What is the purpose of being a Christian? What is God’s design for those who follow Jesus. Different answers are given, but the New Testaments authors were consistent in their answer. God’s ultimate goal for Christians is to make them like His Son. So, if we are not allowing the Spirit to transform us into the character of Jesus, we should struggle to say we are actually following Jesus.
David and the Census
Where should our value, identity, and security in life come from? Who or what should we rely upon? As human beings we will depend upon, put our faith in, what we see our strength to be. David’s decision to take a census and his response afterwards speaks to us about living a life of faith in God.
David & Nathan
How can someone who commits adultery and murder be called a person after God’s own heart? Being after God’s own heart is not about our performance, but our response to God’s heart. When God confronted David over his sins, David did what people after God’s heart do. He didn’t just admit his sin, he confessed and repented. If we want a heart after God’s, we need to make healthy confession a regular practice in our relationship with God and others.
David & Bathsheba
Sometimes people try to exonerate or minimize David’s actions towards Bathsheba and her first husband Uriah. The biblical author sees David as solely responsible for his moral failings, his sinful actions towards Bathsheba, Uriah, and others. David abused his power and authority as King of Israel here. The way of Jesus is to leverage our power and authority to bless others.
David & Michal
Michal is often known for her bitter comments to David when he celebrated the Ark coming into Jerusalem. And even though we might understand why she had reason to feel bitter against David and even God, we also see the cost of bitterness. Bitterness always isolates us from healthy relationships.
David & Abigail
We are all a product of our decisions. David made some good and bad decisions in his life. Abigail gives us an example of someone who helped another person move from a bad course of action to a good one. What course are we on and how can we help others to a course that honours Jesus?
David & Ahimelech
What or who do you turn to when you feel alone, afraid and/or angry? David’s interaction with Ahimelech shows us what can happen when we allow our negative emotions to make our decisions. What would David say to us? Keep calm and follow Jesus.
David & Saul
What do we tend to do in difficult situations? David had the choice to do things his way or God’s way. What can we learn from David and Saul’s relationship about learning to live Jesus’ way instead of ours?
David & Jonathan
David’s friendship with Jonathan was one of mutual sacrifice, loyalty, and love. The reality is that loyalty always requires sacrifice. This relationship expresses a demand of loyalty. The question is, though, for followers of Jesus, who does Jesus call us to be loyal to?
David & Goliath
Don’t measure the giants in your life against yourself. Measure the giants in your life against God. That’s what David did.