WELCOME ICEBREAKER If you have guests spend the first 10 minutes by asking what was the highlight of the past week. If everyone is a regular attendee have him or her share what was his or her highlight at church this past week. Ask how they are doing on their fast. WORSHIP A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22. WORD When David was in trouble or hurting we find that he hid himself in God. He ran to God for cover and protection. Read Psalms 32:5-7. This is a psalm David wrote after he had committed adultery and Nathan the prophet had exposed it. He was guilty of not only taking another man's wife, but also having him killed in battle. Read Psalms 142:1-7. This is a psalm David wrote when he was running for his life from Saul. He hadn't done anything wrong here but he was a threat to King Saul and he felt very alone in his life. Read Psalms 42:1-5. This is a psalm of David when his own son Absalom turns on him and wants to overthrow him as king. It is a very depressing time for David and he hides himself in God. He describes the hart deer that loves to feed close to the water and when hunted will submerge in water; float downstream in the middle careful not to touch the branches. This deer will keep its nose just above the water and his scent will be hidden so dogs can't pick it up. The enemy can't find your scent when you are hid in Christ. Have the group read the following verses: - James 4:8;
- James 4:8;
- Colossians 3:3;
- Psalms 119:114;
- Proverbs 18:10
- How can we hide ourselves in Christ?
- What clues do we get from David's psalms? From Psalms 119:114 and Proverbs 18:10?
- Can you relate to any of David's hiding experiences?
- What do people hide from today?
- Like Adam, have you ever tried to hide from God?
- Where do we hide if we don't hide in God?
- What does it take to come out of our hiding places?
WORK Pray for the needs in your group. Encourage them to be open if they feel like they are hiding from something that this is a safe place to share. Tell the group that what is shared here is confidential. Has this lesson helped you? Please let us know! Email home group testimonies with this form! Then I pray to you, O LORD.
I say, "You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life. Psalms 142:5
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