Verse 1: Have you ever met anyone who was their own worst enemy? Someone who undermined their relationships, career, finances, or success? It’s hard to watch. But the truth is, we all have the potential to be our own worst enemy. At times, we may ignore the tug of our consciences and sell ourselves on a questionable decision.

When have you been your own worst enemy? Was there an internal conflict associated with the decisions that led to the regrettable outcome?

When are you most prone to sell yourself on a bad idea? What does it sound like? What’s your pitch?

Verse 2-4: Can you think of a time when you discounted good advice because of the source?

Read 1 Kings 12:1-19. What stands out to you as you read this account? What are some good decisions Rehoboam made? What are some poor ones? What are some principles we can learn from Rehoboam’s mistakes?

We’re all prone to lean on our own understanding. Who else should you be inviting into your decision-making circle?

“Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. And they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.'” So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭12:1-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Verse 5-7: Are you fighting battles in your life that you feel you are losing? Who are you fighting your battles with? Do you tend to fight your battles alone? What is the danger of that?

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Verse 8-9: When was the last time someone had to correct you in your behavior? How did that feel?

When was the last time you had to have a crucial conversation with someone? Did that cause conflict with the other person?

Read Proverbs 12:1. Do you love discipline? Why or why not?

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬.

Verse 10-12: How do we discern between godly grief and worldly grief? Is godly grief good or bad? What can godly grief produce?

Verse 13-16: Have you ever been around a leader you really respected? What was it that made them so respectable? Did you approach him/her nonchalantly or with fear and trembling? Do they inspire confidence? Why or why not? What gave that leader credibility?