Small Group Notes

Small Group notes for 9th August

Great Psalms (Part 3) | Repentance (Psalm 51)

Small Group Notes:

To note: The sermon is in the Sunday’s service video available via our website and is summarised in the Paper version of the Service produced for those off-line, but also available to view on our website.

Read: Psalm 51

General Questions:

  • What did the scripture mean when it was written?
  • What is the timeless truth behind what God is saying?
  • How does it apply to me now?

Specific Questions:

 

Read 2 Samuel chapter 11

It is in the context of this story that David is begging for forgiveness in Psalm 51.

 

I suggest you read the Psalm again and focus on the words in the first verse initially.

 

David asks for God’s mercy – he is clear that he can do nothing to mitigate his sins.  Have you ever found yourself on your knees to God with a prayer like this?  Are you prepared to share it?

 

David’s sins are serious but what about smaller sins – do they have an impact – can you think of an occasion when something you said or did which was not helpful created an unwanted outcome?  Can you share these things with each other?

 

David later says that he has sinned against God only – clearly, he sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah why do you think he talks about his sin against God only?

 

He also talks about being sinful from birth – do you accept this concept?  Or is he maybe referring to all men as being sinful when compared to God?

 

He goes on to offer to get back on the straight and narrow and to teach others to do the same – on the face of things, this sounds a bit preposterous in the circumstances – is it though?  Isn’t sharing our stories and believing that God has forgiven us exactly how we reach out to others?  What do you think?

 

In Verse 17 David says: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise”

 

God loves us and wants us to repent – do you believe your sins are forgiven?

 

Pray for each other and for the whole world, pray that God will turn the hearts of evil men and that we, as Christians may forgive those who sin against us and be examples of God’s forgiven people to everyone we meet.