Breaking Ground
Who was your first crush? How old were you & what do you remember about it?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our new series In Excess by exploring the topic of excessiveness when it comes to sex through a scene from King David’s life.
For many, sex is a topic that’s loaded with charged emotions. With that in mind, take a moment to acknowledge this reality & the sensitive nature of this topic.
Next, reflect on what everyone is bringing into this conversation.
How were you taught to think about sex growing up, especially as it related to God & religion? Was it considered taboo or discussed openly? Was it viewed positively or negatively? How did this impact your relationship with sex as you grew up?
Where do you see excess when it comes to sex in our culture? How does this impact people’s relationship with it? Have you ever struggled with this yourself?
In your opinion today, how would you define a healthy understanding of sex? What distinguishes between healthy & unhealthy attitudes & behaviors when it comes to sex?
Next, read 2 Samuel 11:1-5. This story marks a turning point for King David’s reign. His unilateral pursuit of & affair with Bathsheba begins a spiral downward that changes the course of his life.
How would you describe David’s pursuit of Bathsheba in this scene? What language does the author use to describe it? Is there warmth or love? What power dynamics are at play?
Central to this scene is the concept of objectification. That is, when looking at Bathsheba, David sees her as an object of sexual gratification for him to see, take, & use; not as a complex human with her own desires & needs.
How does objectification impact our understanding of sex, its pursuit, & how we treat other people? How might this lead us to pursue an unhealthy, excessive pursuit of sex? Have you ever struggled with objectification in your own life?
Based upon your discussion, what does a healthy, non-objectifying vision of sex look like in the Christian life?
Coming Out of the Hole
Take time to reflect on the Sunday sermon & how this week’s teaching might speak into your daily life.
- Read 2 Samuel 11:1-5. Consider this scene & the image of sex that resides at the heart of it. What toxic understandings, attitudes, & behaviors concerning sex does it depict? Where do you see these mirrored in our world today?
- Have you ever struggled with excess or objectification when it comes to sex or sexuality? How has this impacted you & your relationship with others?
- How might David’s story & this Lenten season challenge you to reorient your relationship with sex in this next season?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, March 10th: Join us next Sunday for week 4 of our series In Excess, where we’ll be exploring several key moments from the life of King David!
* Please see mye3.org for details.