What a Mess

THE TEXT: 2 Samuel 13 – 18

Two Essential Truths

• Straying away from God’s first, best plan for families and relationships will result in chaos, broken relationships, and heartache.
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BUT…

• God is sovereign, Grace is real and transformation is what God does.
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The WRONG ingredients for family blessing and relational health:

• Unchecked pride.
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• Lack of accountability.
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• Pursuing vengeance.
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• Dishonesty and deceit.
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• Withholding grace and love.
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What David did RIGHT:

• Refused a destructive response.
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• Sought God’s presence.
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What Does My Turnaround Look Like?

• Use the right ingredients.
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• Pursue a vital relationship with God.
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• Keep going.
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Scripture References:

| 2 Samuel 13-18 | Psalm 3 | Psalm 63 | Ephesians 4:32 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 |

| Matthew 10:8 | Colossians 4:6 | Romans 12:19 |

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

What do you think?

From Sunday’s message, what particular point challenged you, stood out to you, or raised a question for you?

The story of your life.

1. On Sunday, Pastor Willie talked about the chaos and brokenness that comes when we stray from God’s best plan for families. However, the other side of that coin is that Jesus is still in the process of transforming people from the inside out by the power of the Holy Spirit. Share a story of someone you know who has experienced a radical change/transformation for the better.

2. Another topic we delved into was the messy nature of relationships within King David’s family. Yet in the midst of it, David refused a destructive response and sought God’s presence. What have you found to be helpful in veering you away from destructive responses and staying in God’s presence when dealing with messy relational situations?

Digging Deeper in God’s Word.

1. Before he became king, David had Saul pursuing him. After becoming king, David made some poor choices that created deep brokenness in his family. This ultimately resulted in his own family turning on him – most notably his son Absalom. It was during this time that David wrote Psalm 3. Read it together and answer the following questions.
   1. Which parts of Psalm 3 might someone dealing with brokenness in their family relate to?

   2. What encouragement/advice does this Psalm offer to turn lonely/down feelings around?

2. Jesus once told a great story about a father whose son went astray, causing huge loads of hurt in the family. Read Luke 15:11-32 together, have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words and then answer the following questions.
   1. What insights/hope does this story offer for those going through brokenness in their families?

   2. How does this story help those who have not “strayed” maintain a good perspective?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

3. We often think only of the negative side of brokenness, whether in an individual or in a family. However, our brokenness in God’s hand can be turned into a blessing. What insights do the following verses offer in terms of how to turn the broken parts of our stories (or our families’ stories) into beauty? Read them one at a time and answer accordingly.
   1. Psalm 34:18.
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   2. Psalm 51:17.
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   3. Psalm 147:3.
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   4. Isaiah 57:15.
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   5. Matthew 5:3.
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   6. Hebrews 4:15-16.
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   7. John 16:33.
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Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else mentioned in this discussion that struck a chord with you.

2. Break up into smaller groups and pray together (preferably men with men and women with women).