Category: May

This lesson is for the end of May:

Print the activity and discussion questions here.

Fun Activity:

Give everyone a piece of paper and ask them to write a timeline from memory with as many names as they can remember (no looking at notes or phone). Whoever has the most names wins. Go over them by reading through our timeline to see who was remembered, who got missed, etc.  This is a fun way to review.

Discussion questions:

1. If God told you that He would give you whatever you asked for (like Solomon) what would you ask for?

2. When David took a census he was looking at facts to feel security instead of trusting God? Have you ever done that? What makes you feel secure about your safety, your kids safety, and your finances? Do you look to facts, or to Him? Looking at facts is not wrong, but what do you attribute your security to?  

My personal example:

Once when Joe deployed, I wanted to look up the statistical probability that something would happen to him in order to ease my anxiety. I knew that if I could see that it was statistically unlikely that he would be hurt, I would feel much better. God clearly impressed upon my heart that I was to trust Him, not statistics. In other words, He said, “Do not google the statistics!” I held out for a couple of weeks, and then in a weak moment just typed it in really quick one night. It’s not like God was mad at me (because Jesus), but I regretted it as I have always known I forfeited something special that year.

3. What do you attribute your wealth to (if you have a car, a climate controlled dwelling, and have eaten twice in the last 24 hours, you have wealth)? Who does it belong to? If you acknowledge that it belongs to God, how much do you live in that awareness? How would it change your financial management if you lived in a greater awareness that it belongs to God?

4. What do you attribute your authority to? Do you live in awareness that all authority belongs to God, and your authority as a parent or a leader is a stewardship? How would it change your parenting/leadership if you lived in a greater awareness that your authority comes from God?

What we are talking about here is “attribution style”. Your attribution style indicates how you explain events or circumstances, both negative and positive. 

5. What are some other examples of things that should be attributed to God (other than security, authority, and wealth)?

6. What are things that get attributed to God, that are actually a result of the fall (example: death)?

7. One of the things David said to Solomon was “Learn to know God intimately.” What do you think he meant by that? How do you think someone does that? How did David get to know God intimately? What helps you learn to know God intimately?

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

8. Why do you think that wisdom does not automatically lead to obedience?

9. Solomon brought in high places even though He loved God. The cost was generations of idol worship and the consequences of that idol worship. What are the high places in your life, the places you hold out on obedience? What might they be costing you? 

10. Of the Psalms we read this month, did you have a favorite? Can you share what you loved or highlighted? How did it resonate with you?