Instead of posting my sermon notes today, I decided to post our small group discussion guide.  It gives a good picture of the story and how to apply to your everyday life.

PROMISEGROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE: WEEK OF MAY 19 – Honorology – Bringing Honor Back!

What part of our society is missing honor the most?

David was a man of great honor.  He honored the man of God, Saul even when Saul hunted David to destroy him.  He told his men to never touch Saul.

But David lost his honor when we found comfort in the palace.  He found himself lost in the maze of adultery.  Sin had crept into David’s life and when that happened, honor was the first to leave.  When he found out that his lover, Bathsheba, was pregnant, he sent for her husband Uriah.  Ironically, it would be Uriah that brought honor back to the palace.

2 Samuel 11:6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. 8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.  10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?  11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.  12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.  13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.   14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.   15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

What part of that story is most upsetting to you?

Where all does dishonor show up in that passage? 

What characteristics does Uriah display in this story? How does he honor his God and his country?

What pleasures did he sacrifice to display this honor?  

What ultimately happened to Uriah because of his honor? 

Because of Uriah’s integrity, honor was brought back to David. His sin was revealed and purity/honor returned to the Kingdom.

Compare the act of Uriah and his act of integrity and honor with the life and work of Jesus Christ.

How does Jesus’ submission to man (disciples and Romans) pave the way for righteousness to return to Earth?

How does our honor or lack of honor display our heart? Explain.

How do we bring honor back to the society where we live?

How can we mirror Uriah and Jesus in modern times?

Is there anyone in your life right now that you need to show your honor to? 

How can we pray with you today  for any of these questions/topics of honor?