"Called and Cautioned" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

What do things like tools, kitchen appliances, and cars have in common? They can be useful and purposeful, but they also come with a set of cautions. The same can be true of our lives! God calls us to live with purpose, but cautions us to take care of our character. Samson from the Book of Judges might embody this idea better than anyone else in the Bible. He was born miraculously and had great physical strength. But Samson did not take caution and cultivate godly character. He was impulsive. He compromised often. He was isolated and proud. Eventually, Samson was defeated and suffered greatly - not because he lacked strength, but because he lacked character. But God’s grace enabled Samson to recover over time. God, in His grace, gives us the opportunity to grow gradually and answer His call.

Main Passages

3 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, 5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
- Judges 13:3-5

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
- Proverbs 4:23

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above, or last week’s Worship Service?

  2. Have you ever experienced growth in one of Samson’s four “character cautions” (impulsiveness, compromise, isolation, or pride)? If so, how?

  3. Which one of those four areas do you need to grow in or be cautious of in this season of your life?

Family Discussion

  1. Every good gift comes from God. Samson was given the gift of great strength. What kind o gift would you ask God to give you and what would you use it for?