A Life Well-Lived (Part 2)

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

The world constantly pressures us to acquire more possessions or attain higher positions. What if we changed our mindset, focused on what we had already been given, and focused on being responsible for them?

Last week, we were introduced to David’s life and his response to God’s calling. We learnt that a life well-lived isn’t measured by accomplishments but by alignment with God’s purposes.

This week, we evaluate David’s life as he “SHEPHERDED THEM”. Who is the THEM that David shepherded? How was he responsible for them?

DISCUSSION

A life well-lived doesn’t miss what’s missing but takes responsibility for what has been entrusted.

As a young boy, David shepherded sheep. As he grew up, he found himself shepherding men and later on the entire nation of Israel. This is the THEM referred to in the passage. David learnt to be responsible for sheep and people and in the process found favour with God as he proved himself to be faithful and humble.

  1. What are you currently responsible for in this season of your life? List them out in order of importance and/or urgency. (e.g. family; work; church; community)

    a.
    How faithful have you been in these areas of responsibility?

  2. Read 1 Samuel 17:19-40.

    a. From the passage, why did David decide to fight Goliath?

    b. Notice how the men of Israel, his brother Eliab, and King Saul responded to his decision. Fighting Goliath was not a necessary part of David’s formal duties. Why did he decide to fight anyway?

    c. How might the example of David shape the way you think about yourself (e.g. family; work; church; community)?

  3. Read 1 Samuel 22:1-5.

    a. Why do you think David decided to become a commander of the distressed, disenfranchised, and discontented men who came to him in the cave of Adullam?

    b. How did he balance the responsibilities entrusted to him by those around him (i.e. his family; the 400 men) and the responsibilities he felt he had towards God?

    c. How might the example of David shape the way you think about the people that God has placed around you in this season of your life (e.g. relatives; colleagues; church mates; neighbours; strangers)?

  4. Read Psalm 51, which David wrote after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan for his sin of adultery (and murder).

    a. What does the psalm tell you about David and the responsibility he took for his mistakes?

    (i) Look at the entire psalm and what he asks God to do.

    (ii) Pay attention to v13-19 and his promises of how he would respond to God’s actions.

    b. How might the example of David enrich your understanding and practice of repentance?

    i. Are there any sins you have made in the past that you feel a need to repent for? How might you take responsibility for it (e.g. Have you confessed before God? Have you talked to someone about it?)?

  5. Read 1 Chronicles 22:5-10. Even though David knew that God had promised the work of building His temple to his son, he decided to help with the preparations anyway.

    a. Why did David help, despite him being able to pass the baton on to the next generation? What was his responsibility?

    b. How can we be responsible and prepare for a future without us?

    (i) What might smoothly handing over look like (e.g. in your family; at work; in church; in your community)?
  1.  

WHAT WILL YOU DO

What is the one thing you have been given to shepherd over in the short term (till the end of 2025) and the long term (in the next 3-5 years)?

  • Name It
  • Thank God for It
  • Tend & Keep It (i.e. be responsible for it)

MEMORY VERSE

“I will look with favour on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.” – Psalm 101:6 (ESV)

An E1R1 REFLECTION

(From Matthew 20:1-19)

In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, God is portrayed as the very generous and welcoming vineyard owner. He was very fair (each worker was paid the wages that were agreed upon). But the workers hired at the start were not happy, thinking that they deserved more since they had worked longer hours in the hot sun.

As we serve with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord to reach out to those around us, we need to be mindful of our entitled attitudes. It is the prerogative of God to reward us as He wishes. It may or may not be linked to the “success” of our evangelistic efforts.

Instead, let us be faithful to do what He has called us to do.

Let us pray.