About This Project

Some of you have hit rock bottom or are very close to it. In David, we see something similar.  After defeating Goliath, things in David’s life have spiraled down. He has lost his position in Israel, his wife, his peace and security, and the respect of the people.  He has survived several assassination attempts, fought many battles, and now, after running and hiding from Saul for the last eight years, he has gotten kicked out of the Philistine army. He has officially lost everything.

Key Verse: Mark 10:29  “Jesus said, 

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Theme:  There’s no place in your life where God cannot meet you, lead you, and succeed you. 

Scriptures Studied:  1 Samuel 30 ; 1 Samuel 23:16 ;  Genesis 3:12 ; Genesis 3:13;  Psalm 25:1-3 (theologians believe this written during the time of 1 Sm 30) ; Psalm 27:7-8 ;  Exodus 22:21 ; Exodus 23:9 ; Leviticus 19:34 ; Deuteronomy 23:7 ; Romans 2:14;  Hebrews 13:2 ;  Matthew 10:41 ; 1 Corinthians 3:8 ; 1 Corinthians 12:21 ;  Ephesians 2:10 ; Genesis 1:27

Further Study:  The Good Samaritan

Points to Note:

Reminder, the story of Saul & David is Our Story:

• Saul: [Kingdoms of this world] Self-Centered, Demanding, Disobedient to God, Seeks His Own Glory
• David: [Kingdom of God]  Other-Centered, Giving/Self-Sacrificing, Obedient to God, Seeks the Glory of God

Kingdom of Saul | Self-Absorbed and Insecure | Passing Away

• Every moment is about himself
• Everyone is suspect
• Everyone is a threat
• Willing to kill for his kingdom
• Estranged from everyone he loved
• On the road to self-destruction

Kingdom of David | Self-Less & Dependent on God | Arriving

• Wounded by the Lord
• Made useful to those wounded in the world
• Contrite, Compassionate, and Hungry for God
• Made ready to serve others

Symbolism:

• 1 Samuel 30:20-25 is a picture of those who are selfish or have a self-centered mentality in the Church.  There is no part of the Body that is more important than the other.  We all work together as a team.

Episode Points:

“BUT DAVID STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD.”:

1. He didn’t BLAME God.
2. He didn’t QUESTION God.
3. He didn’t DOUBT God.
4. He didn’t REJECT God.

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S AND HE WINS:

1. When we suffer defeat, He sees and He intervenes.
2. When we serve, we participate in His work to redeem and rescue.
3. Every part of the work matters and is rewarded.

Recognize the Following:

1. Jonathan taught David to “strengthened himself in the Lord”.
2. You are going to have moments in your life when you hit rock bottom and find yourself questioning the good of serving God.
3. Don’t turn from God when things go wrong—He is your strength!
4. Abiathar was the sole surviving member of the priestly family of Nob who were all slain by Saul.  Abiathar has been in the position as David is now.  He is the priestly help David needs in the midst of his tragedy.
5. As a Christian, we must love the stranger, the person who is not like us.  We never know what part they will play in God’s plan.
6. What the devil steals, Jesus has come to redeem and replace!
7. You have a part to play in the Kingdom of God.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are you blaming God for that are the results of someone else’s disobedience? (family situations, financial problems, diseases)
2. Are you ever guilty of thinking that God doesn’t want you to win?
3. What would you do if you were in David’s situation and found out that the stranger you were helping was part of the Amalekite raiding party which kidnapped your family?
4. Do you have an Abiathar in your life or are you ready to be one for someone else in need?
5. What part are you playing in the mission of the Gospel?

Further Consideration:

• News Story:  Christian Post We had to leave country: Hong Kong rejects visa request from Francis Chan
• Consider reading “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan
• Re-study: The study on Jonathan is S4 E09 “Resilience in a World of Resistance”

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