Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: Power

Discussion Questions 

1. How do you experience the human desire for “power over” in national politics? In your local community? In your own heart? 

2. The author reminds us that power is constant fixture in human history—but so is God’s love, forgiveness, and restoration. How does this inform your perspective on modern times? 

3. Respond to the author’s question: How will we use the power of love? 

But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us.” When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of God. God said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and set a king over them.” – 1 Samuel 8:19-22 (NRSV, abridged) 

Samuel had tried his best to warn them, telling the elders a king would rob them of resources and freedom. But they were determined.  

They were tired of God’s governance by proxy of prophets and priests—what self-respecting nation did that?—and believed a king would make Israel great. Enough with being told to honor God by caring for one another; they wanted someone who would take charge and get things done.  

It’s fashionable these days to bash all manner of governance. Certainly theocracy rarely ends well. But wanting a king? An autocrat? A ruler instead of a servant leader? What is that about?  

It’s an important question, and the list of complex answers is long. Among them is everything from increasing inequality, changing demographics, racism, fear, and the lie that might makes right.  

But this ancient story shows us that the bewildering desire for power over instead of power with is nothing new; it’s been part of the human story forever. That makes it God’s story, too—the chronicle of a boundaried creator who lets her people do what they will, grieves their poor choices and unnecessary suffering, and then just keeps loving and listening, forgiving and restoring.   

We know how previous chapters ended, and still God has entrusted the future to us. How will we use the power of love? 

Prayer
Empowering God With Us, may we trust and follow your ways.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, of Amherst, Massachusetts.