Icebreaker: Introduction time! First day of small group, everyone share your name and if you are comfortable doing so a little bit about yourself. Also, if you have been in small groups for a while share with the group how it has impacted your life.

If we are a Christ follower then our identity should be found in Jesus, not in our own abilities, accomplishments or failures. God loves us and desires to use us in our weakness. This Sunday King David was the example used to illustrate this but, DID YOU KNOW:

Moses stuttered. John Mark deserted Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. Solomon was too rich. Jesus was too poor. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a persecutor of the church. Moses was a murderer. Jonah ran from God's will. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did.

After reading how God used all of these people with problems just like ones we may have in our own lives, share a time that God used you in spite of or because of your perceived shortcomings?

King David’s example this past Sunday is probably one that we can relate to in that because of our own actions we found ourselves in hot water. We also see that as David tried to solve his problems on his own he only further imbedded himself in sin.

Why do you think initially King David was so reluctant to recognize his sin and repent?

1 Peter 5 | 6-7 NIV 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Can you share an experience in your life that in hindsight you clearly see that God had your back and that you just needed to repent and turn whatever it was you were dealing with over to Him?

God used a spiritual leader named Nathan to confront David with his sin. How does God use people in our lives to confront us with our sin?

Shameless Small Group Plug: Shameless Small Group Plug: “One can acquire anything in solitude except character”

Only after David was confronted by someone he trusted do we see his plea to the Lord in Psalm 38:4-18. We can probably all relate to how David was feeling here. Coming to terms with our sin is painful. The encouraging part is that on the other side of repentance is forgiveness.

Take a moment to share your favorite verses about Gods forgiveness.

Our Big Idea this week was if we are in love with Him, if we hunger for Him, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, what we have done, or the fact that we are not perfect! So, it’s easy to give examples of how we’re not perfect and we know that God will forgive us if we repent of our sins, but what about the first part of the Big Idea.

What does it mean to Love God?

What does it mean to Hunger for Him?

Whats your Next Step: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name ;you are mine. You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43: 2, 4)

We limit God’s potential in us when we feel we have nothing to offer or that we are not worthy of His love. Ask yourself this question “If our sovereign God forgets my sin upon repentance, who am I to hang onto it, only to limit His ability to do great things through me?” Ask God to forgive you of the sin in your life and walk in the victory that is His forgiveness. In your newfound boldness talk with the leaders of our church community about practical ways that you can live up to the potential that God has created in you.