Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What images come to mind when you hear the word “confession.”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Where was David supposed to be during the events of 2 Samuel 11:1? [David was supposed to be at war with his army, as it was the time when kings went to battle.]

David saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba bathing, and he slept with her. When he found out that she was pregnant, what was David’s initial plan to cover up his sin with Bathsheba? [David’s initial plan was to bring Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he would sleep with his wife Bathsheba, and the pregnancy would appear to be Uriah’s.]

Have you felt tempted to do something you knew was wrong? How did you handle the situation, and what did you learn from it?

What final plan did David implement to cover up his sin? [David sent a letter to Joab, the commander of the army, instructing him to place Uriah at the front line of the fiercest battle and then withdraw so that Uriah would be struck down and killed.]
- Imagine you are Nathan the prophet. How would you confront David about his actions in a way that leads him to true repentance and change?
- Reflect on a time when someone in your life made a mistake that hurt others. How was the situation handled? What could have been done differently to promote healing and forgiveness?

“Some argue that this is the beginning of the end of David. This event, this abuse of power, is where David’s decline was launched. There was bad decision after bad decision following this dalliance on the roof of the palace. The king, who is still held out as the pinnacle of the royal experiment, is revealed to be as human, as much of a sinner in need of redeeming as any of us” (from the preaching notes for July 28).
- What do we learn from David’s failures and mistakes?
- Do you have something you want to confess to God? How might we focus on confessing to God this week so we will not make the same mistakes?
- What action will you take this week to seek forgiveness for a past mistake or to help someone else find the courage to confess and make amends?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Pray the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Merciful God,
we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors,
and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Book of Worship, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/book-of-worship/a-service-of-word-and-table-i-and-introductions-to-the-other-forms.