Sunday School Lesson on God's Promise Topic Discussion

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Sunday School Lesson on God's Promise Topic Discussion

1.What characteristics that made David agood king (humanly speaking) do we still lookfor in political leaders today? Which of thesecharacteristics are good and which are bad froma spiritual perspective? Defend your answer.David had many characteristics of a typicalhuman king. These included an appetite for warand a tendency to use his power to get women.(Sound familiar?) But David also was strategic inhis planning, loved his nation, and worked withwisdom, energy, and integrity.

The fact that David's early life was that of ashepherd rather than royalty may intrigue us.Aren't we still drawn toward leaders with hum-ble origins? David's accomplishments as poet andmusician may catch us by surprise. Also, wedon't expect modern politicians to dance withabandon, weep publicly, or show personal weak-ness before God and his subjects as did David.Nonetheless, these characteristics came togetherto make David a man after God's own heart.

2.How were David's early years as a shep-herd a preparation for him to be king? Whatwas a time when hindsight revealed that Godwas preparing you for a future task?

Working on the family farm undoubtedly in-stilled an important work ethic in David. Life inthe fields resulted in a skill that enabled him toslay Goliath. There is much about David's earli-est life that we would like to know but don't!Many folks get their start toward adulthood byworking in low-paying jobs as teenagers. Oftenthis involves work in a fast food restaurant. Yet skills learned here—teamwork, customer service,scheduling, cleanliness, etc.—can last a lifetime.These lessons can carry over into volunteer andvocational work in the church. God expects ourfaithfulness no matter what our life situation.What He is preparing us for in the future throughour work today may come as quite a surprise!

3. What are some dangers of a man becomingking? What can we learn from the example ofDavid that will help us curb these dangers inleaders today?

It is trite but true: power tends to corrupt.David. unfortunately, succumbed to the power of
his position by committing adultery, murder,and taking a census of his troops (2 Samuel 11:1-24; 24:1). At the same time, however, David hadthe prophet Nathan to hold him accountablewhen Ile crossed the line.
This can lead us to ask about the accountabil-ity systems we have in place today. Are therecertain people in your congregation who knowthey can speak frankly to the church's leadersabout the appropriateness of the leaders' actions?

4.Which of God's promises to David are weable to claim for the church? Which are we notable to claim? How will we get into trouble ifwe don't sort this out properly?

David was promised that his lineage would bethe royal lineage of Israel. He was promised thatthere would always be one of his descendants onthe throne. God assured hint that his son Solo-mon would build a temple.
After the destruction and exile of 586 BC, it maylook as though God made good on none of thepromises. But look to Jesus! He is David's descen-dant (Matthew 1:1-16). By divine power He rebuiltthe temple of His crucified body (John 2:19). He isthe enduring King of kings (Revelation 19:16).God does not fail, even when people do.

5.Following question #4, what differencedoes it make in your day-to-day life to knowthat Jesus is the fulfillment of ancient promisesmade to David?

To know that God keeps His promises afterhundreds and hundreds of years should be amarvelous source of daily comfort! Jesus is theMessiah, the permanent King of kings. Jesus ful-filled God's prophecies about David's house bet-ter than David himself did or could have. TheGod who brought His Son through crucifixion toresurrection is able to meet all our needs. Jesus isthe ultimate man after God's own heart.

Sits is what separates as from God; Jesus is theone who closes the gap. As a result, God is notfar from any of us (compare Acts 17:27). God'srecord of promises kept helps us to look forwardwith confidence that we are always under Hiswatchful and caring eye. We are His most impor-tant project!

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