While many know David as the guy who defeated a giant and a great king, he was also a moral failure and it caused great suffering. Unlike other worldviews, the message of the Bible is that suffering – while never recommended – can be used for good. Find out how God used David’s suffering to mature him and what that means for us today as we dive into “Jesus in the Reordering,” part of our Good News Everywhere Series.
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES (also as PDF download above)
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WARM UP
Where do you like to go that makes you happy?
READ
II Samuel 12:1-25; Psalm 22:1-2, 51:4
TAKEAWAYS
1. This suffering is not punishment
2. Suffering can reorder our loves
3. God wants to show you his grace
What happens when happiness is our ultimate goal?
A. We become arrogant
B. We become selfish
C. We become short-sighted
D. We become insignificant
The more you seek happiness above all, the more miserable you become.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Do you think happiness is the ultimate goal for many today? Why?
2. How do you think the individual pursuit of happiness affects the church?
APPLICATION
How do you think a person can discern what really motivates their decisions regardless of the “right” list of loves (often expressed as love for God, spouse, family, church, others, etc.)
FOR MENTORING
What loves in your life are in constant need of being reordered and how has suffering helped?
