The Trajectory of One’s Life

Posted on 11/08/2025 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 1 Samuel 31:1-6

Special Directive: You are strongly encouraged to go back and revisit chapters 9-31, concentrating on the life of Saul.

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

The course of one’s life faces many shifts, turns, and movements. As a result, the life trajectory can change in a moment. What may have once been viewed as being steady and sure may soon become the exact opposite. An unexpected event, an unwanted situation, a problematic relationship – it or they can potentially explode onto the path, causing distress and disturbance. If left unchecked or avoided, those very factors of distress and disturbance can lead one down an alternate path of doubt and disobedience, ultimately leading to a disconnect from God, from others, and from the truest self.

When the disconnected one finds comfort in the disconnect, the inevitable conclusion, when all is said and done, is death – death in spirit, death in heart, and death in mind.

Bible Study Questions to Consider (By the Chapter):

Chapter 27:

Why did David dwell among the Philistines?
What happened when Saul learned about what David had done?
How long did David live in the land of the Philistines?
What did Achish mistakenly believe about David and why did he believe it?

Chapter 28:

What action did Saul take against the mediums?
What was Saul’s response to seeing the Philistines at Shunem?
Why didn’t the LORD answer Saul when he prayed to Him?
What was Saul’s solution when GOD did not answer his prayer?
What happened when Saul engaged with the medium from Endor?
What did Samuel communicate to Saul and how does it relate to his previous revelations concerning Saul and the kingdom of Israel?

Chapter 29:

Why were the Philistine commanders angry with Achish, regarding David?
Where else in the book of 1 Samuel does it reflect what is said in verse 5?
What did Achish say to David about his character?

Chapter 30:

What did David and his men find upon arriving in Ziklag?
Did David make an inquiry to the LORD? If so, why?
What role did the Egyptian servant play in helping David, and what is the significance?
What did David do to the Amalekites, and what was he able to recover?
What do the words in verses 23-25 reveal about David’s leadership style and approach to disagreements?

Chapter 31:

What is taking place in 1 Samuel 31:1-6?
What did the Israelite army do?
What horrid acts did the Philistines commit?
When the people living in Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, what was their reaction?

BONUS QUESTIONS:

What was the trajectory of Saul’s life when the Spirit of the LORD was with him and what changed when the Spirit of the LORD departed from him?

At any point in Saul’s life, did he “die” in spirit, in heart, and/or in mind? Journal about this concept.

Photo Credit: The Start of Happiness

Nonsensical: Playing the Fool & Erring Exceedingly

Posted on 10/31/2025 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment:

1 Samuel 26:21B

(Go back and review your Bible study notes on Saul. Be sure to notice his behaviors and actions before the Most High God and in regard to David, as well as in terms of others, such as Jonathan, Ahimelech and the priests at Nob. You should see a pattern of irreverence, disobedience, arrogance, jealousy, and madness. Also, especially consider what 1 Samuel 16:14 says.)

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Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

Nonsense is a human construct. It influences one’s ideas. It shapes one’s perception of the world. It impacts one’s interpretation of information. It affects one’s understanding of people. It has the ability to steer one’s actions and behaviors.

It is often a staunch, rigid dogmatism that drives people into the realm of the nonsensical. In that place – the place of the nonsensical – it is easy to be led toward an unrighteous course, which can assuredly result in playing the fool and erring exceedingly.

Bible Study Questions to Consider and a Review:

1) When did the Spirit of the LORD depart from Saul?

2) When did God present a distressing spirit to Saul?

3) How did Saul act toward GOD before the distressing spirit began to trouble him?

4) When did Saul’s attitude toward David change?

5) Why did Saul resent David?

6) How did Saul persecute David?

7) Why was Saul angry at his son, Jonathan, concerning his attitude toward David, and what did he do to demonstrate said anger?

8) What grave, murderous act did Saul allow to happen in Nob?

9) What did Saul’s pursuit of David entail?

10) Thus far, how many campaigns did Saul engage in, as he relentlessly pursued David?

11) Did Saul plot evil against David?

12) What actions of Saul might indicate twisted thinking or a distortion of reality, regarding David?

13) What does Saul confess in 1 Samuel 24:16-21 and in 1 Samuel 26:21, 25?

14) At any point in Saul’s efforts against David, did he, perhaps, show signs of paranoia, make false accusations, or choose a discourse based on an untruth?

15) Using our modern vernacular, could it be said that Saul “created” conspiracy theories against David? If so, why would he do that?

Meditative Scriptures:

Proverbs 10:23
Proverbs 12:15

Bonus Content:

Ways To Play the Fool and To Err Exceedingly:

Demonstrate irreverence toward GOD.
Cease communication with the LORD.
Fail to heed the wise counsel of the LORD via His Word.
Taint the instructions and directives of the LORD.
Act selfishly, choosing personal desires over the LORD’s will.
Make unrighteous choices.
Fail to take responsibility for erroneous actions.
Abandon truth.
Chase after that which makes no sense or is illogical.
Cling to the notion of wishing harm or ill intent on those who disagree with you or on those who do not share your convictions.
Hold on to that which is unjust.
Move toward wickedness…in any way.
Engage in practices that treat others untowardly.
Eat the fruit of corruption.
Trade sense of spiritual morality for a cultural/political/social pseudo morality.
Lose GOD-given identity to a counterfeit identity.
Choose sin.

Photo Credit: Nickfinder

Focus on the “With”

Posted on 10/25/2025 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 1 Samuel 18:12A (EXP)

“The Lord was with David but had ·left [departed/withdrawn/turned away from] Saul…”

(Go back and review 1 Samuel 18-20 again in its entirety. Be sure to view the content through the lens of the LORD being with and the LORD not being with the noted people highlighted in the reading.)

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

The LORD has made it abundantly clear that He is with His beloved children. In fact, He has repeatedly reinforced this message time and time again throughout His Word. But what happens to those who elect to exist without the LORD’s presence in their lives? What happens to those who decide to deny, neglect, disobey, and/or refuse God and His will?

Bible Study Questions to Consider:

1) What had Saul done previously that made the LORD regret making him king?

2) What was Saul’s attitude, actions, and behavior like in the featured chapters in this week’s reading?

3) How did Saul act when he was disturbed by the troubling/distressing spirit from the LORD?

4) Why did Saul fear David?

5) What can be said about David’s life, considering that the LORD was with him? Provide examples from the Scriptures.

6) How did Jonathan and Michal’s favor toward David align with the idea that the LORD was with him [David]? Discuss.

7) How did the LORD being with David affect David’s relationship with Saul? (Really focus on settling into this question. In the coming chapters, be sure to notice how David chose to respond to Saul’s actions and attitude toward him. Try to understand why David acted in the manner that he did.)

8) What was the difference between Jonathan and David’s relationship versus Saul and David’s relationship?

Meditative Scripture:

Going Further: New Covenant Considerations Related to Being a Disciple of Christ

What does the LORD being with us mean and what does it guarantee?
Are we, as Christians, required to do anything to show that we are with the LORD?
What does the LORD not being with us mean, and how would that even come about?
What separates us from the love of the GOD?
Is the holy LORD able to maintain a relationship with an unholy being?

Photo Credit: A Reason for Hope

The Vicious Cycle of Projecting, Blaming, & Making Excuses

Posted on 10/17/2025 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 1 Samuel 13:6-12 (emphasis on verses 11B-12); 15:1-15, 20-21 (emphasis on verses 15, 20-21)

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

The failure to take responsibility for one’s own actions is an unfortunate indicator of immaturity. It largely stems from a place of pride and insecurity. It demonstrates a lack of transparency with self. It is used as a means to avoid accountability. It is also used as an avenue to protect self, even at the expense of others. Ultimately, the repeated acts of projecting, blame shifting, and making excuses reveal the state of the heart.

Bible Study Questions to Consider:

1) What was Saul’s typical pattern of response when he was confronted about his committed sin?

2) In the cited Bible verses above, what wrong did Saul commit against God?

3) Did Saul take responsibility for his actions? Explain.

4) In looking back at the preceding chapters, what have you learned about Saul’s character, integrity, and fear reactions versus faith responses?

5) Was Saul’s heart for/with God or against God?

6) What does it mean to be disobedient to God, and what does it mean to be obedient to God?

7) What can be rightly deduced from all the words of Samuel in 1 Samuel 15?

Quote of Reflection:

“People who blame others for their failures never overcome them. They simply move from problem to problem. To reach your potential, you must continually improve yourself, and you can’t do that if you don’t take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes.” | John C. Maxwell

Bonus Content: Article of Interest

Deflection as a Defense Mechanism

Question: Was Saul a master at gaslighting?