INTRODUCTION
We all emerge from childhood with a picture of how we want life to be. We dream about our future lives with our perfect families and perfect jobs. Yet, rarely does life go the way we anticipated. More often than not, our best-laid plans go awry. Things don't work out. And we're left with the temptation to take matters into our own hands and force our will on the situation? leaving God out of the picture. David, however, modeled a different approach in responding to his own set of broken dreams. An approach focused on surrendering control rather than taking control.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you do when your hopes and dreams are shattered? What do you do when you realize that there are losses from which it appears you cannot recover?
- Some people associate God's promises with their dream to have a successful occupation or successful marriage. What dreams do you associate with God's promises for you life?
- Read 2 Samuel 15. David has experienced a slew of broken dreams culminating in his own son's conspiracy to take over the kingdom from his father. David's dreams have become unraveled. If you were in David's shoes, how would you respond to all these broken dreams?
- Surprisingly, David yields the control of his life to God's hands. Similarly, Jesus would respond the same way as he lived out the script of his own life. What does it mean to "surrender your will" to God? Does that seem like a passive act or an active transfer of trust?
- In response to feeling the abandonment of broken dreams, what promises can we trust that God will fulfill that can assure us of his presence in our lives?
THINK ABOUT IT
Lots of people make the mistake of wrapping their faith in God around the fulfillment of their dreams. And in response to broken dreams, we can let our hurts and disappointment become a raging river of anger and distance us from God. Does surrendering our plans to God alleviate any of that pain? Is there any benefit to acknowledging God's control in our life?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Who is in control of your life? You? God? This week, try praying Jesus' own prayer: "Not my will, but your will be done."
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.
Luke 22:42