Uniform Series Lesson Outline for November 5



Smyth & Helwys Formations Series Lesson Outline for June 3, 2018

Nathan tells a Parable 2 Samuel 12:1-10

Focal Outline: 2 Samuel 12:1-4 A Story from Nathan

2 Samuel 12:5-6 David Reacts to the Story

2 Samuel 12:7-10 The “Moral” of the Story

Summary Statements: (To share an overview of the lesson…)

1. There is nothing more powerful than a story that moves us to our soul! Stories have power!

2. Oral and written stories have a way of peaking our imagination and capturing our heads and hearts.

3. God uses stories to make a point that brings us to awareness of our sinfulness and God’s love.

4. The story of Jesus not only moves us but frees us to accepting God’s love and grace.

Life Questions: (To help focus your thoughts…)

1. What words come to your mind when you hear the word “art”? What images, sounds, tastes?

2. What piece of literary art (books, poems, stories, etc.) most moves you spiritually? Why?

3. How do stories confront us? What truths do literary arts bring to us? Share some…

4. How do stories leads us to confession and repentance? What story moves you the most in “your” story?

Points to Ponder!!

NOTE: The following outline is designed for 40 minutes of teaching. Use 3 to 5 different teaching techniques, choose at least one idea from each of the three sections below. This will help your class become discussion oriented and interactive. These approaches will also help you build excitement, intimacy, and disciples as you learn.

Art is closely linked to spirituality and nothing moves us more than a good story. To Kill a Mockingbird or Moby Dick may come to mind. Or maybe you are a reader of more classical stories like The Little Red Hen or The Three Little Pigs! Stories move us to our souls and can evoke feelings that a simple conversation might not. The story that Nathan tells David is certainly an example of the power of story.

On the one hand, we have a text that reads like a thrilling Hollywood scene! We can feel the tension as Nathan builds to the moment when he tells David that the parable is about him! That is a dangerous moment. In some stories, the messenger would literally be shot. On the other hand, we learn much about ourselves and God. This is really a story within a story…the main point is how the “sheep story” moves David to face his sin before God. We all have our ways of counter-balancing the God/human drama to make ourselves feel better. But “story” definitely has impact.

David had been a good King. But he was not without his excesses. He was guilty of some egregious offenses. To add to that personal sin, Nathan will point out that David’s sins weakened the Hebrew kingdom in ways. God sees sin, and its consequences, even when others don’t. “Story” helps point out the hurt and the pain. Nathan is our focus because he challenged David with a great “story” under the calling of God. David was confronted with a great story from a called out storyteller. Literary art moves us!

Beginning (5-15 minutes - These ideas are to spark the learner’s interest in the lesson.)

1. What is your favorite children’s book/story? (Bring one or two and read to the class.) Talk about the truths of the story and the teaching of the story. Talk about the emotions that story evoke.

2. What is your favorite Bible story? (Remind the class of some of the classics.) Talk about the truths of some of these stories and what they may be teaching. Talk about the emotions each story might evoke.

3. What are some stories that involve doing right that may impact our faith but are not biblical stories?

Again think about some children’s stories and the morals that they teach us.

4. Think about the stories from our childhood and from the Bible. How have these stories intertwined and impacted our ways of thinking as Adults? What does a maturing faith look like?

Examination: (10-20 minutes – These help learners interact with the text, to see, feel, and hear God’s message. There is NO way you’ll cover all the material. Choose wisely; let the needs of your class and your prayerful discernment lead you! Consult the Learner’s Study Guide and The Lesson Commentary for further insights.)

1. 2 Samuel 12:1-4 A Story from Nathan

You may want to begin with the “backstory”…1 Sam 16 gives some background to the Boy David and 2 Sam 11 gives the immediate backstory for this passage.

Have someone read these 4 verses aloud. What is the story here? In v1, what in David’s life has caused God to send Nathan to David? In summary, how would you describe the message of this parable? Why did Nathan use a parable anyway?

2 Samuel 12:5-6 David Reacts to the Story

How is David moved by this “story”? Why does David react as he does in v5-6? (compassion, distance, spiritual blindness) How does this story move you? What emotions do you feel toward David? Nathan? Why? How is this story able to “grab” you?

2 Samuel 12:7-10 The “Moral” of the Story

What does Nathan say in reply? This is part of the larger story. What all does Nathan have to say in this part of the story?

2. Agree/Disagree? Why? “We find it always easier to desire the punishment of others than to accept consequences for our own actions.” In light of David’s reaction to the parable, and to Nathan’s indictment of him, why is this observation important to our faith?

3. One lesson author says “Before anyone challenges an authority figure, they should be sure that God is calling them to do it, and they should be willing to suffer any consequences.” Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Do you have any stories that support your thoughts? Share…

Application (5-15 minutes – These ideas give learners opportunities to apply lesson truths to their lives!)

1. Read some hymn texts or favorite poems that might evoke some emotions in the class.

Try Stephen Dunn’s “At the Smithville Methodist Church” ()

Or something from Shel Silverstein or Maya Angelou.

2. Sayings evoke lots of emotions…use a few of these and see what happens:

We have nothing to fear but fear itself. (FD Roosevelt)

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. (JF Kennedy)

What, Me worry? (Alfred E. Neumann, Mad Magazine)

Pray Globally, Serve Locally. (Anonymous)

Make him an offer he can’t refuse. (The Godfather)

People go…where they know… (My mom’s favorite!!)

People go, where they know, they have been prepared for and are cared for!

Bo Prosser, writer, is a catalytic coach and consultant with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Resource Center in Atlanta, GA. Contact Bo at bo.prosser@.

Copyright SS Helps 2018 All references to Smyth and Helwys literature are used by permission of the Publisher.

All materials used are available through Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 1-800-747-3016.

Contact Us: Center for Christian Education ATTN: Bo Prosser email – bo.prosser@

20 Settlers Court Youngsville, NC 27596 phone: (404)579-6530

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