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This lesson studies the lives of Saul and David. After reading the two stories, note the following similarities. Each was a king who was chosen by God and who knew the commandments of God. Each king had a personal relationship with God. Saul had received a specific order from God while David had the Ten Commandments to follow. Each king was disobedient. Each repented. Why was Saul’s repentance rejected while David’s was accepted? What was the difference? What type of repentance does God desire? Note that even though God accepted David’s repentance, God did not remove the consequences of David’s sin.
While studying this lesson, the Christian should be guided into thinking of various times that she might disobey God, repent and be forgiven, and yet the consequences remain. Some examples would include: gossip or slander, sexual sin, child abuse, substance abuse, lying, etc. Attitudes that result in actions such as envy or jealousy, anger, resentment, etc. should also explore. The Christian have a desire to apply this lesson to her own everyday life.
Repentance is essential to a relationship with God. In the Old Testament story of Saul, God removed His spirit when Saul refused to accept responsibility for his actions and repent.
David repented and asked that God not take His Spirit away. (Psalm 51:11) David would have been aware of what had happened to Saul. Jesus included confession and asking for forgiveness in His model prayer. (Matthew 6:12) He told parables that emphasized the need for repentance and the rejoicing that occurs in heaven when someone repents. Even though a Christian’s sins have been forgiven and she has assurance of salvation, 1 John 1:9 seems to indicate that God still expects ongoing repentance from each Christian.
Repentance restores the Christian to fellowship with God. Repentance does not remove the physical consequences of disobedience. David’s son died. The prodigal son’s inheritance was gone.
Through the use of case studies, the Christian begins to understand that God wants each person to accept responsibility for her actions and to repent. The case studies illustrate the consequences of disobedience. They also illustrate the desire of each person to have God’s Spirit within. God rejoices when one of His children repents. As a result of having studied these lessons, the Christian will recognize her disobedience and will confess it to God without offering excuses.
Some of the questions in these lesson assume that the Christian understands sin as being disobedient to God in thoughts, attitudes or actions. Sin should not be understood to be simply breaking one of a list of cultural rules.
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