Digging Deeper Study Part 2 May 2021
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DIGGING DEEPER STUDY PART 2 MAY 2021 HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOURSELF “WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM ME?” If so, you join the company of many others in Scripture who asked similar questions. In the Old Testament, God clearly stated that He was looking for “A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART.” The whole of the Bible is a story of God’s desire for heart-connection with His people. Amazingly, we see time and time again how God loves His people and wants a close relationship with every one of us. God says in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible: “BUT IF FROM THERE YOU SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.” (DEUTERONOMY 4:29, NIV) Our new teaching series launches the weekend after Easter, and we are calling it “AFTER GOD’S HEART.” Together we will take a nine-week journey through the life of King David, someone who was passionately pursuing to know God and make Him known. We desire to do what the wisdom books of Scripture teach us, to: “LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU; BIND THEM AROUND YOUR NECK, WRITE THEM ON THE TABLET OF YOUR HEART.” (PROVERBS 3:3, NIV) Whether you have read David’s stories before or this is your first time, we are excited to see how his life provides many examples of how we live our lives today. As a man who chased after the heart of God, we desire to walk in those same footsteps today. Just as Jesus taught in the gospels: “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD.” (MATTHEW 5:8, NIV) GOD LOVES HIS PEOPLE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CONTINUOUSLY WORKING TO MAKE THAT LOVE KNOWN. The Church around the world continues to seek out ways to grow in God’s character and obey His commands. That’s what it means to be a disciple of Jesus! As a community of faith, we are following Christ together, growing more and more into the image of our Creator, and making Christ’s love known to the world. Join us as we seek God’s Word together through the life of King David as we learn how to follow Jesus with all our heart practically. DURING THIS SERIES, OUR PRAYER FOR YOU AND NORTHLAND IS THIS— “I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE HOPE TO WHICH CHRIST HAS CALLED YOU.” (EPHESIANS 1:18, NIV) HOW TO USE THIS STUDY Pray Write Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of My heart overflows with a good theme; I address your miracle-wonders. Psalm 119:18 (The Message) my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (NASB) When you open up your Bible, you are not reading alone, even if you are the only person in the room! Use this guide to write down thoughts, concerns, The Holy Spirit is with you and always faithful to teach prayers, and next steps. The Scriptures teach us that we each of us. Before you read the Bible verses, pause, always want to be doers of the Word, not just listeners. and pray! Thank the Holy Spirit for being with you and Look for practical ways to share God’s love with others. illuminating your heart with God’s Word. Let’s be light to the world through our actions. Listen Love Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson “A new command I give you: Love one another. in God worship. Psalm 34:11 (The Message) As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, Often when we read the Bible, we can easily get lost as if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) our mind wanders. It’s totally normal for our minds to drift! Instead of getting frustrated, use those thoughts Reach out to someone and encourage them from what to direct you towards listening to the Holy Spirit. Those God teaches you through your time in prayer and the are often the people and circumstances we need to pay Scriptures. Serve in every practical way possible so attention to the most! that others can experience the love of Christ. To view the sermons this study correlates with, visit NorthlandChurch.net/DiggingDeeper. WHAT DOES IT SAY God’s Word is powerful and always faithful to transform us as disciples of Christ. Before reading the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your heart to hear the heart of God. Pray for the ability to listen and have your life shaped by the God-themes in these verses. To understand the depth of friendship that David had with Jonathan, read I Samuel 20:42. What promise did David make to Jonathan? __________________________________________________________________________ MAY 8-9 __________________________________________________________________________ DAVID & After Jonathan died in battle, David heard the news and was devastated (II Samuel MEPHIBOSHETH 1:11-12). Fast forward to II Samuel 4:4. In your own words, describe what happened to Jonathan’s son. There is a Hebrew word for love that is deep, meaningful, __________________________________________________________________________ and difficult to translate into __________________________________________________________________________ English. The word chesed is a word that describes (תםﬢ) __________________________________________________________________________ steadfast love, loyalty, and loving-kindness. It is rooted in great strength and embodies According to II Samuel 8:15, what did David do as king over Israel? a great devotion between God __________________________________________________________________________ and His people or between two humans. There is promise __________________________________________________________________________ in this type of love and a covenant that is unbreakable. Read II Samuel 9. How did David keep his promise to Jonathan? Chesed is displayed beautifully __________________________________________________________________________ in this week’s story between David and Mephibosheth. As __________________________________________________________________________ you read the Scriptures, pay attention to David’s great love for his lost friend, Jonathan, David tells Mephibosheth not to be afraid. For what reasons might Mephibosheth have fear standing before David? and Jonathan’s crippled son. Even more so, consider the __________________________________________________________________________ greatest example of chesed displayed in the deep love that __________________________________________________________________________ Jesus has for you. How did David show love toward Mephibosheth? In what ways did this show extravagant generosity and care to Jonathan’s son? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ As image-bearers of God, we can also love in a way that WHAT DOES IT MEAN shows loyalty, steadfastness, and devotion. What is one specific way you can reach out to someone and surprise Think for a moment about Mephibosheth’s family history. them with generosity and kindness this week? After he lost his grandfather Saul, lost his father Jonathan, and became crippled, how might Mephibosheth have felt toward God? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Imagine what Mephibosheth must have felt and thought Read John 13:34-35. How does Jesus say others will about on his way to see King David. What do you think he know we are His disciples? How does Christ’s love provide may have expected from David? us the ultimate example for loving sacrificially today? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What attributes of God do you see through David’s example? In what ways did David reflect the character of ______________________________________________________ God through his actions? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ PRAYER ______________________________________________________ Lord, there is no one more generous than You. No one shows greater love and kindness than the Way. You keep ______________________________________________________ Your covenant, Your chesed, to Your people. Father, I confess to You that I too often hold things against others rather than following Your lead and example in forgiving. I WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A push others away rather than show kindness. Jesus, You DISCIPLE TODAY paid the ultimate price to forgive me of those sins. You removed every barrier so that I might know Your great From a worldly point of view, David had every reason love. Holy Spirit, help me today to do the unexpected— to to treat anyone from Saul’s family with disdain. Who in love and forgive and show kindness when the world tells your life today might God be asking you to love instead of me to do the opposite. I pray for courage to take those holding a grudge?