THREE THINGS TO KNOW
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GROUP VALUES. We continue our focus on FORMATIVE CONVERSATIONS. In this week’s sermon, we see God use conversation to shape Solomon’s character and leadership. When God appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for anything, Solomon’s response revealed his heart. That divine conversation became a turning point that defined his reign. God still uses formative conversations to shape us—through his Word, prayer, and conversations with other believers. Discuss as a group what conversations God has used recently to encourage, convict or redirect you.
GROW AS A LEADER. This week’s sermon addresses both humility and compromise—two powerful forces in our spiritual lives. As a leader, be prepared to MODEL VULNERABILITY by sharing about areas where you’re working to maintain humility or guard against compromise. Your honesty will create space for others to open up about their own struggles and invite accountability.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the tenth week of our sermon series, EPIC. This week, we examine King Solomon’s life to discover the character quality that unlocked his greatness and the character flaw that led to his downfall.
ICEBREAKER
What’s a “beige flag” (an endearing quirk) that you’ve discovered about yourself or someone close to you?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read 1 Kings 3:4-15 aloud.
What does Solomon’s response to God’s offer reveal about his heart and priorities?
How does God respond to Solomon’s request, and what does this tell us about what God values?
What warning does God give Solomon in verses 14-15?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued our EPIC series by exploring Solomon’s life and the character qualities that led to both his greatness and his downfall. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
What character qualities does our culture typically celebrate and pursue in leaders? How do those qualities compare to what we see in Solomon’s story?
Pastor Aaron described humility as the most valuable character quality a person can have. Why is humility so essential to having a healthy relationship with God and others?
Solomon asked for “a discerning heart”—literally a “hearing heart” or “listening heart” in Hebrew. What are ways we can grow in listening first and talking second to deepen our humility?
Compromising by not living according to God’s Word often feels normal and does not have immediate consequences, yet it can lead to devastating results over time. How does compromise feel normal or acceptable in our culture, yet contradicts what God’s Word teaches?
Solomon’s compromise began early with the phrase “except that” in 1 Kings 3:3. What is your “except that”? How have you been faithfully following God except for one thing you’ve rationalized?
What is a good first step to begin following God’s Word where you would have made a compromise?
God instructed Israel’s kings to write out the entire law by hand and keep it at the center of their lives so they would revere God, follow his law carefully, maintain humility and avoid compromise. Who has been a good example in your life of regularly engaging with God’s Word, and what does his or her life look like?
What practical step could you take this week to keep God’s Word at the center of your life more consistently?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed how humility unlocks greatness while compromise leads to downfall, and how keeping God’s Word central protects us from both pride and drift. What from the sermon or this conversation challenged or encouraged you the most, and why?