Week 7

Legacy of Grace: How David Points us to Jesus

2 Samuel 9:1-13 & 2 Samuel 22/23

The series concludes by examining David's enduring legacy, specifically his act of showing undeserved kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame surviving heir of Saul. This week ties David's personal story of being a recipient of grace to his ability to give grace. It highlights how David's line leads directly to the perfect King, Jesus—the ultimate embodiment of the shepherd who shows kindness to the broken.


May 24th Questions

Navigating the Waiting Room

‘Let me just say, parents, this should give you hope if you’re waiting for that child to do something with their life and you feel the pressure of worldly expectations bearing down on your family. God doesn’t operate on your timetable or the world’s timetable, He moves at the perfect time in accordance with His will. 

Consider also how this hidden purpose in David’s life also foreshadows the cross of Jesus Christ with stunning accuracy. To the Roman soldiers, the religious leaders, and the mocking crowds, Jesus’s crucifixion looked like nothing more than a standard criminal execution. It looked like a defeat. However, hidden within that ultimate sacrifice was the exact moment the true King of Kings defeated sin, death, and hell, securing His eternal throne.’

Where in your life are you currently experiencing the pressure of expectations against a delayed timetable, and how does the cross remind you that God works in apparent defeats?

How can we better support each other as we walk through the slow, hidden process of spiritual growth and preparation without imposing the world's immediate expectations on one another?

The Hunger for Something More

David is the ultimate earthly king of Israel, the standard against whom every future ruler would be measured, but he was still completely lacking. He was a sinful human being who wandered away from God’s plan. David leaves us wanting more. He leaves us hungry for a flawless leader. And that is exactly why he points us to Christ!

God fulfilled His covenant to David to establish a King from his line on the throne forever. Today, as the Church, we are the living, breathing citizens of that eternal Kingdom, serving Jesus as our King.

When earthly leaders, mentors, or institutions inevitably fail or disappoint us and how can we use that disappointment to fuel our hunger for Jesus instead of falling into cynicism?

What does it mean for your daily routine, decisions, and priorities to live actively as a "living, breathing citizen" of Jesus’s eternal Kingdom today?

The Posture of Repentance

So let me ask you a sobering question as we close this series: If someone were to write an unfiltered biography of your entire life right now, and condense it down to a handful of chapters, what would they focus on? Think honestly about your absolute best moments and your darkest, most secret failures. What would the story say about you?

... But here is the beauty of the Gospel: David’s life gives us immense hope. It shows us exactly what kind of person God is looking for. God isn't looking for perfection; He is looking for a posture. He is looking for the person who will desperately seek His heart.

If you face the reality of your own flawed story, how does the truth that God looks for a posture of repentance rather than perfection give you relief and hope?

What is one practical step you can take this week to live Coram Deo (before the face of God) with total transparency, rather than hiding or retreating when you stumble?

Week 6

Failure and Restoration

2 Samuel 11:1-12:15 & Psalm 51

David's massive failure with Bathsheba and Uriah is the darkest moment of his life, demonstrating that even a "man after God's own heart" can fall spectacularly. This story does not excuse the sin but focuses on the crucial lesson of true repentance—owning the failure, accepting the consequence, and seeking profound forgiveness (as expressed in Psalm 51). We discuss the steps that lead to big mistakes and, more importantly, what it takes to stop minimizing our failures and pursue complete restoration with God and others.

May 17th Notes

Clip 1

How does David’s decision to remain in Jerusalem (v.1) illustrate the danger of neglecting spiritual and leadership responsibilities?

Clip 2

At what point did David’s temptation become deliberate sin, and what warning does that give about “small” compromises?

Clip 3

Why is the attempt to cover up sin (David’s interactions with Uriah, vv.8–15) often more destructive than the original sin? Can you think of modern parallels?

How did David’s actions harm others beyond Bathsheba and Uriah (servants, military leaders, the kingdom)? Why is this important to acknowledge?

Clip 4

Read Psalm 51: what elements of true repentance does David demonstrate there (ownership, plea for mercy, desire for a new heart, fear of separation from God)?

Week 5

Obedience in Worship to a Holy God

2 Samuel 6

David sets out to bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem in a moment filled with celebration, music, and excitement, until everything suddenly goes wrong. This message explores how genuine worship is more than music or emotion, it flows from humble obedience to a holy God. Through David’s failure, repentance, and joyful worship, we’re reminded that God desires surrendered hearts more than outward performance. Ultimately, this passage points us to Jesus, the true Priest-King, who made a way for sinful people to approach a holy God.


May 10th Questions

God is Holy

Uzzah’s death can be difficult to process. Over time, Uzzah’s familiarity with the ark — and with
the presence of God — may have replaced his reverence for God’s holiness. We can drift into the
same kind of complacency, becoming so familiar with God that we lose our awe of Him.


What passages of Scripture most help you understand the holiness, power, and greatness of God? Read a few together and discuss what stands out to you.
(Suggestions if needed: Psalm 99, Isaiah 6:1–7, Job 37, Hebrews 1, Revelation 4)

When we truly begin to grasp God’s holiness, what does it reveal about ourselves? Why is understanding God’s greatness essential to understanding our need for grace?

What practices or habits help cultivate awe, humility, and reverence for God in your daily life?

Worship Requires Obedience

After the death of Uzzah, David recognized that sincere intentions were not enough — God
desired obedience. When David returned to God’s instructions and approached Him rightly, his
worship overflowed with joy, freedom, and celebration.


Why do you think obedience can sometimes feel restrictive instead of life-giving? What lies or assumptions about freedom does our culture teach us?

David worshipped with joy and freedom after submitting himself to God’s ways. Have you experienced a time when obeying God ultimately led to greater peace, joy, or freedom in your life?

Is there an area of obedience God may be calling you to trust Him with right now?

True Worship May Look Foolish

Michal’s view of David was one of judgment and disappointment. She had expectations regarding
how a king should act, even when worshipping God, but David knew that all he was doing was for the Lord. Oftentimes our own expectations can get in the way of our authentic worship. We lose sight of what God wants from us and we lose out on a more rich worship experience.

Why do you think authentic worship or wholehearted obedience can sometimes look foolish, excessive, or embarrassing to others?

What kinds of expectations or judgments do Christians sometimes place on others that may say more about personal preference or tradition than true worship? How can we grow in humility and charity toward one another?

In what area of your life might God be inviting you to worship Him more freely, sincerely, or boldly?

Week 4

Waiting and Restraint

1 Samuel 24:1-15

While being relentlessly hunted by King Saul, David was given the perfect opportunity to kill his enemy in a cave. Instead, he chose restraint and patience, trusting that God would fulfill His promises without David having to force the issue or take revenge. This lesson is critical for navigating unfair treatment and conflict in modern life. We explore the powerful discipline of not retaliating and the freedom that comes from trusting God’s timing over our own need for immediate justice.

May 3rd Notes

The Context of the Waiting

David has been running from Saul for somewhere between 10 and 13 years. In this time he has been stripped of everything—his wife, his home, his mentor, and his dignity—forced to survive as a hunted fugitive in the desert among a band of outcasts. This period encompassed most of his 20s. He has endured years of constant betrayal and narrow escapes. He’s been anointed by God’s prophet as the king, but he’s endured an extended period of being a fugitive.


David spent most of his 20s—a decade of his life—living in caves while holding a promise from God that hadn't come true yet. What is the hardest part about "the middle" of a story, when you have the promise but are still living the fugitive reality?

1 Samuel 23:14 says Saul sought David every day, "but God did not give him into his hand." How does knowing that God is the one in control of the "delivery" change how you view your current struggles?

Discerning the "Open Door" Trap

David’s men were wrong about what the Lord said. The Lord never said that he would give David’s enemies into his hands. David’s men were putting words into God’s mouth... We can’t read from circumstances what God’s will is. You have to actually know what God has said, and what God has not said. Sometimes an opportunity isn’t God’s approval, but rather an opportunity for us to exercise wisdom and trust by passing it up.

David's men used "spiritual-speak" to pressure him into a shortcut. Have you ever had someone give you "godly" advice that was actually just an invitation to take an easy way out?

How do we distinguish between a genuine "open door" from God and an opportunity that is actually a test of our integrity?

The Shadow of the Shortcut

Every sin is a form of impatience. Every sin is asking you to take a shortcut. Sexual sin is a shortcut to pleasure or intimacy. Lying or cheating is a shortcut to ambition. Anger or bitterness is a shortcut to trying to bring about justice. We sin because it holds some promise of satisfaction. But the satisfaction is always short-term. It replaces the irreplaceable God with some shortcut satisfaction. That’s idolatry.

Mat mentioned that "every sin is a form of impatience." When you look at the temptations you face, how much of the struggle is simply not wanting to wait for God’s timing or God's way?

Which "shortcut" is most tempting for you right now: the shortcut to being right (anger), the shortcut to being noticed (ambition), or the shortcut to being comforted (pleasure)?

Trusting the Final Courtroom

God promises to right all wrongs… one day. But not today. When Jesus returns, God says, 'I will right all wrongs.' Until that day, there’s going to be lots of injustice. But we can have peace because of what is written in Ecclesiastes 12:14: 'For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.' Nothing is missed. No secret conversation, no hidden lie, no unfair promotion is outside of God's courtroom.

David refused to be the judge and executioner in the cave because he trusted God to handle Saul. How would your stress levels change if you truly believed that God hasn't missed a single "secret thing" done against you?

David stayed satisfied in the wilderness by "earnestly seeking" God (Psalm 63). What practical step can you take this week to seek satisfaction in God’s presence rather than in the resolution of your problems?

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Week 3

Abiding Friendship

1 Samuel 18:1-20:42

The bond between David and Jonathan is one of the Bible’s greatest examples of selfless, covenant love. Jonathan, the heir to the throne, chose loyalty to David over his own royal ambition, demonstrating sacrifice, honesty, and protection. This week helps us define what a truly Christ-like friendship looks like—one based on mutual encouragement and selflessness, even when that friendship is costly or difficult.


April 26th Questions

The Nature of Covenant Friendship

If we’re honest, friendships like this are extremely rare in our day. We have thousands of 'friends' on social media and plenty of acquaintances at work, but very few of us have a 'covenant' friend—the kind of person who walks with you through life, knows your soul and has your back. The friend you can call at 2am when your world falls apart and they’ll be there with no questions asked!

In a world of shallow, digital "friends" and surface-level acquaintances, what barriers stand in the way of creating genuine, deep friendships and how do we overcome them?

Who is the "2am friend" in your life?

Stewardship of Influence

We often pray for influence, but what we usually mean is that we want a platform. We want a crowd that cheers for us. But what if God’s answer to that prayer is to give you influence over one difficult person with a lot of influence? Before you trade your influence for the cheap satisfaction of 'speaking your mind' or 'being right,' remember: influence is a stewardship.

Is there a "Saul" in your life—a difficult boss, family member (don’t look at them!;-)), or colleague—where God might be calling you to be a "buffer of grace" rather than a rebel?

How can you shift your perspective from wanting a platform for yourself to seeing your current relationships as a stewardship for God’s purposes?

Shared Convictions and Trust

When you fight side-by-side, you don’t have to look over your shoulder, which means you are free to look ahead. Because Jonathan and David trusted each other completely, they could focus on the real enemy and accomplish more together than they ever could alone. You have to have deep trust in those who care for your soul and your life (who have your back) to be effective at completing the task you’ve been given.

Jonathan and David were "knit together" by a shared commitment to God's glory. What is the common goal or shared conviction that serves as the foundation for your closest friendships?

Are there areas in your life where you are trying to battle alone? How would having a trusted partner to stand "back-to-back" with you change your effectiveness?

Week 2

Unwavering Courage

1 Samuel 17:1–52

David faced the heavily armed giant Goliath not with sword and armor, but with a shepherd’s sling and unwavering trust in the living God. This story moves beyond simple bravery to define courage as reliance on God when the odds seem overwhelming. We examine the "giants" that have been defeated for us—sin and death—and learn how David's example calls us to use the tools God has given us, regardless of how small they seem.


April 19th Notes

God Decides the Battle

“What David says is a reminder that Yahweh is more powerful than the gods of the Philistines despite this behemoth standing before them. If battles were ultimately decided by the Gods, then the outcome of this battle isn’t decided by the strength of the champions.”

Is God in as much control today as the Israelites thought He was in war?

If God is in control, in what way do our decisions matter? Would God have defeated Goliath even if the Israelites kept cowering?

David’s Unconventional Experience

“Because he was keeping sheep, David got the opportunity to become dangerous and fight and kill lions and bears on his own, it was part of the job. David wasn’t just naturally dangerous, it’s something he became over time.”

God used David’s experience as a shepherd to develop David’s skills for a purpose. How might this fact change the way we approach the daily work God has given us to do?

What unconventional skills of yours have you seen God use for His purposes? How can we resist the temptation to use the skills God has given others?

Christ, Our Representative

“Combat by Champions was a fight between representatives of warring factions. By fighting Goliath, David was the representative of the Israelites. So when we seek what this passage means for the church, we must apply it to he who is our representative, namely Christ.”

Many apply this passage to say we slay our own giants. How does putting Christ in the position of David change our perspective? What if things were the other way around?

If Christ has secured the victory, why do we still encounter defeat in our lives? How can we recover from these defeats?

Week 1

A Heart after God’s own Heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13 

This week explores God's unique method of selection. While everyone (including the prophet Samuel) looked at David’s older brothers—the strong, tall, and experienced men—God looked past the outward appearance to the young shepherd's heart and character. We discuss the often-invisible work God does in our lives and how we can maintain faithfulness and integrity when no one is watching, knowing that God values the unseen heart over outward display.

April 12th Notes

Public Perception vs. Obedience

…So, God gave them Saul. He was the 'People’s Choice'—tall, handsome, and looked exactly like what a king was 'supposed' to look like. But Saul had a fatal flaw: He cared more about public perception and outward religious appearances than he did about actual obedience.

In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize looking the part over actually being obedient to God's instructions?

How can we shift our focus from seeking human approval to seeking God's heart in our daily decisions?

The Danger of Outward Appearances

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).

Think of a person or situation you may have recently judged based on outward appearance. How might God's perspective of that person or situation be different from your own?

What ‘resumé’ items or outward achievements are you currently leaning on for your sense of worth, and how can you practice valuing your heart's posture instead?