DAVID: MESSY SPIRITUALITY series

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DAVID: MESSY SPIRITUALITY series “Foo Fighters”

February 10/12, 2012

CONNECT This weekend, we started a new series called “David: Messy Spirituality.” David is one of those heros in the Bible who, when you look at his life, you realize had big flaws and lived a messy life—full of mistakes and consequences. Still, God considered David a man after His own heart. Continue the discussion started in the sermon by looking at the beginning of David’s journey and how God looks at the heart of those whom He chooses to serve His purposes. •

Share with one another a time when you were feeling anxiety or pressure over whether you would be chosen for something, like a sports or cheerleading team, a college, a job or something else. Were you feeling confident or not? What happened?

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Have you ever felt disqualified or unworthy to do something significant? Was there a time in particular that made you feel this way? What was it and why? Do you still feel this way?

ENGAGE Read the following passage together: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

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But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”

The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4

Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

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Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

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Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. 13

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What is happening in this passage? Look for observations about how Samuel goes about finding God’s chosen one. What do we learn about David and his family?

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In the middle of a presidential election, how does our country go about finding a leader who is qualified? What do we look for? Compare this with how God chooses leaders. What does God look for and who is qualified? Why did He select David?

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Why do you think God chooses those who feel unqualified or unworthy to do significant things (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 1 Timothy 1:15-16)? How does this communicate and connect with the Gospel?

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How can our struggles be opportunities for ministry (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)? Have you ever experienced how God has used your past struggles to make a connection or to comfort someone else? Has someone ever done this for you?

RESPOND As your group seeks to respond to the scriptures and the message, consider the following questions: •

Look at the following statement: I’m not worthy to be chosen by God to do something significant because ______________. How would David have filled in the blank? What is in your blank?

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Based on this discussion, how might the things you put in the blank be, in fact, some of the reasons why God would choose you? Get specific. How might God want to use your areas of struggle or pain in order to connect with someone else? Does your attitude need to shift about your feelings of unworthiness?

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What are some real barriers that do keep people from being used by God? Are you facing any of those barriers right now or have you ever faced them? How can you go about addressing them together?

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Why is it vital that your LifeGroup be open to sharing insecurities and vulnerabilities with one another? What is necessary in order for you and others to be open to sharing these things with each other?

GO DEEPER If your group is looking for even more discussion about being chosen by God and leadership, take a look at: •

Titus 1:5-9

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1 Timothy 1:12-17

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1 Timothy 3:1-13

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Luke 1:46-55

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1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Each week, this section will provide parenting-specific questions for you and your family. If you’d like more insights on parenting from our Next Generation team, consult Chase Oaks Church’s Parenting Blog at cocparenting.wordpress.com. As you reflect on Jeff's message and look at the life of David, consider how you can teach your kids to serve God faithfully. Here are a few questions you might pose to them:

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Who does God use to help Him accomplish His work?

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What qualities does God look for? (Character traits - humility, trustworthiness, honesty, etc.)

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What events of our past would keep God from loving us or using us? (Hint: NONE!)

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Was David perfect?

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Why was David such an effective leader?