week of 7/31

Unit 11  Session 5

GOD, THE GRACIOUS KING

EPHESIANS 2 ; PSALM 51

God is gracious to save sinners who come to Him through faith in Jesus.

After centuries of no king, the Israelites were given Saul, who started his kingship with promise but turned his back on the Lord. They then received David, whose blessing and favor from the Lord were evident. David's reputation and rule, however, were tarnished by the second half of his reign. Neither man had a chance to fulfill all of Israel's hopes and dreams because they were flawed, selfish, and sinful. Every kingly failure points us to the one and only true King of Heaven and earth, Jesus Christ. As we focus on the grace of God, we see that the Lord Himself is the source of all our hopes and strength for this life and the next.

Points to consider:

✞   God's grace is needed to save the dead sinner.

     * What are some sinful paths people choose 

        to follow in this world?

     * How might a shared history of sin, in general, 

        help believers as they share the gospel with 

        unbelievers?

✞   God's grace is poured out in abundance through Christ.

     * What are some ways we can show our honor and 

        love for Jesus because of the salvation He has given 

        to us by His grace?

✞   God's grace is realized through faith and 

      prompts praise.

     * What are some ways you have seen the workmanship 

        of God in the lives of believers?

week of 7/24

Unit 11  Session 4

DAVID, THE FAILED KING

2 SAMUEL 11-12 ; PSALM 51

God is gracious to forgive even the greatest of evil when a sinner repents.

If you love King David's victorious story, now might be the time to put down your Bible (but don't!). Though he was chosen of God, mighty in battle, patient in faith, and merciful to the needy (see 2 Sam. 9), he was in no way perfect. And though David was at the peak of his power, it took only one sinful decision to watch his reputation, family, and respect fall like a house of cards. Like a lion watching his prey from afar, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, Satan had chosen his strategy carefully. And it worked.

Points to consider:

✞   Temptation leads to sin and death.

     * What steps should we take to minimize 

        our exposure to temptation and sin?

✞   Sin leads to confrontation and judgment.

     * Why do you think we are prone to be 

        angry about the sins of others while 

        overlooking our own sins?

✞   Repentance leads to grace and forgiveness.

     * What are some ways people mistakenly 

        hope to justify themselves before God?

     * How should we respond to the God Who 

        is faithful to forgive when His people 

        repent?

week of 7/17

Unit 11  Session 3

DAVID, THE FAITHFUL KING

2 SAMUEL 5-7

God promised that He would provide a king who would rule His people perfectly without end.

After David defeated Goliath, his status changed significantly. No longer a lowly shepherd, now he was a national hero. But David's fame with Isreal ha a negative effect on his relationship with King Saul as he became the focus of Saul's jealous paranoia and murderous rage. David then went from national hero to public enemy number one until the death of Saul. Only then was David sought out by the people to be king. From David's anointing to being settled on his throne and at peace in his kingdom was about twenty-five years. But God's purpose came true with more promises yet to come.

Points to consider:

✞   The Lord's king seeks to make a house for God.

     * What are some steps we should follow when 

        considering a work for the Lord?

     * What should a healthy Christian mentoring 

        relationship look like?

✞   The Lord's king is promised a house from God.

     * What are some ways God has proven His 

        faithfulness to you?

✞   The Lord's king extols the grace of God.

     * What are some of God's great attributes 

        and acts that should result in our praise?

week of 7/10

Unit 11  Session 2

DAVID, THE VICTORIOUS KING

1 SAMUEL 17

God often wins the victory through unlikely heroes so that all glory goes to Him.

When last we saw David, he had been anointed king by Samuel and entered the personal service of King Saul. Today's passage focuses on the contest between David and Goliath. Not many years could have passed between David's anointing and this narrative because he still was not old enough to be considered for service in Saul's army. Some Bible scholars put David's anointing at age 10 to 12 and his battle against Goliath at age 15 to 17. In five years, teenage David had gone from sitting in the field with sheep to facing down the most feared enemy in the land. Growing up is tough!

Points to consider:

✞   The future king arrives as an unlikely hero.

     * What are some reasons the people of God 

        succumb to fear rather than step out with 

        boldness?

     * Under what circumstances were you an 

        encourager like David? A discourager 

        like Saul?

✞   The future king trusts in the Lord.

     * What is one testimony you have of the Lord's 

        deliverance in your life?

✞   The future king wins the victory for his people.

     * What are some parallels you see between 

        David's and Jesus's victories?

week of 7/3

Unit 11  Session 1

DAVID, THE CHOSEN KING

1 SAMUEL 16

God is always at work raising up new leaders to serve Him and His people.

As we saw in 1 Samuel 13 - 15, Saul had disobeyed the Lord's instructions and had been rejected as king by God. Though Saul twice had admitted his sin (1 Sam. 15:24, 30), his kingdom reign was on a downward spiral. And though Samuel never again visited Saul, he mourned over the broken relationship and the broken ruler. God chooses His rulers intentionally and calls them to be worthy of imitation (see Heb. 13:7). The Lord regretted making Saul king, but His plan for redemption was not thwarted. He had another man in mind, one who may not have had a kingly bearing but who had a God-focused heart.

Points to consider:

✞   The future king is chosen by the Lord.

     * What should we expect to see in the leaders 

        in the church?

✞   The future king is anointed by the prophet.

     * What does this scenario teach us about the 

        ways God works?

     * How has the Holy Spirit equipped you to 

        obey and fulfill th gospel mission in 

        the world?

✞   The future king is a servant to the king.

     * What are some ways believers can exhibit 

        Christ's humility?