week of August 2

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a

Psalm 51:1-12:

John 6:24-35

Ephesians 4:1-16

 

1.         What happens after the death of Uriah (vv. 26-17)? Who does God send to confrontDavid(v. 1)? How does the prophet getDavidto understand what he has done? How do you thinkDavidmight have reacted if Nathan had simply scolded him?

 

2.         Of what does Nathan remindDavid(vv. 7-8)? What do you believe had blindedDavidfor him to have done what he did—reflect on the lesson from the prior week? What will be the consequences forDavid? What didDaviddo in secret that God will make sure is done in public toDavid(vv. 11-12)? How doesDavidrespond (v. 13a)? Have you ever suffered the consequences of being selfish or of abusing power?

 

3.         About whom is Psalm 51? Who else could it be about? What is requested of God and why (v. 1)? What is one word that might be used to summarize the feelings of the psalmist in verse 3? What evidence is there that this Psalm is not just aboutDavid(v. 4)? Give an example of sinning only against God—does any of the sin affect neighbor?

 

4.         What does the psalmist request from God (vv. 2, 7, 10)? What is necessary for the psalmist to receive this cleansing? What happens if you hold on to guilt and/or shame? Do you want to be restored to the joy of God’s salvation? What do you need to confess?

 

5.         After Jesus fed the 5,000, went off to pray, and then walked on water to the other side of the sea, what did the people who had been fed do (v. 24)?  What reason does Jesus give the people for following him to the other shore (v. 26)? What does Jesus tell the people they should work for, and how do the people respond (vv. 27-28)?

 

6.         What work does Jesus want the people and us to do (v. 29)? What did the people require of Jesus to believe him (v. 30)? How do the people confuse food and God (vv. 31-32)? From whom is the true bread of life (vv. 33-35)? For what bread to you spend most of your time? For what are you the most hungry?

 

7.         What does the writer of Ephesians request for the early church inEphesusand us today (v. 1)? And how are we to accomplish this task (vv. 2-3)? How does a person demonstrate humility—by cutting in line? How is unity reinforced in verses 4-6? What happens when a group of people are not united and only interested in what each person can get from the other?

 

8.         How much grace does the writer say we are each given (v. 7)? What is the meaning of reflecting on Jesus first descending before ascending—what must we die to before we can live to Christ (vv. 9-10)? What is the ultimate purpose of all the gifts listed in verse 11 (v. 13)? How does one grow from being a child in Christ to being a mature follower of Christ (vv. 14-16)? To be a part of the body of Christ, can you only think about yourself?

 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 9, 2015

2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

Psalm 130; John 6:35, 41-51

Ephesians 4:25-5:2