REAL MEN
REAL MEN HAVE INTEGRITY
REAL MEN #5 – NATHAN
This is a complete lesson.
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What is
integrity?
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When have you
seen a lack of integrity?
V
Name some men you
know who have or did have integrity. In
what ways did they show it?
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In what ways will
being a man of God help a man be a man of integrity?
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What are some of
the things a man of integrity will care about?
Our study this week introduces us to Nathan, a man of
God who was also a man of integrity. He
showed that he was a man of God and a man of integrity by the things he cared
about. Here are four things that Nathan cared about that we should care about
as men of God and men of integrity.
HE CARED ENOUGH TO CORRECT HIMSELF
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
&
Have you ever spoken out, and then discovered
that you
had spoken out of
turn? Give us an example.
&
Why is it often difficult to go back and
correct what you
said?
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Nathan gave his blessing upon David building a
temple
for God. He
actually told David that God was with him.
Vss. 1-2
&
Why do you think Nathan answered David the way
he
did?
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Do we ever claim to know God’s will or act
like we do
when we don’t?
Give an example.
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Nathan discovered that he had spoken
incorrectly.
Vss. 3-14
&
What might have held Nathan back from going
and
telling David
the corrected message?
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Nathan corrected himself and gave David the
accurate
message from
God. Vs. 15
&
What does Nathan’s behavior teach us?
HE CARED ENOUGH TO CONFRONT SIN
2 Samuel 12:1-14
F
David's sins
concerning Bathsheba and Uriah are described in 2
Samuel 11.
F
Nathan confronted
David about his sin. What were the risks involved with confronting David? What are the risks involved when we confront
others with sin?
F
Why do you think
he used a story in Vss. 1-7
F
After David was
ready to take action against the man who stole the other man’s sheep, Nathan
nails David with the words, “Thou art the man” and exposes David’s sin.
Vss.
8-12
F
How do we know
when it is time to confront someone’s sin?
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How do we go about
confronting someone’s sin?
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren,
if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one
in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.
F
Nathan got good
results. David repented. Nathan
announces that the child will die. Vss. 13-14
F
Not everyone will
react to confrontation as well as David did.
What do we do when they don’t?
HE CARED ENOUGH TO COMFORT
2 Kings 12:24-25
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Although Nathan
was quick to confront David about sin, he was just as quick to bring God's
message of comfort.
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What might have
made Nathan reluctant to deliver this new message? Is it hard sometimes to “switch gears” and
bring comfort after bringing a rebuke?
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What must we
remember about forgiveness and mercy from God’s perspective?
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The nickname
given to Solomon means "Beloved of God". A man of integrity does not have a
one-dimensional message. He is to be an encourager as well as a preacher against
sin. Timothy was told to encourage as well as to reprove and to rebuke. 2
Timothy 4:2
HE CARED ENOUGH TO COOPERATE
1 Kings 1
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David was near
death, and one of Solomon's brothers planned to take the throne away from
Solomon. Vss. 5-7
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What mistake did
David make? Vs. 6
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What does verse 8
tell us about Nathan and the others mentioned in this verse?
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As the conspiracy
grew, what did the revolutionaries realize about Nathan and the others? How does this show Nathan’s integrity? Vss.
9-10
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Nathan establishes
a plan with Bathsheba. Why did they both
need to say the same thing? Why could Nathan carry out this sort of plan and
still maintain his integrity?
Vss.
13-14
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Nathan and
Bathsheba both told David about the plot to anoint a different king. Is it possible that this type of approach is
suitable in the church today? Vss. 15-27
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David had Solomon
anointed king. Vss. 28-40
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In what ways
should men of integrity cooperate with other believers today?