Heart Over Hype: Faith and Failure

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: 1 Samuel 21 & 22.

overview

The wilderness has a way of revealing the weaknesses of the heart and in these chapters, we see how the pressure has changed David into someone we barely recognize. He is a man on the run and in his desperation, he panics and resorts to lying and manipulation. His actions had serious consequences – word got back to Saul, who in anger commanded the killing of the priests and the whole town of Nob. David’s decisions under pressure were costly and so it is important for us to be aware of what methods we might be tempted to turn to when we are hopeless or under pressure. We need to remember to turn to prayer and God’s Word first before we race to manage things on our own.

question 1

Share how you can each safeguard your own decision-making when you are under pressure or in a time of hopelessness. Does anyone have a person you turn to who helps you slow down and process in those times?

discussion

Read Proverbs 28:13 and Galatians 6:7. One priest, Abiathar, escapes the disaster, and runs to David’s side, informing him of the tragedy that has taken place. David immediately confesses that what he did led to tragedy. Here, we see a glimpse of the David we have come to admire. He was put on a pedestal by the Israelites as he won battle after battle, but he was just a man – a young shepherd boy who was suddenly picked by God and who took every next step the Lord presented. How often does the Church put leaders – both their locally and nationally – on a pedestal they never asked for? Yes, some want the fame and attention, but many more simply want to do what God has called them to do. We need to be careful of our own idol worship and remember that our leaders are human and they will make mistakes. Those who show remorse and repent ought to be given grace; those who are prideful and never admit their mistakes will stand before God and receive his judgement.

question 2

How can the Church balance honoring its leaders with the understanding that they are human and prone to mistakes? Do you put too much pressure or requirements on any of your church leaders?

In the cave of Adullam, David reaches his lowest point, yet God uses this isolation to surround himself with a community of broken, distressed people whom David begins to lead and pastor. God will always meet us at the bottom when we are ready to turn and seek his help, and he can transform our lowest moments into places of new beginning. A healthy church welcomes the grieving, the confused, and the distressed with love and kindness, reminding them of the work and redemption of Jesus.

question 3

Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender your own plans or accept redirection from God?

weekly application

Create the habit of reflecting on your own actions, admit any of your faults, and invite God’s forgiveness and redirection. Creating this spiritual rhythm will help you stay aligned with God and the other people in your life.