1) Saul was thrown off by the thought that forgiveness was prayed for on his behalf. Suppose this was you. How would you respond? Angry and defensive? Thoughtful and curious? It’s easy for believers to hurry through the gospel story that “Jesus died to save us from our sin.” Forgiveness is an incredible gift. Without shame and condemnation, but for the purpose of reflection, think and pray through some sinful struggles you’ve had. What does it mean that forgiveness has been extended to you? Are you willing to forgive yourself?

2) Self-righteousness was Saul’s forte. He had created himself, trusted no other, and depended on no one to give him anything he had not earned. I don’t know about you, but this girl can relate! I like trusting myself, it’s safer that way. I like thinking I made myself who I am. Thinking I am fully self-reliant and independent fills my heart with something that can indeed feel good for a while, but in the end, is bitter poison. It’s pride. Where does pride most often rear its head in your life? What would it mean to recognize that you have no power to make yourself more righteous? Even if you are a believer.

3) Stacy’s Journey Study yesterday put us in the shoes of several different people, all who realized that, just like Saul, their own hearts had relied on their own strength instead of the Spirit of God’s. Where have you trusted your strength and your path? A good indicator of this is stress, chaos, anxiety, and absence of peace. Take a moment to identify those areas clearly in your mind and on paper, the spend some time reading through Philippians or Galatians out loud and let the truth and freedom of the Lord bring you abundance!