Questions
I.
Life
1.
What
is something you noticed about God this week?
II.
Text
Re-read
2 Samuel 13
Leader's
note:
·
David
was Amnon's, Absalom's (peace), and Tamar's Dad. Absolam and Tamar had the same
mother. Amnon had a different mother.
1.
What
happened in this story?
2.
Genesis
4:7b reads, "...sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but
you must rule over it.” Amnon knew that what he was doing was wrong; it seemed
to powerfully desire him and it consumed him. Do we ever get tempted to do
bad/wrong things and feel powerless to avoid that sin (addiction can be like
this)? What can we do when we feel sin desiring to have us?
3.
Amnon
immediately knew what he did was wrong and he hated his victim, his sister
Tamar. He refused to try to make it right. Do we ever blame others instead of
taking a look at ourselves and seeing how we can try to resolve the issue at
hand? What can we do instead? Give an example of when you took responsibility
for something you did (intentional or not) and God used that for good.
4. Absalom hated Amnon. Absalom had a legitimate grievance against Amnon - Amnon raped his
sister! He spent two years plotting his revenge against his brother. His
actions against David, his dad (who it seems did nothing to right the wrongs
done to his own daughter), led to Absalom's and others' death. I see lots of
hate in the media today against a lot of different people. I even see people
hating people for hating people. Are we ever tempted to 'hate' for a 'good
cause'? How can hate be overcome?
5.
Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. N.T Wright writes, “Think of
the best thing you can do for the worst person and then go ahead and do it.”
Jesus tells us plainly, pointedly, repeatedly, lovingly, ‘love your enemies and
do good to those who hate you.” Forgive as you want to be forgiven. Give, as
you want it to be given to you. What are some practical ways you can show
forgiveness?
6. Unforgiveness
is a self-inflicted wound.
The person you hurt most by not forgiving someone is yourself; the other person
may not even know that you have something against them or why you do. God wants
to free you from the bondage of hate an unforgiveness; Is there someone in our
lives who we have yet to forgive (don't tell us who they are!)? Ask God to help you forgive anyone you
need to forgive.
Click here to read related sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.ca/2007/11/2-samuel-13-18-taking-matters-in-his.html
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