The True and Better David

Main Thought

David is one of the Bible’s great underdog stories. He was an overlooked shepherd boy, the youngest son in his family, when God chose and anointed him to become king of Israel. David trusted God enough to face Goliath with only a sling and a stone, and God used him to bring victory to His people. Over time, David became a national hero who united the kingdom. Yet David’s story also reminds us that even the strongest people can lose battles beneath the surface. David defeated giants on the battlefield, but struggled against hidden giants like greed and lust. He wounded himself, his family, and the kingdom he led after he allowed his desires to drive his decisions.

Even David needed a true and better King. In Psalm 110, David looked forward to someone greater than himself: “The LORD says to my lord…” Humanity’s deepest need would not be met by an earthly king, but by Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life; the greater Giant-Slayer who defeated sin and death; and, He is the perfect King. Everyone ultimately follows some “king” - whether it be our desire, pride, fear, approval, ambition for success, or Christ. When we allow Jesus to rule our hearts, He begins to reorder our desires in a way that blesses God, others, and ourselves. As King, Jesus leads us into true and better freedom and victory.

Main Passages

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

- 1 Samuel 16:7b

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”

- ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭48‬-‭50‬ ‭NIV

'The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”’ 

- Psalms 110:1-4 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. David defeated Goliath publicly, but struggled with hidden sin privately. Why do you think it’s often easier to confront visible problems than the deeper issues inside us?

2. In Psalm 110, David looks ahead to the coming of Jesus Christ. David describes Jesus as both a King and a Priest. In what ways does Jesus operate as a King? How does He operate as a Priest?

3. Like David, Jesus leads those who follow Him into freedom and victory. What does finding victory in Christ look like for you practically - or, what could it look like?

The True and Better Moses

Main Thought

Moses is viewed as one of the greatest leaders in the Old Testament. He was chosen by God to deliver His people from slavery. He served as a mediator between God and Israel, delivering the Law that maintained their relationship. Through Moses, God demonstrated His power, justice, and mercy in the Exodus. Yet even Moses - and the salvation he brought - fell short. The people were freed externally, but their hearts remained bound. Moses himself, though faithful in many ways, ultimately failed to fully trust and honor God.

This points us to a greater need. We need more than just deliverance from external circumstances. We need transformation from within. God promised someone like Moses would come one day: one who would truly complete what Moses began. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He was a perfect representative and an even greater deliverer. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus brought forth a better covenant - one based on both law and love. When we fix our thoughts on Jesus and listen to His voice, He leads us into true, lasting freedom.

Main Passages

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.’” 

- Exodus 6:6 NIV

“But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test.”
- Psalm 106:13-14 NIV

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
- Deuteronomy 18:15 NIV

'Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.'

- Hebrews 3:1-3 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus is described as the “true and better Moses.” What stands out to you about the things that Moses accomplished or what Jesus accomplished? Do you have any questions about these things?

2. The Exodus showed God’s power to deliver His people, yet Israel still struggled to trust Him afterward. Why do you think it’s possible to experience God’s work and still struggle with trust?

3. Hebrews calls us to “fix our thoughts on Jesus,” and Moses said to “listen to Him.” What does it practically look like for you to do those two things in your daily life?

The True and Better Adam

Main Thought

Can we trust what God has said? Humanity has wrestled with this question from the very beginning. In Genesis 3, the enemy attacked God’s Word to distort humanity’s view of God and relationship with Him. Trust in God faltered. Adam (and Eve) fell to temptation. They rejected God and tried to replace Him with lesser things. Adam’s failure brought sin, brokenness, and death into the world - not just for himself, but for all who came after him. 

God did not leave humanity in that condition. Jesus came as the “true and better” Adam to restore what was broken. Adam failed under temptation; Jesus remained faithful. Adam shifted blame; Jesus took it upon Himself. Through His perfect life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to be restored to God. In Christ, we can reverse the pattern that Adam initiated. We can trust God; love Him in response to His love for us; and, we follow Him as faith flows into action. Jesus made a way that leads to life in God.

Main Passages

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

- Genesis 3:6-7 ESV

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

- 1 Peter 2:22-24

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- Romans 5:18-21 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Adam and Eve replaced trust in God with trust in something else. What are some common “replacements” people turn to instead of God? Why do those things ultimately fall short?

3. Jesus resisted temptation and trusted the Father completely. What might it look like for you to trust God more deeply in an area where you’re currently being tempted or tested?