STORIES YOU SHOULD KNOW | JULY 13, 2025

Waiting on God – Chip Henderson

Sermon Highlights

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Waiting on God can feel almost unbearable, especially when the pressure is high and the answers are slow in coming. That was the situation Saul faced. Back in 1 Samuel 10:8, God gave Saul a clear instruction through the prophet Samuel: go to Gilgal, wait seven days, and don’t offer sacrifices until Samuel arrives to give further direction.

But when that moment came in 1 Samuel 13, Saul was overwhelmed. His troops were scattering, the Philistine army was massive, and Samuel hadn’t shown up yet. So, Saul took matters into his own hands. He offered the burnt offering himself, disobeying God’s command and stepping into a role that wasn’t his to take. This act of impatience cost him the kingdom.

How Do I Grow in Waiting for God with Patience?

  • Acknowledge your impatience and ask yourself why – Get honest with God about what’s really going on. Are you driven by fear? Control? Pressure from others? Recognize what’s stirring your rush to act.
  • Trust God’s heart, plan, perspective, and timing – God sees what you can’t. Trust that His heart is good, His plan is perfect, His view is eternal, and His timing is never off—even when it feels like it.
  • Ask if this is the right time – Not every “yes” means “right now.” Wise faith asks whether it’s God’s time or just your impulse. Sometimes waiting is the most obedient thing you can do.
  • Ask God for help in the waiting – Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, not a personality trait. Ask God for the strength to wait well and for the wisdom to trust His plan over your pressure.

Saul’s story is a caution, but it’s also a call to wait on Him. God isn’t just after quick obedience; He’s after our trust. And trust is tested in the waiting. When life feels uncertain and the pressure rises, will you will you trust Him? Waiting may be uncomfortable, but it’s not wasted. It’s where God grows you into someone who follows Him with faith, even when it’s hard.

INTRO

Icebreaker

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line, and was it worth it?

Transition to Discussion

Waiting in line for hours can be frustrating, but at least you usually know there’s an end in sight. Waiting on God doesn’t always come with a timeline, and that’s what makes it so hard. Let’s shift from long lines to real life and talk about what happens when we’re in a season of spiritual waiting.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Read 1 Samuel 13:8–14. When you’re under pressure, what makes it hard to wait on God? What do you tend to rely on when His direction isn’t clear or His timing feels off?

Read Galatians 5:22–23. What’s the difference between patience that comes naturally and patience that comes from the Holy Spirit? How can you tell which one is shaping your response when you’re waiting?

Read Psalm 37:7–9. What does it look like to name your impatience before God? How might recognizing your emotions help you respond differently in the waiting?

Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. How have you seen God bring beauty out of something that didn’t make sense in the moment? What does that teach you about trusting His plan and His timing?

Read James 1:2–4. Can you think of a time when God used a slow or uncertain season to grow something deeper in your life? How did it shape your character or your faith?

Read Habakkuk 2:3. How do you respond when you know God has promised something, but it feels like it’s taking too long? What helps you keep waiting in faith?

Read Esther 4:13–14. When you’re making a decision, how do you discern whether it’s the right time or just your impulse? Who or what helps you navigate that?

Read Isaiah 40:27–31. How does God strengthen you in the waiting, even before you get the outcome? What would it look like to rely on His strength instead of your own right now?

NEXT STEP

Take a moment to quietly think about this: Where in your life are you growing impatient? Where are you tempted to take control instead of trusting God?

Write it down along with a simple prayer asking God to help you wait on His perfect plan and timing.

Give your group a few minutes of silence to pray, reflect, and write.

PRAYER

Now, let’s break into groups of two or three. Share what you wrote and take time to pray for each other. Pray that God would give you faith, patience, and strength as you wait on Him.