Go After God's HeartShembull

Learn in the Game

On day one of this Bible Plan, we read the first part of 1 Samuel 16 about when David was chosen as future king. Today’s reading from the second half of chapter 16 takes place about two years later. It’s been about 730 days, and what’s David doing? He’s still diligently taking care of sheep.

Think about that again. Two years after David was anointed by God to be future king, he’s taking messages from the current king’s kid. “Will you play lullabies for my demented dad?” So, David went, kicked Saul out, took over, and ruled happily ever after. No, it didn’t go that way. He went to pluck strings for the man who was unfit for the job God had promised David.

What does this have to do with leading a small group? Like David, God may give you a heads up on your calling. Like David, you should be faithful to the things God puts in between you and your calling. David was faithful with sheep, and he got anointed to be king. But he didn’t go straight from shepherd to king. He got in the royal game as a musician and then armor bearer. He saw what it was like for a king to be tormented by evil and how to make a king ready for battle. As with David, God knows which experiences you need to be a great small group leader. So, jump in the game and start learning!

Leader Tip: Don’t wait for something big. Start where you are, and learn in the game.