Main Idea: Nathan or Absalom?
Check-In (Highs & Lows) 15 min
A great, quick way to catch the highlights of what is happening in the lives of the people in your group is to take turns quickly sharing the “highs & lows” of your week. High: What was your biggest highlight since we last met? Low: What was the low point during this time?
Settle-In (Ice-Breaker) 10 min
Think of a time that you witnessed someone do something that made you feel like you needed to step in? Did you retaliate (wield daggers) or rebuke in a loving way, or both?
Dig-In (Scripture) 35 min
1. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-6. Here Nathan is using a story to speak to David. Why do you think Nathan used this tactic with David? What was David’s response to what Nathan was telling him?
2. Read 2 Samuel 12:7-10. What does Nathan reveal to David about the story in verse 7? What did Nathan proceed to do in the three verses?
3. Read 2 Samuel 12:13. What is David’s response to Nathan’s rebuke? How do we see God’s character in this verse?
4. Read 2 Samuel 13:7-14 and 20 - 21. This is an awful story. How is this situation resolved? What is David’s response?
5. Read 2 Samuel 13:28-29. What was Absalom’s response to this situation?
6. Both David and Absalom committed murder. What was the difference in how they faced the aftermath of their sin?
7. Do you tend to run like Absalom, or listen and repent like David?
Gear-Up (Application) 15 min
1. David extended grace to Amnon, but Absalom decided more needed to be done. Are you more like Nathan or Absalom in your response to approaching shortcomings of those around you?
2. How do you become more like Nathan should you encounter people that fall short?
Step-Up (Homework)
Reflect on the ways you have reacted to situations, past or present, that have caused you to act like Absalom. Spend some time in prayer this week asking God to help you see where you can be more like Nathan in your response to others shortcomings. Also reflect on the times when people responded to when you fell short and were Nathan to you. How did it impact you?