Have you been in mourning? Maybe over a relationship or a job loss. We all go through seasons of grief and mourning. We find the great Samuel in a season of mourning in 1 Samuel 16. God asks Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul?" AKA It's time to move on... God loves us, but He wants to see us flourishing in His plans for us and not stopped by our own mourning. KEY VERSES:"The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.”10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah." - 1 Samuel DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. Samuel was told by God "how long will you mourn?" We all go through seasons of mourning, grief, sadness, etc. Without specifics do you feel like you have recently gone through or are going through a time of mourning? And how long is too long when mourning? 2. Joe talked about how Samuel had to enter into the unknown. It can be intimidating to walk into the unknown. How can we trust God while we walk through the unknown?3. How does it make you feel that God does not need you tot be small in order for Him to be big? (In other words, God is not insecure like Saul was towards Samuel, transformation with God brings us from the small places we are and makes us great)4. Samuel waits until the 8th man before God says "yes." What do you feel like God is leading you to wait on?