week of July 19

2 Samuel 7:1-14a

Psalm 89:20-37;

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Ephesians 2:11-22

 

1.          In what circumstances do we find David (vv. 1-2)? What does David decide would be his next action, and who does he consult (vv. 2-3)? How does God respond to Nathan (v. 5)? What does God say about where he has been found in the past (vv. 6-7)? What do verses 6-7 imply about God, and what does it foreshadow about how the people of Israel will relate to God in the future?

 

2. What does God tell Nathan to tell David about God’s relationship with David (vv. 8-9)? What else will God do for David and the people of Israel (vv. 10-11)? What house is God going to make for David (v. 11b)? How will a house for God be established (vv. 12-13)?  Who is being spoken about in verse 14a? Compare what David wanted to do for God in verse 3 to verse 13—what is the difference about the house for God?

 

3. How is the relationship between God and David described in verses 20-25 of Psalm 89? What did David have to do to gain this relationship? How does the psalmist say David will respond (v. 26)? Is God’s promise conditional (v. 28)?

 

4. What does God promise David (v. 29)? What if David’s descendants forsake God or God’s law (vv. 30-33)? In fact, what do David’s descendants do? Does God establish any further conditions whereby he may get out of God’s agreement (vv. 34-37)? What descendant of David’s body has offered us reconciliation with God?

 

5. Verse 30 starts with the disciples gathering around Jesus and telling him about their experiences. What were they talking about (see Mark 6: 7-13)? What did Jesus call the disciples to do and why (v. 31)? Where did they go and what do you think Jesus had in mind for them to do (v. 32)? What did all the other people do (v. 33)? How did Jesus react and what did he begin to do (v. 34)?

 

6. When we skip to verses 53-56, we do not read about the feeding of the 5,000 people or Jesus walking on the sea. Instead, what happens when Jesus and the disciples reach the other side of the sea (vv. 54-56)? Why do you think people were healed? What in you needs to be healed—not at the surface but deep down?

 

7. To whom is Paul writing this letter—how does Paul describe them in verse 11? What does Paul remind the people and you and me (v. 12)? What two groups of people is Paul talking about (v. 14)? How did God act to bring these tow peoples together as one (v. 13)?

 

8. What does Paul say God has abolished and why (vv. 15-16)? So, is anyone to be left out? So, what did Jesus do and what did all humanity gain (vv. 17-18)? But if we are all so different, what did God through Jesus do for us (vv. 19-22)? Is anyone to be excluded from the love of God through Christ? Do you feel excluded from the love of God? Do you attempt to exclude anyone from the love of God?

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, 2015

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Psalm 14:

Mark 6:1-21

Ephesians 3:14-21