Lesson: Sin makes us stupid, but obedience brings us into the God’s plans.
Text(s): 2 Samuel 5 Ice-Breakers: (opening questions to ask the members of the group) - Jack said that it took God 20 years to make the shepherd boy David into a Shepherd-King. Share with your group a brief story of life’s pressures that helped to develop you into the person you are today.
- Jack sang a song he remembered from his childhood that reminded him of some the details of today’s text. Can you remember an especially fond childhood song you and your family shared in your church experience? Would you be willing to share this song with your group?
Background:
In Second Samuel chapter 5 David is made king of Israel in the north uniting the southern tribes with their brothers to the north. David immediately sets out to begin the task of nation-building. He first conquers Jerusalem and sets up his headquarters their, including the construction of a palace. Then, as he fortifies the city he must fend off two attacks by their sworn enemies the Philistines. Digging Deeper:
- Read 2 Samuel 5 aloud in your group. Notice how many times in this chapter God blesses David with victory, or His presence, or some sort of marvelous favor (there are at least four). Why do you think the scriptures point this out? Why would David be so highly favored? Is there a principle here for us to derive from the text?
- In 2 Samuel 5:10 the NIV says that David ‘became more and more powerful.’ Jack noted that Eugene Peterson in his book about David, Leap Over A Wall, that this phrase could be translated that David developed ‘a longer stride and a larger embrace.’ Jack’s point was that while he was in the wilderness David refused to take Saul’s life thus developing a character that would stretch out in time as king over Israel. Discuss how wilderness trials can develop our character preparing us for the challenges that future success in life will present.
- What personal character traits does this chapter mention about David which should be emulated by us?
- How does the life of David at this point serve as a precursor to the life of his greater son, the Lord Jesus Christ? (Jack mentioned five—see answers below *)
- Jack noted that David’s agenda was formed by God. How many times in this chapter does David ‘inquire’ of God? For whom was David building a kingdom? For whom was David re-building Jerusalem? Why is this important to us today?
Wrap Up:
- Jack noted that if we want to develop a longer stride and a larger embrace (of the things of God) that we should not ask God to join us in our plans, but that we should seek to join God in His plan for the world. Take some time now to ask God to reveal His agenda for your life and your group.
- Jack also noted that our lives are changed when we walk in faith and obedience. “Believing what God says and acting on it changes your life,” he said. Is there some arena of life in which you have not acted in obedience to God? In groups of two or three confess these arenas and ask for prayer to make necessary changes (repent) in order to follow God fully
Reaching Out:
Take some time this week to pray for your neighbors and take them a flyer inviting them to Friday’s NBC carnival at Hope Chapel. The Neighborhood Bible Clubs are the single best Hope Chapel outreach in the city and one each person should be engaged in whole-heartedly.
* Jesus inaugurated a new kingdom, healed the blind and the lame, entered Jerusalem in a triumphal fashion, served as shepherd-king over God’s people, was a servant of the Most High God, and restored the house of God to a house of prayer. |
