Marriage: The Foundation for Family and Discipleship

Marriage: The Foundation for Family and Discipleship

Theme: God created marriage

Scriptures: Genesis 2:18-24, Genesis 3:1-18, and Ephesians 5:22-23

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God created marriage, and intends for a husband and wife to experience oneness through that relationship.

Think: My goal is to experience oneness with God and with my spouse.

Do: Recognize and follow biblical guidelines for marriage.

Notes and questions:

B1 What is marriage?

B2 Genesis 2:18-24,

C1 The word for man in Genesis 2:18 is אָדָם 'adam. It is a masculine noun.

C2 The word for help is עֵזֶר `ezer.

D1 It means help or assistance.

D2 It is usually used in a military sense as Deuteronomy 33:7 NKJV And this he said of Judah: “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, And may You be a help against his enemies.”

D3 It is also used for someone helping as Psalms 33:20 NKJV Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.  

D4 Also, Psalms 121:1-2 NKJV I Will lift up my eyes to the hills– From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

D5 What kind of help, assistance, did the Psalmist need?

D6 What kind of help, assistance, would Adam need?

D7 Was Adam lacking something?

D8 Was the help Adam needed just an assistant, a slave, to do his bidding?

D9 Was the help Adam needed was a partner to face life together?

C3 All livestock, birds, and all other animals were named by Adam, but there was not one that could be his helper. Why did not these meet Adam’s need?

C4 In Genesis 2:24 how many types of marriage meet God’s standard?

C5 The principle of one flesh

D1 One in body, soul, and spirit. One physically, emotionally, intellectually, in worship, in prayer, in troubles, in joys, whatever. Oneness in purpose. It is facing life together as a team.

D2 Other verses with oneness in the same sense

E1 John 10:16 NKJV “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

E2 John 17:11 NKJV Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

E3 Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

D3 If there is fighting, how can there be oneness?

D4 How can oneness be promoted, encouraged, assisted?

D5 How can husband and wife promote this in their marriage?

D6 How can the church help?

B3 Genesis 3:1-18,

C1 Eve was deceived. Does this mean that men are not deceived or less deceived?

C2 Adam sinned with purpose and knowledge. What was the result? (Romans 5:12 NKJV  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned).

C3 What happened to their oneness after they both sinned?

C4 What happened to their oneness with God?

C5 What does being reconciled with God mean?

D1 Romans 5:10 NKJV For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

D2 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

C6 Genesis 3:7 NKJV Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

D1 What were the eyes closed to before they sinned?

D2 Why did nakedness bother them now?

D3 How did sin affect their oneness and their marriage?

D4 How does sin affect us?

C7 Genesis 3:8 NKJV And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

D1 Why did they hide?

D2 What did God want?

C8 Genesis 3:12 NKJV Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

D1 Is Adam helping the oneness of his marriage?

D2 Why wasn’t he honest?

C3 Who is really being blamed for the sin?

C9 Genesis 3:13 NKJV And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

D1 At least Eve tells the truth.

D2 Why is confessing to God good?

C10 Genesis 3:14-15, is there anything good in God’s curse?

C11 Genesis 3:16

D1 Versions

E1 NKJV To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”

E2 ESV  To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

E3 NLT Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband,but he will rule over you.

E4 GNB  And he said to the woman, "I will increase your trouble in pregnancy and your pain in giving birth. In spite of this, you will still have desire for your husband, yet you will be subject to him.

D2 Susan Foh in 1974 wrote an article on the meaning of Genesis 3:16, “What is the Woman’s Desire?”   An seasoned Christian response to this can be found: THE DESIRE OF THE WOMAN: A RESPONSE TO SUSAN FOH’S INTERPRETATION

D3 The most common view is that Eve now had the desire to rule, boss, her husband. Knowing this, God cursed Eve and commanded her to submit to her husband in all things.

D4 This is wrong because:

E1 The word desire is תְּשׁוּקָה tshuwqa. This word means longing and desire. So, what kind of desire? It depends on the context.

E2 It is used 3 times in the Old Testament:

F1 Genesis 3:16 (our passage)

F2 Genesis 4:7 NKJV “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

F3 Song of Solomon 7:10 NKJV I am my beloved’s, And his desire is toward me.

E3 Genesis 4:7 Understanding it in context: Sins longs for, desires, lusts, for you to sin. This is mainly a spiritual longing, sin wants him to sin: James 1:14-15 NKJV But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. The Greek word for desire is ἐπιθυμία epithumia, which means a longing for.

E4 Song of Solomon 7:10 Understanding it in context: The wife notes her husband’s desire for her. This is mainly a physical longing.

E5 So in Genesis 3:16, I believe is best understood as (to paraphrase) “I can see you are very angry. He has blamed you and me for his rebellion, and you would like to wring his neck. What is better is for you to still desire him (physically), and even though he made an evil decision, he still is your husband.” The he shall rule means that he is to have the last word in a decision. It does NOT mean his way or no way, for that is hate instead of love and will never have another answer to prayer: 1 Peter 3:7 GNB  In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life. Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.

D5 Egalitarian or complementarian? This is my personal view

E1 Egalitarian

F1 In nursing for over 40 years, my immediate manager was always a woman. I had a few male supervisors in charge after the manager went home and a few CEO’s as well.

F2 President can be a woman.

F3 Seminary class teacher can be a woman.

F4 Deaconesses are necessary.

F5 CEO of large corporations can be a woman.

F6 So in all areas of living, a woman is often the best.

E2 Complementarian

F1 In marriage, the range is from patriarchy to matriarchy.

G1 The strong patriarchy is the wife has little or no input.

G2 The strong matriarchy is where the husband has little or no input.

G3 The strong versions usually are dominated by either a narcissist or psychopath.

F2 Both are not good.

F3 I hold to a 51-49% husband/wife.

F4 We are partners, teammates, going through life together. A problem arises, we discuss it, and arrive at a solution. This solution is not just the husband’s or the wife’s. It is together in agreement. Sometimes the solution is not easy and will differ greatly. Then the wife should yield to her husband. If that solution works out—fine. If it does not, the husband must yield to the wife’s solution.

B4 Ephesians 5:22-23,

C1 Reviewing Ephesians 5:21 WEL  Place yourselves under one another in the fear of God.

Other versions use submit, etc. The Greek word ὑποτάσσω hupotasso means to place under. Blue Letter Bible has this comment under the heading Outline of Biblical Usage: This word was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden." There is no idea of resistance as submit, subject, submission has in English.

C2 Ephesians 5:22-23 WEL 22 Wives place yourselves under your own husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and Himself is savior of the body.

C3 What does your own husband imply?

C4 How is Jesus the Messiah head of the church (Congregation)?

C5 What is the body in Ephesians 5:23?

B5 Other questions:

C1 Oneness

D1 What is oneness with God?

D2 What is oneness with our spouse?

D3 How is oneness with God broken?

D4 How is oneness with our spouse broken?

D5 How can oneness be restored with God?

D6 How can oneness be restored with our spouse?

D7 Can an atheist have oneness with his/her spouse?

D8 How did Adam’s sin change oneness with God?

D9 How did Adam’s sin change oneness with Eve?

C2 What style of leadership does God use—shepherd or hunter?

D1 Shepherd

E1 Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

E2 John 10:27 NKJV My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. No whip is required—Elon J. Gane.

D2 Hunter

E1 Genesis 10:8-9 ISV Cush fathered Nimrod, who became the first fearless leader throughout the land. He became a fearless hunter in defiance of the Lord. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a fearless hunter in defiance of the Lord.

E2 Matthew 20:25 GNB92 So Jesus called them all together and said, “You know that the rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority.

C3 If husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, how are we to show this?

C4 How are wives to show respect for their husbands?

C5 Can our marriage be a witness to nonbelievers?

B6 Next week:

C1 When families are not perfect

C2 Theme: Biblical families

C3 Scriptures

D1 Genesis 17:9

D2 Genesis 17:15-19

D3 Esther 2:5-7

D4 Acts 16:1

D5 2 Timothy 1:5

D6 Titus 1:4

Stay on Guard

Stay on Guard

Theme: Repentance and Restoration

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: David got caught up in sin. He confessed and was forgiven, but he and his family suffered the consequences for years to come.

Think: The high cost of sin motivates me to avoid it at all costs.

Do: Avoid, confess, and forsake all sinful practices.

Notes and questions:

B1 Ammon and Israel

C1 Even though Ammon were near relatives of Israel through Lot, they were very evil in the life, their worship, and their treatment of Israel.

C2 Because of this, David sent the army under Joab to subdue them.

C3 David remained in Jerusalem.

B2 David

C1 David and King Nahash of Ammon were friends.

C2 King Nahash died. His son Hanun reigned after him.

C3 King David sent emissaries to show grief because Hanun’s father had died.

C4 Hanun received evil counsel and had the beards of the Israelites half shaved and their clothes half cut off exposing their rear ends.

C5 This made the Israelites angry, so the Ammonites hired 33,000 soldiers from the Syrians and other kings for the fight against Israel.

C6 At first, the Ammonites and their allies were winning the battle, but God helped Joab and the Israelites to soundly defeat the mercenaries.

C7 2 Samuel 10:14 NKJV When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem.

C8 Thus all waited until the rainy season ended, then was the time for kings to return to battle.

C9 Joab and the Israelites went to fight Ammon, but David stayed in Jerusalem.

C10 It is not known why David stayed.

B3 Bathsheba

C1 Genealogy

D1 Ahithophel, David's counselor

D2 Eliam (Ammiah), the son of Ahithophel

D3 Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam

C2 Husband of Uriah

D1 2 Samuel 11:3 NKJV So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

D2 One of King David’s 30 mighty men: 2 Samuel 23:39 NKJV and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

C3 Had five children. All were by David.

D1 The one that died, unless he is one of the named.

D2 1 Chronicles 3:5 NKJV And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon–four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel.

B4 2 Samuel 11:2 NKJV  Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

C1 Why is David still in Jerusalem?

C2 Why was he watching Bathsheba bathing?

C3 James 1:13-15 NKJV  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

C4 The steps in David’s downfall were

D1 Got up from his bed in the evening

D2 Walked upon the roof of his house

D3 Saw a woman bathing herself

D4 Lusted

D5 Sent a messenger to find out who she was

D6 Sent men to take her

D7 Had sex with her

D8 Later had her husband killed, so murder. He wanted to cover up his sin.

C5 He wanted to know who she was perhaps hoping that she was not married. If so, he would want to marry only for his animal, evil desires.

C6 Later, perhaps, he just wanted to talk with her to look at her lustingly, but his hormones and evil desire is full throttle, and he acts.

C7 How does the epistle of James confirm these steps in his downfall?

C6 Did King David make a mistake, a sin, or a crime? What is the difference between these?

C7 Is anyone too good to NOT sin?

C8 Does God decree that we will sin as some Calvinists believe? Or, does God make it the highest desire and decree the circumstances that someone will sin?

Or, do we sin, because our free will chooses to sin?

C9 Do some evil pastors cover up sin? Do all people cover up sin? Consider, John 3:20-21 GW  People who do what is wrong hate the light and don't come to the light. They don't want their actions to be exposed.  21  But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.

C10 What is the end result of sin?

C11 How to avoid sinning after temptation (being tempted is not a sin)

D1 We all have desires.

D2 Recognize that temptation exists.

D3 Be aware of desires. We may allow them to get out of control. The desire entices us; the devil helps it along by making it look good and needful. Genesis 3:6 NRSV  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

D4 Recognize that I can sin.

D5 Avoid situations as best as possible.

D6 Have your mind clear and not under the influence of anything. The devil loves someone in a passive state of consciousness. 1 Peter 5:8 GW  Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.

D7 Don’t let desire conceive. This would be thinking about the sin a person wants to do, thus enjoying it in their heart.

D8 Pray daily.

D9 If it is a problem, find a supportive friend or family member. This is especially important with addictions. Remember, sin itself is addictive.

D10 God’s grace is sufficient. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

D11 The armor that God has for us. Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

D12 What else can you think of?

C12 Was it Bathsheba’s fault that David sinned? Some people believe that she was bathing naked on the rooftop and not being modest even suggesting that she lusted after David.

D1 It was not uncommon to be bathing on the rooftop.

D2 It was evening.

D3 She probably was shielded, but if the King’s roof was higher than hers, he could have been looking down.

D4 Women did not have social status to refuse a king.

D5 Fear that the king would do something to her husband.

D6 He very well may have raped her. The word lay means rape depending on the context. There is not enough information to know. Esther 7:8 GW  When the king returned from the palace garden to the palace dining room, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was lying. The king thought, "Is he even going to rape the queen while I'm in the palace?" Then the king passed sentence on him, and servants covered Haman's face.

D7 David was singled out for his sin by God through Nathan, the prophet: 2 Samuel 12:9-10 NKJV  Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.  10  Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.

D8 Uriah and Bathsheba are seen in Scriptures as victims.

D9 David may have been negligent in his duties: 2 Samuel 11:1 NKJV  It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

D10 David could have stopped when he found out about her: 2 Samuel 11:3 NKJV  So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

D11 Bob Deffinbaugh points out: This same sequence can be seen in a number of other texts, none of which is commendable. Shechem “saw, took, and lay with” Dinah, the daughter of Jacob in Genesis 34:2. Judah “saw, took, and went in to” the Canaanite woman he made his wife in Genesis 38:2-3. Achan “saw, coveted, and took” the forbidden spoils of war in Joshua 7:21. Samson did virtually the same in Judges 14. Let us not forget that a similar sequence occurred at the first sin when Eve “saw, desired, and took” the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3.

B5 What was David up to when he ordered Uriah home? Does trying to cover up sin make the situation better or worse?

B6 2 Samuel 12:1-14,

C1 Would we have the boldness of Nathan in confronting the King?

C2 Shouldn’t we be loving and overlook a little mistake like this? Isn’t the church for healing those who are hurt? Many churches take this approach. God wants repentance. False churches are like this: Jeremiah 6:11-14 NKJV  Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD. I am weary of holding it in. "I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days.  12  And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.  13  "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.  14  They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.

C3 Even if we are truly repentant, confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness, are there consequences for our sin?

C4 How does a person truly repent? (Think of King Manasseh and the Prodigal Son. The changes in their lives show the change in their heart).

C5 What happens if a person will not repent? Specifically, if David would not have repented?

B7 Next week:

C1 Marriage: The Foundation for Family and Discipleship

C2 Theme: God created marriage

C3 Scriptures: Genesis 2:18-24, Genesis 3:1-18, and Ephesians 5:22-23

Seeking to Please Him

For some strange reason, I cannot keep the format from Google Docs to Blogger.


Theme: A heart for God

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-15 and 2 Samuel 7:1-29

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: David expressed his heart for God by seeking to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem and seeking to build God a permanent dwelling place among His people.

Think: Live with the mindset that honoring God is the most important thing I can do.

Do: Pursue God with all my heart.

Notes and questions

B1 The Ark brought to Jerusalem

C1 The Ark

D1 Image of one version



D2 Exodus 25:10-22 HCSB They are to make an ark of acacia wood, 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. Overlay it with pure gold; overlay it both inside and out. Also make a gold molding all around it. Cast four gold rings for it and place them on its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. Make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them. The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it. Put the tablets of the testimony that I will give you into the ark. Make a mercy seat of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. At its two ends, make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat. The cherubim are to have wings spread out above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and are to face one another. The faces of the cherubim should be toward the mercy seat. Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the testimony that I will give you into the ark. I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

C2 Travels of the Ark of the Covenant in Israel: Shiloh, then Ebenezer, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, Beth Shemesh, Kiriath, and finally to Jerusalem.

B2 Jerusalem

C1 Is in the area given to Benjamin for their inheritance: Joshua 18:28 NKJV Zelah, Eleph, Jebus (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kirjath: fourteen cities with their villages. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

C2 The Jebusites could not be driven out completely: Joshua 15:63 NKJV As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

D1 Descended from Ham

E1 Genesis 10:6 NKJV The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

E2 Genesis 10:15-18 NKJV Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; 16 the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; 17 the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; 18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed.

E3 Joshua 10:5 NKJV Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.

D2 The site of the Temple of the Mount in Jerusalem was owned by a Jebusite, Araunah. King David bought this property from him. 2 Samuel 24:16-25 GNB When the LORD's angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD changed his mind about punishing the people and said to the angel who was killing them, "Stop! That's enough!" The angel was by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite. 17 David saw the angel who was killing the people, and said to the LORD, "I am the guilty one. I am the one who did wrong. What have these poor people done? You should punish me and my family." 18 That same day Gad went to David and said to him, "Go up to Araunah's threshing place and build an altar to the LORD." 19 David obeyed the LORD's command and went as Gad had told him to. 20 Araunah looked down and saw the king and his officials coming up to him. He threw himself on the ground in front of David 21 and asked, "Your Majesty, why are you here?" David answered, "To buy your threshing place and build an altar for the LORD, in order to stop the epidemic." 22 "Take it, Your Majesty," Araunah said, "and offer to the LORD whatever you wish. Here are these oxen to burn as an offering on the altar; here are their yokes and the threshing boards to use as fuel." 23 Araunah gave it all to the king and said to him, "May the LORD your God accept your offering." 24 But the king answered, "No, I will pay you for it. I will not offer to the LORD my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing." And he bought the threshing place and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver. 25 Then he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The LORD answered his prayer, and the epidemic in Israel was stopped.

B3 2 Samuel 6:1-4,

C1 Why was there 30,000 Israel’s best soldiers to bring the Ark to Jerusalem?

C2 Did the Ark need special protection by soldiers? Is God too weak to protect it? See 1 Samuel 5:1-4 NKJV Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. 4 And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon's torso was left of it.

C3 Why was the Ark placed on a cart? Numbers 4:5-8 NKJV When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. 6 Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles. 7 "On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the pans, the bowls, and the pitchers for pouring; and the showbread shall be on it. 8 They shall spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.

C4 It was wrong to put the Ark on the cart. What are some applications of this to our Christian life?

C5 How can this be applied to our Christian service?

C6 Are there hindrances to our service? Compare: Ezra 4:1-2 NKJV Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers' houses, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.

C7 How do we always keep the Lord as our Master? Matthew 6:24 NKJV No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

C8 What blessings are there for those who serve the Master? John 12:26 HCSB If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

C9 What kind of service is this? Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

B4 2 Samuel 6:5-15,

C1 Uzzah died. Why was David angry?

C2 How can the death and why he died be applied to following God’s directions? Is there favoritism with God?

B5 2 Samuel 7:1-17,

C1 Why did David want to erect a building for God’s house? Was this honorable?

C2 Why did God refuse David’s desire to build this house?

C3 What promises did God give David?

C4 Is there ever something we want to do for God but cannot? How do we respond? How we supposed to respond?

B6 2 Samuel 7:18-29,

C1 David went into the Tabernacle to pray in God’s presence. Is there any special place to pray today? Where is God’s presence for the Christian? 1 Corinthians 6:19 GNB92 Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God.

C2 How is this verse being fulfilled today? 2 Samuel 7:27 GNB LORD Almighty, God of Israel! I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.

C3 2 Samuel 7:28 HCSB Lord GOD, You are God; Your words are true, and You have promised this grace to Your servant.

D1 Your words are true. Why do many not think God’s words are true?

D2 You have promised. Are you familiar with God’s promises?

C4 Disappointment

D1 David did not accomplish what He wanted to do.

D2 How do we handle disappointment?

D3 David was sure that building the Temple was God’s will, but God shut the doors. How can we apply this today?

D4 How are pastors and other leaders to handle disappointment, ideas and plans being frustrated and not happening?

D5 Did you ever have a plan to honor God in some way, but it didn’t happen? Was there some other way God was glorified.

C5 Does David still show the same character as he did in overcoming Goliath?

C6 David is honoring God. How will we honor God this week?

B7 Next Week

C1 Stay on Guard

C2 Theme: Repentance and Restoration

C3 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

The Harder They Fall

The Harder They Fall

Theme: Courageous Faith

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Displaying great faith in God, the young shepherd David fought and killed Goliath, the giant warrior champion of the Philistines.

Think: Live with the assurance that anything is possible with the Lord’s help.

Do: Do everything God leads you to do, confident that He will bring about His will.

Notes and questions:

B1 Goliath, at this time

C1 Birth place—Gath

C2 Nationality—Philistine

C3 Ancestry—Sons of Anak

D1 Numbers 13:33 NKJV “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

D2 Joshua 15:13-14 NRSV  According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).  14  And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.

C4 Height—

D1 Everything from a little over 6 feet (Wikipedia) to 13 feet

D2 Bible—6 cubits and a span

E1 If cubit is 21 inches, then over 11 feet (~358 cm).

E2 If cubit is 18 inches, then over 9 feet (~297cm).

C5 Weight—

D1 If he was 11.75 feet, then based on the healthy BMI recommendation, his recommended weight is 515.7 lbs - 696.9 lbs lbs (237.1 kgs - 320.4 kgs).

D2 If he was 9.75 feet, then based on the healthy BMI recommendation, his recommended weight is 354.1 lbs - 478.5 lbs (163.2 kgs - 220.5 kgs).

C6 Strength—If he is 580 pounds, then according to the Livestrong article, he can on average

D1 1,143 pounds for the squat

D2 850 pounds for the bench press

D3 1,348 pounds for the deadlift

C7 Armament—

D1 His torso armor, chain of mail, made of bronze weighed about 125 pounds (~57kg).

D2 He also had a bronze helmet and shin guards.

D3 His iron spear point was made of iron and weighed about 15 pounds (~6.8kg).

B2 David

C1 He was a shepherd, the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse of Bethlehem.

C2 He may have been ~17 years old.

C3 God gave him strength to kill a bear and a lion to protect his father’s flock of sheep.

C4 What other characteristics of David can you think of?

B3 Israel

C1 God’s chosen earthly people.

D1 Isaiah 45:4 NKJV  For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you [Cyrus--ed] by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

D2 Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.  6  And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

C2 Many blessings are promised and will happen.

D1 Jeremiah 31:37 NKJV  Thus says the LORD: "If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the LORD.

D2 Romans 11:26-29 NKJV  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;  27  for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins."  28  Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.  29  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

C3 Israel has been and will be punished for disbelief.

D1 Ezekiel 24:13-14 GNB  Jerusalem, your immoral actions have defiled you. Although I tried to purify you, you remained defiled. You will not be pure again until you have felt the full force of my anger.  14  I, the LORD, have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not ignore your sins or show pity or be merciful. You will be punished for what you have done." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

D2 Deuteronomy 28—the list of blessings and cursings that happened because of obedience or disobedience.

C4 The church is

D1 Jesus’s body: Colossians 1:24 NKJV I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.

D2 Heavenly assembly and church of firstborn: Hebrews 12:23 NKJV To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.

B3 Defiance

C1 1 Samuel 17:1-10

C2 1 Samuel 17:10 NKJV And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

C3 Defined (Wordsymth)

• definition 1: resistance against authority; insubordination; rebellion.
• definition 2: contempt or disregard for some danger or opposing force.
• definition 3: a provocation or challenge for combat.

C4 Blasphemy is always in word or deed, injury, dishonor and defiance offered to God, and its penalty is death by stoning; (c) (חרף, ḥāraph) of idolatry as blasphemy against Yahweh (Isa 65:7); (d) (נקב, nāḳabh) “And he that blasphemeth the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to death” (Lev 24:11, Lev 24:16); (e) (נאץ, nā'ac) David's sin is an occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (2Sa 12:14; also Psa 74:10, Psa 74:18; Isa 52:5; compare Eze 35:12; 2Ki 19:3 the King James Version; Isa 37:3). (ISBE on the topic blasphemy).

C5 How serious is blasphemy?

B4 1 Samuel 17:10-17: some background on David

B5 1 Samuel 17:18-23: how David got to the battlefield, then heard Goliath’s challenge

B6 1 Samuel 17:24-31,

C1 1 Samuel 17:26 NKJV  Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

C2 Why did David become angry?

C3 What characteristics does David show?

C4 Why did Eliab, David’s older brother, become angry with David?

B7 1 Samuel 17:32-39,

C1 Why did King Saul believe David’s story about the bear and lion?

C2 Why did David refuse the King’s armor?

C3 What can Christians learn from this? Why do things happen in our lives before God calls us to a ministry?

B8 1 Samuel 17:40-47,

C1 Goliath and David address each other before the battle. What is the differences between the two?

C2 What was David’s purpose, what he wanted to show the Philistines? (See 1 Samuel 17:46-47).

C3 What is our purpose for doing something?

C4 Faith,

D1 What is faith?

D2 Why does God require faith?

D3 Why do we need God to initiate salvation freeing us to trust in Jesus Christ?

D4 Can any person seek God on their own? (Romans 3:9-18, which is a quote from Psalm 53:1-3).

D5 Why do we need to know God by faith?

E1 Hebrews 11:6 NKJV  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

E2 Numbers 14:11 NKJV  Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?

E3 Psalms 78:21-22 NKJV  Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel,  22  Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation. This Psalm speaks of the greatness of God, His help, His guidance, His care and compassion, yet they did not believe. They are fools, just like Psalm 53:1 states, “Psalms 53:1 NKJV  To the Chief Musician. Set to "Mahalath." A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart,"There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

D6 What was David showing to Israel and the Philistines? (Faith).

D7 How do trials affect faith?

D8 How did the bear and lion attacks on David and his sheep help prepare David?

D9 Does one have to be in their 60’s or 70’s before they can show great faith?

B9 1 Samuel 17:48-51,

C1 Why did David run quickly towards Goliath?

C2 What attitudes is David showing?

C3 Why did David cut Goliath’s head off?

B10 1 Samuel 17:52-58,

C1 Why didn’t King Saul and Abner recognize David?

D1 Note the words in verse 55: 1 Samuel 17:55 LITV  And when Saul saw David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, the army commander, Whose son is this youth, Abner? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.

D2 Perhaps with all the actions and brief encounter with David before going out, they did not recognize him.

D3 A suggestion given by Jamieson-Faussett-Brown commentary is that when David was the King’s musician he was too young to have a beard or much of one, but now, older, he does.

D4 King Saul may have known who David is but not whom his father was. King Saul needed this information to keep his promise to the victor. 1 Samuel 17:25 NRSV  The Israelites said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. The king will greatly enrich the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter and make his family free in Israel.

C2 Matthew Henry points out:

D1 The Philistines relied on Goliath; Goliath relied on himself.

D2 David relied on God.

D3 Pride precedes a fall.

B11 Other questions

C1 What hinders faith?

C2 What stops us from doing God’s will?

B12 Next week:

C1 Seeking to please him

C2 Theme: A heart for God

C3 Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-15 and 2 Samuel 7:1-29