SESSION WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? RESPECT AUTHORITY THE SETTING 1 SAMUEL 24:3-12

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1 SESSION RESPECT AUTHORITY THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Most authority figures are good leaders whose authority we can respect. Unfortunately, we encounter other authority figures who, at best, are inept in what they do or, at worst, are self-serving or even out to get us. When it comes to respect, the Bible makes no distinction between the two types of leaders. In the Book of Samuel, David modeled for us how we can respect even the worst kinds of authority figures. THE POINT Respect the authorities God has placed in your life. THE PASSAGE Samuel :- THE SETTING As the previous chapter ended, David had narrowly escaped Saul as his men closed in on David. Advised that the Philistines had raided the homeland, Saul called off the pursuit to fight them. When Saul left abruptly to fight the Philistines, David took the opportunity to find a more secure location. Then without a hint as to how Saul fared in his latest Philistine scuffle, Saul headed back to the wilderness to resume chasing David. 8 SESSION WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? SAMUEL :- And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul s robe. And afterward David s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul s robe. 6 He said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord s anointed. 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. 8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, My lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Behold, David seeks your harm? 0 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord s anointed. See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. For free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/ BibleStudiesForLife For free Midweek Options for your group, visit lifeway.com/bsflrel8sum7

2 PREPARE LEADER LIVE IT OUT Respect Authority Samuel :- Saul pursued David with the sole intent of killing him. When David had the opportunity to end the chase and take Saul s life, he instead addressed the king with great reverence: David bowed, speaking humbly to Saul as my lord and father. In the most trying circumstances, David demonstrated a profound level of respect that could only have been provided by God. Most of us aren t being chased by a murderous king, but we can discover something of our attitudes about authority. Let s ask ourselves: Do I do well in submitting to the laws? How do I speak about my boss? What are my attitudes toward police, politicians, and pastors? Sure, leaders aren t perfect, and respecting authority may be difficult, but God would have us submit with a humble heart to all the authorities He s established on earth. This is a picture of our submission to Him. Prepare: While you prepare for this session, it is critical to allow the truth of Scripture to challenge your heart. God works in our hearts as we teach others His Word. Y As you prepare to lead students this week, humble yourself before God (and others) and ask that He would help you teach from a place of experience. ONE CONVERSATION Scripture: Samuel :- Topic: Respect Authority THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Most authority figures are good leaders whose authority we can respect. Unfortunately, we encounter other authority figures who, at best, are inept in what they do or, at worst, are self-serving or even out to get us. When it comes to respect, the Bible makes no distinction between the two types of leaders. In the Book of Samuel, David modeled for us how we can respect even the worst kinds of authority figures. THE POINT: Respect the authorities God has placed in your life. What have you been taught about respecting authority? How do you respond to the authority figures in your life? What do you like best about David s approach in these verses? What can we learn from David about dealing with difficult people in authority? Discuss the following quote: Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship. Elisabeth Elliot. Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ s Control (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Revell, 00),. LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture: Y Christ: Spend time with your student discussing what he or she can do to further cultivate his or her relationship with Jesus. Y Community: Are there opportunities to serve alongside your student ministry or ways for you to be a better church member? Pray this week for opportunities to lead and serve students. Y Culture: Talk with your student about ways we can live in submission to God and share His goodness with the world. Follow Up: Don t forget to text a picture of the One Conversation section to parents or post it on Facebook and tag them after the session. This will equip them for further family discussion. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

3 ENGAGE ( MINUTES) THE POINT RESPECT THE AUTHORITIES GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE. Engage: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the next page (optional). Discuss: Ask students, What have you been taught about respecting authority? Guide: Call attention to The Point. Keep coming back to it throughout the session. Read: Summarize the Bible Meets Life for your group. Pray: Transition into the session by asking God to help students grow in humility. 0 SESSION

4 ENGAGE OPTIONS LEAD WITH ACTION Search the Internet for Alka-Seltzer On The Head Duel. Have four students compete, but give each student a unique disadvantage (i.e. blindfold, off-hand, etc.). Give the winning students a prize. Say, Sometimes the authority figures in our life make things more difficult than we would like, but showing respect can ultimately be rewarding. LEAD WITH ATMOSPHERE Ask students not to speak as they enter, and give each student an assigned seat. Tell students to read their Bibles and pray before the service begins. Say, We often think of authority figures as rule makers who want to dictate our lives, but God uses leaders to direct us toward good things and accomplish His will. LEAD WITH MEDIA Search the Internet for A German Child s Life Under Hitler s Regime. Play the video as you begin the session. Say, It can be a challenge to listen to authority when we think that we know best. The Bible teaches that our respect for authority demonstrates our respect for God. Think about the authority figures you struggle to respect. NOTE: Always make sure you preview any video clip you show students and ensure that it is appropriate for your church and ministry. FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS Divide the students into teams of four and have them compete in a relay race. Have a leader frequently blowing a whistle to indicate when the students can start and stop. If students keep going after the whistle blows to stop, make them start all over. Say, Sometimes the authority figures in our life make things more difficult than we would like, but showing respect can ultimately be rewarding. SECOND OPTION Place pictures around the room of leaders in the students lives, such as parents, teachers, and coaches. As students enter the room, say, We don t always have a positive outlook on the leaders in our lives, but God uses leaders to accomplish His will. LEADER PACK ELEMENTS If you have the optional Leader Pack, consider one of the following: DVD: Play the Unit Session DVD opener to introduce the session and get everyone on the same page. Item : Introduce the session by using the Romans : poster. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

5 IMPART (0 MINUTES) THE POINT RESPECT THE AUTHORITIES GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE. Ask: Read the question, then encourage students to share. Read: Invite a student to read the passage aloud. Discuss: Summarize the paragraph, then allow a moment for students to discuss. Summarize: Share your thoughts on this section. 6 Connect: Help students relate the main ideas to their lives. 6 Do: Ask students to read the quote and write their thoughts. Discuss as a group. SESSION

6 COMMENTARY SAMUEL :-7 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul s robe. And afterward David s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul s robe. He said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord s anointed. So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. SAMUEL :-7 Verse. Act with grace toward those in authority. Working on an informant s tip, Saul and,000 men scoured the precarious crags and caves to track down David. The area included steep mountains intersected by wadis running down in deep ravines to the Dead Sea, as well as many caverns and caves that would have provided hiding places for David and his men. Feeling the urge of nature, Saul searched out a place where he could relieve himself privately. As Saul entered the cave, nobody not even his personal bodyguard would have accompanied him, making him quite vulnerable. Verse. David s men assured him Saul s presence in the cave fulfilled God s promise to deliver Saul into David s hands. They pushed David to seize this opportunity to assassinate Saul; to them, God had obviously caused Saul to choose this place to relieve himself. David remained unconvinced, yet saw an opportunity to make a statement. He crept stealthily toward the oblivious Saul, who had apparently laid his robe out of the way. David cut off a portion of the edge. Saul s robe would have had a distinctive fringe or design reserved only for the king, symbolizing his power and authority. By cutting off a corner of Saul s robe, David had symbolically declared a revolt. Verse. David refused to interpret Saul s stumbling into this particular cave as a sign to harm Saul. Killing an enemy in battle or an attacker in self-defense hardly compared to assassinating a king. Yet after he had cut off the corner of Saul s robe, David immediately recognized the implications of his act. David had gone too far. Verse 6. As he returned with the prize that had soured his heart, David said he swore before the Lord that he would never do such a thing. David knew Saul had been set apart or consecrated by God and as such, he must not be violated. Cutting off the corner of Saul s robe had directly challenged Saul s kingship and authority as the Lord s anointed. David s remorse meant he still respected Saul as the one anointed by God. That the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul (6:) did not change David s conviction that Saul was still the one anointed by to be Israel s king. Tip: Make sure students are aware that in the midst of bad treatment, they are to trust God rather than return the treatment to others. Verse 7. David had to get quite forceful with his men to prevent them from harming Saul. They wanted to kill him when they had the clear opportunity. However, David persuaded his men not do to so. While not clear from most English translations, the Hebrew word has more punch, because David literally tore apart his men as he forcefully stopped their ill-advised scheme and fiercely defended Saul s life. Meanwhile, Saul got up, picked up his robe, and went on his way, oblivious that his enemy, David, has just spared his life. David had passed a huge test. Israel s next ruler willingly entrusted the matter of his becoming king to God s best timing and judgment. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

7 IMPART (0 MINUTES) THE POINT RESPECT THE AUTHORITIES GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE. Read: Ask a student to read the passage. Summarize: Share your thoughts on this first section. Engage: Emphasize that social media provides a great opportunity to share biblical truth. Highlight: Share the ways David showed respect to Saul. 6 Summarize: Share your thoughts about this section. 6 Ask: Read the question and invite two or three students to respond. 7 7 Connect: Drive home the main points and help students to apply them. SESSION

8 COMMENTARY SAMUEL :8- Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, My lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Behold, David seeks your harm? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord s anointed. See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. SAMUEL :8- Verse 8. Speak with grace and conviction toward those in authority. After Saul strolled far enough away from the cave for David to come out safely, David called out to him from behind, My lord the king! Rather than harm Saul, David had proven he would not oppose Saul or act in any detrimental way toward him. Imagine Saul s shock when he heard David call out from the cave he had just left. David was lying face down on the ground in homage, a display of his reverence for and submission to the king. David called Saul both my lord and the king from a posture of humility. Clearly David wanted to ensure that Saul would get the message. David posed no threat. Verse 9. David gave no time for Saul to reply he immediately articulated his passionate and eloquent plea for reconciliation. David cautiously sidestepped accusing Saul of initiating malicious actions against him. With the skill of an expert lawyer, David tactfully tossed blame for Saul s behavior upon some of Saul s servants, asking why he would listen to them. No doubt many in Saul s court conspired continually to poison Saul s mind against David with false accusations. Verse 0. Continuing to make his case, David called on Saul as his first witness. David credited God with handing Saul over to him, yet David let Saul go unscathed. Saul realized he had escaped death. Unlike Saul, David had refused to listen when someone urged me to kill you. Instead, David spared Saul, that is, he looked with compassion on Saul. Most notably, David declared his motive for sparing the king: he recognized Saul was the Lord s anointed. To harm the king would have been rebellion against God, who had enthroned him. David respected Saul s authority because he respected God s ultimate authority. The phrase sometimes gets misinterpreted to mean one should never speak against a pastor or leader. But David meant he would not kill Saul. David did, however, humbly confront Saul with his sin, hoping Saul would change his heart. Similarly, sometimes our leaders need correcting. David provided the model for speaking with grace whenever this becomes necessary. Verse. David saved his material evidence for last. The term father was often used in ancient times as a token of respect by an inferior to a superior. As David held up the corner of Saul s robe, Saul s heart must have sunk. If Saul had any doubt about how close he came to dying in that cave, David held all the evidence needed to erase that doubt. Saul s robe would serve as a reminder of how close he had come to death, and that David had spared his life. With the proof and evidence in his hand, David pronounced the verdict. He was not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion against the throne. David had not wronged Saul, yet Saul was hunting David down to kill him. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

9 IMPART (0 MINUTES) THE POINT RESPECT THE AUTHORITIES GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE. Do: Allow students time to finish the optional Action Point (p. 0) in the PSG. Read: Invite a student to read the passage for the group. 6 Invite: Ask students to think about this and note an experience. Highlight: Summarize this section highlighting the significance of David s statement. Ask: Invite students to respond to the question. 6 Do: Direct students to complete the Action Point. Discuss your answers as a group. 6 SESSION

10 COMMENTARY SAMUEL : May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. SAMUEL : Verse. Leave conflict with authority figures in God s hands. David did not need to say or do anything more to defend himself before Saul. He referred the matter to the Lord. In making his case, David had proved that he had not harmed Saul when he had the opportunity in the cave. He made it plain that he had no intention of using any kind of violence against Saul by calling on the Lord to take vengence should He do so. A day would come when Saul would face judgment. On that day he would lose the throne. David referred the dispute to the Lord as the proper Judge who could both punish the offender and oppressor, and deliver the oppressed. David would take no action to deliver Saul to his judgment. He rested his case entirely in the Lord s hands. In so doing, David set a dynamic example of humility and loyalty. Although driven to insanity by his sinful behavior, Saul was still the ruler of God s people. Therefore, David humbled himself and declared his loyalty to King Saul. Leaving a conflict with someone in authority in God s hands will often not be the easy choice. At first we may have great intentions as we act and speak with grace and conviction. But over time, if this does not appear to bring about the desired results, temptations might come to join with others to speed up the change we want to see take place by speaking against the person in authority or by taking action to have the individual removed. But even when the authority figure fails to do what is right, we must exemplify Christlike behavior and leave the matter to God. Tip: Ensure students understand that being obedient to God is a key part of being set apart and holy. God in His infinite wisdom has established the authorities in our lives (Rom. :). He ordained three spheres or institutions of authority: family, church, and government. All three exist because God set them up as the means by which people relate to one another and to Him. Each sphere has leaders that God has ordained. Some are good, while others are not so good. Usually we can do little about how the authorities in our lives conduct themselves and lead. Our responsibilities lie in the way we conduct ourselves and how we act and speak toward those in authority. We should remember that by submitting to our authorities, we obey God. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

11 IMPACT (0 MINUTES) THE POINT RESPECT THE AUTHORITIES GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE. Discuss: Read and discuss the quote with students. Guide: The Christ portion of the Live It Out section encourages students to dig deeply into God s Word and examine their motives for serving others. Remember the Bible Reading Plan provides students with a custom reading plan to stay in God s Word and follows along with each session. Guide: As you guide your students through the Community section, remember to emphasize the importance of community with believers outside of group. 8 SESSION

12 IMPACT Guide: The Culture section equips students to apply this session to their lives every week. Help students see themselves and others through the lens of God s Word to develop a lifestyle of investing in others for the gospel. Pray: In closing, pray that students would ultimately desire to honor God s authority, which means respecting all authorities He s established. 6 Follow Up: This week connect with students by sending daily prayer requests that you can all take time to focus on each day. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9