Home Group Discussion & Prayer Guide
Advent 2025 | Messiah in 1–2 Samuel | A Faithful Priest
Text Focus: 1 Samuel 2:35; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7–9
1. Why does Israel’s failure at the priesthood create hope rather than despair?
Read: 1 Samuel 2:27–35
Discuss:
Eli’s family failed morally and spiritually, and the priesthood collapsed. Why do you think God responds to that failure not by abandoning Israel, but by promising a faithful priest?
How does this pattern — failure followed by promise — shape the way we view God’s faithfulness?
Pray:
Thank God that human failure does not cancel His promises. Confess areas where we are tempted to lose hope when leadership or systems fail, and ask for renewed trust in God’s faithfulness.
2. What does it mean that the Messiah would be both King and Priest?
Read: Psalm 110:1, 4
Discuss:
Why is it significant that Israel’s Scriptures expect the Messiah to be both ruler and mediator?
How is that different from how we often think about authority (power without compassion, or compassion without authority)?
Pray:
Ask God to help us receive Jesus fully — not only as Savior who forgives, but as King who rules our lives.
3. How does Jesus fulfill the promise of a faithful priest?
Read: Hebrews 3:1–6; Hebrews 9:11–15
Discuss:
The sermon highlighted three ways Jesus fulfills the promise:
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He always does the Father’s will
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He establishes an enduring household
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He offers once-for-all atoning blood
Which of these aspects of Jesus’ priesthood stands out to you most right now, and why?
Pray:
Thank Jesus for His faithfulness — especially in areas where we struggle to be faithful ourselves.
4. What does it mean that we are part of the priest’s “enduring house”?
Read: Hebrews 3:6
Discuss:
The sermon emphasized that the promise in 1 Samuel includes a people who minister before the Messiah.
What does belonging to Jesus’ household mean for how we relate to one another, worship together, and live faithfully in the world?
Pray:
Pray for unity, perseverance, and hope within your group and church as part of Christ’s household.
5. How does Jesus’ priestly work shape our waiting in Advent?
Read: Hebrews 9:26–28
Discuss:
The high priest once entered the holy place while the people waited outside. Now we wait for Jesus to appear again.
How does knowing that Jesus has already dealt with sin help us wait with hope rather than fear?
Pray:
Ask God to deepen your hope in Christ’s return. Pray for those who feel weary, guilty, or distant from God to rest in the finished work of Jesus.
Closing Prayer (optional leader-led)
Faithful God,
We thank You for keeping Your promise to raise up a faithful priest.
Thank You that Jesus has offered Himself once for all,
that He reigns as King,
and that He welcomes us into His household.
Teach us to wait with hope,
to obey with trust,
and to live as Your people
until the day He appears again.
Amen.
