Seductive Lures Setting the Stage Read Is there a person in the Old Testament better known or celebrated that David? He is famous for his epic battle with the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). His reign as Israel's second king erased the shame of Saul and set the foundation for the nation's golden years. The scriptures say that David's heart was perfect before the Lord (1 King 15:3). All of David's accomplishments make it difficult to relate that picture of David with the one in this Passage. This story presents David as an adulterer and murderer. Adultery and Murder are the obvious sins in this Scripture passage. They are so prominent that, as we read this story, we can condemn David's behavior and assure ourselves that we would never do such things. On a closer inspection, we may discover other more subtle temptations that do challenge us. For example, David seeks to cover up the wrong he has done. This is a common behavior. But, David is the king and thus hold the power of life and death over his subjects. Ultimate power is very seductive and often corrupts even the best leaders( Moses, Numbers 20:2-13; Samson, Judges 16:1-20). If we read carefully and honestly, the story of David and Bathsheba can be not just about some other people who "messed up," but about the struggles we all have to go thru to do what is right. Road Work, Trek & Journey: Needed: one bold marker Name some things that can not be put back or undone. Examples: When you squeeze to much tooth past from the tube; When a sky diver jumps from a plane; When you burn toast; When you do something you shouldn't. Write each one on a separate sheet of paper with a bold marker. Have at least six. Tell the Story Road Work, Trek and Journey: Needed: copy of 2 Samuel 11:1-12:7, 6 plastic cups with a wad of paper in each Ask one youth to be David, and have him or her sir on the floor. Divide this long story into its major scenes and invite four other youth to each read one part. ·Scene One - David and Bathsheba (2 Samule 11:1-5) ·Scene Two - David and Uriah (2 Samule 11:6-13) ·Scene Three - David and Joab (2 Samule 11:14-27) ·Scene Four - David and Nathan (2 Samule 12:1-7) As the story is read, ask the youth to listen for times when David makes a mistake and tries to cover it up. When they hear a cover-up, have them go to the person playing David and give them one cup with a wad of paper in it to hold. Keep adding cups as the story progresses. At the end of the story, when Nathan says, "You are the man," help David put the cups down. Ask the person who was David how it felt holding the cups and how it felt to put the cups down.  Reacting to the Story Road Work and Trek: Needed: Sheets from the - things that can not be put back or undone - "Setting the Stage" exercise, more sheets of paper, one bold marker  Have the youth arrange at least six sheets from the "Setting the Stage" exercise into a pyramid, three on the bottom, then two and one on top with the top one being the worst that could happen. Next, invite the youth to call out the "Mistakes David Made" mentioned in this story. Try to come up with at least six. If you name more list these as well. Then ask the youth to decide which mistakes were most serious and which were the least serious. Arrange a pyramid like the other.    Journey: Needed: index cards, pencils Explain to the youth that in this story, four major characters come into contact with King David: Bathsheba, Uriah, Joab, and Nathan. Divide into four groups. Ask the youth to think about how David's actions hurt their individual character. Write these statements on a card to share with the whole group after each has had a chance to come up with some answers.  Say: One mistake led to another. One cover-up led to another. Pretty soon, David's actions were out of control. How did David hurt these people? After each has shared ask; How did David hurt himself? Connecting to the Story Road Work: Play the Game: "Stomping out Mistakes" Divide into teams. You have four colors of balloons, so, if needed make four teams. Have the youth blow up their teams balloons and tie them. Sponsors blow up the two pink and white balloons. Gather all the balloons at one end of the room and have the youth begin at the other. The teams try to "stomp out mistakes" by popping the other teams balloons (no hands) while trying to kick their own balloons to safety. A safe balloon is one in the air. They may not stomp on a white or a pink balloon. If they do they must freeze in one spot and become an obstacle until the end of the game.  After nearly all the balloons have been popped call a stop to the stomping. The team with the most balloons left is the winner. When the game is completed have the youth gather all the balloon pieces and place them in the center of a table. Place and pink and white balloons on the table as well. Ask; Why did David make bad choices? After a brief discussion ask; How do the pieces of these balloons represent bad choices? We are just trying to make them think, no right or wrong answers.    Trek: Needed: pencils, sheets of paper, "Mistakes David Made" pyramid sheets, one bold marker  Refer to the pyramid of "Mistakes David Made" from the previous activity. Have the youth create a list of alternatives - things David could have done that would have changed the out come of the situation. Form three groups. Give each group two mistake. Write on the "mistakes" pages your alternatives. Then come back together as a large group and share your answers. Build another blank pyramid of six on the floor. This one is "Why David made Bad Choices" Work as a large group to come up with answers for these six blocks.  Journey: Invite the youth to play "You are the Counselor." form pairs and ask one youth to be David and the other to be a counselor. The counselor should ask questions that allow David to explain his actions, motivations, regrets and so on. After a few moments, have the pair switch roles. Allow a few minutes for the pairs to talk. Then talk together as a large group about this experience, using these questions to get them started: ·What happened when you tried to talk about this? ·Was it easier to play the part of David or the part of the counselor? ·How was Nathan like a counselor for David? ·How was Nathan not like a counselor for David? Living the Story Play the Game: "Blowing Away Bad Choices" This game is a rely. Divide into two teams and give each team mate a balloon. Have the teams blow up their balloons and just hold the air in with out tying them. The object is to be the first team to get from one side of the room to the other. Here's the hard part. At "GO" the first team member from each team releases their balloon. The point at which it stops is where team mate number two starts and so on until one team makes it across the floor. If needed, the teams continue blowing up their balloon and taking turns until the game is completed. Gather together by placing the balloons in the center of the table again. Ask how the balloons relate to bad choices. Some answers could be as follows: ·They are always a"ROUND." ·When you use one you don't always know where you will end up. ·Letting the air out doesn't mean it can't be blown up again. Living the Story Trek & Journey: Close the session by asking for volunteers to share times in their lives that they have made bad choices. After a few have shared, discuss the following questions: What choices did David make that might not be considered bad in his day? What about today's standards? What was the role of women in the time of King David? How is that different from today. Have you ever had such strong emotions that you found it hard to control your actions? Was Bathsheba to blame for anything in this 2 Samuel story? Would she be to blame for anything, if this story happened in today's world. Was King David Seduced by Bathsheba? Why did God let such a good King make mistakes and poor choices in his life? Prayer  Road Work, Trek & Journey: Gather together in your Journey Groups. Form a circle and explain that David's response to his affair with Bathsheba is recorded in Psalm 51. We are going to use part of that prayer today as we leave our Journey Groups. Ask the youth to take a few moments and silently recall times in their lives they have made mistakes and times they know they will be tempted to make bad choices.  After a few moments share a cleansing experience, done like "passing the peace." The leader starts by turning to the person on their right and places his or her hands around that persons hands. The leader says; "Create in me a clean heart, O God" and the receiver responds; "and put a new and right spirit within me." Pass this prayer around then come together as a large group for dismissal.