Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of King David is a good metaphor for the way we often think of biblical heroes—unchanging and flawless. But reading the Bible tells a different story. Again and again, the people God chooses to use change profoundly in the process. David is no exception. But what kind of change happened in his life between the time he was a giant-slaying shepherd and the years of being a beleaguered king? And did he finish well?

On Sunday, we will read some of his final words in 2 Samuel 22-23. As we do, we will see how David’s responses teach us how we may grow wiser and more gracious in God through all the seasons of change in our lives.

DOWNLOADS

See It Be It Video Audio Notes (download pdf) Notes (digital) iTunes

SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

Title:  Rise and Reign: “For he has made with me an everlasting covenant” //

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21-23

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of King David is a good metaphor for the way we often think of biblical heroes: unchanging and flawless. But reading the Bible tells a different story. Again and again, the people God chooses to use change profoundly in the process. David is no exception. But what kind of change happened in his life between the time he was a giant-slaying shepherd and the years of being a beleaguered king? And did he finish well? Today in 2 Samuel 22-23 we see how David’s responses teach us how we may grow wiser and more gracious in God through all the seasons of change in our lives.

THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.

God’s covenant is an invitation to step into His sovereign plan.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): In 2 Samuel 22 & 23, what are the two pictures we see of David’s life? What is the massive shift we see between David’s song of deliverance and his last words? What is David basing his legacy on?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?): When you look at the condition of your heart, comparing it to years ago, what do you find? How have you been growing/changing? Are you basing your connection with God on your performance or on His promise?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): This perspective—performance-based OR promise-based relationship with God (the slides that Jon used at the end of the teaching)—will inform not only how we see ourselves, but also how we see people’s struggles around us. How can you reach out with the truth of God’s promises to someone this week?

BE IT – Practice

At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience.

Change UP // Parent Prayer 15 minutes

Take one minute to be still and listen for what God wants to stir in your heart. Share those words or pictures with the group. Then read Psalm 46 and let David’s words guide you in worship of who God is and how His character impacts your life.

Change IN // Name Change 5 minutes

Give everyone a piece of paper and have them write down one way in which they’re trying to perform their way to God’s acceptance. Get into pairs and share those with each other, then take time to speak God’s covenant truth over them and pray for each other to step into what is God’s sovereign plan

Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes

If this week of Thanksgiving provides opportunity for you to interact with people, ask God to give your boldness to speak His truth—His promise into people’s lives who are striving to please Him with their actions.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes

Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.