Grace-Snellville - Teachings | gfc.tv

Even though there’s nothing inherently sacred about midnight on New Year’s Eve, the turning of one year to the next is a timely occasion to reflect on the previous 365 days. What were the most significant events of the year? What have I learned? What happened to the way my jeans used to fit back in October? Processing these kinds of questions wisely can mean the difference between going forward into mindless repetition and living with fruitful purpose. Because of this, on Sunday we are going to take a walk with Abraham up a very well-known hill to see what we can learn from both the testing and the testimony of our year with God. This story in Genesis 22 has been one of Scripture’s most meaningful passages to me personally over the last few years, and I am excited to share what I’ve learned from it with you. DOWNLOADS  

Christmas Eve gathering at Grace Snellville. DOWNLOADS

Having a two-year-old at home has made playing with our nativity set more fun than ever. There is just one problem–our daughter Bethany has a difficult time knowing precisely which of her toys were actually present for the birth of Jesus, which means I sometimes find myself explaining what Mr. Potato Head was doing in the manger (and why he wasn’t eaten by the donkeys). Seeing Mr. Potato Head next to Mary and Joseph, however, made me start thinking about all the characters in the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus. Why are they there? Mary and Joseph, of course, are pretty necessary for obvious reasons. The three kings hint at Jesus royalty and global appeal. But what about the shepherds? Why do they receive so much attention in the story? Part of the answer is that these shepherds point to a greater shepherding story that had been building for thousands of years. And when we hear that greater story, everything begins to fall into place. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Advent – Shepherd // Scripture: 1 Samuel 16-17, John 10 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week, we continued our Advent series by diving back into the life of David to pick up another theme in David’s life that we find ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. In the last few weeks we have seen David as Champion and David as Poet. In these themes we see how David’s life points us to the ultimate Champion in Christ and how Jesus is the ultimate Word on our lives—no matter what season of life we find ourselves in. This week we looked at David the Shepherd and how Christ is the ultimate shepherd. All the Old Testament could be understood as a shepherding story. We see this expressed in David’s life as well. As a good shepherd, David is present with the sheep, he provides for the sheep, he protects the sheep, and has passion for the sheep. We see this fully expressed in Jesus. In John 10, Jesus makes the clarion call of the Good Shepherd and invites us to listen to his voice to find life to the full in and with him. All throughout this passage, Jesus demonstrates his presence, provision, protection, and passion—and through his selfless sacrifice, invites us to follow him well in our lives. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Jesus is the ultimate shepherd. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stood out to you most from Jon’s sermon this week? Why? What four things do good shepherds do? (Present, Provide, Protect, Passion) What do bad shepherds do? (Ezekiel 34:1-5) How did Jesus talk about himself as the Good Shepherd regarding his presence, provision, protection and passion in John 10? What stands out to you most in Jesus’ description of himself? Mirror (Where am I in the story?):  How have you experienced the presence, provision, protection or passion of Jesus the Good Shepherd in the last year? (Pick one example and share a story.) What are you holding onto right now that might keep you from following Jesus well? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  Who has God given you the opportunity to shepherd in your life right now? How can you be a good shepherd to them? Which part of shepherding them might you need to concentrate on most as you shepherd them in this next season? (Presence, Provision, Protection, Passion) BE IT – Practice Change UP // Read Psalm 23 15 minutes Take a moment to read Psalm 23 as a group. Ask each person in your group to pick out the one phrase their heart needs to hear right now, as you read the psalm together. Read each phrase of the psalm slowly with pauses for brief reflection...

Words create worlds. What we say affects what we see. But what happens when we run out of words? What do you say when life leaves you speechless? Thankfully, it’s into these moments that we can look to the words of others and most importantly to the words of God. This is what the book of Psalms is all about. All of the Bible is God’s Word to us. But the Psalms play a special role in this collection of words. The Psalms are God’s word to us about how to speak to Him. And in this collection of 150 songs and poems, God gives us words to speak to him in every season and situation of life. Many of these Psalms come through the life of David—who’s up and down journey gives birth to the kinds of words we all need to hear when we don’t know what to say. And most importantly they often point us to Jesus—who is the ultimate Word of our lives. View this message as we peak into the power of the Poet. It’s a journey that starts with David and leads us to Jesus. You just might find the words that you have been looking for. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Advent – Poet // Scripture: The Psalms ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes What we say affects what we see. But what happens when we run out of words? What do you say when life leaves you speechless? This is what the book of Psalms is all about. All of the Bible is God’s Word to us, but the Psalms play a special role in this collection of words. In this collection of 150 songs and poems, God gives us words to speak to Him in every season and situation of life. When life is good, words focus our celebration. God’s words shift our appreciation from the gift to the giver. His presence is more important than our presents. In God’s presence we find word to express true goodness. When life is difficult, words frame our interpretation. God’s words shed light on our situation, moving us from focusing on our struggles to trusting our Savior. God wants us to learn more about Him, even in bad situations. When life is emerging, words form our anticipation. God’s words shape our imagination from what is or was to what will and could be. With God, every test creates a testimony as He walks with us into full restoration. The Psalms are an up and down journey that gives birth to the kinds of words we all need to hear when we don’t know what to say. It’s a journey that starts with David and most importantly, lead us to Jesus – the ultimate Word of our lives. May you each find the words you have been looking for during this season of hope. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Words create worlds. What we say and/or sing determines what we seek and what we see. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What seasons did David experience in Psalm 12, 22, and 66? How do these words of God focus our celebration, frame our interpretation, and form our anticipation? How can trusting God’s words redefine successful living Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where do you find yourself in the cycle of the Psalms? Are you thriving in orientation, surviving in disorientation, or reviving in reorientation? How can the hope of God’s message give you words of hope in every season of life? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  Which season do you find your family members, coworkers, and/or your community experiencing? How can what we have learned from David in the Psalms inform the words God is inviting us to speak into their lives this week? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word,

This Sunday marks the beginning of the church season of Advent. “Advent” simply means “arrival,” and observing Advent prepares us for the Christmas celebration of God coming to us in Christ. This season is all about expectation and fulfillment, which is a theme I’m sure you can relate to if you have children or grandchildren or nephews or nieces who have begun to sense the nearness of Christmas (and its accompanying gifts). But is it possible that, in some ways, our expectations about the meaning of Jesus’ birth are actually smaller than the actual fulfillment that God worked in the Bethlehem manger? In our times, Christmas has become a larger-than-life holiday. But as we read about the birth of Jesus this December, we might be surprised to discover that in Jesus life is larger than we thought. This week, we’ll be reading from two texts–1 Samuel 17 and John 1–if you want to prepare. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Advent – Champion // Scripture: I Samuel 17; John 1 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Is it possible that, in some ways, our expectations about the meaning of Jesus’ birth are smaller than the actual fulfillment that God worked in the Bethlehem manger? In our times, Christmas has become a larger-than-life holiday. But as we read about the birth of Jesus this Advent season, we might be surprised to discover that in Jesus, life is larger than we thought. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. From His fullness we have received grace upon grace. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): In I Samuel 17, what is the enemy’s objective? What was the perspective of the people as they saw Goliath? What was David’s response when he realized what was happening? How was David like Jesus? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What is the spiritual significance for you that “Champion” means “one who stands between”? Why didn’t the world receive Jesus (John 1)? What blocks you from seeing Jesus? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Where do you see someone around you who cannot see Jesus? How is God prompting you to step in to help them see Him? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience. Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Take one minute to sit in silence before God. Invite Him to help you recognize where the enemy is trying to block you from receiving God’s redemption and restoration. We can rely on the victory of Jesus over every enemy/giant! What are the words God whispered to you during that minute? Change IN // Group Activity 15 minutes Life with Jesus continues with grace to walk in the life He has called us to. As a group, discuss places where you’re each trying to win battles on your own. Admonish each other to look to Jesus for those victories! Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes Revisit last week’s OUT. How is it going? [ Encourage your group to identify one place each one of you could give sacrificially this Christmas season to make their possessions count. Name these places and gifts out loud as a group. CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.    

I once heard a line about Thanksgiving Dinner: “The meal isn’t over when I’m full; it’s over when I hate myself.” Hopefully, you’ve had enough appetite restraint this week to maintain some self-esteem. But when we read the final chapter of 2 Samuel, the themes of when something is over and how we see ourselves will collide in one last thorny, challenging, and ultimately beautiful story about God and David. Is it possible that David’s greatest accomplishment was what he didn’t do? DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title:  Rise and Reign: “Let us fall into the Hand of the Lord” // Scripture: 2 Samuel 24 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we concluded our journey through I and II Samuel. This has been a journey through the rise and reign of David. And while the main character of this journey has been David, the subject has been God. In these two books (really one book with two volumes), we have learned a lot about God—who He is, what He values and what He desires. We’ve watched God interact with characters like David, Samuel and Saul and in the end we, through their lives, have learned lots about our own lives and relationship with God. This week, we finished this journey by looking at a mysterious passage in II Samuel 24. Here God’s anger burned against Israel because of a census that David had taken across the land. As a king, David begins depending on his own strength, might and mastery. This kind of mastery mindset threatens to keep David from radical dependence on God. Thankfully, in David’s repentance, he learns to engage the divine mystery rather than lean on his own mastery. As he does, he finds that true security comes not from the things he can count but in the one he can count on. And this is really what the entire story of I and II Samuel is really all about. It’s about trusting God with all that we have, instead of trusting in what we have—a lesson that all of us need to hear as we move toward this Christmas season. In David’s words, “Let us fall into the hand of the Lord.” THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Release human mastery to engage divine mystery SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stood out to you most from Jon’s sermon this week? Why? How do you reconcile the anger and mercy of God? Does the anger of God disturb you or challenge your thinking about God? Why or why not? What did David learn about God in this story? How did counting the people turn them into numbers instead of names? What inherent danger does this create? What was God’s response? How does David respond to God’s judgment? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where do you tend to rely on your own might and mastery? What do you tend to count in order to find your own security in life? Your bank account? Your retirement fund? The people who work for you? How can these things lead to a false sense of security in your life? How have you tried to manage and manipulate these things in order to expand your own kingdom rather than God’s kingdom? Where have you seen this kind of posture lead to misusing those things? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What does it look like to truly trust God? How does this change the things you are counting? How might you move from counting your things to making your things count? Where might you need to lean into divine mystery instead of your own mastery in order to live this way? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you...

Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of King David is a good metaphor for the way we often think of biblical heroes—unchanging and flawless. But reading the Bible tells a different story. Again and again, the people God chooses to use change profoundly in the process. David is no exception. But what kind of change happened in his life between the time he was a giant-slaying shepherd and the years of being a beleaguered king? And did he finish well? On Sunday, we will read some of his final words in 2 Samuel 22-23. As we do, we will see how David’s responses teach us how we may grow wiser and more gracious in God through all the seasons of change in our lives. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title:  Rise and Reign: “For he has made with me an everlasting covenant” // Scripture: 2 Samuel 21-23 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of King David is a good metaphor for the way we often think of biblical heroes: unchanging and flawless. But reading the Bible tells a different story. Again and again, the people God chooses to use change profoundly in the process. David is no exception. But what kind of change happened in his life between the time he was a giant-slaying shepherd and the years of being a beleaguered king? And did he finish well? Today in 2 Samuel 22-23 we see how David’s responses teach us how we may grow wiser and more gracious in God through all the seasons of change in our lives. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. God’s covenant is an invitation to step into His sovereign plan. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): In 2 Samuel 22 & 23, what are the two pictures we see of David’s life? What is the massive shift we see between David’s song of deliverance and his last words? What is David basing his legacy on? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): When you look at the condition of your heart, comparing it to years ago, what do you find? How have you been growing/changing? Are you basing your connection with God on your performance or on His promise? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): This perspective—performance-based OR promise-based relationship with God (the slides that Jon used at the end of the teaching)—will inform not only how we see ourselves, but also how we see people’s struggles around us. How can you reach out with the truth of God’s promises to someone this week? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience. Change UP // Parent Prayer 15 minutes Take one minute to be still and listen for what God wants to stir in your heart. Share those words or pictures with the group. Then read Psalm 46 and let David’s words guide you in worship of who God is and how His character impacts your life. Change IN // Name Change 5 minutes Give everyone a piece of paper and have them write down one way in which they’re trying to perform their way to God’s acceptance. Get into pairs and share those with each other, then take time to speak God’s covenant truth over them and pray for each other to step into what is God’s sovereign plan Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes If this week of Thanksgiving provides opportunity for you to interact with people, ask God to give your boldness to speak His truth—His promise into people’s lives who are striving to please Him with their ...

I am the father of an adopted son. I am the son of an adopted father. I am the grandson in-law of an adopted child. I am the brother of an adopted sister. You could say adoption kind of runs in our family. And whether or not adoption runs in your biological family or not, one thing is for certain—adoption runs in God’s family. Jesus was an adopted child. Paul saw adoption as a metaphor for the gospel. And adoption is a part of David’s story. More than a just a Christian mission, adoption is part of what it means to be Christian. So, join us this week as we celebrate Orphan Sunday and the power of adoption. You might just find a family tree that has the power to change your entire family. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Rise and Reign:  The Family Tree // Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1–1 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Whether or not adoption runs in your biological family, one thing is for certain—adoption runs in God’s family. More than just a Christian mission, adoption is part of what it means to be Christian. Jesus was an adopted child. Paul saw adoption as a metaphor for the gospel. And adoption is a part of David’s story too. In II Samuel 9, David makes room at his table for Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. David risks his kingdom to show him love and acceptance even though he had himself faced rejection. David steps into his identity and kindly grants Mephibosheth close and continual access to his table and to his family. David’s faith moves Mephibosheth from a sense of shame to a place of honor, giving him a present inheritance and a future hope. As we consider the kindness of David, we see the heart of God. God dares to know your name and not your nothingness. He dares to see you as a person and not as a problem. And he is inviting you to take your place in his family tree and let the power of the Good News of Jesus transform your life and give you a future. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. For the truth to be transformational it must first become personal SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): How is adoption a part of God’s story as expressed in scripture? How did David’s kindness to Mephibosheth demonstrate God’s heart for us all? What impact did David’s faith have on the future of Mephibosheth? Mirror (Where am I in the story?):  How is God showing you acceptance from past rejection? In what ways do you personally identify with David? In what ways do you identify with Mephibosheth? How has Jesus sought you out and invited you to his table? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  How can seeing and extending our identity as adopted children of God inform the way we live in community together and the way we reach out to the world? Who is God inviting you to bring close in order to show them kindness? How can you move from naming them as a problem to knowing them as a person? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience. Change UP // Parent Prayer 15 minutes Spend one minute in silence asking God to give you specific words about his transformational truth. Now speak those words of God’s truth out loud. Close with a prayer of thanksgiving that God’s faithfulness gives us a future. Change IN // Name Change 5 minutes Write down the three biggest areas of shame, need, or problems in your own story. Next to each area,

In 2 Samuel 7-10, King David’s life is trending upward. He’s winning battles, ruling justly, and receiving amazing promises from God. And then, seemingly from nowhere, David sees Bathsheba bathing on a nearby rooftop and his life spirals into conspiracy, adultery, and murder. How can such good and such evil reside in the soul of one man? How can he display such incredible godliness and shocking wickedness in such a short span? What happened to David? And what can we do to avoid his disasters when we sense the same coexistence of good and evil in our own souls? Most importantly, what does this story teach us about the patience and purpose of God in the world? Usually, failure teaches more than victory. This week, we will learn from both. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Rise and Reign: “O my son Absalom, my son!” // Scripture: 2 Samuel 13-19:8 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we continued our series Rise and Reign through the books of I and II Samuel by focusing on one of the major tensions in David’s life—the tension between David as a king and as a father. This is a tension all of us face in our own lives. How do we make sense of both work and home? How do we thrive as a professional and as a parent? This week Jon challenged us through the devastation and destruction of David’s home life to avoid this potential tragedy and turmoil in our own lives. We saw how David’s inaction and disengagement at home led to ruin in his son Amnon’s life and rebellion in his son Absalom. These short-comings in David’s parenting life left David exposed in his professional life. Similarly, when we neglect our home life, this neglect and inactivity will eventually cost us both at home and at work. Living in the midst of challenging and difficult times, where parenting and profession have dramatically changed, we will need to invest as much in learning how to parent as we do in our professional life. Because no matter how much success we have had in our profession (for David as a warrior, poet, and king), none of this will ensure the same kind of success in our lives as a parent. Also when it comes to making an impact in life and among the next generation, how we parent is at least as important as anything we can do in our profession. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Parenting is not like breathing—we must learn to do it well. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stood out to you most from Jon’s sermon this week? Why? Who were the main characters in the story? (David, Amnon, Tamar, Absalom, Joab) Which of these characters do you resonate with most? Why? What mistakes did David make as a parent in II Samuel 13-19? (Inaction, Disengagement) How did these mistakes wreck David’s family? How do you think David could have parented differently? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where have you made the same mistakes David made in his parenting? How do these mistakes affect your family? How are you trying to parent differently than David? What resources have been most helpful to you in your parenting? What would you say your greatest achievement as a parent has been? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What are the distinct challenges you think we face as parents today? How does David do things differently with Solomon? How does this give you hope as you face your own challenges as a parent? How would you define success in your parenting? Why? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experience...

In 2 Samuel 7-10, King David’s life is trending upward. He’s winning battles, ruling justly, and receiving amazing promises from God. And then, seemingly from nowhere, David sees Bathsheba bathing on a nearby rooftop and his life spirals into conspiracy, adultery, and murder. How can such good and such evil reside in the soul of one man? How can he display such incredible godliness and shocking wickedness in such a short span? What happened to David? And what can we do to avoid his disasters when we sense the same coexistence of good and evil in our own souls? Most importantly, what does this story teach us about the patience and purpose of God in the world? Usually, failure teaches more than victory. This week, we will learn from both. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Rise and Reign: “You are the man!” // Scripture: 2 Samuel 7-12 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In 2 Samuel 7–10, King David’s life is trending upward. He’s winning battles, ruling justly, and receiving amazing promises from God. And then, seemingly from nowhere, David sees Bathsheba bathing on a nearby rooftop and his life spirals into conspiracy, adultery, and murder. How can such good and such evil reside in the soul of one man? Usually, failure teaches more than victory. This week, we learn from both. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Poor choices will cause great pain. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): Do you see conditions attached to God’s promises to David? What happened to David between God’s promise in chapter 7 and David’s compromise in chapter 12? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What can we do to avoid similar disasters when we sense coexistence of good and evil in our own souls? Is my relationship with God becoming ritualistic like David’s was? Who is my Nathan who will speak both blessing and challenge into my life? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What does this story teach us about the patience and purpose of God in the world? BE IT – Practice At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience. Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Read Psalm 51 together. Create space to hear from the Lord about any aspects of your life that need healing and restoration. Wait for him to speak to you in a word, picture, or song. Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes Share what God spoke to you during the UP time. As others share, ask God to give you words of encouragement to speak over each other—like Nathan did in chapter 7. Then help each other lift your gaze to Jesus, who is the true healer and restorer. Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes As you interact with those around you this week—at work, with your family and neighbors—speak God’s truth of healing, restoration and hope into their lives! CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.

Where do you dance? Most of us probably think of weddings, proms, or the occasional living room dance party with our kids right before bedtime. Some might say, “I do not dance.” And unless you grew up in a particular denomination of church, almost none of us would answer, “We dance in church.” In fact, many traditional Christian communities in the South forbid dancing, among other things. Yet in 2 Samuel 6, David danced before the ark of God. He danced so fervently that Michal, his watching wife, was embarrassed and rebuked him. Why did he dance? What did his dancing mean? As we explore the story more deeply, we will discover that David’s dancing is a window into the very heart of his relationship with God. So… where do you dance? DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Rise and Reign: “How Can the Ark of God Come to Me?” // Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1 – 7:17 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This fall, we have been journeying through a series called “Rise and Reign” following the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David through the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel. This week we joined in on the story where David is beginning to establish his reign. Seven years of civil war have passed since he has been named King of the South. In Chapter 5 of 2 Samuel, he has now united north and south to his reign. However, David’s journey to the throne though has been anything but commonplace. He has been an exalted warrior and a hunted criminal. He has both feasted at the king’s table and had to beg for bread. And now, as David begins his reign, he longs to demonstrate his heart for God to be at the center of it. He does so by bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. But this journey is filled with turmoil. One man (Uzzah) dies trying to steady the Ark when it almost falls. Michal (David’s wife) looks on David with disdain. And David breaks into an all-out dance. Through this passage we see how worship risks everyone’s reputation. Uzzah tries to manage God’s reputation and dies. Michal tries to manage David’s reputation and ends up barren. But David risks his reputation by responding to God as He is by living wide awake. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. When it comes to worship—don’t let reputation keep you from responding. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stood out to you most from Jon’s sermon this week? Why? Who were the main characters in the story? (Uzzah, Michal, David) What part of this week’s story did you relate to most? How did each of the main characters respond to God in the story? (Uzzah—tried to manage God’s reputation, Michal—tried to manage David’s reputation, David— risked his reputation to respond to God) How did each person’s response affect their lives? (Uzzah—tried to manage God and died, Michal—tried to manage David and distanced herself from God and became barren, David—engaged God with anger, fear and dancing and ended up wide awake to God.) Mirror (Where am I in the story?): How do we try to manage God’s reputation? How do we try to manage each other’s reputations? Who do you relate to most—Uzzah or Michal? Why? What would it look like for you to dance before God with your life? Who have you seen live their life in this way? What was the result of their life? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Mark Buchanan says, “The safest thing we can do with a God like this is not to play it safe with him.” Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not? How do your think about danger in your life with God? BE IT – Practice

As I write, I am six days removed from the second live birth I’ve ever witnessed. While I am incredibly grateful that both of our beautiful daughters came out healthy and whole, I also must admit that being present for the miracle of a new birth is rather terrifying.This week, we’ll hear about the beginning of David’s reign as king–specifically 2 Samuel 6, where he brings the ark to Jerusalem. Interestingly, what begins as a relatively simple transportation arrangement becomes one of the more troubling stories in the entire Bible. But, like childbirth, this story reminds us of the importance of knowing God at the intersection of beauty and fear. I am incredibly excited for you to meet a very special guest preacher who will help us understand these things. Dr. Brent Strawn is my close friend, an excellent preacher, and a world-class Old Testament scholar. He and his family have also been part of Grace for years, and I can’t wait for you to glean from his gracious wisdom as much as I have. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Rise & Reign: Wilderness– Rise & Reign: Don’t Touch // Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-11  ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week, Dr. Brent Strawn continued our series Rise and Reign through the books I and II Samuel by inviting us to grapple with a disturbing text from II Samuel 6:1-11. In this passage, David is moving the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem—a sign that just as God has chosen David, David is now choosing God. With Saul and Jonathan now fading from the scene and the extended reign of David on the horizon, David seeks to establish his rule with God at the center of it. However, as the ark of the covenant is being transported, one of the oxen carrying the ark stumbles. When it does, Uzzah reaches out his hand to stabilize the ark. As he touches it, he is struck dead. This event angers David and leaves him afraid, but it also reminds him God is not containable, one who cannot be managed or trifled with. And as Brent reminded us the week, even though this truth about God can be disturbing, it is also the thing about God that gives us hope. God is “holy” and “other” than us and that leaves us in awe of Him.   THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. God doesn’t show us how to circumvent the wilderness journey; he teaches us how to be transformed by it. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stuck out to you the most from Brent’s talk this week? What disturbs you most about the passage we read together? How did Brent suggest we handle difficult passages in the Bible? How did his insight challenge the way you think about this passage and other passages that demonstrate some disturbing realities about God? What do you think it means God is “holy”? Why is it important God cannot be contained, managed, or trifled with? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Brent mentioned a quote from Abraham Joshua Heschel—“God is not nice. God is not an uncle. God is an earthquake.” How does this thought challenge different pictures of images about God we sometimes have? How have you dealt with the idea God cannot be contained, managed, or trifled with in your life? How does this idea disturb you? How does it encourage you?   Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  How might this passage and Brent’s sermon challenge or change the way we worship God?

We love King David because we see his whole life, not just the highlight reel. We see his royalty in the midst of his humanity. We see the victories of a cherished champion and king. We also see the trials and tribulations of a boy, who becomes a man, who becomes a king. A couple of weeks ago we talked about the unlikely promise spoken to a shepherd boy, the promise to one day become king of a nation. Between the promise and the promised land, however, there is always a wilderness. This week we will discuss how the journey through the wilderness is inevitable for us all; that journey is also an invitation to become who we truly are. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Rise & Reign: Wilderness–Becoming Who We Truly Are // Scripture: I Samuel 20-31 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes During the past few weeks, we have considered the story of the unlikely promise spoken to a shepherd boy— the promise that one day he would rise and reign as king of a nation. We love the story of David because we see his whole life, not just the highlight reel. We see his royalty in the midst of his humanity. We see the victories of a cherished champion and king. We also see the trials and tribulations of a boy, who becomes a man, who becomes a king just as God had promised. Today we discovered that between the promise and the promised land, there is always a wilderness. Just like David, the journey through the wilderness is inevitable for us all, even though we don’t choose to be there. In our flight to the wilderness, we can find God’s provision and protection in the place of worship. As we wander there, we can be reminded of God’s plan and purpose in the place of covenant friendships. And in the caves of distress, debt, or discontent, we can be transformed and discover how to become who we truly are. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion God doesn’t show us how to circumvent the wilderness journey; he teaches us how to be transformed by it. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): After he was chased into the wilderness, where did David go first? What did God give him there? Who did God send to encourage David? What did God remind him? What was the outcome of David’s wilderness experience? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Are you in a wilderness moment now? What drove you there? Distress? Debt? Discontentment? Remember what God has already shown you about who you are and his plans for you. How is God inviting you to demonstrate your faith and trust in him? What steps can you take to begin to be transformed by what you are going through now? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Are there people around you who are trapped in the wilderness? How is God inviting you to walk with them and serve them in the place of confident worship, the place of covenant friendship, or in the caves of fear and doubt? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 15 minutes Take some time to consider God’s past provision and protection in your life. Have each person share one brief example of both from their own experience. Spend some time in worship and prayer thanking God for his words. Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes Recognizing who you are and what God has invited you to become is especially important in the wilderness. If you have already gone through Younique at Grace, briefly share your values (Life Core) and twelve word statement (Life Call). If you haven’t, commit now as a group to participate in the next Younique Journey 1 Intensive (October 20–21). You can sign up at gfc.

In I Samuel 17, David defeats the formidable foe of Goliath and leads Israel to victory over the Philistines. But what happens when the biggest obstacle in our lives lies not outside of us but within? What happens when Goliath is not simply an outside threat but something more close to home? What happens when the biggest threat of our lives is ourselves? Join us this week as we take a moment to work through the greatest battle of our lives—the war within. Because sometimes the greatest Goliath that we will ever face is not a circumstance or obstacle that lays beyond us. Sometimes the greatest Goliath of our lives is ourselves. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Winning the War Within // Scripture: I Samuel 18-31 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes As we saw last Sunday in I Samuel 17, David defeats the formidable foe of Goliath and leads Israel to victory over the Philistines. But what happens when the biggest obstacle in our lives lies not outside of us but within? Sometimes the greatest Goliath we will ever face is not a circumstance or obstacle that lays beyond us. Sometimes the greatest Goliath of our lives is ourselves. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion The greatest obstacle to God’s best in most of our lives is not that we will live our lives against God, but simply that we will live our lives without God. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): Although Saul’s name means one who inquires of the Lord, what was the main struggle of Saul’s life? How do we see David, whose name means beloved, growing in favor with God and men? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Do you see yourself in how Saul was trapped in a box: insecurity, envy, jealousy, and entitlement? Or do you see yourself in how David lived outside the box: strong sense of identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): If we’re stuck in the box it will affect our relationships. Do I see this being played out as I interact with those around me? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 15 minutes We don’t want to be like Saul, who had potential and no power. Be still before the Lord, asking Him to show you how He is reaching out to you with identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice. Receive the truth He’s speaking into your heart. Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes On post-it notes, write the truth God spoke to your heart, include anything it leads you to think of like scripture, names of God, a song, etc. Then share these with each other. Take the post-it note home, and put it somewhere you will see it every day. When the enemy tries to put you back in the box, remember the truth God has spoken to you! Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes In following Jesus’ example, reach out to those closest to you this week with a strong sense of identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice. Walk outside the box! CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.  

The story of David & Goliath is one of the best known stories in all of the Bible. It’s the ultimate underdog story. It’s fueled faith in many for centuries. And it’s even launched a few books to the #1 NYT Bestseller’s list in recent years. But there’s something happening underneath the surface of this story that makes its very unfolding possible, and its triumph inevitable. It’s the difference between David and Saul, and the key to any of our hope in overcoming the giants in our own lives today. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) DATE: September 24, 2017 David and Goliath // Scripture: I Samuel 17 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week, in our journey through the book of 1 Samuel, we came to one of the most familiar passages in the entire Bible. It is the story of David and Goliath. This story is one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. And one of the reasons that we love it is because we all feel like underdogs from time to time. In this story, the Israelites are paralyzed in fear because of a giant named Goliath. Day after day, Goliath taunts them for 40 days by calling them “servants of Saul” – a message that penetrates their souls while he threatens to enslave Israel. But David, a shepherd boy who is only at the battle because he is on an errand from his dad, hears and sees something different. Where Saul and Israel are asking, “Who are we?” David starts to ask, “Who is he?” Where Goliath taunts Israel as “servants of Saul,” David sees Israel as “armies of God.” The story hinges and turns as David creates a different future because he lives from his identity (he knows who he is), lives with honesty (he knows who he is not) and lives in authority (he knows what God can do). THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What stuck out most to you from Aaron’s talk this past Sunday? What new details caught your attention? Who was the giant that taunted Israel? What did he do to provoke Israel each day? What did he call Israel? What does David see when he arrives at the battle? How does Saul want David to fight Goliath? (Dressed in his armor.) How does David defeat Goliath? Why is that important? How does David live differently than everyone else? (Identity, honesty, authority.) Mirror (Where am I in the story): Three things differentiated David from others at the battle: He lived from his identity, with honesty, and in authority. How did Aaron define these three concepts this week? (Identity—he knows who he is; Honesty—he knows who he is not; Authority—he knows what God can do.) Which of these three best characterize you? Why? Which do you struggle with the most? Why? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Aaron said, “God doesn’t copy and paste when He is making disciples – He custom builds.” In what ways has God custom-built who you are in Him? How can we disciple others in such a way that “custom builds” them? Why is it important that everyone doesn’t just become or look the same? How can you help others identify the unique work that God is doing in their lives? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Bible Stories 5 minutes As a group, try to list at least 15 different stories from the Bible that show God working in unique ways to overcome major obstacles or adversaries in people’s lives. Emphasize the unusual ways in which God works. Then ask individuals to share personal stories of how they have seen God overcome giants in their own lives.