Text Recap:
This week, we are taking a look at the story of David and Absalom. The central theme behind the passage is relational reconciliation. This message is David’s failure to realize his shared desire for reconciliation with his son Absalom. King David was a success and hero by all accounts, but his courage failed him when seeking reconciliation with his son. Thankfully we have a greater David in Jesus, who reconciles us with God and models reconciliation for each of us to follow.
Question: Have you ever been the “peacemaker” to help resolve a situation in your family, work, church, circle of friends?
If so, why did you step in and get involved? Self motivated- Just looking for peace around the office or at home? Trying to mend the hurt and help people get past it? Feel bad for the parties involved and the stress they were going through? Or did you do it because it’s what Jesus calls me to do? Blessed are the peacemakers.
Read 2 Samuel 14: 21-33
1. 2 Samuel 13-19 shares the story of what happened to David and Absalom’s relationship. In the passage we read above, we see the beginning of reconciliation. Why did it fail and stop short of bringing these two back together?
David only made a halfhearted effort to connect with his son, and didn’t go all the way and actually meet together. David also never confronted his son and/or got personally involved. Years had gone by this time, and he failed to act decisively to correct the issues in his family. He experienced greater pain than if he had dealt with it immediately.
Read: Matthew 5:9
2. What does, “blessed is the peacemaker” mean?
Thoughts:
a- You must have a real relationship with God before you can help someone else know God and what steps to take to reconcile.
b- Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships are carrying on the work of Jesus.
c- We need to take the road less traveled and pursue peace in those relationships where there isn’t any.
d- It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. In fact, there are 3 things that you can do right now to pursue peace. Start, sacrifice, surrender.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:7
3. In order for reconciliation to start someone has to take the first step. Someone has to START. Timothy was experiencing great opposition to his message and as a leader. How can we apply this verse to these situations in our lives?
Thoughts:
1. The power of the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our fear of what some might say or do to us so we can help bring about reconciliation.
2. Paul mentions three characteristics of an effective Christian: power, love, and self-discipline. These are available to all of us because the Holy Spirit lives in us.
3. When we allow people or situations to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God.
4. The second step is SACRIFICE. This is a tough one, because someone will have to pay a price for reconciliation to occur. There are two primary forms of payment. If you are the one who is at fault the sacrifice is to repent and pay the debt. If you are the one who is hurt, the sacrifice is to forgive and cancel the debt. How can we effectively repent or forgive in relationships that are hurting?
Thoughts:
If I am the offender, I need to apologize and own the mistake. If I am the offended, I need to forgive and push forward. Don’t just do it, but do it sincerely.
True repentance and asking for forgiveness is owning the hurt. It’s sacrificing the right to be right.
Often the harder task is when you are the one who has to offer the forgiveness. Because of our desire for justice, or revenge, or just plain pride, we often hold back, are unwilling to cancel the debt of the other person who hurt us.
When I forgive someone though, we are cancelling their debt. We are taking whatever we are holding onto and letting it go, not because they deserve it, not because they earned it, and not because I have to. It’s because I am unwilling to let bitterness and resentment shape my future or define my life.
Read Romans 12:18
5. Finally, we need to SURRENDER. How is that done and what does surrender look like?
Thoughts:
1. It means to surrender the outcome to God and trust him.
2. Once you decide to either ask for forgiveness or to offer forgiveness, the ball isn’t in your court anymore. Because for reconciliation to happen, it takes two to make that happen.
3. Results will vary when you lean in to a broken relationship and start the process of pursuing peace.
4. When you sacrifice by either asking for forgiveness or offer forgiveness, it’s now up to the other person. And the truth is this...sometimes reconciliation happens and sometimes it doesn’t.
5. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes trust is rebuilt and relationships are restored, and sometimes our efforts may never be accepted.
6. Remember, you can’t force reconciliation, but you can pursue peace.
Application/Challenge:
1- We all want peace, but followers of Jesus actually pursue it.
2- the pain is worth the payoff.
3- Don’t wait, today is the day.
4- Life is too short to live without peace.
5- Don’t wait and regret not fighting and pursuing peace. Don’t make the same mistake that David did.
Daily Bible Reading (Monday-Saturday):
Sunday – 2 Samuel 13-19
Monday – Matthew 5
Tuesday – 2 Timothy 1:7-12
Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Thursday – Romans 5:1-5
Friday – Colossians 1:20-23
Saturday – Romans 12:18-21
5 Question Bible Study (to answer every day in response to the Daily Bible Reading):
a- What idea particularly strikes me from this text (note which verses it comes from).
b- What question does this text raise in my mind—and how would this text answer it?
c- What about Jesus—his character and/or redemption—relates to this text?
d- What action must I take as a result of this text? Be concrete and specific.
e- With whom will I share what I learned from this text?
SPEC for the Text
Sin to avoid
Promise to claim
Example to Follow
Command to Obey
“I Will” Statement…
-Based on this text, what is one specific, measurable thing you will do this week to live it out?
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