Love as a Way of Life



Study Series: The Life of DavidBy: Alexander MacLarenLesson Title: “Early Days” (pp. 62-73)July 7, 2019Session 06The main point of this lesson is: The glory of God is revealed in the day, the night, and the storm.Focus on this goal: To help adults join David in seeing God’s glory in nature.Key Bible Passages: Psalms 8; 19; 29To the Leader: Be certain to not spend too much time discussing David’s early life from Days One and Two. Save most of your session time to explore the psalms examined in Days Three through Five.Before the SessionCreate and display a timeline of David’s life, using the six “epochs” mentioned in the first Day One paragraph (p. 62). Keep this displayed throughout the entire series of lessons. Each week, write the psalms you are discussing under the corresponding period from David’s life.During the SessionStep 1. Lead-in / Illustration Ask: If there was a book written that chronicled your life story, would it more likely be a: boring textbook; comic book; action thriller; romance; war novel; tearjerker; science-fiction; … add your own? What kind of book would you write if you really wanted people to know your heart? Explain: The life of King David is recounted in the Books of 1?and?2?Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Those Bible books often read like a best-selling drama, war, or romance novel. But we gain insight into David’s heart from the songs he wrote. Summarize the last two paragraphs of the study introduction (p. 61) to this series of lessons from “The Life of David.”Step 2. Day 1 – Young David, Part 1Draw attention to the timeline you created. Explain that, throughout this study, you will look at psalms David wrote that correspond to his circumstances in each era of his life, starting with his early life. Discuss Day One, activity 1 (p. 62), using the remarks in Day One to add to the discussion. Invite responses to Day One, activity 2 (p. 64).Step 3. Day 2 – Young David, Part 2Invite a volunteer to read 1 Samuel 16:12-23. Discuss: How would you feel if you’d been anointed for something great, and ended up playing the harp? What insights do we gain into David’s character from this passage? How might people have been able to tell the Lord was with David? Declare David’s intimate relationship with God is reflected in the psalms he wrote. The author stated David’s early life is portrayed in his psalms that describe nature. Use the last paragraph of Day Two (p. 66) to examine what these nature psalms have in common.Step 4. Day 3 – Psalm 19Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 19:1-6. Determine what heralded God’s glory to David. Invite responses to Day Three, activity 1 (p. 67). Note many people say they best worship God out in nature, but even the nature-loving David would say we can’t stop with nature. He opened the psalm with the light of the rising sun, but then transitioned to speak of the light of God’s Word (v. 7). Read and discuss the Day Three margin/pull quote (p. 67). Invite responses to Day Three, activity 2 (p. 68). David concluded with what God’s Word did in his life. Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 19:12-14. Refer back to group responses to Day?Three, activity 1 (p. 67) and ask: What does that part of nature reveal to you about God’s character? How does God’s Word reveal even more about those divine characteristics? What should that revelation prompt us to do?Step 5. Day 4 – Psalm 8Point out that Psalm 19 emphasizes God’s glory seen in the morning sky, while Psalm 8 focuses on God’s majesty revealed in the night sky. Discuss Day Four, activity 1 (p. 69). Note David took time to look at the sky and ponder spiritual matters. Rather than seeing gods or astrological signs, he saw God’s handiwork. David obviously felt it a real privilege to praise God. Guide the group to explore how praise is a privilege. Point out David had a sense of God’s transcendence—His holy “otherness”—and God’s immanence—His nearness. Invite responses to Day?Four, activity 2 (p. 70). Explore how David indicated his familiarity with the Genesis creation story. Ask: How does the fact that God gave humanity dominion and dignity emphasize His majesty and glory? How does it emphasize our responsibility? How might God’s glory revealed in nature have perhaps filled an older David with a sense of longing for earlier days?Step 6. Day 5 – Psalm 29Note: While Psalms 19 and 8 convey a sense of tranquility, Psalm 29 is stormy. Invite a volunteer to read Psalm 29. Use remarks in Day Five (pp. 71-73) to relate how verses 1-2 correspond to the slow gathering of storm-clouds, verses 3-9 express the violence of a thunderstorm, and verses 10-11 convey the calm after the storm. Ask: How did David see God’s presence in the storm? Invite responses to Day Five, activities 1 (p.?72) and 2 (p. 73). Read aloud the last paragraph of Day Five (p. 73).Step 7. Reflection and Personal ApplicationAsk: How can we join David in seeing God’s glory in His creation? Encourage adults to make time this week to really focus on nature (perhaps by taking a walk or looking up at a starry sky), look for evidences of God’s glory in nature, and voice Psalm 8:1 as a prayer of praise. Close the session in prayer. ................
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