1 Samuel 9:1–2 (NLT) — 1 There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.
Symptoms of an insecure person:
- Origin Blamer
- 1 Samuel 9:20–21 (NLT) — 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” 21 Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”
- 1 Samuel 9:20–21 (NLT) — 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” 21 Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”
- Opportunity Misser
- 1 Samuel 10:20–23 (NLT) — 20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot. 21 Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the LORD, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! 22 So they asked the LORD, “Where is he?” And the LORD replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” 23 So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else.
- 1 Samuel 10:20–23 (NLT) — 20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot. 21 Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the LORD, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! 22 So they asked the LORD, “Where is he?” And the LORD replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” 23 So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else.
- Abandonment Fearer
- 1 Samuel 13:8–11 (NLT) — 8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.
- 1 Samuel 13:8–11 (NLT) — 8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.
- People Pleaser
- 1 Samuel 15:24 (NLT) — 24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.
- 1 Samuel 15:24 (NLT) — 24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.
- Jealous Watcher
- 1 Samuel 18:8–9 (NLT) — 8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
- 1 Samuel 18:8–9 (NLT) — 8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
- Paranoid Psycho
- 1 Samuel 22:7–8 (NLT) — 7 “Listen here, you men of Benjamin!” Saul shouted to his officers when he heard the news. “Has that son of Jesse promised every one of you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you all generals and captains in his army? 8 Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son—encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!”
- 1 Samuel 22:7–8 (NLT) — 7 “Listen here, you men of Benjamin!” Saul shouted to his officers when he heard the news. “Has that son of Jesse promised every one of you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you all generals and captains in his army? 8 Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son—encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!”
- Desperate Controller
- 1 Samuel 28:6–7 (NLT) — 6 He asked the LORD what he should do, but the LORD refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. 7 Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.” His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”
King Sized Lessons
The ancient kings of the Old Testament can each teach us meaningful lessons and Biblical truths on topics like wisdom, faithfulness, repentance, and worship. Join us as we explore the life of one of these kings in our series King Sized Lessons.
12 Part Series
All the files in the included packages below have been stripped of dates and church branding. Feel free to adjust, change, or tweak as needed. Include your own church logo or swap out the photos.
Full package also available on Dropbox.
Related: King Sized Lessons (Small Group Lesson Series)
Assets & Files
Part 1: Insecurities Ruin Destinies
A study of the deep-seated insecurities that plagued King Saul, a man chosen by God to lead His people and how through his insecurities, we uncover timeless truths about the human condition for validation and significance, and why we need to find confidence in Christ alone.
Part 2: Have A Heart
Will you go against the grain of culture and step into what God has for you?
Part 3: Wisdom is the Way
In a world overflowing with information yet often starved of true wisdom, we find ourselves in dire need of guidance that cuts through the noise of confusion. Today's message focuses in on the importance of wisdom in our lives and takes a profound look at how King Solomon, one of the wisest figures in the Bible, sought and received wisdom from the Lord and how we can apply that same wisdom to our lives.
Part 4: Trust in the Lord
Our King Sized lesson today comes from “Hezekiah.” His name means to “become strong" or "trust in the Lord.” Hezekiah was a man who overcame his fears and learned to “jump” to the arms of the Lord. In today's message, let's learn to do the same!
Part 5: Beware of Division
Division has been a tool of the enemy since the early days of the church, seeking to weaken our collective witness and disrupt the work of God's Kingdom. Join us as we explore biblical insights from Rehoboam and Jeroboam on why we must guard ourselves against any form of division and embrace unity.
Part 6: The Perils of Pride
In this sermon titled "Perils of Pride," we explore the spiritual and practical dangers of pride and how it can destroy our lives and ultimately prevent us from hearing from God… we’ll also discover how to embrace humility and develop a heart aligned with God's will and discuss practical steps to overcome prideful tendencies.
Part 7: Strategies for Battle
In this powerful sermon, "Strategies for Battle," Pastor Wayne Brown dives deep into the reality of spiritual warfare and equips us with biblical strategies to stand firm against the forces of darkness.
Part 8: Profile of A Weak King
In this sermon, we will study "King Ahab." He was a weak king and it made him a wicked king. We also have weaknesses but if we allow the Holy Spirit to take over our lives, we can be made strong, completely "re-made" by the power of God to conquer any battle thrown our way!
Part 9: Successfully Breaking Free
This week we will take a look at King Josiah, who's father and grandfather did evil by erecting idol altars and worshipping Baal. But Josiah broke free from the paths of previous generations, and managed to turn himself and the entire nation around to the glory of God. Join us as we explore King Josiah's story and how it's the perfect manual to break free from the past.
Part 10: Zeal - The X-Factor
What does it mean to have ZEAL and why is it important in helping us move on from our past? Find out in this last installment of "King Sized Lessons"!
