Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Don't Count Yourself Out of It
Scripture
2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go! Count the men of Israel from Beersheba all the way to Dan. Report back to me. Then I’ll know how many there are.”
3 Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops 100 times. King David, you are my master. Aren’t all the men under your control? Why would you want me to count them? Do you want to make Israel guilty?”
4 In spite of what Joab said, the king’s order had more authority than Joab’s reply did. So Joab left and went all through Israel. Then he came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported to David how many fighting men he had counted.
Main Idea
When faced with hard questions, we tend to look to other things for confirmation or worth. David, even after conquering so many armies with God leading the way still decided to count the number of people in Israel's kingdom. He was searching for his own worth, validation, or security in the size of the kingdom rather than in knowing God was his source for everything. We can't look to material things or people to validate our next steps or our worth. Look to God. He may ask you to do things that seem beyond you or your financial capacity, but if He asks you to do it then He will help you through it.
If it doesn't cost, it doesn't count.
Discussion Questions
- Where have you been looking for your worth of ability outside of God? (Your work, ability to provide, kids performance in school or sports, etc?) What do you think the reason for that is?
- What is holding you back from giving more of your time or more finances to God?
- What or who are you believing God for?
Summary
King David led Israel and conquered many armies with God on His side. God gave him extreme favor because he was a many after God's own heart. David had many failures and flaws but God continued to use him because of his posture towards God. During a significant transition from conquering to maintaining the Israel nation, David was tempted and began to measure the worth and significance of himself by measuring the size of his army and nation of Israel.
King David had a trusted advisor Joab who tried to persuade him against this but David proceeded anyway. It is important to trust the people God puts in our lives for counsel because it can save us a lot of heartache. The enemy will always try to get you focused on you and away from God. As soon as our enemy can distract us from God, he has won. When sizing up what worth you have or what you should do next, pursue God's opinion only.
- We Count Our Worthiness
- When we look to other things for our worth, we can end up measuring ourselves in the wrong things. When we see our worth with the size of our bank account, we begin to protect it at all costs even though God might be asking you to give sacrificially.
- Other times we look at our failures and size up what we are worth but God sees you as infinitely valuable despite any failures you may have had.
- We Count Our Capacity
- When determining what we can do in life and give, we assess our capacity but that doesn't factor in God to the equation. He can multiply our effectiveness, finances, and favor to help us exceed our perceived capacity. Don't limit what God can do in your life to stretch you and impact the world.
- We Count Our Obligations
- God is meant to be first in your life and not seen in the same light or level as your other obligations.
- When God is first, He can multiply everything else to meet and exceed your needs
When you start to size up what you think you can give in your offerings to the Lord or your worth, make sure you lean on God.
- Don't Count Yourself Out of It, Count God into It!
- The results of your obedience and giving to the Lord is not about what God is going to do for you but rather what He will do through you.
Someone else's miracle may be waiting on the other side of your obedience. Trust God for your guidance and follow King David's lead when it comes to giving, " I will not give as an offering to the Lord something that belongs to you, something that costs me nothing.”
Take Action
- Pray about what you should give to the Lord during the year-end offering
- Listen to the voice of God for guidance
- Then sow the seed and pray that God will mulitply everyone's seed for the move of God in Lawrence and beyond.
Announcements
- Year-end vision offering open rest of the year
- Baptisms next weekend
