YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER’ – the Holy Spirit and God’s People

 

(2) SAMUEL AND THE SPIRIT :  1 SAMUEL 9 – 10.16  

We are spending time getting to know the Holy Spirit from his actions and empowering of some of God’s Old Testament people. Like the Lord Jesus, ‘He is the same yesterday, today and forever’.  He plays a vital part in each Christian’s life, and we can learn about Him and the sort of things He can do, by seeing Him in action in the OT (as well as the NT).  In fact our understanding of what the NT says of Him is helped if we know of His OT activities.  In our passages we see Him operative in the lives of Samuel, Saul and a band of prophets.

 

READ 1 SAMUEL 9 – 10.16

1. THE SPIRIT AND THE COMPANY OF PROPHETS:  10. 5-6

(and read also 1 Samuel 19.18-25 with 2 Kings 2.3,6,15)

 

• What has been your personal idea of the sort of person a prophet was?  What impelled or motivated them to act?

Does this description of the company of prophets surprise you?  In what way?

To what degree were they controlled and inspired by the Spirit?

 

1. THE SPIRIT AND THE PROPHET SAMUEL:  9.6  and 9.14 - 10.9

 

• What reputation did Samuel have?  (Compare 9.6 with 1 Sam 3. 19-20, 7.15-17)  What does this suggest about Samuel?

 

• From 9.14 – 10.9 :  What impresses you about Samuel’s life and ministry?  How impressed do you imagine Saul was by Samuel’s ministry?  Would Samuel’s gifts impress you?

 

• Do we find such things operating in the New Testament?

(See Acts 9. 10-16 ; 10.9-16)

 

• Does Samuel’s life in the Spirit help us  understand what is meant by some of the’ gifts of the Spirit’ as set out in 2 Cor 12.7-11?  Which ones?  And in what way?  Can we know them today through the Holy Spirit?

 

• Is our understanding of the Holy Spirit and what He can do too small, do you feel?  Can we limit Him by our small expectations?

 

1. THE SPIRIT AND SAUL:  10.1-13

 

• What  was the significance of being anointed? (10.1)

 

• What was the impact of the Spirit’s coming on Saul?  (10.6,9)  What were its short term and long term effects?  How surprised were people?

 

• Does the Holy Spirit ‘change us into a different person’?   In what ways?   In what ways not?  Does the thought frighten or excite you?

 

CONCLUDING THOUGHT:  THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU

Has your view of the Spirit been too small?  

How much of his life and power would you like to know?

As much as Samuel?