Lesson:
God has created us for deeply satisfying intimacy, a deep connection with Himself and others. It is from this place of true intimacy that our happiness and our work in the world is full. Text(s): 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12 Ice-Breakers: (opening questions to ask the members of the group) - As a group begin a brainstorming session wherein you name as quickly as you can 20 ‘somebody-done-somebody-wrong’ songs. To make it more fun and challenging pick a specific genre such as country or soul or elevator music.
- As a group make a list of five powerful, contemporary people who have engaged in adultery and been publicly outed. Now make a list of five powerful, contemporary people who seem to live squeaky-clean lives. (Does the second list take more time to compile or find agreement in your group?)
Background:
David is at the top of his game when he spies the lovely Bathsheba during her ritual bath. After taking her to his bed she becomes pregnant whereupon David sends for her husband Uriah and attempts to persuade him to sleep with his wife. In this way David hopes to cover up his original crime. When this ruse fails to work David sends Uriah back into battle with sealed orders commanding his death in the next fire fight. When this is accomplished David takes Bathsheba as his wife but their child conceived out of wedlock dies shortly after birth. A few months later the court prophet Nathan confronts David with a parable convicting David of his sinful actions and causing David to repent and pen his famous Psalm 51. David Taylor pointed out the textual structure of the use of the repeated verb ‘send’ (used seven times to describe King David’s actions). Then Bathsheba ‘sends’ word to David and finally God ‘sends’ the prophet Nathan with a word to David. He noted that in ‘sending’ people hither and yon David was acting out the power-hungry drive of an Ancient Near Eastern sovereign, not walking in a proper relationship with the sovereign God of Israel as His son and, thus, a true king. In the end the true Sovereign of Israel had the final word. Digging Deeper:
- The David/Bathsheba story is one of the best known in all the Bible due to its R-rated action and salacious events. Take some time to read the story out loud in your group in order to hear it with fresh ears. Perhaps you should use a Bible version generally unfamiliar to your group. You might consider picking different members to voice the various characters.
- What jumps out of the story to your group members? Let this first question settle on each one for a moment before anyone answers. Encourage some thoughtful stillness before responses.
- Does Bathsheba bear any culpability in this matter? Was she raped? This could be a debatable point. Does the Bible hold her accountable?
- Does David get off scot-free for his slimy actions? What punishment would you mete out to the king? What would be appropriate?
- When confronted by Nathan, King David immediately repents and says, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Why is David’s sin against the Lord (Ps 51:4) and not against Uriah or Bathsheba? How is this true for our sins?
Wrap Up:
“Intimacy is a spiritual hunger of the human soul and we cannot escape it. This has always been true and remains true today. We now keep hammering the sex button in the hope that a little intimacy might finally dribble out. In vain. For intimacy comes only within the framework of an individualized faithfulness within the kingdom of God.” (Dallas Willard) - Read the quote above and ask everyone to meditate for a moment. Gather in groups of two to pray for one another to enter into deeper intimacy with God and, where appropriate, with family and friends. If confession of one kind or another needs to occur, please observe confidentiality with one another.
- As a group verbalize prayers of desire for God and for deeper intimacy. Look for verses that express these thoughts (see Song of Solomon, etc.).
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