Breaking Ground
Whose advice do you tend to accept most readily? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Good King/Bad King by exploring the story of Ahab, King of Israel.
Begin by reflecting on constructive criticism.
How do you tend to respond to constructive criticism or being challenged when you’re in the wrong? Are there specific people or ways of receiving criticism that make you more or less open to hearing it?
Next, read 1 Kings 16:29-33 & 1 Kings 22:1-27. As stated in chapter 16, Ahab is considered one of the worst Kings in Israel’s history. Beyond embracing idolatry & rampant greed, he also was notorious for ignoring, rejecting, imprisoning, & even trying to murder God’s Prophets (that is, the messengers that God sent to challenge & call His People to change course when they’d gone astray). Ultimately, this leads Ahab to his downfall.
Why does Ahab refuse to listen to God’s Prophets? What doesn’t he like about what they say? What does he want to hear from those around him?
What do you think produces Ahab’s arrogance, denial, & pride? How are such postures naturally self-destructive in the end?
Close by reflecting on how Ahab’s story might speak to us today.
Identify a time when you were in the wrong & someone tried to challenge or speak truth to you, but you refused to listen. What happened? What did they say? Why didn’t you listen? What did refusing to listen cost you?
Identify a time when you were in the wrong & you did accept someone else’s constructive criticism or challenge. What happened? What did they say? Why did you listen? How did listening help you heal or grow?
What can you learn from Ahab’s story & the two experiences you identified? Where do you need to be more open to constructive criticism? Who is someone you can trust & seek out for that kind of loving, constructive, prophetic truth-speaking in this season of your life?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read 1 Kings 16-22. Make note of any repeated themes, actions, or ideas that catch your attention.
- How would you describe King Ahab’s reign? What made him a bad king? How did he misuse the power & influence that God had given him?
- What lessons can we learn from Ahab’s reign? What mistakes should we avoid when exercising our own power & influence?
- Whose advice do you need to seek out & take in this season? How might this help you avoid making the same mistakes as Ahab?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, November 1st: Join us next week as we continue our series Good King/Bad King!
* Please see mye3.org for details.