Leadership Lessons from the Life of David - Ministry Exchange (MX)

Leadership from the Life of David
Small group studies and quiet times

There are two sets of studies in this file, originally designed for use
with student leadership teams during the Leadership Team Track at GLE/GLW’s
spring training weeks (Chapter FOCUS Weeks). However, these studies also
could be used with student leadership teams (or even staff teams, for that
matter) on campus during the course of the year.

The first set of studies consist of small group Bible studies of five
episodes from the life of David, from 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. The
second set of studies are intended for use as quiet times, in conjunction
with the first set of studies, and are all from the Psalms.

Themes covered include risk-taking/overcoming fear; reacting to misfortune;
temptation/abuse of power; receiving correction; confession; transitioning
to new leadership; and more.

The order in which the small group studies and quiet times are intended to
“interlaced” is as follows:

. QT 1 – Psalm 23 o SG 1 – David and Goliath, 1 Samuel 17 . QT 2 – Psalm 9 o SG 2 – David and the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 30 . QT 3 – Psalm 86 o SG 3 – David and Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11 . QT 4 – Psalm 32 o SG 4 – David and Nathan, 2 Samuel 11 . QT 5 – Psalm 51 o SG 5 – David and Solomon, 1 Chronicles 22

The studies are short (meant to be completed in 45 – 50 minutes), so they
are correspondingly “simple” – a lot more could be drawn from these
passages if the time limit were extended.

Bible Study 1: I Samuel 17 – David and Goliath

Background: David was just a teenager at this time. He was spending some

time in Jerusalem playing the harp for Saul, to soothe the evil spirits that sometimes visited him, but much of the time he was home working for his father as a shepherd.

A. Read vs. 1-37 then discuss (20 min)

Imagine yourself an Israelite in the	A fearsome giant that is too strong
army. What is the situation as you	for any man to defeat is
see it?	humiliating us, and nothing can be
done.
Now, what is the situation as David	A mortal man is defying and
sees it?	slandering the immortal God, and
something must be done.
How could this be applicable in our	We need to strive for a right
chapter, especially for us as	spiritual perspective on the
leaders?	battles the chapter faces.
We may need to be “Davids” for our
chapter in its battles, helping
others see the spiritual
perspective.
What else strikes you about David’s	Though sent on a different errand,
attitude and character as revealed	he was open to God giving him a
so far?	different errand.
When he sensed God’s leading, he
didn’t let others discourage him
from following.
David didn’t let others’ lack of
faith shake his own confidence in
God.

B. Read vs. 38-58 then discuss (15 min)

David didn’t go out in Saul’s armor	We don’t have to “become someone
because he “wasn’t used to them.”	else” to fight the battles God has
What kind of lesson is there for us	for us. The background, the
in that?	training God has given us is
sufficient to the task (David
defeated Goliath with shepherd’s
skills).
Anything strike you about the	David “ran out to meet” Goliath – he
battle?	faced problems head on, didn’t wait
for them to come to him. He was
active, not passive, in dealing with
obstacles.
What “Goliaths” might we face as
leaders? As an exec?
What “Goliaths” might our chapter
fac
e?
How can we “run out to meet” those
Goliath’s head on?

C. Prayer (10 min)

Let’s spend a few minutes praying that we would meet these battles with the same insight and courage as David met Goliath.

Bible Study 2: I Samuel 30 – David and the Amalekites

Background: David and his men were living in Philistine territory, in

Ziklag, outlaws from Israel because Saul had been attempting to kill David out of jealousy. When the Philistines were getting ready for a big attack on Israel, David and his men went to help. The Philistine commanders, however, didn’t fully trust him, so they sent him and his men back to Ziklag. When they returned.

A. Read vs. 1-8 aloud and discuss (20 min)

What strikes you about David in this	He wasn’t afraid to grieve – to
snapshot?	feel emotions.
Though the other men wanted someone
to blame, David wanted a solution
to the problem.
Though his men turned bitter, and
turned against him, David turned to
God.
David didn’t act out in haste, out
of his overwhelming emotions – he
waited and asked the Lord for
guidance.
When you find yourself in a tough	Showing appropriate grief? Looking
situation like David’s, which of	forward for a solution rather than
these reactions of David are hardest	backwards for someone to blame?
for you, personally, to achieve?	Waiting for God’s clear guidance
before deciding on the next step?

B. Read vs. 9-31 aloud and discuss (20 min)

What do we learn from this incident	David didn’t drive his followers
of the men staying behind, and	farther than they could go, even if
David’s handling of the situation?	they couldn’t go “far enough.”
David emphasized the community over
the individual – they were all part
of his band, his flock, and so a
victory won by some was won by all,
and plunder gained by some was
gained by all.
Can you think of any situations	Perhaps there are those in our
where something like this could come	chapter / church who supply
up in IV? A “victory” won, or	”support services”, who don’t often
”glory” given, that needs to be	get to “share in the plunder,”
shared, even though some would say	because they are not up-front
others “don’t deserve it”?	leaders. Other situations?
What lessons can we learn from	David treated the slave with
David’s treatment of the Egyptian	dignity, gave him the help he
slave?	needed, before he even knew that
the slave could help lead him to
the Amalekites. We likewise should
be “good Samaritans” to all who
need help, whether they look like
they could be “useful” to us or
not.

C. Prayer (10 min)

Let’s spend some time praying that

we would react to misfortunes like

David did, and that we would be

committed to making sure everyone in

the chapter shares equally in

chapter “victories.”

Bible Study 3: II Samuel 11 – David and Bathsheba

Background: David has had great success on every side: He’s now King of

Israel, he’s brought the Ark to Jerusalem, and he’s conquered most of the surrounding nations.

A. Read all of ch. 11 silently, then discuss (35 min)

Let’s list all the sins of which	1) Didn’t do his job, his duty as
David was guilty.	King, leading his army to battle
(write these on the board)	(1)
2) He focused on and fed his own
desires, lusts (3)
3) He didn’t flee temptation, but
stepped into it (3, 4)
4) He committed adultery (4)
5) He tried to cover it with
deceit (6-18)
6) Didn’t work, so he covered it
with murder (14-17)
7) Overall, growing abuse of power
over those under
his authority
What observations can we make from	It was a progression – he didn’t
David’s progression of sin?	jump into the “big” sins, he
started with “smaller” ones.
Once you start down a sinful path
it gets harder and harder to pull
out.
It all started from a “small”
thing – shirking his
responsibility, not fulfilling one
of the requirements of his job.
David was a “man after God’s own	Not one of us is “safe” or “past
heart,” (1 Sam. 13:14), and yet he	all that” – so let’s be humble and
fell into this horrible situation.	careful.
What lessons can we apply to
ourselves?	Stop the sin when it “knocks” –
don’t let it “enter” your heart,
don’t “entertain” it. (James
1:13-15). That is, don’t start
down that sinful path in the first
place.
Don’t attempt to cover up sin and
hide it. Acknowledge it before
God, and before man, when necessary
/ appropriate. (Get an
accountability partner)
What sins are we more likely to be	It might be good to make this
able to fall into as leaders in the	question personal. Give everyone a
chapter?	couple of minutes to “examine
themselves” and try to identify
their tempting “leader sins”, then
spend time sharing them with each
other.
How can we protect against this?
How can we keep each other
accountable?

C. Prayer (10 min)

Let’s spend time praying for

humility, for desire to be obedient,

and for strength to flee temptation

as leaders.

(Could also spend time in confession

if group is at that point of trust

with each other).

Bible Study 4: II Samuel 12 – David and Nathan

Intro question (ask this before looking at the text): How do you tend to
respond to criticism / rebuke of your behavior or decisions? Be honest!

Background: At least 8 months has passed, and perhaps more, since the
events we read about in the last chapter.

A. Read 1-14 aloud and discuss (20 min)

What do you think of Nathan’s	It shows tact, thought, courage, and
approach?	skill.
What good attributes does it
display?
What can we learn from this when we	There are many ways to confront a
find ourselves needing to confront	person and deal with sin – we should
someone?	consider the various alternatives
and prayerfully choose what seems
the best approach.
Describe David’s reactions	He was outraged at injustice.
throughout this passage.
He was humble when he realized his
sin.
He admitted his sin when exposed,
didn’t try to deny it.
He was submissive to the Lord’s
judgement and punishment.

B. Read 15-25 aloud and discuss (20 min)

What do we learn from David’s	Even though David accepted God’s
”strange” reactions?	judgement, he still appealed to his
mercy.
Once the punishment was given, it
was over for David. He didn’t dwell
on his sin, tear himself up over it,
he moved on, began life anew,
accepted his forgiveness.
What do we learn about sin?	Even when it is forgiven, there will
still be “fallout”, consequences.
Our sin affects the community around
us – even “innocent” people.
What is the significance of vs. 24b	Solomon, a child of Bathsheba, went
in regards to sin?	on to become the wisest man and king
the world had ever known. God can
redeem our mistakes, make “all
things work for the good of those
that love him,” Rom. 8:28. When we
confess our sins and repent, the way
is open for God to bring good out of
bad.
What mistakes are you afraid of
making in leadership?
David was serious about praying for
the child, and so he fasted and
spent much time in prayer. What
would be worth fasting for in our
chapter?

C. Prayer (5 min)

Let’s spend time praying that God would help us to be angry about injustice, but quick to be humble, and to forgive others as we forgive ourselves.

Bible Study 5: I Chronicles 22 – David and Solomon

Background: David is now getting old, has fought many battles, and has had

many trials stemming from his sin with Bathsheba, the major one being his son Absalom rebelling against him in a coup attempt (II Samuel 15-18). His military might and success, which had been a gift from God, also tempted him into arrogance and pride – a sin which led to the deaths of 70,000 men. But, as God was able to make good come from evil by bringing Solomon out of David’s union with Bathsheba, so God did again, as the sight for the future Temple was determined by where the angel of death was stopped by God’s mercy (I Chronicles 21).

A. Read all of ch. 22 aloud and discuss (20 min) (choose one person be

the narrator, another person to be David, and have everyone else imagine they are a young Solomon, hearing what David is saying to them)

Those of you who were imagining
yourselves to be Solomon, how did
you feel?
What parts of David’s speech were
particularly encouraging to you?
What is the overall thing David is	Setting up the transfer of
doing here?	leadership.
Enabling Solomon to have a
successful experience of
leadership: empowering him,
setting him up to succeed.
List as many specific ways as you	Provided necessary resources that
can that David set Solomon up for	he had access to, that Solomon
success.	didn’t. (2-4)
Wasn’t jealous of the honor that
would befall his successor – he
knew when to hand off leadership,
and did so graciously.
Recognized where Solomon was at,
spiritually / mentally, and thus
made preparations that took into
account Solomon’s level of
maturity. (5)
Still had a vision from God for the
future, and passed that on. (5)
Gave Solomon a charge – a calling,
a mission.
Told him what he’d need, gave him
instructions – he would need /
should pursue discretion,
understanding, obedience to word of
God, be strong and courageous, not
afraid or discouraged.
Prayed for Solomon.
Sacrificed a lot to help and
prepare (see also I Chron. 29:3)
Used his “connections” with others
to enlist their aid for Solomon
after David was gone.

Bible Study 5: I Chronicles 22 – David and Solomon continued

B. Application (20 min)

Who are the leaders we need to	Bible study leaders, Prayer group
empower in our chapter?	leaders, ?
Which of these things that David did
for his successor are we already
doing?
Which of these things are we not
doing?
How can we do them?

C. Prayer (5 min)

Let’s pray for our future leaders, and for our encouragement and empowering of them.

Quiet Time 1: Psalm 23

During our time together as a leadership team, we’re going to be studying
and discussing episodes from the life of David, one of the greatest leaders
in the Bible, perhaps in the world. But before David was a military hero,
an outlaw, or a king, he was a shepherd, taking care of his father’s
flocks. That meant he spent much time alone, in the wilderness; but God
spoke through that experience to reveal to David some of the deepest truths
about his relationship with us.

Quiet your heart before God for a minute. Then read through Psalm 23,
looking at it as a shepherd’s reflections on life with God. Imagine, even,
that you are David, noticing the similarities between how you lead your
father’s sheep, and how God leads you.

What strikes you as you read?

Do you feel “in want” right now? How? Why?

What are “green pastures” and “still waters” for you?

Compare the images in vs. 1-3 with those in vs. 4 – 5. What’s different?

What’s similar? What do you learn from this?

Look at vs. 6 – can you say this with the same confidence that David does?
Why or why not?

Spend time praising and praying to Jesus, our good shepherd (John 10:11-
18), using this psalm as a guide.

Quiet Time 2: Psalm 9

Think for a few minutes through the story of David and Goliath that we
discussed yesterday (I Samuel 17). What motivated David in that battle,
and what character traits did he display?

In light of this, read Psalm 9.

What feeling do you get reading this psalm? Especially in comparison
to Psalm 23?

It may help to use your imagination – skim back through the psalm, and
visualize a series of powerful and dynamic pictures of present and future
spiritual realities, written in the language of battles (with which David
was becoming familiar).

Is there a focal point to the action? Where is it? Are there any areas of calm, of security? Where are they? Does this seem like a picture of the world today? If so, how? Take a few minutes and pray, seeking this calm focal point in the
midst of your life.

What themes are most concerning David? What is David’s passion in this
psalm?

Do these themes motivate you? Do you feel this passion?

Spend some time asking God to help you grow in godly passions, and praising
him for his ultimate control of the world.

Quiet Time 3: Psalm 86

Review for a few minutes the story of David and the Amalekites that we
discussed yesterday (I Samuel 30). Think of how David might have felt that
day when he was weeping, his men wanted to stone him, and yet he “found
strength in the Lord his God. (vs. 3-6)” Then read Psalm 86.

What requests does David make of God?

Which of these requests do you most need yourself to bring to God
today? Bring it to God now.

Do you feel that you have an “undivided heart” (vs. 11)?

If not, why not? What would it mean to have an “undivided heart”? What do you think it would it take to have one? Pray about this.

What signs of his goodness (vs. 17) has God already given you?

Spend some time thanking God for those signs.

Quiet Time 4: Psalm 32

Take a few minutes and write down some things you’ve learned from your own
experiences of sin and forgiveness.

Yesterday we examined the series of sins David committed stemming from his
encounter with Bathsheba (II Samuel 11). In Bible study later today we’ll
look at how God used the prophet Nathan to convict David of that sin.

But at least 8 months (and probably longer) passed between David’s sins and
Nathan’s exposure of them. This psalm may be a reflection of some of what
David experienced during that period when he was hiding his sin, and what
he learned from it once it was passed.

Read Psalm 32.

Vs. 1-5 present two states. What are they?

What are the similarities? The differences? Are there any sins that you are “hiding” right now, that are “sapping
your strength”? If so, take time now to confess them to God and ask his forgiveness.

In vs. 6-11, David seems to offer some pieces of advice based on what he’s
learned. What are the things he advises?

Think about David’s analogy of those who would force God to “control
[then] by bit and bridle.” What is the alternative? How would God rather guide us?

What is the overall feeling or spirit of this psalm?

Pray through the psalm now in that overall spirit.

Quiet Time 5: Psalm 51

Yesterday we looked at how God used the prophet Nathan to convict David of
his sins (II Samuel 12). Think for a minute about David’s reactions and
behaviors during that encounter with Nathan and the death of his son.

This familiar psalm is a result of that encounter, an outpouring of David’s
heart. Read Psalm 51.

What is the focus of vs. 1-9? What does David want and need?

There are two major images used to express this – “blotting out” and “cleansing / washing”. Take a few minutes to think of some of the sins you’ve committed that seem particularly grievous. Then imagine them being blotted out and cleansed.

Vs. 1-9 do not complete the work that is necessary for complete restoration – what more is needed? (vs. 10-12)

Think about each of the specific, differentiated requests made in these three verses, and how you have needed each one of them after you have fallen.

The actions that happen in 1-9 and 10-12 seem to lead to what natural
outworkings? (vs. 13-15)

Why should these be a natural part of the process?

In vs. 16-19, what has David learned?

Do you feel that you have you learned this?

Spend time praying that you could be a person “after God’s own heart”.