series artseries art

The Individualist

“Later Samuel called all the people of Israel to meet before the LORD at Mizpah. And he said, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, has declared: I brought you from Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and from all of the nations that were oppressing you. But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, “No, we want a king instead!” Now, therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by tribes and clans.’ So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot. Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the LORD, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! So they asked the LORD, ‘Where is he?’ And the LORD replied, ‘He is hiding among the baggage.’ So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else. Then Samuel said to all the people, ‘This is the man the LORD has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is like him!’  And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’” 1 SAMUEL 10:17-24 NLT

The Individualist:

Reflects God’s Uniqueness

“Then the LORD said to Moses… there is no one like me in all the earth.” EXODUS 9:13-14 NLT

Underlying Emotion: Shame (Ashamed of being ordinary)

“For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’” ROMANS 10:11 ESV

Motivation: Significance

“Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel’s throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction. He performed great deeds […] saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.” 1 SAMUEL 14:47-48 NLT

Need: To be unique

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” JEREMIAH 1:4-5 ESV

“This was their song: ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!’ This made Saul very angry. ‘What’s this?’ he said. ‘They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!’ So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” 1 SAMUEL 18:7-9 NLT

How the Individualist can be real with Self:

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” PSALMS 139:14 NLT

Transformation to embrace: Gratitude

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” HEBREWS 12:28 ESV

How the Individualist can be real with Others:

See the beauty and talent of others as a good thing

“The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him.” 1 SAMUEL 14:52 CSB

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? […] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” PSALM 8:4-5 KJV

How the Individualist can be real with God:

“Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, ‘Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!’ And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.” 1 SAMUEL 13:8-9 NLT

Feel your emotions, but follow your faith

How to love an Individualist:

Prayer for the Individualist:

God let me feel my emotions, but follow your commands. Help me to see my uniqueness and love it the way you do. Help me to see others’ giftedness and celebrate it instead of being jealous of them.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment to slow down, taking a few deep breaths; as you do, invite God into this time. Ask God to show you the lovely aspects of how he made you. As he reveals these, begin to list them in the space below. Resist any urge to focus on what qualities don’t make your list, but instead, keep focusing on the unique and lovely characteristics God has put in you. When you are ready, read back over your list slowly. As you come upon each word or characteristic, thank God specifically for each of these aspects of how he’s made you, you. If you are comfortable doing so, share with your group what this experience was like for you.

Discussion Questions

  1. LEADER’S NOTE: Take the first 5-10 minutes of group time to have everyone do the Personal Reflection Guide (linked on the sermon notes). You may want to set a timer, play some soft music, etc. Once you notice people finishing up, transition to group discussion time with a short prayer, then open by asking people to share what that experience was like, if they feel comfortable.
  2. REAL WITH SELF: What do you find difficult to accept about yourself? How can you involve God to help you use these qualities for his purposes and your good?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: Feelings are great to feel, but terrible to follow. Where do you need to feel your feelings? Where do you need to stop being led by them?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: What are the things that make you feel most significant? What significance has God invited you to?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Where do you find yourself giving in to envy, and what is that robbing you from? What would it look like to celebrate the beauty of others instead?
  6. TAKE ACTION: Is there anything that needs to be celebrated about how God has made someone in your group? Perhaps it’s the way they have ministered to you personally, or maybe it’s taking note of how someone’s uniqueness has blessed you? Take a moment to affirm any of these people, especially for those in your group who identify with the Individualist. Let them know how grateful you are for their uniqueness!