Gospel According to David

Read Matthew 12.1-7. What does this text say about the nature of God? What does it say about the character of God? What does it say about the love of God? 

In the text, what is the primary problem of the Pharisees? 

In your own words, define “fundamentalism” and “legalism.” 

What’s at the root of the Pharisees fundamentalism? 

Read and reflect on the comments of J.D. Walt: “One of the deadly hallmarks of religious fundamentalism (Christian, Islamic or otherwise) is legalism. It breeds a type of hypocrisy that easily morphs into oppression and abuse. It’s all wrapped up in external image management and it wreaks of self-righteousness. It’s an outside-in control movement. Jesus came to do the complete opposite. He came to bring the fulfillment of the law from the inside out. Jesus is not about making people more religious but making them more truly human.”

Jesus quotes Hosea 6.6. Read Hosea chapter 6. Why does Jesus pull out this one particular phrase? 

What does “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” mean to Jesus?

How would the Pharisees respond to such a quotation from Scripture?

Read Matthew 9.9-13. Jesus says, “But go learn what this means: I desire mercy not sacrifice.” Where would the Pharisees learn such a lesson? Where have you most profoundly learned God’s desire for mercy and not sacrifice? How are you becoming a person who extends mercy? 

The essence of legalism might be defined in the belief that if we act in a certain way, then God will respond accordingly. How is this belief dangerous? Describe a time when you believed “If you did ________ then God would _________. ” What was the outcome of that season? How do you approach God differently today? 

Read Hosea 11.8-9, Jeremiah 31.20, and Mark 9.35-36. What do these passages say about the character of God? What do they say about the nature of God? What do they say about the love of God? How do they inspire you to come to God just as you are, right where you are? 

Jesus references the story of David in 1 Samuel 21. Read the story in context: 1 Samuel 21.6. Was it right for David to eat the bread? What is right for the priest to give David the bread? What is Jesus saying by quoting this story? 

Read Matthew 12.3-6. What is Jesus saying in His response? 

Where in your life does Jesus desire mercy and not sacrifice? 

Read Matthew 5.1-12. Be reminded of the nature and character of His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 

Read 2 Samuel 6:1-13. How do you feel about the way that God dealt with Uzzah? Was it fair punishment?  Why or why not.

After this happened, we see that David was “afraid of God”. LisAnne talks about several passages of Scripture that refer to “fearing God”, what does a healthy fear of God look like?  Why is this necessary for us in our relationship with Christ?

Have you ever experienced these 4 results of a healthy fear of God? Share a time when this was true.

• Humility
• Repentance
• Holiness
• Joyful worship

Read 2 Samuel 6: 14-20. We see in these passages, that David seems to have a freedom from man.  How do you see that in this passage?  Where is His focus centered?

Where in your life do you get tangled in the perception of others opinions around you? Why do these opinions trap you?

Katelyn encourages us to ask the question “Who are you taking your questions to?” So who is it for you?

Read 2 Samuel 6:21-22. What does this passage mean? And how does this passage speak to you?

Charles Spurgeon says “Fear hath paralyzed the arm of the most gigantic Christian, stopped him in his race, and impeded him in his labors. Faith can do anything, but fear, sinful fear, can do just nothing at all, but even prevent faith from performing its labors.” Is there anything in your life right now that you feel God is calling you to, but fear has you at a standstill?

Read 1 Samuel 18.1-8. How do you see God’s love portrayed in this text? How do you see God at work? What, if any, of the text is hard to reconcile?

Verse 1 says, “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” In your own words, describe this kind of relationship. How does this relationship inspire you?

Jonathan was a warrior in his own right. Read 1 Samuel 14.1-14. How do you see Jonathan’s courage and initiative? Describe the relationship between Jonathan and his armor bearer.

Who in your life is with you, “heart and soul”? Who are you with “heart and soul”?

What’s the biggest battle you are currently fighting? How have you shared this battle with another?

What’s the biggest hindrance in inviting another into your battle?

What happens to a person when they battle alone? How do these two stories of Jonathan encourage you to continue to invite others in?

Read 1 Samuel 23.15-18. How does Jonathan act toward David, in love?

Read David’s tribute to Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1.25-27. Describe the intimacy David and Jonathan shared. How can intimacy be present in a relationship without the relationship being sexual? Describe.

Read the words of Jesus in John 15.13, and Matthew 22.36-40. How do you see the way Jonathan lived and loved in these verses?

Who is your Jonathan? For whom do you lay your life down? How are you growing to love yourself, and to love your neighbor as yourself?

Read 1 Samuel 17. How does this text draw you more deeply to the heart of God? How does this text help you see the character of God, the love of God? 

Goliath was a descendent of Anakim a people that were in the Promise Land during the days of Moses, Joshua and Caleb. Joshua and Caleb along with the 10 other spies explore the Promise Land. Joshua and Caleb explored the Promise Land and came back with a good report. Read Numbers 14.6-10 and answer the following questions. 

What did Joshua and Caleb see that the other 10 spies did not see? “The whole assembly talked about stoning them.” How does this strike you?Why would the Israelites want to “stone” Joshua and Caleb? Where do you sense the Church talks more than acts? 

Read Galatians 5.13-15. How does this text invite you to love your Faith Family more genuinely? According to the text what will happen to our Faith Family, what will happen to your family if we continue to hurt each other with our words and actions? 

Why didn’t King Saul engage the giant Goliath in battle? 

How do you see God at work in the choosing of David to fight Goliath? 

Reread 1 Samuel 17.38-40. How might this section be where David’s real fight occurs? 

Where are you most tempted to take on the ways of the world, instead of being who God created you to be? 

What giants are you currently facing? Who is joining you in the battle?

Read and reflect on the following from Rabbi Zusya: “In the coming world, they will not ask me: ‘Why were you not Moses?’ They will ask me, ‘Why were you not Zusya.’”

God, through Samuel calls David “a man after God’s own heart.” How do you believe God characterizes you? 

The text says David, “ran to the battle.” In your fight against your giants how are you running to the battle? How are you tempted to run away? How are you temped to believe you are not in a fight? 

David makes 2 pronouncements about the giant Goliath, and 9 pronouncements about God. Note each here. 

Read Psalm 23.1 How do you sense this truth alive in you today? Where do you struggle to fully live out this truth? 

The story of David and Goliath ends violently. Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the King of God is forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” What does Jesus mean by this statement? What is the implication of this truth? 

How does Jesus break generational sin? How are you living in the freedom of His victory? 

Read and reflect on Revelation 19.11-19. Give Him praise for His victory won for you today.