Encouraging Others to Get Out of Death Pits

Encouraging Others to Move Forward in Christ #10
Encouraging Others to Get Out of Death Pits
1 Samuel 27:1-7, 30:1-6
Pages # 312 and 315

I. Death pits start with desires and thoughts.
     1. Focusing on what we see. (vs. 1)
     2. Dwelling on our own thoughts.
     3. Developing earthly strategies. 

II. Death pits become worse with disobedience.
     1. Give a false sense of satisfaction, significance, and security.
         (vs. 1-7)
     2. Often work for an extended period of time.
     3. Dull our worship and our witness.
     4. Often the precursor to more serious disobedience.
     5. We become duplicitous. (vs. 8-9)
     6. We fixate on covering-up. (vs. 10)
     7. We dwell in secrecy and denial. (vs. 11-12)
     8. We become calloused to our true identity and purpose.
        (vs. 29:1-8)
     9. We eventually hurt others and lose their trust. (vs. 30:1-6)
    10. We eventually lose the ability to spiritually impact
          others.         
    11. We eventually become disillusioned.           
    12. We eventually become overwhelmed by hopelessness.
         (vs.30:6) 

III. He strengthened himself in the Lord.

Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse (November) - When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3

Main Points: Death pits are difficult times in our lives and can be extremely dangerous. They can take hold of us as we dwell in foolish desires, ungodly thinking, and continuing in disobedience. The answer is to turn to the Lord our God.

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday
Encouraging Others to Move Forward in Christ #10
Encouraging Others to Get Out of Death Pits
1 Samuel 27:1-7, 30:1-6

1. Read 1 Samuel 27:1-7 and 30:1-6. Review the message with
    someone.
2. Take time to read Psalm 42. Discuss the difference in how the
    Psalmist responded to his troubles, foolish thinking, and the
    temptations he faced and how we often respond. Use this Psalm
    as a prayer guide.
3. What have you found spiritually and emotionally valuable to you
    when you feel hopeless about yourself, your behaviors, or your
    situation?

#2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Encouraging Others to Move Forward in Christ #11
Encouraging Others to Be Sexually Pure
Romans 13:8-14

1. Read Romans 13:8-14. How is it that we are able to walk in
    God’s commandments with others? (9)
2. Define true love based on verse 10.
3. What does God want us to know and do? (11-12)
4. What are some sins that do not go with children of the day?(13)
5. What is the only answer in conquering these devastating sins?
    (14)
6. Would you think and live any different than you are now if you
    knew Christ was returning sometime this week? Explain and
    then use this text for prayer with someone.