The Town Church / Fort Collins

In his continued plot to overthrow David, Absalom seeks out counsel from Ahithophel and Hushai. While many plans are made in the minds of these men, we are reminded that the purposes of the Lord will always stand in the end. 

This week, we examine the characteristics of the two central figures of this passage: Absalom and David. What can we observe about their character from the text, and what can we learn through them? Additionally, we learn what Jon's favorite condiment is (hint: it's not generally identified as a condiment)!

Conflict between rebellion and surrender are displayed in this passage through Absalom and David. Absalom's rebellion puts David in a challenging position, requiring a response from the king. How does David respond to his circumstances, and what can we learn through him? 

This week, we continue to examine the effects of sin on David and his family. How can we zoom out enough to see the long-term consequences of sin in our own lives? What does redemption and hope look like in situations that we may never understand? We recognize that the heaviness of these chapters may speak directly into your own story. If you find yourself in this position, our desire is to support you and connect you with resources as you walk through these things. 

Patterns of sin and its consequences continue in David's family, leading to grief, anger, and murder. The heaviness of these chapters points us to the hope we have in Christ-- hope of restoration, renewal, and the eternal weight of glory that is to come. 

David makes a series of destructive decisions, leading us to see God's discipline in David's life. How can we discern between discipline and trials? How do we see David respond throughout these chapters, and what can we learn from these responses? 

David, the king anointed and established by God, makes a series of decisions that are displeasing in the eyes of the Lord. Through David's sin, we see the Lord's loving discipline and His work of redemption in David's life. This passage opens our eyes to the reality of our own sin and points us toward the ultimate redemption accomplished through Christ! 

David is settling into his role as king and is pointing us forward to see glimpses of Jesus! How do you relate with Mephibosheth? How do the events related to Mephibosheth reveal the beauty of the gospel for our own lives? 

Now that God has established David's throne in Jerusalem, David's attention turns both outward in military battles as well as inward in caring for the remnant of Saul's family.Through it all, we see greater and greater glimpses and longings for the future coming King Jesus!

David desires to set up Jerusalem as the capital city as well as the worship city for the people of God. God has created us to worship him - and all of life points us to him. This week we discuss the seriousness of the worship of God.What stands in your way of worshiping God? What helps you as you continue to pursue the worship of God, and in what Olympic event is Betty competing?

All things in our lives are meant to point us back to the reality that we were created to worship the Creator. 2 Samuel 6-7 remind us that God desires to be worshipped fully and rightly, and His ultimate plan is His eternal worship. 

David's journey through 1 & 2 Samuel so far has been characterized by waiting. This week, we discuss the reality of waiting in the Christian life. How can we encourage others to wait faithfully? What are some pitfalls to avoid? How can we learn to see God at work in the waiting?

Since his anointing, David has sat in a long, messy season of waiting. In 2 Samuel 5, we finally see David step forward as king. How can we learn to wait well through David's example? 

This week, we explore what it looks like to live in the tension of knowing God is sovereign in a broken, sinful world. What are ways we see God's Word leveraged for our gain in our own culture? How do we stand firm on theological truths while still being sensitive to the needs of others? BONUS: Vince is back!

As sin and all the mess it creates is constantly being exposed, our hearts should be asking: what is God's relationship to the mess of sin? This question guides us through the heavy events of 2 Samuel 2-4. 

In this week's AfterWord, we enter into 2 Samuel by discussing relationships, forgiveness, and God's sovereignty. How have we seen God teach us through sin, pain, or relationships? How have we personally cultivated deep relationships? What has pursuing forgiveness looked like in our own lives? 

At the start of 2 Samuel, David learns of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, leading to mourning and lamentation. In these events, we see how God sovereignly uses all things to teach us and reveal more of Himself. 

This week, we examine how a perfectly holy God brings forth His judgement upon sin. Some questions were: What does engaging the lost look like in your life? How do you consider God's justice? Is there a difference between justice and fairness? What are ways you have personally seen the devastating effects of sin? 

In a heavy conclusion to the book of 1 Samuel, our view of God's faithfulness expands, allowing us to see the consistency of His character toward His children and His enemies. 

This week, another guest joins us as we consider God's faithfulness in 1 Samuel 29-30. Some questions for application: How has God's faithfulness shown up in unexpected ways in your life?How do you see God's faithfulness in your life right now? Which of the four subpoints (God's faithfulness in the unexpected, anguish, rejoicing, and in unconditional ways) stands out most to you?