Talk About It

Posted by Melissa

Think about the last time you were overwhelmingly happy. What happened? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, what would you rate the level of your joy? How good did you feel?

Read Psalm 32:1-5, reading verse 1 aloud.

Why is David happy in this psalm?

When have you felt the joy of confessing a sin and having God forgive it?

What do these verses teach you about God’s attitude when He forgives our sin?

According to this passage, how did David feel before he confessed his sin? Why?

What happened when he admitted his sin to God?

What sin do you need to acknowledge before God so you can experience this kind of joy?

David was joyous when he wrote this psalm, not because he’d gotten everything he wanted or everything seemed to be working out for his benefit. He was joyous because he had experienced the joy of God’s forgiveness. The weight of his sin had been almost unbearable. Just consider the phrases he used when he described how he felt when he was trapped in that sin. He groaned; his strength was drained. His sin was an unbearable burden, and when he admitted it to God, God took it all away. David was happy and joyous because he was free.

You can experience that freedom, too. Just confess your sin to God and let Him lift the weight. Do you know the joy of God’s forgiveness? What sins are keeping you from experiencing it? Tell Him. It’s worth it.

How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! —Psalm 32:1


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Sin Isn’t A Mess You Can Clean Up On Your Own

Posted by Melissa

Clean sheets. Clean clothes. A clean room. What do those three things have in common?

Clean sheets are comforting and refreshing after a long day. Clean clothes feel good, especially if you’ve been dirty and sweaty. A clean room is just peaceful. So what about a clean heart? What does that feel like? What does it even mean? And why is it important?

Read Psalm 51:10-13. Memorize verse 10.

What does David ask God to do?

What is a “clean heart” and a “steadfast spirit”?

Would you describe yourself as having either? Why or why not?

Why is it important that David came to God and sought His forgiveness?

Do you need God to create a clean heart in you? Why or why not?

David had come to the point where he knew he couldn’t live with his sin anymore. He couldn’t control it; it was overwhelming his life. And he realized that he couldn’t clean up his sin-wrecked life or his heart on his own. So he came to God, asking Him to forgive and renew him.

We spend a lot of time trying to forget, hide, or overlook our sin. When we do recognize it, some of us like to try to clean the mess up ourselves. The problem is, we can’t. Only God can renew us; only He can create clean hearts that are focused on Him and His work. Stop trying to clean up the mess sin has made of your life. Give it all to God; He wants to make you new. And He’s the only One who can.

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. —Psalm 51:10


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Sin Is Heavy

Posted by Melissa

Think about the last time you felt like you had a weight on your shoulders. Maybe you were worried about something or someone. Maybe you knew somewhere deep inside that the way you were living was wrong. Whatever the reason, how did it feel when that weight was finally lifted? Good or bad? Why?

Read Psalm 51:1-4, concentrating on verse 2.

What was the weight on David’s shoulders?

When have you felt the weight of sin in your life?

In verse 2, David asked God to cleanse him from his sin. Why is that important?

Why can’t we get rid of our sin on our own?

What sin in your life are you trying to manage rather than confess?

What steps will you take today to let go of that sin and let God lift your burden?

David was weighed down by the burden of his sin. Try as he might, David had discovered he couldn’t manage his sin. He couldn’t control it; he couldn’t get rid of it; he couldn’t fix the broken relationship with God. Broken, he came to God and confessed his sin.

When we do that, God doesn’t just restore His relationship with us; He also forgives us and lifts the burden of our sin, freeing us from it. Sin traps us and weighs us down, but we don’t have to stay that way. Confess your sin today and let God lift the weight of it off your shoulders.

Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. —Psalm 51:2


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Take Responsibililty

Posted by Melissa

When you play hide-and-seek with a 3-year-old, you don’t have to have a lot of strategic plans in order to win. That’s because 3-year-olds think they’re hidden when they’re not. The child may think he or she has found the perfect hiding place, but to you, his or her location is easy to spot. Now what does that have to do with sin?

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-12. Really pay attention to verse 7.

Who was Nathan and why did God send him to talk to David? (Nathan was a prophet of God.)

How would you summarize the story Nathan told David?

Why did Nathan tell David the story rather than just launching into the list of David’s sins? What does that teach you about God?

What was the symbolism in the story?

What was David’s reaction to Nathan’s tale?

What do these verses teach you about God’s response to sin?

How did David respond when he recognized his sin?

How should you respond when you recognize sin in your life?

Just like a 3-year-old playing hide-and-seek, sin can’t stay hidden for long. David thought he’d hidden his sin pretty well. Then, Nathan showed up. God knew about David’s sin, and that sin was causing problems in their relationship. You can’t hide your sin from God; He knows it and wants to forgive you and get His relationship with you back on track. But you have to take responsibility for your sin. Being forgiven begins with admitting to God that you have sinned. When you confess your sin and repent from it, meaning you turn from it, God freely forgives. What do you need to do today to feel His forgiveness in your life?

Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.’” —2 Samuel 12:7


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Stop The Cycle of Sin

Posted by Melissa

What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. How many times have you heard that little proverb? The problem? That saying is true.

Think about it. When has a decision to do one wrong thing led to a whole cycle of wrong in your life? What did you learn about yourself? How did you feel? Did everything spiral out of control? Explain.

Concentrate on verse 15 as you read 2 Samuel 11:6-17.

What was the first sin David committed?

How did he try to cover it up?

What was Uriah’s reaction when David tried to set his first cover-up plan into motion?

How is Uriah’s response an honorable response?

How does his honorable response compare to David’s behavior?

How did one sinful choice in David’s life spiral out of control?

What does this series of events in David’s life teach you about sin in your life?

What steps will you take today to stop the cycle of sin in your life?

David’s decision to sleep with Bathsheba led to a cycle of sin that overtook his life. Trying to cover up that first sin led to deception, lies, and eventually murder. David, the man after God’s own heart, had chosen to sin. Before he knew it, sin ruled his life. That’s what sin does. It destroys and generally leads to more sin and more consequences. Before we know it, one sinful choice has spiraled out of control and now sin rules every part of our lives.

If that describes you today, there is a way out of sin’s trap. Let it go. Admit your sin to God, turn away from it, and let His forgiveness and restoration play out in your life. Let Him control your life rather than a cycle of sin you can’t escape from.

In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies. —2 Samuel 11:15


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No Immunity

Posted by Melissa

Read 2 Samuel 11:2-5.

I won’t ever do that!, we say to ourselves as we look at someone else’s sin. What are the sins you’ve promised yourself you’d never commit? Lying? Becoming addicted to pornography? Premarital sex? Treating some people better than others? Saying one thing and doing the opposite?

The thing is, none of us are immune to sin. Actually, sin is hardwired into us, thanks to the sin nature we inherited from Adam and Eve. It’s easy for us to stand at a distance and point our fingers and say, “I’ll never do that!” But the truth is, we’re all capable of all sin at any given moment.

Nothing proves that truth more than today’s Scripture passage. Earlier, in 1 Samuel 13:14, David had been described as a man who was loyal to God, a man after God’s own heart. Yet in today’s passage he chose to sleep with Bathsheba, who was someone else’s wife. David was the king and a man after God’s own heart. And what he had done was wrong. At this point in his life, when he was given the opportunity, he chose to sin. David wasn’t immune to sin, and neither are you.

But as a believer, you can also choose not to sin. Christ has given you the strength and power to choose right over wrong, but you have to make that choice. Recognize that you aren’t immune to sin. Then, take steps to decide how you’ll react when opportunities to sin come along, because they will. You aren’t immune to sin, but you can overcome it with Christ’s help. The question is, will you let Him help you?

David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. Now she had just been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Afterward, she returned home. —2 Samuel 11:4


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Build Up Each Other

Posted by Melissa

Did you hear about . . . ? There they go again. It’s the Monday morning gossip time before school. You know you shouldn’t listen, but you don’t want to be in the dark either. But if they’re talking about other people, they may talk about YOU when you’re not around. This really has to stop, but how?

Read Ephesians 4:29-32. Look carefully at verse 32.

According to these verses, what type of conversation should you avoid?

What is the only good reason for talking about someone?

How is it possible to grieve the Holy Spirit?

What are the negative attitudes mentioned in these verses that must be removed from your life?

What does it mean to “be kind and compassionate” in your everyday life?

What are some actions you should take if you want to be like Jesus?

Why should you make an effort to forgive others?

Words are one of the most powerful things we possess. Words can build up or destroy. In Ephesians, we receive specific instructions on how to use our words: only to build each other up and to be kind and compassionate to one another. You may not be there yet. You may need to cut ties with some people you know to give yourself the opportunity to have these types of conversations. In the end it will be worth it as God leads you to more positive relationships.

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
—Ephesians 4:32


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It’s Time For An Attitude Check

Posted by Melissa

What a day! First you overslept and had to run to catch the bus. Then, you found out you made a D on a math test. Again. You heard your best friend Marisol is moving out of state. Then you remembered you had promised to take your next door neighbor to youth group tonight. How are you supposed to be friendly and excited about church when you have had such a terrible day?

Read Galatians 5:22-26. Pay attention to verse 22.

What are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?

If you belong to Christ, what areas of the flesh should you get rid of in your life?

If you live by the Spirit, what attitudes should you avoid?

Name some practical ways to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

What are some obstacles that prevent the Spirit from being in control of your life?

Look at the words that describe the fruit of the Spirit. Which ones do you struggle with the most?

Which ones best describe you?

The fruit of the spirit’s not a….(what’s your favorite verse?)

The fruit of the Spirit. What a challenge! How can we live for God and be the type of person described in these verses? Consider kindness. How can kindness be a natural part of your life? It may not come naturally, but it IS possible. Pray and ask God to give you the strength to overcome weaknesses that may keep you from having the fruit of the Spirit. Even when you have a bad day, God can give you the power to live for Him and communicate His kindness and love to others.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith. —Galatians 5:22


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Make A Difference

Posted by Melissa

A glass of lemonade on a hot day. An umbrella in the pouring rain. A cheeseburger and fries when you haven’t eaten all day. What do these items have in common?

Sometimes the smallest offer of kindness to meet our needs makes a difference in our day. Do we think about those who make the effort to supply our needs of food, safety, and shelter? Are we eager to help meet the needs of others?

Read Acts 27:24–28:2. Look closely at verse 2.

What was the soldiers’ plan for the prisoners during the storm?

What actions did the centurion take to save the prisoners? Why?

What did the local people do for the prisoners when they came ashore?

What risks did these people take in order to help the prisoners?

Has there been a time when you made an effort to meet the needs of someone else? What was it?

What risks are you willing to take to provide for someone you don’t know?

When a storm surrounded a ship of prisoners, the soldiers in charge wanted to take the easy way out so they wouldn’t be responsible if the prisoners escaped. All soldiers but one. The centurion cared about Paul and helped the prisoners survive. On shore, the people of Malta showed they cared about the needs of others. They made an effort to help total strangers. They welcomed the shipwrecked prisoners, no questions asked.

Do you go out of your way to help others? Are you aware of those who need food, shelter, or friendship? As you become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, God will lead you in the right direction.

The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. —Acts 28:2

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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Join The Family

Posted by Melissa

You’re in line to see one of your favorite groups in concert. Seats are general admission, meaning first come, first serve, and you aren’t very hopeful that you will get good seats. Then, the arena manager calls your name. He pulls you out of line and takes you backstage. It seems that the lead singer’s dad and your dad went to school together. As a surprise, your dad made a call and you now have front row seats. Wow! What did you do to deserve this?

Read 2 Samuel 9:7-13. Concentrate on verse 7.

What did David tell Mephibosheth he would do for him?

How did Mephibosheth react to the news?

What prevented Mephibosheth from providing for his own needs?

In what way did David treat Mephibosheth as a member of his family?

Have you ever made an effort to treat someone as part of your family? If so, how did this person react?

How does God treat us as part of His family?

David allowed Mephibosheth to eat at his table and to be treated as one of his family. Mephibosheth had nothing to offer in return. David honored him because of his past relationship with Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father. God offers us a place in His family as well. We don’t have to earn it or have special connections. Jesus paid the price for our sins so we can have a personal relationship with Him. All we need to do is accept His forgiveness and take our place as a child of God.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” —2 Samuel 9:7

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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