BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER HOW IS JESUS THE PERFECT KING? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of Kings. David wrote a psalm to praise God. In Psalm 23, David compared God’s love, protection, and guidance for His people to that provided by a shepherd for his sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
The Book of Psalms contains 150 psalms—poems, songs, and prayers—from a time in Israel’s history spanning from Moses (about the 1400s BC) to Israel’s exile to Babylon (about the 500s BC). Nearly half of the psalms are attributed to King David. David wrote Psalm 23, one of the most well-known psalms in the Bible. David’s background as a shepherd equipped him to use the imagery of a sheep and shepherd to describe the Lord’s guidance and care for His people. When Saul went to Jesse to anoint one of his sons, David was with the sheep. (1 Sam. 16:19) David’s experience protecting his father’s sheep gave him confidence in the Lord’s ability to deliver. (1 Sam. 17:37) A shepherd leads his sheep to pastures where they can find food. He watches over his sheep to protect them from danger. He cares for them, lifting a fallen sheep from a pit and ensuring not one is lost. This was David’s experience of the Lord. He provided for David’s needs. He led him to places of peace and rest. He guided him on the right paths. The Lord was with David, and He is with us. Jesus had compassion on the crowds who were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus laid down His life to save people from sin. He assured His disciples that when He returns, He will gather His sheep from among the nations and welcome them into His kingdom. (Matt. 26:32-34) David compared God’s love, protection, and guidance for His people to that provided by a shepherd for his sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He laid down His life to save people from sin. Because of Jesus, we have hope that one day we will live with God forever. Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week. GOSPEL APPLICATION K-2nd:
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BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER HOW IS JESUS THE PERFECT KING? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of Kings. David repented and God forgave him. Sin always comes with a price though. God spared David from the death his sin deserved, but He did not spare him from all of his sin’s consequences. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
The Ammonites were no strangers to the Israelites. They often fought over the region of Gilead, which stretched east of the Jordan River. David had tried showing kindness to the Ammonites, but they humiliated the Israelite ambassadors. (See 2 Sam. 10:1-5.) Thus began a war between the Israelites and Ammonites. This context sets the scene for the story of David’s sin and restoration. David had experienced a season of blessing from God and success on the battlefield. The tribes of Israel united under David. But the upward trajectory of David’s life did not continue much longer. One evening, David looked from his rooftop and saw Bathsheba bathing. He found out that she was the wife of Uriah, one of David’s elite soldiers. Her married status alone made her off-limits to David, but he nevertheless called for her and slept with her. David probably assumed his sin would go unnoticed, until Bathsheba told him she was pregnant. With Uriah gone to war, it was obvious the baby was not her husband’s. David called Uriah home from the battle and encouraged him to be with his wife. But Uriah refused. Uriah didn’t think it was fair for him to be with his wife while other men were at war. So David instructed his army commander to position Uriah in the most violent part of the battle so he would be killed. This time, David’s plan worked. Uriah was killed, and David took Bathsheba as his wife. God knew David’s sin and sent Nathan the prophet to confront David. David’s confession is recorded in Psalm 51. God wanted David’s heart to change so he would not want to sin again. Like David, we need more than a changed lifestyle to be made right with God; we need new hearts. Jesus died to satisfy God’s wrath against sin so that we could be made alive in Him. When David sinned against God, God forgave him, but sin always comes with a price. God spared David’s life, but David’s son died. When we sin, we deserve death. But we can receive God’s forgiveness because God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin. Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week. GOSPEL APPLICATION K-2nd:
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER HOW IS JESUS THE PERFECT KING? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of Kings. David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son. David gave Mephibosheth his grandfather Saul’s estate and servants, but most amazingly, David allowed him to eat at his table like one of his sons. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
Though King Saul was an adversary to David, Saul’s son Jonathan loved him as much as he loved himself. (See 1 Sam. 18:1.) Before David fled from King Saul and journeyed toward Moab, Jonathan appealed to his friend David, “If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household” (1 Sam. 20:14-15a). Following the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan, David was made king over Israel. The Lord was with David, and he experienced numerous military victories. David remembered the promise he made to his best friend Jonathan and was determined to keep it. David asked a servant of Saul’s family if anyone remained from Saul’s family. The servant mentioned Jonathan’s son. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh sheth) had been injured when he was five years old, so his feet were crippled. (2 Sam. 4:4) David brought Mephibosheth to his house. Mephibosheth fell facedown before David. As a descendant of Saul, he was right to fear the king. But David said, “Don’t be afraid.” David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, promising to restore to him all of Saul’s fields. He appointed servants to work the fields. The fields would provide an income for Mephibosheth. David also announced that Mephibosheth would eat meals at David’s table, just like one of the king’s sons. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table. King David showed surprising kindness to Mephibosheth even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever. Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week. GOSPEL APPLICATION K-2nd:
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December 2023
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