Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies from last week’s study and Reflection: Today, what images do you link with God? What colors? What emotions? What sounds? What one dramatic rescue attempt can you recall hearing about or seeing? What’s the most memorable rescue effort in which you’ve been involved?
Step 2: Hear – Read: David’s Song of Praise (Part 2): 2 Samuel 22:26-51.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- Here (vv. 21-25) David speaks as though he were sinless, yet elsewhere he is very aware of his failure (see Ps 32; Ps 51)? How do you account for this? How could David make such claims about himself?
- In verses 21-30, what is going on: Is David indirectly boasting? Or is he only praising God? Why do you think so? How did David’s lifestyle influence God’s dealings with him: Is he engaging in legalistic exercises to gain God’s favor? Or is he basing his appeal on God’s sure promise and peculiar delight in him? Why do you think so?
- In verses 31-37 and 47-51, what qualities of God do you see through the eyes of David? What effect does God have on him?
- In referring to his qualities as a warrior and king (vv. 38-46), what new insights do you gain into David? To what extent was David victorious over his enemies?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- If you had written this song with references to the redemptive experiences of our small group or our church, what would you be singing about? From your personal experience, what would you call God: My ______________? Recently, when have you been overwhelmed by love for God? In writing a song of your own, praising God, how might that help you become more aware of his love for you this week?
B. How might God help you prevail over enemies too strong for you? Over what walls would you like God to help you go?
C. Habakkuk 3:19 quotes verse 34 (re: hind’s feet in high places) to build up hope in the face of a national crisis. What verse or lyric from David’s song would you claim to describe how you want to see God work in your life? Why that verse?
Step 5: Reflect: As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless…
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
