Bible Study Notes for 2 Samuel 9:1-13

The King’s Table
2 Samuel 9:1-13

QUESTION: Has anyone come from a church background where communion (the Lord’s Table) was a negative experience instead of a positive one? Why did it make you feel this way?

In the sermon on Sunday, Curtis explained how king David brought a crippled man named Mephibosheth, who happened to be the decedent of his enemy (King Saul), to be permanently seated at his table as one of his sons. The picture we see within this story is a man who has nothing of value to bring to the king being treated like the royal family. All of his offensive background and his mangled body were not taken into consideration when brought to the table. He is worthy of being there because the king commanded it.

1Cor. 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
1Cor. 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
1Cor. 1:29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

When you consider your place at the Father’s table, we should look to Paul’s observation and conclude that God did not bring me into his family because I had great power to offer the taking, but I had none. His power would be known in our weakness.

QUESTION: Does anyone here ever struggle to view God as we do other earthly relationships? Relationships built upon one’s worth and mutual trust?

God gave the church two signs to participate in the gathered family, baptism and communion. Both of these signs point to what we have received in Christ. Baptism points us to the cleansing and new life we have in Christ. Communion reminds us of the price that had to be paid in order to set us free from the consequences of our status as sinners. Neither of these signs points to our strength or ability, but to God’s power alone. We are to be in constant remembrance of what Christ has done for us on our behalf and not what we bring to this salvation.

Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph. 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
Eph. 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph. 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Eph. 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved—

We didn’t transfer from a lost child who simply needed directions home, but from rebellious enemy, dead in our sins, to alive in Christ by the power of God’s grace alone. Every time we sit at the table of God, Paul reminds us that we were not chosen based upon the outcome of our lives, for we were his enemy. We were not chosen because of the change of mind, for we were dead. They were chosen “by grace.” Grace is to receive what one does not deserve. Every time we remember our baptism or come to the table, it is a reminder once again that we are thereby grace and grace alone.

QUESTION: Why do you think we need to be reminded of God’s grace at the table week after week?


QUESTION: What do you think will happen if we stop focusing on grace? Where do you think our hearts will naturally turn?


QUESTION: How has taking communion weekly helped encourage your faith?


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PRAISE, PRAYER, AND CONFESSION:
What can you offer to the Father in praise?
What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?