[1]NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the YOU curriculum.
Bible Passages: Psalm 51:1-10
Discussion Questions:
— How do I strengthen my fellowship with God?
— What kinds of actions and attitudes on my part hinder my fellowship with God?
— If I discover a break in fellowship with God, what does He desire that I do?
Food for Thought:
Read Psalm 51:1-10.
The backdrop of this Psalm is recorded in Second Kings chapters eleven and twelve. David — the king — was supposed to be at war but he was at ease in the palace watching Bathsheba bathe. David sent for her, committed adultery with her, and impregnated her. When he discovered that she was pregnant he sent for her husband Uriah to come home from the battle. He assumed that he would seize the opportunity to sleep with his wife, but Uriah didn’t. He slept on the steps because he couldn’t see himself being intimate with his wife while his fellow-soldiers were risking their lives on the battlefield. When David discovered that Uriah didn’t sleep with his wife, he got Uriah drunk hoping he would then sleep with his wife. When this second attempt failed, David conspired to have him killed by ordering that he be placed on the frontlines of the battle. All because of David’s sin, Bathsheba was defiled, Uriah was dead, and ultimately the new born child would die. A prophet confronted David by way of a parable and David was heavy with conviction and confession. This 51st Psalm is a result of his conviction and contains his confession of guilt for sinning against God.
This psalm shows us three ways to keep our fellowship with God when we mess up big time. In this Bible study we will learn to: Pray with Recognition, Pray in Repentance, and Pray for Restoration.
[2]The Holy Spirit comforts us in our sorrows and counsels us in our situations. He also convicts us of our sin. What are some things that the Holy Spirit has convicted you of lately? What will you do to avoid these things and restore your fellowship with God?
YOU
YOU is committed to providing a complete Bible study experience for small groups and classes. Every session is written through an urban and multiethnic lens that provides relevant, engaging and applicable studies that not only encourage and equip people, but also motivate them to mission. This flexible, non-dated, all-in-one quarterly resource offers weekly Bible study for leaders and learners, devotionals and teaching plans, as well as articles on hot topics and missions. For additional downloadable online teaching resources, visit LifeWay.com/YOU [3].
Other ongoing Bible study options offered by LifeWay for all ages can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool [4] or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores [5].
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