The Road to Confession

Messages from the Old Testament

 Study Guide Week One

Message for Sunday August 5, 2018

This Week Reading:   2 Samuel 11:26-27; 12:1-14  Additional Reading: 2 Samuel 11 and Psalms 32 and 51                                                                                                                                                              

Introduction 

We all have areas of our lives that we would prefer to keep hidden from others. We all have things that we have done in times of failure that we would like to keep secret. David's sad incident with Bathsheba that resulted in adultery, murder and abuse of power certainly is something David wished to keep hidden. Yet not only did God through Nathan expose what David did but the incident has become known by millions of people throughout history. Children even learn the story in Sunday school. An amazing example of how God can expose what we desire to keep hidden. The story is a common human story repeated countless times. The story has these basic steps: temptation - sin - cover up - confrontation - confession - forgiveness - restoration but consequences. We see the story in the news and we see it in our lives. It is interesting to note that nowhere in the story does David seek God  This is the same David who wrote all of the Psalms about seeking God and who had a vibrant relationship with God. Some have said that perhaps David was in a time of spiritual dryness or perhaps in mid life crisis. Certainly a lack of sensitivity to God on David's part plays a role in his fall. The good point for David is that he allowed someone to confront him and when that happened he confessed. It was however a long road to that point with resulting consequences that effected those around David for generations.

Some Background Information

Be sure to read both chapter 11 and 12 of 2 Samuel to get the full story. In addition both Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 were written by David and refer to this time in his life. Both Psalms give a good picture of David's inner state and struggles at this time. A king like David had absolute power and authority and could do whatever they wanted. The kings role was to lead God's people. A prophet's role was to speak for God to the people and at times to confront the King with what God was saying. Nathan was a prophet and does at God's command confront David about his actions. David's taking of Bathsheba to be his wife after the death of her husband would be seen as a noble act in that culture and time. Apparently the baby born to Bathsheba was about one year old when Nathan confronted David. Nathan used a common tactic with David and told a story with the same issue but different people. David gets angry and sees the injustice but has been blind to his own actions and sin. Nathans words to David "you are the man', go deep into David's heart like a knife and he sees himself and confesses. 

Digging Deeper Questions:

1. Be sure everyone understands the whole story - have the group tell the story from beginning to end and fill in any areas left out. Make a list of the steps from beginning to end.

2. Why do we seek to hide things and cover up what we do wrong? Do children do that? How do you respond to children when they do deny or cover up things they did? 

3. Why is confrontation and accountability important in the Christian life? Have you had any experience with confrontation? Discuss.  

4. Discuss the 3 parts of David's statement in chapter 12 verse 13.

5. Why is confession important - what happens when we confess? - when we do not?
6. Why do people tend to see the wrong in others but it is harder to see the wrong in themselves?
7. How important is it for you that your life is pleasing to God? Are there any steps you need to take to make that a reality?

This Week’s Victory Challenge: Have a time of self examination and reflection.