Pastor Chris reminded us that God’s plans are much higher and far more complex than ours — namely, because they involve an eternal kingdom… and He has all the details already figured out.
MY STORY
Describe a time when you made big plans, and God clearly had something else in mind.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? …. Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth ... When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-9, 12)
David is a great and storied King of Israel. How did God modify David’s plans to build a Temple, even after the king got an initial greenlight from God’s prophet? How were God’s plans so much bigger than what David had in mind?
What is God promising David here? How does God make those types of promises today?
What is God’s part in the covenant he’s laying down for David here?
Why do you think it was important for David to be reassured that his son, the heir to the throne, would never be cut off from God?
What type of assurances from God would be meaningful to you, especially when it comes to the plans for you he has in mind?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual “takeaways” that are meaningful to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
God’s plans weren’t just for David—they were for Israel, and ultimately for all of humanity.
How have you been personally affected by the fulfillment of God’s promises to David here?
How would your life be different if God has not made, much less, completed these vows to David?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s leading, nudging us toward?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
What something big you’ve got planned? How ready to you feel for God to tweak, modify, or completely change those plans?
In the text, God begins by reminding David of his lowly beginnings. He was a humble shepherd when God chose him to become the next King. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” Is there a place in your life where God is calling for your humility and obedience, but perhaps you are resisting? What does it mean to you, in that context, to hear that He has plans to raise you up, to something bigger than you can even imagine?
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step is the Holy Spirit is calling you toward?
Looking back at your notes from this week’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, stuck with you, challenged or confused you?
What is the one important thing you will take away from this weekend’s message or our community group discussion? Is there any challenge, difficulty or praise that you would like to share with the group for prayer?
Message Notes
You can add your own personal sermon notes along the way. When you're finished, you'll be able to email or download your notes.