Gathering
1. Who do you know as “Mr. All-Everything”? (The guy who won at every sport, got any girl he wanted, or never got caught.) How did you interact with him?
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- He always got what I wanted, so I was jealous.
- I admired him and wanted his charm to rub off on me.
- I was angry and determined to take him down.
- I ignored him.
- Other __________.
Backstory
King David was special, chosen, loved, favored, and blessed. From his early days as a young boy keeping the sheep safe, to a courageous warrior defeating the Philistine giant, to a beloved King handpicked by God to lead, everything that David touched was exponentially blessed. That’s when his downfall came. David lusted after his military commander’s wife (Bathsheba), seduced her, had her husband (Uriah) killed in battle, and stole her as his wife. That’s when Nathan the prophet shows up, pointing directly at David’s sin through a painful parable. That’s where we pick up the story.
God’s Story
Have someone 2 Samuel 12: 1-25. (At end of this group session, you’ll read Psalm 51: 1-17, a companion Bible passage.)
Finding My Story in God’s Story
2. Based on what you know of the story, where do you see yourself?
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- Nathan—confronting leadership, speaking truth to power.
- The attendants—afraid to speak up in crisis.
- David—feeling the guilt of evil and grieving his losses.
- Bathsheba—grieving for pain caused by others.
- The child—feeling abandoned and dead to its parents.
- Other __________.
3. If you were one of David’s soldiers, how do you think you would have responded when finding out that the commander-in-chief ordered your leader’s (Uriah’s) death?
4. At what point do you think David began to realize he was wrong?
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- While plotting Uriah’s death, but as a “blessed man” he could get away with it.
- While comforting Bathsheba, who grieved for her lost baby and lost husband.
- After realizing he had killed a loyal soldier.
- When Nathan confirmed David’s guilty conscience.
- Other __________.
5. If you were in David’s shoes listening to Nathan, how do you think you would have felt with this confrontation?
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- Humbled—what is my punishment?
- Defensive—I am the king, and who are you to tell me what to do?
- Hopeful—what can I do to make this right?
- Wanting to make peace—how can I restore the confidence of my people?
- Other ___________.
6. If you were in Bathsheba’s sandals, what would you have done upon learning that your Prince Charming husband had your first husband murdered?
7. Why do you think God waited until this moment to confront David’s actions? (Couldn’t God have saved a whole lot of heartache by acting earlier?)
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- God gave us free will to make our own decisions.
- To remind us that no one is above the law, not even the king.
- To show continued mercy, and faithfulness after David’s repentance
- To flesh out Jesus’ lineage, tied to the flawed David and Bathsheba (Matthew 1:6).
- Other ___________.
Our Story
8. Who is a “Nathan” in your life—someone who can speak the truth to you? When did they last help you find the truth? Where do you need them to help you with a current struggle?
9. In the aftermath of killing Uriah, stealing Bathsheba, and suffering the consequences, David composed Psalm 51.
Read Psalm 51: 1-17 as a group prayer in response to the previous question. Take turns reading a verse or two around your group. In silence, “listen” for about 30 seconds, in your mind to any nudge you may sense after hearing this prayer read aloud. What comes to your mind?
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- As David mourned his sin against God and the people he hurt, so can I.
- As David accepted God’s forgiveness and faithfulness, so will I.
- As David went public with his guilt and grief, so can I.
- Other ___________.
10. How do you need the group to pray for you as you work through a difficult experience?
Let the group leader close in prayer, as the entire group gives thanks for God’s truth, mercy, and the gift of second chances.