The Story of David (Sept. 28th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: 1 Samuel 16- 31, 2 Samuel, Kings 1-2

As we continue our learning about the family tree of Jesus; reaching all the way back to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, Joseph, Ruth; and all their amazing struggles and adventures, we have learned a lot about why we need Christ’s salvation and how God was making the world ready for his Son. Today we looked at the life of King David. We went all the way back to the beginning.. when he was a young, artistic shepherd boy. The youngest of an important family. He was marked as the future King before Saul had died, so he grew up knowing the burden of responsibility. When he defeated Goliath… when he sent Uriah into battle… when he wooed Bathsheba… when he realized his sin through Nathan’s parable… when he brought the Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem… these were all moments of clarity in the life of David and in our learning about him. He was not perfect. He was not sinless. But he drew close to God in his sin and begged forgiveness. The Psalms are full of his laments and put words to our own sins and disappointments, as well as the joy and blessing that we feel in our walk with God. One of the most important themes of this lesson centers around the idea that we need rescuing. David was a good king, but we need the true King. The King of Heaven and Earth. Even the one who defeated Goliath can’t save us. We need Jesus. 

As we told the story, we did not spend a lot of time discussing the relationship between David and Bathsheba. We explained that David wanted Bathsheba to be his wife and so he made a terrible choice to send Uriah into battle to be lost. I recommend that you tread lightly on this topic with he younger students, as it is obviously rife with complicated ideas. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.) 
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best? 
I wonder what part is the most important? 
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you? 
I wonder what the story of Abraham and his family might be teaching you? 

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for David. We can learn so much from his adventurous life. I pray that you would help me to listen to your plan for my life and go with me through all my adventures, even if I am scared or nervous. I know that you are always with me. Help me to be the kind of person that can bring joy to you and who can show the world how powerful and wonderful you are. Amen.”