May 14, 2023 | Travis Cook

Sermon Response Guide

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: 
1 Samuel 2:1-10 ESV

1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
    my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
    for there is none besides you;
    there is no rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
    and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
    for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
    against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    he will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Key Points

  • Crisis forges new affections for those who suffer through the crisis with us.
  • Afflictions are the arena in which God reminds us:
    1) Who God is
    2) How great God is
    3) How much God loves us
    4) How much God cares for us
    5) How much God grieves with us

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
-1 Samuel 2:2 ESV

Questions for Reflection

Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:

1: Looking back, when have you experienced God suffer through a crisis with you?

  • Would you say you came out of that crisis more in love with God than when you walked into it? Why do you think that is?

2: Why do you think Christ-followers are not immune from crisis?

  • What hope do we have as Christ-followers in the midst of crisis?

3: What is it about our afflictions that enables us to get to know God better?

4: What crisis are you suffering right now?

  • Where have you been searching for rescue?
  • What would it look like for you to trust in Jesus as your rescue?

5: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?

  • How will you respond?
  • Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?

Pray

Lord, we are weighed down by our afflictions. We confess we doubt your goodness and your greatness when we believe this is all there is and ever will be. Thank you for suffering with us through it all. Thank you for showing us more of who you are when we need you most. Thank you for writing a better story – even when we can’t see it. Help us believe you and bless your name before we receive the promise.

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