Living it Bible Experience Application Guide

Transcription

1 2013/2014 Editin Living it Bible Experience Applicatin Guide A team Bible knwledge challenge fr 2 Samuel Nrth American Divisin Pathfinder Ministries

2 2013 Editin Authr: Sctt R. Ward Nrth American Divisin Office f Pathfinder Ministries Cpyright 2014 by the Nrth American Divisin Crpratin f Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. The handuts in this bk may be used and reprduced in lcal church printed matter withut permissin frm the publisher. It may nt, hwever, be used r reprduced in ther bks r publicatins withut prir permissin frm the cpyright hlder. Reprinting the cntent as a whle r fr giveaway r resale is expressly prhibited.

3 Intrductin King David didn t have a Bible and he never sat n a hillside reading a devtinal bk. He prbably culdn t even read and yet he knew Gd as well as anyne wh ever walked the face f planet earth. In fact mst peple yu read abut in the Bible were illiterate s they memrized large prtins f the Bible as they listened t it being recited by their parents and read by the priests and scribes in the lcal synaggues and the Sanctuary. It was by listening and memrizing it fr himself that David learned t lve the Bible. Thrughut Psalms David talks abut hw much he lves the Sanctuary and Gd s law he even says he meditated n it day and night. The mst imprtant passage f scripture in ancient Jewish culture is the Shema: Hear, O Israel: The Lrd ur Gd, the Lrd is ne. Lve the Lrd yur Gd with all yur heart and with all yur sul and with all yur strength. These cmmandments that I give yu tday are t be n yur hearts. Impress them n yur children. Talk abut them when yu sit at hme and when yu walk alng the rad, when yu lie dwn and when yu get up. When yu sit dwn and immerse yurself in scripture spending lng perids f time in just a few verses yu are fllwing in the ftsteps f the ancient Israelites and Jesus Himself. Reflecting n Scripture and memrizing it s lessns lcks it in yur mind where n ne can take it frm yu. This Living it Applicatin Guide is t help yu in this jurney f understanding scripture and especially with Living it. The chapter guides are nt cmprehensive they d nt cver every detail f each chapter that wuld take a few hundred pages. Each chapter guide chses a few key pints t help yu start thinking differently abut Scripture t remember it and internalize it. The guides fr the chapters are structured as fllws: 1. Warm Up: Questins fr individual reflectin/small grup discussin. These questins will attempt t help the participants relate aspects f their wn lives t the lives f the Bible characters. This will invlve persnal sharing. 2. Engaging the Passage: This will include sme discussin f the passage and ne r mre f the fllwing: a. Entering the passage as a participant r bystander t help imagine the scene. b. Relevant histrical/backgrund infrmatin. c. Reflectin/discussin questins that g deeper int the passage 3. Applying the Passage t Yur Life a. Thught prvking applicatin questins b. Calls fr cmmitment t actin 4. Time f Prayer: May include any r all f the fllwing: Adratin/cnfessin/requests/praises/silent prayer/cnversatinal prayer

4 Sanctify them by Yur truth. Yur wrd is truth. Jhn 17:17 (NKJV) Abve all, yu must understand that n prphecy f Scripture came abut by the prphets wn interpretatin. Fr prphecy never had its rigin in the will f man, but men spke frm Gd as they were carried alng by the Hly Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV) It is nt safe fr us t turn frm the Hly Scriptures with nly a casual reading f their sacred pages... Rein the mind up t the high task that has been set befre it, and study with determined interest, that yu may understand divine truth. Thse wh d this will be surprised t find what the mind can attain. The mind must be restrained and nt allwed t wander. It shuld be trained t dwell upn the Scriptures and upn nble, elevating themes. Prtins f Scripture, even whle chapters, may be cmmitted t memry t be repeated when Satan cmes in with his temptatins. Ellen G. White in Mind, Character, and Persnality, Vl. 1. Page Outreach Ideas: Sme chapter guides will include ideas fr getting utside f yurself r yur grup and reaching the wrld arund yu that s hw yu Live it! The recmmended cmpanins fr this series are: Andrews Study Bible, Authentic: Cmmitted fr Life, by Sctt R. Ward, pathfinders May Jesus Christ Himself bless yu richly as yu embark n this jurney t making Gd s Wrd a Living and vital part f wh yu are. Pastr Sctt R. Ward Yuth Pastr, English Oaks Church, Ldi, CA Public High Schl Campus Ministries Crdinatr, NAD Executive Directr, Living it Discipleship Resurce Center (livingiths.rg) Yur wrd is a lamp t my feet and a light t my path. Psalms 119:105 (NKJV) The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

5 Chapter Guide Outline: 1. Warm-up Questins fr individual reflectin/small grup discussin. These questins will attempt t help participants relate aspects f their wn lives t the lives f Bible characters. This will invlve persnal sharing. 2. Engaging the Chapter This will include sme discussin f the chapter and ne r mre f the fllwing: a. Entering the verses as a participant r bystander t help imagine the scene b. Relevant histrical/backgrund infrmatin c. Reflectin/discussin questins that g deeper int the chapter 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life a. Thught prvking applicatin questins b. Calls fr cmmitment t actin 4. Time f Prayer May include any r all f the fllwing: Adratin/cnfessin/requests/praises/silent prayer/cnversatinal prayer. 5. Outreach Ideas Sme chapter guides include ideas fr getting utside f yur grup and reaching the wrld arund yu that s hw yu Live it! Recmmended Cmpanins fr this Series Andrews Study Bible, Authentic: Cmmitted fr Life by Sctt R. Ward, Living It High Schl Outreach Resurces fr Pathfinders, The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

6 Part I: David's Kingdm Established (Chapters 1-10) Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 1 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever cut yurself accidentally with a pcket knife r sme ther sharp bject? Hw did it happen? Did yu cry? b. Have yu ever been bullied r seen smene else get bullied? What was it like? Hw can yu help stp bullying frm happening? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: The Bible talks repeatedly abut tens f thusands f sldiers marching against each ther as they cnquered the prmised land ne battle at a time and it was this very type f battle that was being referred t here in the first chapter f the bk f 2 Samuel. These were barbaric times and Gd had t try and wrk with the peple where they were... Have yu ever seen any f the Chrnicles f Narnia r The Lrd f the Rings mvies? The epic battle scenes just captivated my imaginatin when I saw my first Narnia mvie. I'd never been able t picture what these ancient battles with armies wielding swrds and spears lked like befre. T me they lk just like what the Bible describes in it's raging battles fr The Lrd (minus the Gryphns, Centaurs, etc.). Picture it: Imagine yu were a sldier in ancient Israel. Hw d yu think yu wuld feel being in the midst f thusands f mighty men swinging razr sharp swrds and spears in every directin? D yu think yu wuld be crying ut fr Gd s help like David ften did? What kinds f things make yu cry ut t Gd tday? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

7 When David and his men fund ut that Saul and Jnathan had lst their lives due t ne f these epic battles they tre their clthes and put dirt n their heads and wailed and cried fr hurs even days. Jnathan was David s best friend, but keep in mind that Saul hunted David like a wild animal fr years trying t kill him ut f jealus rage. And yet, David murned bth his friend and his enemy. Have yu ever felt such cmpassin fr smene wh didn't seem t deserve it? Hw hard is that t d? Why? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Watch ne f the Chrnicles f Narnia mvies r a Bible mvie with epic battle scenes t try and get a feel fr what ancient Biblical battles must have lked and felt like. Ask yurself r discuss with a friend hw Gd culd wrk in such barbaric cnditins back then and hw yu can be used by Gd in the cnditins in which yu live tday. b. Often times bullies have been victims f bullying themselves. What d yu think yu can d t be mre like David and shw kindness t thse wh bully yu r yur friends? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) Spend a few minutes praying fr thse wh have been mean r incnsiderate t yu r a friend. Ask Jesus t help them feel bad abut the way they treat yu and t give them a desire t change their ways. Ask Jesus t help yu be kind t them in spite f the way they treat yu The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

8 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 2 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. D yu knw what a Ouija Bard is? What d yu knw abut hw it wrks and what is des? b. D yu knw what the Thummim and Urim are? What d yu knw abut hw they wrk and what they are fr? c. What is the difference between Ouija Bards and the Thummim and Urim? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Have yu ever wished yu culd ask Gd a questin and He wuld answer in a vice as clear as yur mm r dad's? In David's time they had smething called the Urim and Thummim funny names right? The Urim and Thummim were special stnes munted n the High Priests breast-plate. This breast-plate was a kind f cvering that fit ver the High Priest s chest and was used in ceremnies and fr asking Gd questins. It was made f gld and had jewels representing each f the twelve tribes f Israel and the Urim and Thummim were the way Gd wuld answer simple questins ne wuld light up when the answer was "yes" and the ther wuld light when the answer was "n." Why d yu think Gd n lnger use theses special "yes" and "n" stnes t cmmunicate with church leaders tday? D yu think it wuld be an easier way t get answers frm Gd? If Gd did still cmmunicate with peple that way what kind f questins wuld yu like t ask? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

9 Hw des Gd answer questins like this tday? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Have a cnversatin with an adult that yu knw and trust. Ask them what kind f questins Gd has answered fr them and ask specifically hw they knew the answers were frm Gd. b. Make a cmmitment t spend mre time reading yur Bible each day s that yu can becme familiar with the kinds f questins Gd typically answered in the Bible times and why yu think He answered them the way He did. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) Pray and ask Jesus t help yu fcus yur prayers n the requests that we knw Gd wants t answer with a yes. Requests like: a. Please help me t remember t spend time with yu every day. b. Please help me t have peace in my heart. c. Please help me t be used by Yu t help thers The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

10 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 3 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever had a crush n tw peple at the same time? D yu think it wuld be hard t date tw peple at nce? Why/why nt? b. Have yu ever said smething and then wished yu culd take it back immediately? Is it easy t take back hurtful things yu ve said? Why/why nt? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: Ntice that here, in the first few verses f Chapter 3, it is recrded that David had 6 sns brn t him while he lived in Hebrn. Did yu als ntice that these sn s mthers all had different names? In Bible times it was cmmn fr kings t have mre than ne wife. Many kings als had lts f cncubines. Why d yu think it was acceptable fr kings t live and have children with s many different wmen at the same in thse days? Why d yu think it is nt acceptable in fact it is illegal t have mre than ne wife in the United States tday? What d yu think wuld be the hardest part abut having mre than ne spuse at the same time? What wuld be the best part? D yu think the best part wuld utweigh the wrst part? Why/why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

11 Mre Backgrund: In the next part f this chapter we see sme f the prblem with having t many wives/girlfriends at nce. Ishbsheth, Saul s sn, accused Abner, the cmmander f Saul s army, f sleeping with ne f his father s cncubines. This led t Abner defecting t David s side and ending the reign f Saul s sn ver Israel. All the betrayal, fighting, death in this chapter was ver wmen and sex. D bys/ men still fight ver girls/wmen tday? Why d yu think that is? D yu think girls/wmen like being fught ver? Why/why nt? One f David s greatest mistakes recrded in the Bible is when he saw Bathsheba bathing n her rf and sent fr her s that he culd sleep with her. Hw much f this situatin d yu think was due t the fact that the culture cnsidered it acceptable fr kings t sleep with lts f wmen? D yu think David wuld have made the same kind f mistake if he were the president f the united states tday? Why/why nt? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. After reading abut all the drama ver sex in this chapter it wuld be a great time t make a vw t wait until marriage t have sex. Ask yur parents r yuth leader abut hw t take a purity vw. Ggle true lve waits and vws f purity fr ideas and curriculums fr ding this. b. Have a discussin with yur parents r a yuth leader abut hw watching mvies with sex and lve scenes and listening t music with sexually explicit lyrics can impact yur wn persnal views f sex and lve. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray fr Gd t help yu have pure thughts twards ther peple. b. Pray fr Jesus t help yu t chse t avid entertainment that is sexually inapprpriate. c. Pray fr yur future spuse and fr yurself t remain pure until the day that Gd brings yu tgether in marriage. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

12 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 4 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What is the wrst stry f betrayal yu knw f in Bible times? What made it s bad? b. What is the wrst stry f betrayal yu knw f in mdern times? What made it s bad? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: This chapter tells the stry f betrayal. Tw men, Baanah and Recab, wh were captains f king Ishbsheth s raiding parties heard that their great cmmander, Abner, had defected t David s side and then been killed. They apparently realized that king Ishbsheth was in the prcess f lsing pwer s they decided t kill him and take his head t David t shw what they had dne. What is the difference between killing and murder in times f war? What d yu think Baanah and Recab felt they had t gain by cmmitting this act f murder? What makes this stry a stry f betrayal? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

13 Hw d yu think the sleeping drkeeper shuld be treated in this situatin? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) In this stry David shws that he desn t believe in getting revenge n his enemies himself. Instead, David leaves revenge and justice in Gd s hands. Think f a time when yu have tried t get revenge a. What happened that made yu feel like yu needed t get revenge? b. Hw did the situatin turn ut? c. What did yu learn frm David s stry that culd help yu t deal with situatins like this differently? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t frgive yu fr the times yu ve tried t get revenge. b. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu remember t leave justice in Gd s hands. c. Pray fr peace t always deal with difficult situatins calmly. 5. Outreach Idea G and talk t smene that has made yu angry and made yu feel like yu needed revenge. Tell them that yu frgive them and want t start ver with yur relatinship. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

14 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 5 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever mved t a new schl and had t make new friends? What was it like t be the new kid n the blck and have t start ver in a new place? b. Hw d yu treat new students that mve t yur schl? Are yu welcming and friendly r d yu keep yur distance? Is it easy r hard fr new students t break int yur circle f friends? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: After years n the run David is finally being established as king f the entire Israelite natin and sets up Jerusalem as the capitl f his kingdm. All his patience and kindness in tlerating Saul s mistreatment because he was the Lrd s aninted has finally paid ff. D yu think that when peple are being bullied tday they shuld be patient like David r fight back? David didn t give-in t bullying. He always defended his friends and family frm the bully but he never went n the ffensive when Saul was after him. Why d yu think that was? Hw can peple fllw David s example when they are being bullied tday? David always talked t Gd abut his situatin and always asked Gd t tell him what t d weather he was running frm Saul r setting up his kingdm. Hw can yu seek Gd s guidance in all the situatins yu face in yur life tday? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

15 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Think f a situatin yu are invlved in right nw where smene is being unkind t yu. Discuss the situatin with yur yuth leader and sme friends and try t make a plan f hw yu can deal with the situatin like David did. b. Think f sme times when yu have had cnflict with yur parents. Discuss with yur yuth leader hw yu can apply the principals David used in dealing with cnflict in yur situatin. Is dealing with parents different than dealing with thers? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray fr Jesus t help yu t always be kind t thers especially thse wh mistreat yu. b. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu learn what it means t turn the ther cheek. 5. Outreach Idea Think f smething nice yu can d fr smene wh either ignres yu r is unkind t yu. Try writing a nice nte r just smiling and saying, hell. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

16 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 6 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What is yur favrite style f music? Why? b. Have yu ever heard peple fight ver what style music shuld be played in church? Why d yu think that is? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: David has decided t bring the Ark f the Lrd t Jerusalem where he will establish the religius center f his empire. The prcessin cnsisted f 30,000 elite trps and lts f peple singing and playing instruments. Here are just a few f the instruments mentined: Lyres, harps, tamburines, castanets, and cymbals. This chapter als says that David danced befre the Lrd with all his might in a priestly rbe and ffered sacrifices alng the way. Why d yu think David brught s many sldiers in the prcessin? Why d yu think David ffered sacrifices alng the way? Why d yu think David and his peple used lud instruments like cymbals and tamburines fr a sacred prcessin? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

17 Why d yu think David danced befre the Lrd? What d yu think is the difference between David s style f dancing and the style f dancing that takes place in bars where peple g t drink alchl late at night? D yu think there are kinds f dancing that are apprpriate and inapprpriate? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse 2-3: a. Different churches use different styles f music during their wrship services. Search the internet and try t find several different styles f church music. b. Have a discussin with the pastr r ther leaders f yur church t try and find ut why yur church used the style f music that it des. c. Have sme discussins with yur parents and ther yuth leaders abut what kind f secular music is apprpriate t listen t. D different peple have different feelings abut what kind f music is apprpriate t listen t? Why d yu think that is? d. Have a discussin with yur yuth leader abut dancing. Discuss what each f yu thinks is apprpriate and inapprpriate.. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) Pray fr the Hly Spirit t guide yu when yu chse which styles f secular and sacred music t listen t. Pray fr Gd t impress yu if there is any music yu need t delete frm yur life. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

18 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 7 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever underestimated smene s character r abilities? What happened? b. What kind f ptential d yu think Gd has given yu? c. What talents d yu have that yu think Gd may want t use in His service? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: David was brn a simple shepherd but Gd culd see his character and his ptential s He chse him t becme the secnd king f Israel. Gd chse bth Saul and David t be kings. Why d yu think David was s much better as a king? D yu think Gd made a mistake when he chse Saul? Why/ why nt? The Situatin: Nw that David s kingdm is established and he has a capitl and a palace he feels bad that there is n permanent sanctuary fr Gd. Have yu ever felt bad abut hw yur church lks? D yu ever wish it was a nicer place? What culd yu d t make it better? D yu think it wuld be nice t have a prphet arund tday smene yu culd talk t and they culd cme back and tell yu exactly what Gd thinks f yur plans? Why/why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

19 Hw can yu get input frm Gd n yur life and plans tday? Hw des Gd cmmunicate with us and answer questins? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Make a list f all the talents yu think Gd has given yu. Have a cnversatin with an adult abut hw yu can imprve and develp yur talents. b. Make a list f all the talents yu wish yu had. Try t decide why it is that yu want these talents. D yu think it is better t pray fr talents that benefit thers r yurself? Why? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) Pray fr Gd t help yu develp the talents He has given yu. Ask Him t help yu recgnize which talents He is giving yu pprtunity t wrk n and use. Pray fr Him t help yu accept his directin in this area rather than trying t frce yur wn. 5. Outreach Idea Plan a wrk bee fr yur church. Talk t yur church pastr and ther leaders t determine what wrk prjects wuld be mst appreciated and dable. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

20 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 8 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Have yur parents ever tld yu that yu were nt allwed t g smewhere r d smething that lked like a lt f fun? Have yu ever fund ut later that yu culd have gtten hurt if yu had gne there r dne that? Talk abut yur experience and what yu learned. 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: It can be hard t understand why Gd wuld cmmand David t wipe ut entire grups f peple. Sme bks f the Bible talk abut s much bld-shed it s hard t understand hw a lving Gd culd d such things. My best explanatin is that these peple were s far frm Gd and s much against Him that there was n hpe fr them t ever be cnverted and lve Gd. S, Gd wiped them ut s they wuld stp hurting and tempting His peple and leading them away frm Him. Since they had seemingly cmmitted the unpardnable sin it seems better t wipe them ut and save His wn children in the prcess r at least give them a better chance. All gd parents try t save their children frm the things that are hurting them. D yu think it s fair fr Gd t send sldiers t wipe ut peple that hate Him and are destrying His children? Why/why nt? What specifically wuld yu like t ask Gd abut His treatment f enemy natins when yu get t heaven? D yu ever wish yu culd wipe ut things that hurt yu? What kinds f things might that be? D yu think Gd wuld want thse same things wiped ut f yur life? What wuld yur wrld be like if televisin and the internet were suddenly wiped ut? D yu think yu wuld be a better r wrse persn? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

21 What wuld happen t yur life if music suddenly disappeared? D yu think the music yu listen t is uplifting r d yu think it distracts yu frm Gd? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Try turning ff the internet fr ne week. Only use it if yu need t fr schl assignments nthing else. Take the time yu wuld nrmally spend surfing the internet and spend that time with Gd. Recrd what happens in a jurnal. b. Try listening t nly Christian music fr ne week. That means n secular music at any time. Recrd yur thughts and feelings every day in a jurnal. At the end f the week ask yur friends and family if they ntice a difference in yu. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) Pray fr Gd t help yu make gd decisins in the activities yu chse t engage in. Ask Him t help yu identify the negative influences in yur life and t give yu the strength and help yu need t eliminate them. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

22 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel 9 1. Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever befriended smene that everyne tld yu t stay away frm? Hw did that g? b. Think abut yur devtinal life? What des it cnsist f? Des it help yu t feel clser t Gd? Why/why nt? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: In David s time it was cmmn fr a new king t wipe ut every living descendent f the previus king. Mst peple expected David t d this as well. But just as David refused t tuch the Lrd s aninted he refused t kill his descendents as well especially nt the sn f his best friend, Jnathan. It can be very hard t g against traditins and peple s expectatins f yu. Hw d yu think David was able t d this s well? Has there ever been a time when yu did smething that yu thught was wrng but did it because yu felt it was expected f yu? Des that kind f pressure cme mre frm adults r yur peers? What can yu d t be mre like David and d what Gd is calling yu t n matter what? D yu think that yur devtinal life plays a rle in helping yu t d this? Why/why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

23 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Talk t a spiritual persn that yu knw and trust. Talk t them abut yur devtinal life. Ask them t help yu t develp and prgress in yur wn persnal devtinal time. b. Find smene yu can be accuntable t regarding yur devtinal life. Ask them t check in with yu every few days and ask yu hw yur time with Gd is ging. c. D sme research n the devtinal life and get a recmmendatin f a gd bk that will help yu in yur persnal devtinal jurney. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray fr Jesus t guide yu in yur devtinal times. Ask Him t send the Hly Spirit t draw clse t yu and remind yu t spend time with Jesus. b. Pray fr the Hly Spirit t fill yu pwerfully and help yu t be addicted t yur time with Gd. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

24 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever made a decisin that yu regretted almst immediately afterwards? What happened? b. Have yu ever vlunteered t d smething that sunded like a lt f fun and then yu later realized it was far mre than yu culd really d? What happened? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: The new king f the Ammnites accepts bad advice frm his friends and makes a rash decisin t try and humiliate king David. Once he realized that what he d dne wasn t wrking ut well the king hired thusands f freign sldiers t try and help him fight David. But even with thusands f extra sldiers the Ammnite king ended up getting beaten badly by David s army that was pwered by Gd. Imagine it: Hw wuld yu feel if yu, like David, were trying t reach ut t smene t ffer sympathy and friendship and were called a spy and an enemy instead? Have yu ever been misunderstd in this way? Explain. D yu think their wuld have been a better way fr the new king f the Ammnites t deal with his mistake rather than hiring extra sldiers t try and help him? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

25 After learning abut David in the first 9 chapters f 2 Samuel, what d yu think David wuld have dne if the Ammnite king had aplgized rather than fight? Have yu ever made a mistake? What d yu think is the best way fr yu t deal with mistakes yu make in yur life fight and defend yurself r aplgize and make peace? Why? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Think f smene yu have ffended recently and think back t hw yu handled the situatin. What steps can yu take t make the situatin better? Talk the situatin ver with an adult yu trust and then g and d yur best t make things right. b. Think f smene wh has ffended yu recently and think back t hw yu handled the situatin. What steps can yu take t make the situatin better? Talk the situatin ver with an adult yu trust and then g and d yur best t make things right. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray fr Gd t help yu t respnd ratinally rather than emtinally when yu encunter difficult situatins. Pray fr patience and wisdm in adversity. b. Pray fr Jesus t help yu frgive thse wh have ffended yu. c. Pray fr Jesus t frgive yu fr the mistakes yu have made and t give yu the strength t ask fr frgiveness frm thse yu have hurt. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

26 Part II: David's Sin, Repentance and Punishment (Chapters 11-20) Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What is the difference between a regular lie and a white lie? D yu think ne is wrse than anther? Why/why nt? b. D yu find that yu get int mre truble when yu are bred r when yu have a lt t d? Why d yu think that is? Describe a situatin where this happened t yu? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: Here David nt nly gets himself int truble by making a bad decisin but by lying abut it and trying t cver it up t. We dn t knw why David didn t g ut t war with his trps this time but it was bviusly a bad decisin. We dn t knw why Bathsheba was taking a bath n the rf either but it was bviusly a bad decisin t. If either ne had chsen t d smething different at that time this truble prbably culd have been avided. Have yu ever stumbled int a bad situatin that turned ut t be a great temptatin fr yu? What happened? Have yu ever heard f smene trying drugs r alchl just nce and getting hked? What happened? Have yu ever had peple pressure yu t try drugs r alchl? Hw did yu deal with it? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

27 What can yu d t try and avid these temptatins? Have yu ever fund that ne lie leads t anther and anther like it did fr David? Explain. 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. In ur culture tday peple dn t walk arund n their rf-tps r take baths there either. A similar type f situatin fr us tday might be unintentinally finding prngraphy n the internet. Talk t an adult yu trust and ask them t help yu set up sme f safeguards t help yu avid stumbling int this type f situatin. b. Brainstrm with yur friends and think f ways that yu can make it easier t say n t temptatins t try drugs and alchl. c. Brainstrm with yur friends and think f ways that yu can make it easier t say n t all sexual temptatins. d. It has been said that, idle hands are the Devil s wrkshp. Discuss ways yu can get invlved in mre activities s that yu can keep yur hands frm being idle and getting int truble. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu fcus mre n Him s that temptatin will be less tempting. b. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu set up a regular prayer rutine that will help yu learn t pray withut ceasing. 5. Outreach Idea Chse ne r mre: a. Talk t the deacns and elders at yur church and ask if there are any church prjects yu culd help with in yur free time. b. Talk t a teacher r the principal at yur schl and ask if there are any vlunteer pprtunities at yur schl. c. Talk t smene at yur city s parks and recreatin department and ask if there are any cmmunity service prjects yu culd help with The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

28 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever been caught ding smething yu knw yu shuldn t have been ding? Hw did it make yu feel? b. Have yu ever gtten away with ding smething yu knw yu shuldn t have been ding? Hw did it make yu feel initially? Hw did it make yu feel later? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: David gt caught! Even thugh n peple except Bathsheba and Jab knew abut David s hrrible deeds Gd knew and sent the prphet Nathan t bust him! And even if we think we have fled everyne by getting away with smething we shuldn t Gd always knws. Hw d yu think Bathsheba felt abut participating in an adulterus affair? Why? Hw d yu think Jab felt abut participating in the murder f Uriah the Hittite? Why? D yu think David aplgized t Bathsheba and Jab fr asking them t participate in his mistakes? Why? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

29 What d yu think it is that can smetimes make leaders feel like they are abve the law? Give examples? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Talk t yur yuth leaders and make a plan f actin fr what yu shuld d if a leader yu knw and trust tries t get yu t d smething that yu knw is wrng. b. If a leader yu knw is making r has made yu d smething yu feel uncmfrtable with in the past make sure yu talk t an adult yu trust abut the situatin. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and think thrugh yur life and relatinships and make sure yu aren t leading thers t d things they shuldn t. b. Pray and ask fr frgiveness frm Gd and thers if yu feel there are times yu ve led thers t d things they shuldn t. c. Pray and ask Jesus t strengthen yur cnscience s it will help yu t be a better example and influence t thse arund yu. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

30 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever had a crush n smene? What was it like? b. Have yu ever persnally knwn smene had an uncntrllable bsessin with smene f the ppsite sex? Describe the situatin and hw it turned ut. 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: In this chapter we find a great example f why cveting is cnsidered a sin. Amnn was terribly infatuated with his half-sister, Tamar, because she was s beautiful. He thught abut her and dreamed f her s much that in his mind everything fcused n her beauty and it gt ut f cntrl. He eventually wanted her s badly that he was willing t d anything at all t have her. And it seems that he wasn t wanting her t talk t and have a relatinship with her he seems t have just wanted her bdy. S, his ver-aggressive desire turned int rape and then, since there was nthing mre there than sexual desire, his desperate lust turned int hatred as sn as he had her and then he despised her. In this situatin was Amnn thinking abut Tamar s health and well-being r nly himself? Hw d yu think Tamar felt abut being utwardly beautiful? D yu think she ever thught her utward beauty wuld lead t such a vilent act against her? In the Bible we read that David and ther kings had hundreds f wives and cncubines. Why d yu think kings had s many wmen in their lives was it pssible t have meaningful relatinships with that many wmen r was is just fr unlimited sex? Hw d yu think the wives and cncubines felt abut this? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

31 D yu think this cultural atmsphere played a rle in setting up Amnn t rape Tamar? D yu think ur culture tday is mre r less bsessed with sex? Why? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. If yu are a guy it is very imprtant t think abut hw yu view girls. Prngraphy, sexual advertisements, and sexual situatins in mvies can lead t treating girls like bjects t be used rather than peple t knw. Sexting, hk-ups and ther sexual encunters that teens get int result frm hw guys and girls view themselves and each ther. Have a discussin with a grup f guys and girls alng with yur adult yuth leaders and discuss hw Christian guys and girls shuld view each ther. b. If yu are a girl the way yu present yurself t the wrld in many ways determines hw the wrld, especially guys, see yu. Have a discussin with a grup f guys and girls and yuth leaders and discuss the issue f hw girls dress frm a girls perspective and frm a guys perspective. Discuss: Jewelry, shrt shrts r skirts, lw-cut tps, skin-tight clthes vs. lser fitting, lts f make-up vs. a little, etc. What s the difference between being a little flirty and being prvcative? Hw shuld a Christian girl dress? What shuld a Christian guy d when he sees an inapprpriately dressed girl? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Spend sme time in prayer ver hw yu view the ppsite sex and hw yu view yurself. Pray that Jesus will help yu t see and deeply impress n yur mind that He desn t want yu t use ther peple r t be used yurself. b. Ask Jesus t impress upn yur mind hw much He lves yu and all the wnderful psitive things He has in stre fr yu. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

32 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever held a grudge against smene? Why? b. Has anyne ever held a grudge against yu? D yu feel like yu deserved it? Why/why nt? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: David was hlding a grudge against Absalm fr killing his sn Amnn. Absalm had killed Amnn fr raping his belved sister, Tamar. In ding this he was attempting t defend his sister s hnr and take revenge int his wn hands. Did David have the right t be upset with Absalm fr killing Amnn? Why/why nt? Did Absalm have the right t be upset with Amnn fr raping his sister? Why/why nt? Why d yu think Gd made the statement, vengeance is mine saith the Lrd? After already being raped and humiliated by her half-brther, Amnn d yu think Tamar was happy that her brther Absalm killed Amnn? Why r why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

33 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Hlding grudges and trying t get revenge can ften lead t mre truble than yu began with. In the New Testament Jesus said t frgive smene 70 times 7. Think thrugh yur wn life d yu tend t hld grudges r t frgive? Why d yu think that is? Which d yu think is a better apprach? b. In additin t teaching n frgiveness Jesus als vilently cleared the temple curts f mney changers wh had made His Father s huse int a den f thieves. Hw can yu tell the difference between the tw types f situatins in yur wn life? c. Think thrugh a situatin where yu were frgiving t smene else. Hw did it turn ut? D yu think it was better r wrse than hlding a grudge? d. Think thrugh a situatin where yu held a grudge. Hw did it turn ut? D yu think it was better r wrse than frgiving? 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu learn t be as frgiving as He was. Remember that Jesus even frgave the peple wh were crucifying him. Pray and ask him t give yu the same frgiving spirit. b. Pray and ask Jesus t als help yu t stand up fr what is right just as He did in the temple and ask Him t give yu wisdm t knw the difference between the tw kinds f situatins. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

34 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Has anyne ever betrayed yu? What happened? b. Have yu ever had t run away frm a bad situatin s that it didn t get wrse? What happened? c. Have yu ever tried t cmmunicate with smene wh wasn t really listening t yu? Hw des it make yu feel? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: This chapter starts detailing sme f the cnsequences f David s mistake with Bathsheba. The prphecy was: Because f what yu have dne, I will cause yur wn husehld t rebel against yu (12:11). Nw Absalm, hme frm exile, decides t try and take the kingdm frm his father by winning ver the peple s hearts with sympathy, kindness and his gd lks. What rle des the way a persn s lks play in their life? Why d yu think that is? Is that fair? What rle des being nice t peple play in life? Hw d yu feel when smene is especially nice t yu? Hw d yu knw if smene is being kind just t manipulate yu? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

35 What des this stry tell yu abut peple s desire t have smene listen t them and place value n them? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Think thrugh yur life and try t determine if yu are a gd listener r nt. Talk t smene yu knw that is a gd listener and ask them t give yu sme tips t imprve yur listening skills. b. Think thrugh yur life and try t determine ways that yu may have betrayed smene. Think and pray abut hw yu can be a mre faithful friend t thse yu knw. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu be a better listener. b. After taking sme time in prayer sit quietly fr 5 minutes just trying t listen t what Jesus may be trying t tell yu. 5. Outreach Idea Think f an utreach ministry that yu culd start that wuld invlve listening t peple and shwing them that yu care. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

36 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) a. Hw wuld yu define the wrd lyalty? Give an example f hw yu have been lyal t a friend. b. Give an example f hw a friend has been lyal t yu? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The situatin: Rather than fighting with his sn and having Jerusalem trn up with war, David decides t leave twn with his family and friends. His mst lyal fllwers g with him but a few als decide t stay behind. Other friends f David s defect t his aggressive sn, Absalm. Hw much d yu think Absalm culd trust the peple that defected frm his father t him? Des the passage indicate that all f thse seemingly fllwing Absalm really were fllwing him? What lessn can yu learn frm this? If a friend abandns yu when it lks like yu are lsing ppularity, d yu think they were ever really a friend? Why/why nt? Have yu ever abandned a friend? Why? Was that being dislyal? Why/why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

37 Hw d yu knw wh yur true friends are? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Think thrugh yur friendships and make a list f the tp 2-5. Are yu mre lyal t sme friends than thers? Why d yu think that is? Are there sme friends yu think yu shuld be mre lyal t? Why/why nt? b. Think abut yur friends that are always there fr yu? What qualities that yu see in them wuld yu like t develp mre in yurself? Have a cnversatin with thse friends and ask them t help yu try and develp thse gd qualities yu see in them. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu be a lyal friend. Ask Him t help yu emulate the gd qualities yu see in thers arund yu. b. Thank Jesus fr being lyal t yu n matter hw yu treat Him. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu treat Him better and spend mre time with Him. c. Thank Jesus fr the friends in yur life and ask Him t help yu express that gratitude t them mre frequently as well. 5. Outreach Idea (Optinal) Talk t a friend that yu used t be clse t. Discuss what went wrng and try t make things right again. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

38 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What is the best advice anyne has ever given yu? Did yu take the advice? Hw did it turn ut? b. What is the wrst advice anyne has ever given yu? Did yu take the advice? Hw did it turn ut? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: Absalm is listening t tw f his father s frmer advisrs ne is truly n his side and the ther is secretly against him. David has always been a man after Gd s wn heart and has typically sught Gd s cunsel fr his every mve (with the exceptin f the whle Bathsheba incident). In this situatin hw des it appear that Absalm is making his decisins? D yu think he is cnsulting Gd as well r fllwing his wn desires? Why d yu think Absalm has turned ut t be s different than his father? In what ways are yu like/unlike yur father? In what ways wuld yu like t be mre like yur father? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

39 Hw d yu think Absalm gt t the pint f wanting t kill his wn father? In this situatin Gd s will prevailed. In spite f Absalm s best effrts Gd was in cntrl. Hw des this make yu feel abut spending time with Gd and pursuing His will in yur life? D yu think yu can truly be successful in life withut Gd n yur side? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne r tw: a. Think abut hw yu make decisins in yur life and wh s advice yu fllw the mst ften. Wh d yu listen t mre: Yur parents, Gd, friends, r ppular culture/advertising? Why d yu think that is? Hw is that wrking ut fr yu? b. Think abut yur perfect Father in heaven. In what ways d yu think yu are like Him? In what ways are yu nt like Him? Hw wuld yu like t be mre like Him? c. The best way t becme mre like yur Father in heaven is t spend mre time with Him. Make a list f 3-5 ways that yu wuld like t spend mre time with Gd/Jesus. Write ut a plan and a schedule fr implementing this in yur life. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t send the Hly Spirit t remind yu t ask Him abut all the decisins yu need t make in yur life. Ask Him t help yu make wise decisins and t give yu the strength t always d what yu knw is right. b. Pray fr yur friends and relatives wh are making sme bad chices right nw. Ask fr Gd s will t prevail in their lives. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

40 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What s the wrst fight yu ve ever gtten int with yur parents? What was it ver? Hw did it start? Hw did it end? In retrspect, was it wrth fighting ver? b. What s the wrst fight yu ve ever gtten int with ne f yur siblings? What was it ver? Hw did it start? Hw did it end? In retrspect, was it wrth fighting ver? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: The battle f Absalm vs. David finally begins with thusands f sldiers fighting n each side. Keep in mind that these are all Israelites fighting with each ther. This is a civil war. This war is a sn fighting against his father fr pwer and cntrl. D yu think there were any ther fathers and sns fighting against each ther r brthers wh had taken ppsite sides? Hw d yu think it made the peple invlved feel t knw that they may end up killing smene frm their wn family? Studies shw that ne f the mst dangerus situatins fr plice t encunter is dmestic vilence. Why d yu think peple that are suppsed t lve each ther the mst can smetimes hate each ther and hurt each ther mre than anyne else? Peple have been fighting fr pwer and cntrl ever since Lucifer rebelled against Gd in heaven. Why d yu think it is still s natural fr s many peple t want pwer and cntrl? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

41 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Try t think f three things yu can d t help reduce the fighting that takes place between yu and yur siblings at hme. Write the list n a nice piece f paper and pst it where yu and yur siblings will see it ften. b. Try t think f three things yu can d t help reduce the fighting that takes place between yu and yur parents at hme. Write the list n a nice piece f paper and pst it where everyne in yur family will see it ften. c. Try t think f three things yu can d t reduce yur desire t cntrl thers. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu give cntrl f yur life ver t Him s that He can use His perfect nature t cntrl yur imperfect nature. b. Pray fr yur family t live in harmny and fr yur hme t be a place where Jesus is in cntrl and a place where yu can find peace and lve rather than anger and fighting. 5. Outreach Idea Talk t yur yuth grup abut vlunteering at a lcal wmen s shelter. Ask fr the shelter s directr t talk t yur grup abut dmestic vilence and what yu can d t help stp it. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

42 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Have yu ever wrked ut yur differences with smene and decided t accept each ther? Explain the prcess yu went thrugh t d that. b. Hw lng can yu successfully avid smene yu have a prblem with? Is it easier t live with that awkwardness r t wrk things ut and try t get alng? Why? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: The war is ver and it s time fr David t bring recnciliatin and healing t his natin. Why d yu think smene had t tell king David t stp crying and g back hme and bring his natin back tgether? Which d yu think is harder: lse a rebellius sn r have trusted friends betray yu and fight against yu? Why? Hw much d yu think this whle situatin is part f the curse Gd put n David fr his mistake with Bathsheba and hw much d yu think it was just selfish peple trying t get pwer and cntrl? D yu think that part f the reasn David was just sitting there crying was because he felt guilty fr bringing the curse n his natin? Why/why nt? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

43 Was this curse frm Gd really sme kind f supernatural cndemnatin r is the curse really just Gd predicting the natural results f this type f sin? Why d yu think that is? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Spend sme time thinking abut all the cause and effect relatinships in yur life. Make a list f the tp 5 mst imprtant. b. What d yu think yu can d t cause better effects in yur life? Make a list f the tp 5 things yu wuld like t d t cause better effects in yur life. c. Think abut yur devtinal life. What effect des spending time with Jesus every day have in yur life? What effect des skipping r frgetting yur devtins have in yur life? Make a prmise t Jesus f hw yu d like t imprve yur time with Him. Write yur cmmitment dwn and pst it smewhere that is easy fr yu t see. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu remember t take cntrl f yur life every day and then give that cntrl t Him. Ask Jesus t help yu nt sit idly by while thers cntrl yu and influence yu t d what they want yu t d. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

44 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) a. Have yu ever ignred a situatin that yu wished yu had taken care f befre it gt ut f cntrl? What happened? What wuld have happened if yu had taken actin sner? b. Has there ever been a situatin where yu acted t quickly and it turned ut that waiting wuld have been a better ptin? What happened? What wuld have happened if yu had waited? c. Hw can yu tell the difference between the tw types f situatins? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Backgrund: We knw David was a man f war but d yu ever wnder if that s what he wanted t be r if that s what he had t be? He grew up a peaceful shepherd by and musician wh s peace was ccasinally interrupted by a lin r wlf that he had t fight in rder t prtect his flck. The Situatin: Anther revlt! Even thugh David prbably didn t like it he fund himself in anther situatin where he had t g t war. He tk decisive actin t avid even mre truble. What culd have happened if David had sat arund crying abut the situatin instead f dealing with it? What culd have happened if Jab hadn t listened t the wise wman n the wall f the twn they were attacking? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

45 Why d yu think cnflict is smetimes necessary t bring peace? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Is there a wise wman/man that yu wuld d well t listen t mre in yur life (like maybe yur mm)? Think abut what yu can d t pay mre attentin t the wise advice f thse wh are lder and mre experienced than yu are. Make plans fr hw yu can get regular advice frm adults fr yur life. Chse ne: b. If yu are a persn wh prefers t avid cnfrntatin what can yu d t learn t take mre decisive actin when yu need t? Make an actin plan and reminder fr hw yu plan t d this. c. If yu are a persn wh tends t jump int cnflict, what can yu d t learn t take a step back and get sme wise advice befre yu act? Make an actin plan and reminder fr hw yu plan t d this. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t take away the cnflict in yur life and replace it with peace. b. Pray and ask Jesus t bring peple int yur life wh can mentr yu and give yu wise advice. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

46 Part III: David's Kingdm Preserved (Chapters 21-24) Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. Think f a time when smene shwed yu grace. What happened? b. Think f a time when smene didn t shw yu grace. Hw did it make yu feel? c. What rle des grace play in ur sciety tday? What rle shuld it play? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: In the Old Testament the Israelites were under the ld cvenant. In the ld cvenant there was a lt f bldshed that is hard t understand. Besides the ffering f lambs we see bldshed amngst peple as well. Gd cmmanded the Israelites t wipe ut entire natins f peple wh were cmpletely ppsed t Gd and were trying t slaughter His chsen peple (they had basically cmmitted the unpardnable sin). The Situatin: Here, in this chapter, we see a grup f peple whm the Israelites had prmised nt t kill but then Saul brke the prmise and killed many f them anyway. Nw, there was a famine in the land until their bld had been avenged. (Kind f makes yu wnder if this is where Hllywd gt sme ideas fr their hrrr mvies!) The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

47 Hw wuld yu feel if the Old Testament principle, an eye fr an eye and a tth fr a tth, was still in effect tday? Why? Why d yu think Gd waited t fully bring ut His teachings n grace until New Testament times? D yu think it s mre cmmn fr children, especially siblings, t naturally want an eye fr an eye and a tth fr a tth r t extend grace t each ther? Why d yu think that is? What d yu think we culd d as a church t help peple be mre graceful twards each ther? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. D a wrd search fr grace in the Bible and try t understand mre clearly what it is? Chse ne: b. Think thrugh sme f the cnflicts yu have endured in yur life. D yu naturally tend t be a persn wh extends grace r wants revenge? Have a discussin with sme friends and try t think f ways yu can extend mre grace t thers. c. Think f the persn wh has extended the mst grace t yu in yur life. Sit dwn with that persn and thank them and ask them hw yu can be mre full f grace as well. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and thank Jesus fr the grace He has shwn yu by dying in yur place and ffering t take yu t heaven. b. Pray and thank Jesus fr thse wh have shwn yu grace in yur life. c. Pray and ask Jesus t help yu t be a persn f grace in the lives f thers. 5. Outreach Idea Chse ne square blck near yur church r hme and g arund the blck ffering t extend grace t the residents by praying fr any requests they may have. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

48 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) a. What is yur favrite style f music? Why des that style appeal t yu? b. What is yur parents favrite style f music? Why d yu think that style appeals t them? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) Backgrund: Here David sings a sng t Gd t praise Him fr delivering him frm his enemies. The same sng is fund, with minr variatins, in Psalm 18. David uses sme crazy imagery here... What rle shuld praise and thanksgiving play in the lives f Christian adults? What rle shuld praise and thanksgiving play in the lives f Christian yuth? Why d yu think yuths and adults ften see/use music differently? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

49 Hw can yu help yuth and adults t understand each ther s musical tastes and uses better? Why d yu think David s sng, here in 2 Samuel 22, pictures Jesus flying dwn frm heaven riding the n the back f an angel breathing fire and shting arrws and with smke puring ut his nstrils? D yu think it s pssible that this is where the idea f fire-breathing dragns in fairy tales riginated? It s almst certainly where C. S. Lewis gt the idea fr Gryphns... In what ther ways is Jesus depicted in Scripture? Give 3 examples. Hw many ways d yu think yu need t picture Jesus t have an accurate verall picture f Him? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) Chse ne r tw: a. What is yur favrite depictin f Jesus (fire-breathing, shepherd, creatr, etc)? Why d yu think that is? b. Think abut yur favrite way f seeing Jesus and then try t think f which ther sides f His persnality/rles He has that yu dn t naturally think f. c. Have a discussin with yur friends and yuth leaders and see hw many ways yu can all think f t develp a well runded view f wh Jesus really is. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and ask Jesus t reveal Himself t yu in as many ways as pssible. b. Pray and ask Jesus t remind yu daily f all the ways He is there fr yu as: cmfrter, prtectr, healer, disciplinarian, etc. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

50 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. D yu hpe t be famus ne day? What wuld yu like t be knwn fr? Why? b. Wh is the mst famus persn yu have ever met? What were they knwn fr? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: David is nearing the end f his life and he wants t hnr the mighty men wh have std with him in battle and cmmemrate them in the histry f Gd s chsen peple. Why d yu think David wrte Psalms all thrughut his life but waited until nw t write abut his famus friends? Why d yu think this is the first thing David wants t recrd after writing ne last Psalm? Why d yu think it is imprtant t keep a histry f what happens in life? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

51 David s histry is full f successes and sme mistakes as well. Which d yu think peple learn mre frm? Which is yur favrite histrical bk in the Bible? What have yu learned frm it? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Think abut yur histry s far. What d yu think wuld be the mst interesting chapter s far? b. Think abut what yu wuld like yur next chapter t be and write abut it in a jurnal s yu dn t frget yur gals. c. At the end f yur life what wuld yu like t be said abut yu? Make plans fr what yu need t d t becme the kind f persn that yu want t becme. 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Take sme time t pray thrugh the histry f yur life with Jesus s far. As yu pray think abut the times yu have seen Gd s hand leading yu. b. Pray and ask Jesus t give yu a glrius life just like he gave David. Ask him t help yu avid David s mistakes and t have even greater victries than he did. c. Praise Jesus fr being the great Gd f histry. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

52 Applicatin Guide: 2 Samuel Warm-up (5-10 min) Chse ne: a. What is the wrst punishment yu have ever received fr ding smething wrng? What had yu dne? D yu think the punishment was fair? Why/why nt? b. What is the wrst punishment yu have ever heard f ne f yur friends receiving? What had they dne? D yu think the punishment was fair? Why/why nt? 2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min) The Situatin: David gt int truble fr ging thrugh Israel and cunting hw many warrirs he had that he culd rely n. Why d yu think this was such a terrible thing t d? D yu think that it shws that he was trusting mre in human pwer than in Gd s pwer? Why/why nt? Which punishment wuld yu have chsen if yu were David? Why? Did yu knw that there were angels that were assigned t kill peple? Hw d yu feel abut that? The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

53 Hw d yu think the death angel felt abut the jb he had t d? When peple cmmit terrible sins tday hw des Gd punish them? Why d yu think it s different nw than it was in David s time? What d yu think ur wrld wuld be like if there was never any punishment r cnsequences fr ding wrng? Hw d yu think yu will punish yur children when yu have them sme day? Why? 3. Applying the Chapter t Yur Life (5-10 min) a. Think thrugh yur life and try t determine what kind f punishment has been the mst effective in helping yu t becme a better persn. Why d yu think that punishment wrks fr yu? D yu think it is pssible t discipline r punish yurself befre smene else has t? Why/why nt? b. Talk t yur parents and thank them fr punishing yu. Spend sme time talking with yur parents and ask them hw it feels when they have t punish yu. Let them knw which punishments are the mst and least effective fr yu be hnest! 4. Prayer Time (3-5 min) a. Pray and thank Jesus fr the times He has punished and crrected yu. Be specific. b. Pray and ask Jesus t cntinue t guide yu in yur life and t cntinue punishing yu when yu need it. The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

54 Tpical Index f Teachings 2 Samuel Chapter 1: Picturing epic battles/bullying Chapter 2: Cmmunicating with the Supernatural Chapter 3: Drama ver sex Chapter 4: Betrayal/revenge Chapter 5: Acceptance/bullying Chapter 6: Music styles and dancing Chapter 7: Talents and yur ptential Chapter 8: Destrying Gd s enemies and Things that hurt r help yu Chapter 9: Devtinal life Chapter 10: Dealing with mistakes Chapter 11: Resisting temptatin Chapter 12: Being a psitive influence n thers Chapter 13: Sexual desire and hw we view thers Chapter 14: Grudges, revenge and frgiveness Chapter 15: Betrayal and Listening t thers Chapter 16: Lyalty Chapter 17: Decisins and taking advice Chapter 18: Pwer/cntrl and dmestic vilence Chapter 19: Recnciliatin, curses and cause & effect Chapter 20: Being practive and listening t advice Chapter 21: Grace Chapter 22: Music/yur view f Gd Chapter 23: The imprtance f histry Chapter 24: Punishment The Living It Bible Experience Applicatin Guide

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