Week 3: Bark

It’s so hard for us to grasp God’s loyal and unconditional love, because we are used to the selfish, incomplete love that we experience in our human relationships. But God simply isn’t like us. He is utterly whole in and of Himself, so that nothing we could ever do or fail to do affects the love that He feels for us. We can rest in the protection of His love.

Like the bark forming the outer layer of a tree, protecting it from disease, bugs, and water loss — we are surrounded by an impenetrable layer of love. The apostle Paul says it like this:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

-Romans 8:37-39

This week we will be exploring what it means to be protected by God’s love.

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 18:1-16

Opening Question:

What part of this passage stands out most to you?

Core Question 1:

What good things happen to David in this passage?

Core Question 2:

How does Saul react to David’s successes? Why do you think Saul reacted the way that he did? How could he have reacted differently?

Core Question 3:

How does Saul seem to be answering the big questions of faith:

“Who is God? & “Who am I according to God?”

Core Question 4:

Imagine how Saul and David’s relationship would have played out differently if:

Saul would have focused on the blessings that David brought to his kingdom, rather than feeling threatened by him?

Saul would have been willing to grow and change?

Following Jesus

Assured that He is loved and He is enough, Jesus seems to be immune to the things that cause other humans so much trouble.

  • What temptations did Satan use against Jesus?

  • What expectations do the disciples, crowds, and religious leaders put on Jesus?

On Your Own

This week we will be studying the friendship between David and Saul’s son, Jonathan. We see Jonathan keeping covenant with David, despite incurring great personal cost.

We will also be considering the spiritual practice of community, and how it helps us to be protected by the love of God.