Kings gonna King

 God makes it clear that Solomon's unrepentant idolatry led to the transfer of power from Solomon's family line to another. The transfer of power would also cause the nation to divide into two kingdoms weakening both. The promise to Israel was this was not forever, and that one day David's heir would govern a united Israel again. (1 Kings 11)What judgements do you look forward to ending?

Personal Echo Chamber

Breaking with old testament law and the religious norms of the day, gentiles with no ties to Jewish tradition were invited into the most holy spaces of worship that the Church could provide (Eph 2:14). Both Jewish and non-Jewish were given authority and a voice in the way churches operated. What can we learn from the early Church's radical acceptance and willingness to engage with those around them?

Who do you use?

 While King David's life is full of good and heroic moments, like all lives, it is also marred by sin and selfishness. Adonijah's struggle with Solomon for the throne illustrates one of the key failures of David's character as it seems to affect his family. Every player in the story views Abishag, a poor Shunamite woman, as a pawn that can be used to further an agenda, rather than as a person worthy of love and care. 1 Kings 2.

A Place in the Church

The apostle Paul urged the early church to receive both Jewish and non-Jewish believers (Rom 15:7), excluding neither group. Today the Church seems to exclude others based on cultural norms and political ideology. Who do you find yourself excluding from the life of the church?

Send in the Clowns - literally

 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, encourages us to give cheerfully. We may give out of guilt, fear of God's wrath, or in hopes of gaining more material blessings from God, or from some other motive that fails to truly be 'cheerful.' Perhaps cheerful giving is rooted in understanding that no matter who we give to or what we give is less important than the God who lets us connect with others through giving.

Rizpah's Care

 To keep Saul's heirs from recreating their father's legacy of genocidal acts, the Gibeonites convinced David to send all of Saul's heirs to the Gibeonites who would then kill them. By spotlighting one of Saul's wives, the story highlights the utter despair that comes from embracing war and retribution. Rizpah's selfless act demonstrates the care and respect lacking in the Gibeonites and in David. How can you care for others?

Protecting Jesus from...THEM

 Jesus seemed to make time specifically to care for those who lacked cultural, political, or economic power, like the children of his day (Mark 10). Jesus didn't consider the marginalized of His day to be a distraction or a mission, He treated them as real people with real needs. Who do mistake for a distraction?