Dear families,

Why is it that we can be so quick to see the sins of others, but have such a hard time seeing our own? In 2 Samuel 12, after David had grievously sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, and ultimately the Lord, he was confronted by Nathan and forced to see the disgust of his own failure.

Nathan came to David with a word from the Lord intended to help him see the significance of his own sin, but David’s response suggests that he wished judgment on another for the very same thing he had done himself.

David’s sin had snowballed as he tried to cover it up. Ultimately, David’s sin escalated to the point of murder. David quickly moved on to the next phase of his cover-up operation and seemed to have satisfactorily dealt with his failure, keeping the circle of those who knew the truth as small as possible. But Nathan was able to confront David in his sin. Nathan helped David see the sickness of his own heart and actions, and he shared with David what he could expect as a consequence of his sin.

David needed what each of us needs as well: someone else to help us walk with the Lord and show us what we are sometimes unwilling to see about ourselves. What Nathan did for David was painful but powerful. Nathan helped David see sin in his life that needed to be dealt with.

Who in your life has the Lord used or could the Lord use to help you see the dark places in you that no one else knows? Who in your life that the Lord might use to help bring about true repentance?

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” Iron is sharpened by one surface rubbing against another so that the imperfections can be broken away. As we follow Jesus, we need one another to walk in the light and find forgiveness in the Lord.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

Babies & Toddlers: God forgives our sin when we trust in Jesus.
Younger Preschool: When we sin, God forgives us because Jesus took the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross.
Older Preschool: God hates sin because it dishonors Him and hurts us and other people. When we sin, God forgives us because Jesus took the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross. Jesus changes our heart so that we no longer want to sin.
Kids: When David repented of his sin, God forgave him, but sin always comes with a price. God spared David’s life, but David’s son died. When we sin, we deserve death. But we can receive God’s forgiveness because God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

Younger Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.
Older Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.
Kids: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

Babies & Toddlers: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7
Younger Preschool: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7
Older Preschool: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
Kids: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

** Next week: God Is Good to Give Grace (Psalm 51)