conflict

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 11 — Out Of Order

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 11 (Out Of Order)
2 Samuel 11
November 14, 2012

The Text:

  1. What was the usual custom of nations in the spring of the year?  What does David do?  
      
  2. What does David do on an evening he can’t sleep?  What does he notice?  What does he have done?  What information does he find out?  What does he do about that information?  What happens?
      
  3. What message does Bathsheba send to David?  Who does David send for?  What instructions was he given?  What did he do?  What is David told?  What reason is given by Uriah for his actions?  How did David respond?  Did his plan work?
      
  4. Who does David write to?  What did he write?  Who did he send the letter with?  What happens?  What seems to be Joab’s concern in sending a message back to David regarding the battle?
      
  5. What report is given to David?  What message did David send back?  Why?  What did Bathsheba do about what had happened to Uriah?  What does David do?  How did God feel?

   

 The Application:

  1. What are some expectations, or customs, associated with who you are, what you do, etc.?  Are these good, bad, or some combination of both?  Do you ever not do them, or feel like not doing them?  Why?
      
  2. What do you do when you find yourself with time and nothing you need to do?  Are there things you notice that maybe you shouldn’t?  How do you handle that?  At what point does it become a problem?  How hard is it to stop once you’ve begun a process in the wrong direction? 
      
  3. Do you like the feeling of getting special treatment?  Have you ever been singled out in a good way and not know why?  How much concern do you have for your brothers and sisters who live with less comfort than you do?
      
  4. Have you ever delivered a message and not know what was in it?  What does it take to do such a thing?  Have you ever followed instructions only to have something turn out poorly?  How did you feel? 
      
  5. How do you feel when a bad plan of yours succeeds?  How do you feel when it appears your sin may be noticed by others?  How does God feel?

Next Week: You’re The Man
2 Samuel 12

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 10 — Extending Kindness

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 10 (Extending Kindness)
2 Samuel 9 & 10
November 7, 2012

The Text:

  1. Who does David look for?  What is his purpose?  Who was Ziba?  What information does he share with David?  What does David to with this information?  
     
  2. What does Mephibosheth do when he meets David?  How does David respond?  Why would David respond in such a way?  How does Mephibosheth view himself?
     
  3. What instruction does David give Ziba?  What was the purpose?  How does Ziba respond to David?  What honor is given to Mephibosheth?
     
  4. What does David intend to do when he hears of the death of the king of the Ammonites?  What do the Ammonite nobles convince the new king of about David’s intent?  What does Hanun do with David’s delegation?  How does David respond?
     
  5. What did the Ammonites do when they realized how offensive they had become to Israel?  What was Joab’s strategy?  What did he plan to do?  What did he expect God to do?  What happened in the battle? 

  

The Application:

  1. Is there anyone from your past that God would have you show kindness to?  What efforts could you, would you, take to find such a person?  Are there people you should extend kindness to for the sake of a friendship you had with someone else?
     
  2. How does it feel to be called in to see someone and not know why?  Are there people who would feel threatened in your presence?  How can you reassure someone that you are not a threat to them?  How hard is it to have a proper view of yourself? 
     
  3. What role do you have in caring for people?  How does that compare to what you believe God might want it to be?  What things make serving others difficult?
     
  4. How often do you show kindness, or extend sympathy, to someone because you believe it is the right thing to do — not necessarily because you want to?  Are your expressions of kindness ever misunderstood?  What role do others have in that misunderstanding? 
     
  5. When you’ve done something to offend someone, how do you typically respond when you realize it?  What are the disadvantages to defending your actions when your actions weren’t honorable to begin with?  What should be done instead?

  

Next Week: Out Of Order
2 Samuel 11

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 9 — Victory and Honor

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 9 (Victory and Honor)
2 Samuel 8
October 31, 2012

The Text:

  1. What takes place over the course of time regarding David and the Philistines?  What does David do when he defeats the Moabites?  What do the Moabites who are allowed to live do?
    –
  2. What takes place over control of the area along the Euphrates River?  What does David gain?  Who comes to the aid of Hadadezer?  Does it help?
    –
  3. What happens in Damascus?  What becomes of the Arameans?  What do they do?  Where did David’s success come from?
    –
  4. What did David gain from Hadadezer?  What did the king of Hamath do when he heard of David’s victories?  What did David do with the tribute and plunder he was gaining from his battle victories?  Why would/did he do this?
    –
  5. What was at the heart of David’s reign over Israel?  How much of the nation did he try to please?  Who got special treatment?  Did he do it alone?

–

The Application:

  1. How does the phrase, “in the course of time”, make you feel?  How do you manage with things that take time?  How hard is it to remember God is in something when it takes longer than you think it should?  What is your response to God’s mercy in your life?
    –
  2. How important is control to you?  How often are you involved in battles over areas that the enemy wants to regain control of?  Are you ever surprised at who the enemy uses to join him in the battle for control of your thoughts and actions?
    –
  3. How do you respond to the surprise attacks that come against you?  How can you maintain victory?
    –
  4. How do you benefit from gaining victory in the battles you face?  What do you do with the benefits you receive?
    –
  5. How important is it to you to do what is just and right?  Are there certain people or groups that you’re more concerned about that with?  How much do you involve others in what God is doing through you life?

–

Next Week: Extending Kindness
2 Samuel 9

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 8 — A Godly Conversation

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 8 (A Godly Conversation)
2 Samuel 7
October 24, 2012

 

The Text:

  1. How is David’s life described as chapter 7 opens?  What concern does he have that he expresses to Nathan?  Who is Nathan?  What response does Nathan give to David?
    –
  2. What happens that night following Nathan’s and David’s conversation?  What question does God have?  How does God describe the dwelling arrangements He has had to this point?  Had He ever requested anything different?
    –
  3. What does God remind David of?  What does God promise to do?  What does God tell David about the future?  What are His promises and warnings?
    –
  4. What does David do after Nathan reports to him all the words of God?  How does he respond about himself?  How does he respond about God?
    –
  5. What request does David have concerning the promise God has made?  What does David see as the outcome of God’s promise?  What does David realize about his own house?
    –

The Application:

  1. If you have had times in life of peace and contentment, how does it make you feel?  Is your mind drawn to God, and your treatment of Him, when you recognize your blessings?  What do you do with concerns you may have regarding your relationship with God?
    –
  2. Have you ever said or done something you thought was right only to find out God wasn’t in favor of it?  How can you reduce the chances of that?  Do you ever want more for God than what He’s even wanted Himself?  How often do we think God is like us?
    –
  3. How have you received any good that you have?  How does God lift you, your name, before others?  What things keep that from happening?  When things seem to be against you, how often do you consider the possibility of God’s discipline?
    –
  4. How do you respond to God speaking to you through His word and spirit?  When focused on the presence of God, how do you feel about what He’s done for you?  How would you describe God and His presence and actions in your life?
    –
  5. How do you respond to God’s promise of blessing?  What is your motivation for wanting God to keep His promises?  Who has established your household and every good thing that you have?  How often do you remember, and talk about, that?
    –

Next Week: Victory and Honor
2 Samuel 8

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 7 — Are You Sure That’s The Right Way?

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 7 (Are You Sure That’s The Right Way?)
2 Samuel 6

The Text:

  1. Where did David and his men go?  What was their purpose?  How many of them were there?  What was significant about this task?
    –
  2. What did they do with the ark of God?  Who was guiding it?  What were David and the house of Israel doing?  What happened at the threshing floor of Nacon?  Why?
    –
  3. What reaction did David have to God’s action?  What did he do with the ark?  Why?  How long did this remain?
    –
  4. What news came to David about the household of Obed-Edom?  What did he decide to do?  How was this task done?  What were David and the house of Israel doing during this event?
    –
  5. How did Michal feel about what David was doing?  What did David do when the ark was set in the place prepared for it?  How did Michal greet David when he returned home?  What was his response?
    –

The Application:

  1. How far have you ever travelled to retrieve something of value to you?  Did anyone go with you?  What was the atmosphere of the trip?  If you’ve never done so, how do you think it would feel to make such a trip?
    –
  2. How does it feel to regain possession of something that may have been lost, misplaced, or taken from you?  Have you ever given your very best to a task only to discover you were doing it wrong?  How did you feel?  Do you think God values obedience?
    –
  3. How would you respond if it felt like you were being punished for doing something good just because you did it in different way than expected?  Are there times that you “avoid” God because you’re angry or fearful of Him?
    –
  4. How do reports of the goodness of God to others make you feel?  Do reminders of God’s goodness draw you back to Him?  What things might drive you to do things God’s way?  How excited are you for God’s presence to be with you?
    –
  5. Does the worship others offer God bother you?  Do you let others dictate how you worship?  What effect does your worship have on how you treat others?
    –

Next Week: A Godly Conversation
2 Samuel 7

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 6 — Conquering King

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 6 (Conquering King)
2 Samuel 5

The Text:

  1. Who comes to see David at Hebron?  What do they say about their past leadership?  What had God said?  What agreement was reached?  How long did it last?
    –
  2. Who was living in Jerusalem?  Why did David go to Jerusalem?  What did the residents think about David’s plan?  What was David’s response?
    –
  3. What did David call Jerusalem?  What did he do there?  How was it accomplished?  What did the king of Tyre do for David?  Who did David credit for what was  happening?  Why was it being done?
    –
  4. What was the Philistines response to hearing David was king over all Israel?  Where did David go?  What did he do there?  What did he learn?
    –
  5. What happened at Baal Perazim?  What did David and his men take from there?  When the Philistines returned, what did David do?  What instructions was he given?  What happened?

The Application:

  1. How would it feel to have unanimous, or nearly unanimous, support of people willing to support you as a leader?  How does it feel to have your past accomplishments recognized by people who didn’t seem to appreciate them at the time?  What things give a leader longevity?
    –
  2. How does it feel to be completely disrespected?  How easily do statements of people discourage you from doing what you set out to do?  How can you stay motivated to accomplish a difficult task when others think it is impossible?
    –
  3. What do you call yours?  How much attention and care do you give to what is yours?  Why do you put whatever effort into it that you do?  How did you come about obtaining whatever it is that you possess?
    –
  4. Are there ever people in your life who seem to be completely set against you succeeding?  What do you do when they come against you?
    –
  5. Is it possible that the idols of your enemies could become a stumbling block to you?  Do you tend to settle for one answer from God that should solve all your battles?

Next Week: Are You Sure That’s The Right Way?
2 Samuel 6

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 5 — Look What I Did!

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 5 (Look What I Did!)
2 Samuel 4

The Text:

  1. What effect did the death of Abner have on Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, and all of Israel?
    –
  2. Who were Baanah and Recab?  How were they connected to the people of Israel?  Who was Mephibosheth?  What do we know about him?  How did he become crippled?
    –
  3. Where did Recab and Baanah go?  What did they pretend to do?  What was their real purpose?  What did they accomplish?
    –
  4. What did Recab and Baanah take to David?  What was their message to him?  What seems to be their expectation?
    –
  5. How did David take the news that was given to him?  How does he describe what took place?  What does he order to be done?
    –

The Application:

  1. On whom, or what, is your courage based?  What events would cause you to lose your courage?  Are there people whose loss of courage would cause you to be alarmed?  Are there people who would be alarmed if you were to lose your courage?
    –
  2. What are some things that would make you feel more, or less, connected to a group?  What harm comes from being disconnected and/or disillusioned?  Are there people who are easy to overlook because they seem to have nothing to offer?  Is that right?
    –
  3. How desperate are you to get ahead in life?  Are there people who you believe stand between you and success?  How do you treat them?
    –
  4. Do you ever expect to be rewarded for something that seems to help someone else even though it was done in a wrong manner?  Do you reward, or honor, activity that helps you even if the activity was wrong?
    –
  5. How would you respond to the falling, or even death, of someone who lives as your adversary or in opposition to you?  How can you live with integrity and honor, even with your enemies?
    –

Next Week: Conquering King
2 Samuel 5

by

2 Samuel: Lesson 4 — A Deadly Feud

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

 

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 4 (A Deadly Feud)
2 Samuel 3:22-39

The Text:

  1. Where have David’s men been?  Who has been leading them?  How successful have they been?  What had taken place while they were gone?
     
  2. When he hears of what had happened while he was away, who does Joab go to?  What are his stated concerns?  What response does David have? 
     
  3. What does Joab have done?  What does Joab do when Abner returns?  Why?  How much of this was David aware of as it happened? 
     
  4. How does David react when he hears of what Joab did?  What is his wish, or prayer, for Joab’s house?  What was the difference between the deaths of Abner and Asahel?
     
  5. What did David require Joab and all those with him to do?  What did David do?  What statement did these actions make to the people?  How did these events make David feel as a leader?

     

  The Application:

  1. How focused are you on being successful at what you do?  What defines that success?  Does it ever seem like what you do causes you to miss things that are important?
     
  2. When you disagree with a decision you had no part of, how likely are you to go to the person responsible for the decision?  How thorough would you be with the real reasons for your concern?  Is an explanation or response from the “other side” important to you?
     
  3. Have you ever gone “behind the back” of an authority that you disagreed with to accomplish what you thought should have been done?  Would it have been helpful to hear the authority out before you acted?  What can be the problem of pursuing justice as you see it?
     
  4. How appalled/accepting are you of sin in the lives of the people closest to you?  Why? 
     
  5. How can you keep the wrong of others from discrediting you when it appears that you would benefit from the wrongdoing?  How does having to address sin in others make you feel?

  

Next Week: Look What I Did!
2 Samuel 4