When Relationships are Strained. For His Glory. Pt 3

Read 1 Samuel 24

• What do you notice?
• What stands out to you?
• What observations or questions does this passage raise?

Discuss:

David and Saul have been in conflict for a number of years, originated by Saul after David becomes more well-regarded and popular than Saul, triggering Saul's insecurities.

• Have you been in a tense or unpredictable relationship over a long period of time?
• How did this affect you personally and internally, and how did it influence your other relationships?
• What were you able to do to help you in that situation, and what were you able to do to try and resolve it?

Both David and Saul have a group of men following them, "on their side" of the conflict between them.

• How can this increase the pressure in the situation?
• How can this affect what people choose as their attitude or admit as their part?
• Have you ever had to take a risk, not just for yourself, but on behalf of and affecting other people? How does this change the experience?
• How does David address Saul to try and resolve the conflict?
• What is Saul's response?
• How would this have looked to the men following them?

The crisis in the passage is averted, but Saul and David go their separate ways, rather than returning to the palace together.

• What does this tell us about the big picture of the relationship?

We see Jesus in similarly strained relationships and even outright conflict in the Gospels.

• What does Jesus say our response should be to people who persecute us, or are our enemies, or who reject or betray us? What does He demonstrate?
• Are there any 'live' conflict situations or strained relationships in your life that you need to apply this to afresh?

Pray: for our conduct in conflict and strained relationships (resolved or not) to glorify God.