Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. How important ...

Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. How important is perspective in life? Is it accurate to say that having the right perspective is thinking correctly about the world and your life, and having the wrong perspective is thinking wrongly or inaccurately? Explain your answer. a. What is your natural perspective on life in times of crisis and trial. How is this natural perspective an accurate and true reflection of life, and how is it wrong? b. Romans 12:2 teaches us “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” What does this mean? How are we transformed by the renewing of our mind? 2. In chapters 19-21 David is self-absorbed, running from person to person seeking help, all the while oblivious to the harmful impact that his actions were having on others. Then in chapters 22 and 23 hundreds of hurting people are flocking to David for help, and he is putting himself at risk to save others. Nothing changed in David’s circumstances between chapters 21 and 22, but everything changed about David’s life. What were the key factors in this radical transformation? 3. It is striking to realize how many Psalms (34, 56, 57, 142) that David wrote at this point in his life. If David was transformed by a different perspective on his life and circumstances, this suggests that the first step in embracing that transforming perspective was focusing on and worshipping God. a. Do you think David felt like worshipping God at this point in life? Why or why not? To what degree should our worship of God be driven by our desire (or feelings), or obligation, and/or our need? Explain your answer. b. Can we have a right perspective on life without focusing on and worshipping God? Why or why not? 4. In his message, Pastor Mike said that in difficult times it is natural for us to come to God in prayer with prayers that focus on telling God; We inform him about the problem, and then explain to him what we are sure He needs to do to fix the problem. a. Do you agree that this is our natural tendency in difficult times? Looking back at your own life, is this what you have done? Reflect on your answer. b. Do these type of prayers reveal a practical disbelief in the love and/or sovereignty of God? Why or why not? c. How should we pray when we are overwhelmed with crisis and trials in our lives? How should we pray when we question or even doubt God’s love and/or sovereign control, or when we don’t understand why he would allow some crisis in our lives? 5. In 1st Samuel 19-21 we see that in the midst of his crisis, David was overwhelmed by his problems and became totally self-absorbed, unconcerned about the problems of other people or how his actions hurt them. In chapters 22-23 he is totally focused on helping other people. a. Do you agree that all of us have a natural tendency to become self-absorbed in times of crisis and trial? Why or why not? If so, how can we defend ourselves against this? b. How important is it to change our perspective and focus on both seeing and meeting other people’s needs for us to become healthy in our times of crisis?

c. If we are overwhelmed by our own needs, practically how can we give to other people and meet their needs?