are some possible reasons why Eli didn’t stop his sons from misusing their office?

Why was Eli’s failure to restrain his sons so serious?

 Read 1 Samuel 3:11-18. Samuel was probably 12 years old when God called him to be a prophet to Eli and all of Israel. He was required to speak the truth in love to his mentor and friend.

Have you ever been in this position?

What did you do and how was God present?

 Read 1 Samuel 3:8-10. How did Eli help Samuel know when he was hearing the voice of God?

How can you tell when God is speaking to you?

Who has helped you to be more faithful in listening to God?

How did that person help?

 This week in THE STORY we are in Chapter 10”Standing Tall, Falling Hard" which is part of a theme we call "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

Monday: Read 1 Samuel 3:8-10. How did Eli help Samuel know when he was hearing the voice of God? How can you tell when God is speaking to you? Who has helped you to be more faithful in listening to God? How did that person help?

Tuesday: Read 1 Samuel 3:11-18. Samuel was probably 12 years old when God called him to be a prophet to Eli and all of Israel. He was required to speak the truth in love to his mentor and friend. Have you ever been in this position? What did you do and how was God present?

Wednesday: Read 1 Samuel 3:19-21. What did God tell Samuel He was going to do to Eli’s family? What are some possible reasons why Eli didn’t stop his sons from misusing their office? Why was Eli’s failure to restrain his sons so serious?

Thursday: Read 1 Samuel 13:8-10. What had Samuel instructed Saul to do at Gilgal? What did Saul do instead? What did his lack of obedience to God’s command through Samuel show?  

Friday: Read 1 Samuel 13:11-14. Why do you think it was hard for Saul to admit to Samuel when he had disobeyed? Rate yourself from 1-10 on your ability to own up to your mistakes. What, in your life, is keeping you from admitting your mistakes and asking for forgiveness? Ask God for guidance.

Saturday: Read 1 Samuel 3:9. Pray the prayer Eli gives to Samuel. When do you listen/hear God best? What has God been saying to you as you read THE STORY? How are you responding to what He is saying?

If you would like to GO DEEPER than check out:

• The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels
• Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God  by Dallas Willard

The Bible passages covered in Chapter 10 of the Story are:  1 Samuel 1:1-2:2; 2:19-21; 3:1-4:18; 8:1-22; 9:1-6, 10, 14-21; 10:1-2, 5-7, 9, 17-26; 11:1-15; 12:1-2a, 12-25; 13:1-14; 15:1-4, 7-9.

Read Ruth 2:2-20. As you reflect on times of need in your life, when have you experienced divine providence and unexpected provision?

 Read Ruth 1:15-17. Neither Ruth nor Naomi had any reason to welcome each other as family.

Social acceptability said that Naomi had no business having a Moabite daughter- in -law, and Ruth had no business staying with Naomi.

When have you been tempted to follow the “socially acceptable” rules rather than doing the right thing?

More on: Moab, Ruth, and Naomi.

 Read Ruth 1:1-5. Look at these verses from Naomi’s point of view.

What is she experiencing?

When have you had a “Where is God?” moment?

What happened?

What did God do?

Who did He use (is He using) to be your unlikely hero?

This week in THE STORY from Chapter 9 entitled “The Faith of a Foreign Woman” examines:

Monday: Read Ruth 1:1-5. Look at these verses from Naomi’s point of view. What is she experiencing? When have you had a “Where is God?” moment? What happened? What did God do? Who did He use (is He using) to be your unlikely hero?

Tuesday: Read Ruth 1:15-17. Neither Ruth nor Naomi had any reason to welcome each other as family. Social acceptability said that Naomi had no business having a Moabite daughter- in -law, and Ruth had no business staying with Naomi. When have you been tempted to follow the “socially acceptable” rules rather than doing the right thing?

Wednesday: Read Ruth 2:2-20. As you reflect on times of need in your life, when have you experienced divine providence and unexpected provision?

Thursday: Read Ruth 3:9-11. The theme of redemption is found throughout this story. Compare Boaz’s redemption of Ruth and Naomi to how Christ has redeemed you.

Friday: Read Ruth 4:1-13. Faithful Boaz and Ruth were great-grandparents to King David; therefore, they were also in the line of the Messiah Jesus. Given Ruth wasn’t an Israelite, but a despised Moabite, what does that tell us about the lineage of the promised Messiah?

Saturday: Read Ruth 4:14-17. Consider the ways Naomi had been emptied. Now, how has she been filled? Describe some of the ways God has filled you. How are you using those gifts to fill others?

If you would like to Go Deeper then check out:

• The Gospel According to Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Curtis James
• Fisherman Bible Studies: Ruth—Relationships that Bring Life by Ruth Haley Barton

 Read Judges 6:16.In what ways are you being challenged to step out in faith, finding God’s strength and reassurance as you do so?

As you look at your life today and see (even seize) God’s presence with you, what gifts has God given you to use to serve Him?

What circumstances has He given you in which to use those gifts?

How are you using your gifts?