The Town Church / Fort Collins

How do we respond when we perceive that God is silent? In 1 Samuel 28, Saul takes matters into his own hands, leading to desperate actions and his eventual defeat. 

After what seems like endless pursuit from Saul, we see David grow weary of doing good, leading him to seek refuge amongst the Philistines. Rather than continuing in faithfulness, his endurance wavers. Where do we see the call to endure in our own lives? How do we actively fight against giving up when we grow weary? 

1 Samuel 26-27 serve as a call to not grow weary of doing good. In these chapters, David's endurance falters as Saul continues to pursue him.  However, the weakness of this king reminds us of the strength of the True King who endured for us. 

This week, the AfterWord takes on the great outdoors, so prepare yourself for traffic sounds and bicycle bells! As we enjoy the sunshine, we discuss the heart of David in both chapters and take some time to reflect on the character of Abigail, a hero in this story. We also consider a few questions for application: How do you discern if God is speaking through others who claim to be speaking for God in your life? Can you think of a time God redirected you and then later affirmed that redirection? 

In this passage, we see a stark contrast between when David trusts God's plan and when he trusts his own plan. One side is characterized by humility, confession, and repentance; the other by pride, vengeance, and an unrepentant heart. Through all of this, David's shortcomings remind us how much greater Christ is. 

Join us this week as we unpack 1 Samuel 22-23 and discuss what it looks like to sit in seasons of waiting. ALSO: Reach out if you are up to the challenge of taking Vince on in a game of tetherball! Questions for application: Are you currently waiting for God to answer a certain prayer in your own life? Why do we struggle to ask God questions and wait for his response? How can we wait responsibly?

In 1 Samuel 22-23, we see how the Lord protects, guides, and uses the leaders He has put in place. Despite David's circumstances, he still turns to worship, trusting God's unending faithfulness. (Psalms for reference: Psalm 54; Psalm 57: Psalm 142)

This week, we reflect on God's faithfulness and mans' sinfulness. Although sin always leads to destruction, we also know God is always faithful. How have we seen that in our lives or in examples around us? What is YOUR favorite thing about God? Email betty@thetownchurch.org to share! 

In 1 Samuel 21, we see a beautiful picture of the gospel and God's mercy toward sinners. David, the "hero" of the story, fears man rather than God, and this lack of trust leads him toward sin and its consequences. In His kindness, God rescues David, reminding us of God's grace toward us through Christ, the true hero of Scripture. 

This week, we are joined by two very special guests as Eric takes us through some reflections on 1 Samuel 18-20. Are we currently in an "in-between" season? How have we seen the Lord bring us through previous seasons of waiting? Can painful "in-betweens" really be part of God's plan? 

1 Samuel 18-20 marks the turning point in David's relationship with Saul, resulting in events that seem like a major detour between David's anointing and eventual reign as king. However, we know that this "in-between" season is still a piece of God's overall plan, and David's example teaches us how to live in the midst of waiting. 

In 1 Samuel 17, we see David's anger over Goliath's opposition to the Living God, and he defeats Goliath for the glory and honor of God. How do we respond to the things in our own culture that directly oppose God? How does dwelling on the details of our lives cause us to overlook the greater picture of God's glory? 

1 Samuel 17 tells the story of one of the most well-known showdowns in history: David and Goliath. At its heart, this passage is not about us; rather, it is about the glory and honor of God. It reveals to us that God will never allow opposition to stand against Him, and it challenges us to consider our own response to the things that directly oppose God. 

This week, we reflect on the story of David's anointing and how God used an ordinary shepherd carry out His purposes. Additionally, we look at David's faithfulness to serve where he was needed as he waited for God's plan to unfold. Please email info@thetownchurch.org to tell us what Vince's personalized license plate should be!

1 Samuel 16 introduces us to David, the youngest of the sons of Jesse and a simple shepherd. Although he was overlooked by man, God saw David's heart and chose him as the king of His people. How does God use the ordinary, overlooked things in our own lives for His purposes? How can seeing more of God in these things shift our affection back towards Him? 

This Easter Sunday, we celebrate what Paul identified as a message of first importance: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although we know this event is difficult to believe, we can still rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the promise it brings for eternity.

This week, we unpack two big words that were highlighted in the sermon: rejection and regret. How should we wrestle with the idea of rejection and the reality of our sin as Christians? What does "regret" really mean in this context? Who has the best joke? Let us know! 

1 Samuel 15 is a heavy passage that ends with God's rejection of Saul as king. It reveals just how deeply God hates sin, and it challenges us to consider our own view of sin and how that impacts our view of God Himself. 

What are things we personally seek for security and peace of mind? Where do we see Saul's shortcomings as a leader in this passage? This week, we answer these questions and more as we dive a bit deeper into 1 Samuel 13 and 14 (or, in Eric's words, 1 Samuel 8, chapters 13 and 14). 

In 1 Samuel 13-14, Saul's shortcomings as king come to life, reminding us that earthly leaders will always end up falling short. Despite these things, this passage also reminds us that God's presence will always be with His people. What things are we seeking for security and peace of mind? How does the failure of these things to satisfy us point us back to God?