King David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13). He experienced heights–and depths–in his relationship with God that most can only imagine, and in Psalm 51 we see the key: David was a mighty sinner, but he knew God well enough to know that he had a mighty Savior.
In this story of David’s colossal failure and desperate brokenness, we find incredible hope for our lives today. We too may have blown it, but none of us has gone as far as David. And if there’s hope for a mighty sinner like David, there’s hope for us too.
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(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)
Title: Psalms: For a Clean Heart // Psalm 51
ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so catching up and socializing with one another.
SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
When David wrote Psalm 51, he was going to the Lord and seeking mercy for the decisions in his life. He had been confronted by the prophet Nathan about committing adultery with Bathsheba. In addition to this sin, David caused the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Here, in Psalm 51, we see David’s attitude toward God as he deals with the guilt of his sin. David was a mighty sinner but he was also a mighty repenter. David does not seek to defend his actions for they are indefensible (as are our sins). Rather, David takes ownership for his sin and seeks mercy from a loving God. David admits his guilt and seeks the cleansing that only God can impart. David understands that his sin is a sin against God and that God’s judgment is right and just. David cries out not only for cleansing, but for renewal.
So what do we do with our guilt, shame and fear and our brokenness? We were challenged today to be reminded that even in our sin, God has blotted out our past through Jesus to create a new future for us. That withholding confession is just delaying our own joy, and that the mistakes of our lives do not disqualify us from living the life God has dreamed for us. We can humble ourselves so God can bring the healing.
THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Removal is the pathway to renewal.
SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): Sin deserves judgement and David needed mercy. Why did David need to repent? Where was his hope for repentance? What parts of Aaron’s message struck you the most?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where are places in your life that are broken and need to be named? What are some things that are being covered in the Fog? Are there things you are projecting in your own life that is creating a certain perspective that skews the way you are perceiving your own reality and others around you? What would it look like for you to own your sin? How do you believe God views your sin?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Is there someone around you that is walking through brokenness that might need you to speak into their lives like Nathan did with David? What might you need to say to them? What might it look like to believe that God believes for the best for all of us no matter what we have done?
BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes
Take some time to look into your own heart. Where are places of sin that you might need to name? Write them on a sheet of paper and then in an act of repentance bring them before God. Crumble the paper and throw it in the trash.
Change IN // Group Activity 10 minutes
One of the things we learned this week is that authenticity is important in creating community. We don’t need to struggle alone. Everyone needs people to help them in their struggles and successes. Share a struggle and a success you are walking in this season.
Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
Take a look around you—your family, your work. Are there people around you that seem to be experiencing a loss of joy? Share with the group one way that you can encourage or call out repentance in others.
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.