[Sunday] David A Christmas Story - Rise & Fall

Sermon

The story of David follows those patterns of the kingdom of God. From Hannah’s pattern of humbleness to Eli’s pattern of pride leading to a fall. But David's fall at the end of Samuel cries out into the future giving us eyes to see the pattern again in the true and better David. 

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Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 21-24

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Grief - Rise & Fall

Absalom looks at his father David and only sees pain. In his attempt to take the throne, he ends up getting caught up in his own pride. 

Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 13-20

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Bathsheba- Rise & Fall

David looks over his kingdom, holding his head high enough to not look on the problems and needs of those in his kingdom beyond himself. In a series of moves with Bathsheba, David neglects others and causes hurt and pain for his own family for years. But in that same series of moves we see the power of forgiveness in the cross and resurrection.

Questions This Week

1. For this week read 2 Samuel chapters 8 and 12.

   1.  What has the most annoying person in the world done to you?  What makes them so annoying?

   2. Read 2 Samuel 11.  What does David use his power to do?   How does one sin lead to other sins?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14.  Why does Nathan tell the story about sheep to David?  What does David realize?  

   4. When have you been “that man?”   When you realize that you are “that guy,” what should you do?

   5. How does looking to the cross of Jesus give you hope when you are “that guy?”

Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 8-12

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] House - Rise & Fall

David feels bad as he looks around his really nice house made of cedar; the Lord needs a house like this. Peter sees Jesus bright and shiny on the mountain and immediately wants to build a house for Jesus. But Jesus, with the Lord’s house behind him, says, “Tear it down, and I will rebuild it in 3 days.” We realize it has never been about the house we want to build.

Questions This Week

1. Read 2 Samuel chapters 6 and 7.

   1. What is the greatest church building you’ve ever seen? What made it so great?

   2. What are ways we are tempted to think we are building things for God that actually honor ourselves?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Why does David want to build a house for the Lord? 

   4. How does God describe being with his people? As David thinks he’s going to build a house for God, what does God promise to do (see verses 12-16)?

   5. God isn’t confined to a building and promises to go with you wherever you go. Describe a time when this has given you peace.

Bible Study for Sunday
Chapters 29-31- 2 Samuel 1-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Future - Rise & Fall

Saul is uneasy, he feels his future sitting on him with the weight of the world. If he could only talk to Samuel again. Even though the powers of the world keep telling David to take charge of his future, he simply trusts living in each day the Lord gives him.

Questions This Week

1. For this week, read 1 Samuel 28 - 2 Samuel 5

   1. Share about a time you’ve worried about the future.  What was it like?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 28.  What is Saul worried about? What does he try to do to fix the problems that cause him to worry? What is the result?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 1. How does David respond to Saul’s death?  Why do you think he responds that way?   

   4. How can you share the peace of Jesus with someone who might be in the midst of a worry?

Bible Study for Sunday
Chapters 29-31- 2 Samuel 1-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Projection - Rise & Fall

It seems as if much of the first book of Samuel is taken up with Saul trying to kill David and David escaping; and when David catches Saul in the most vulnerable position, his men urge him to kill Saul. It would be nothing more than self-defense. Wouldn’t Saul kill David if Saul caught him with his pants down? Isn’t Saul turning over every stone in the wilderness looking for David so he can kill him? Saul and David are both projecting: one a murderous rage and the other, the kingdom of God.

Questions This Week

1. Read 1 Samuel Chapters 20-26.

   1. Think of someone who has done wrong to you.   How does revenge towards this person negatively affect you?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 24:1-22.  Describe what happens when Saul goes into the cave where David is.  Why did David only cut the corner of Saul’s robe?

   3. How does Jesus do a similar thing as David for you?

   4. How does forgiveness free us from the need for revenge?  What benefit does forgiving others have in your life?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 20-26

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] David & Goliath - Rise & Fall

Goliath stands taunting them to send someone to fight, but none of God’s people, nor their weapons, are strong enough. Salvation is riding on this one battle. Samuel stands in front of Jesse’s sons, looking for a new king, but as he stares at all these strong sons, the  smallest is missing, left in the field to shepherd.  To this the Lord says, I do not look at outward appearance; I look at the heart, for that smallest son is God’s kingdom answer of salvation.

Questions This Week

1. For this week read 1 Samuel Chapters 16 -20.

   1.  Before reading this week, share what you know about the story of David and Goliath?  What would you say the point of the story was?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.  When choosing the next king, what does God look at?   How is it tempting to look at things other than the heart?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 17.   Compare and contrast David and Goliath.  Compare and contrast Saul and David. 

   4. How is Jesus a true and better David as the Good Shepherd?   What has Jesus done for you as your Good Shepherd?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 16-20

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Fickle King - Rise & Fall

Saul is king, but his temperament and leadership move him around like a plastic bag on a windy day. He is at the whims of people’s emotions rather than trusting in the God who took them out of Egypt. This king is just fickle, even if he is of a kingdom that is not.

Questions This Week

1. For this week, read 1 Samuel chapters 12-15.

   1. Describe a time you’ve seen someone use God’s name for selfish gain.  When have you been tempted in the same way?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23. What excuse does Saul come up with for not following the command of the Lord?  How are we tempted to make similar excuses? What is the result?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 12: 19-25. What promise does God have for you?  How does Jesus fulfill this promise?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 12-15

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] We Want a King - Rise & Fall

The cry, “We want a king” comes when all seems lost. When enemies are at the gates, when leaders seem corrupt and inept, they cried for a king like all the other nations. But even though they reject God with this cry, He still sees them and never leaves their side.

Questions This Week

1. Recommended Reading 1 Sameul Chapters 8 thru 11 

   1. Describe a time you felt “unseen.” What did you do to try and be seen?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 8. Why does God give his people a king?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 9-10. What do you find most surprising about the story of Saul chosen to be king?   

   4. Jesus comes and “sees” people. How does being “seen” and noticed by God who cares about you bring you peace?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters7-12

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall

Eli is the head priest for the nation of Israel, but his reflection in the world, his sons, show an awful pattern. This is a pattern that extends beyond his family to fundamental issues with all of humanity, which caused the downfall of so many in the Bible and even still today. When pride and using God to your own advantage cause you to lose everything, we probably won't find salvation in anything we do.

Questions This Week

1. Recommended Reading 1 Samuel 2:11-Chapter 7

   1. Where have you used God’s name to advance your own agenda?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11.  What do the son’s of Eli hope to accomplish by using the ark of God?  What happens?  What do you learn from this?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 5:1-12.  What happens in the temple of Dagon?  What does this teach us about the Israelite’s God?

   4. Read 1 Samuel 7:5-14.   What happens when the Israelites return to God?   What lesson do you learn?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters3-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Hannah's Pattern - Rise & Fall

Hannah is a mess. She is made fun of constantly, and to top it off, she cannot have children. She is even disrespected by the priest while trying to pray. But suddenly we see a pattern emerge that sings of the God who remembers the humble.

Questions This Week

1. When is a time when you’ve experienced great anxiety, vexation, or trouble because someone was making fun of a weakness of yours?

2. Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10.  What does Hannah experience in the midst of her weakness and lowliness?

3. What other stories in the Bible does Hannah’s story remind you of?  How do you see the pattern of God’s kingdom working in these stories?

4. Jesus was lowly on the cross.  How does this change how you relate to others?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Rise & Fall - Saul and David in Samuel (Teaching Series)

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In a world where chaos has reigned, the people cry for the rule of a king, a king who will raise them into a bigger and brighter existence. However, as pride and the desire for power rise, so, too, come the falls.

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Reading Plan
The readings for Sunday

• 4/16/23

  • 1 Samuel 2:1-10
    Romans 9:1-5
    Mark 13:1-8

• 4/23/23

  • 1 Samuel 5:1-12
    Romans 9:6-15
    Luke 18:35-43

• 4/30/23

  • 1 Samuel 8:19-22, 9:15-21
    Romans 9:16-24
    Matthew 21:6-11

• 5/7/23

  • 1 Samuel 13:8-15
    Romans 9:24-29
    Matthew 23:13-17

• 5/14/23

  • 1 Samuel 16:1-13
    Romans 9:30 - 10:4
    Matthew 18:1-5

• 5/21/23

  • 1 Samuel 24:1-12
    Romans 10:5-13
    Luke 6:32-36

• 5/28/23

  • 2 Samuel 1:1-6
    Romans 10:14-21
    Matthew 14:13-21

• 6/4/23

  • 2 Samuel 7:8-16
    Romans 11:1-10
    Matthew 22:41-46

• 6/11/23

  • 2 Samuel 12;1-13
    Romans 11:17-24
    Matthew 20:29-34

• 6/18/23

  • 2 Samuel 18:31-19:2
    Romans 11:25-36
    Matthew 24:1-8

• 6/25/23

  • 2 Samuel 24:10-17
    Romans 12:1-8
    Matthew 24:36-42