David is Not Allowed to Build the Temple

David is Not Allowed to Build the Temple 

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week we talked about David moving God’s Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and how we can boldly worship God by following his instructions. Take some time to discuss how everyone applied this in their lives this week.  

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Connect  

  • How do you react when things don’t go according to plan? Why do you think this is your reaction? 
  • When someone makes you a promise, what factors affect your ability to trust they’ll keep their word? 
    • If you feel comfortable sharing, what in your life caused you to feel this way? 

Opening Thought 

People make plans every day, from what we want to do on the weekend or what shirt to wear or what do I want for dinner. Sometimes this plan-making isn’t really that big of a deal, but other times we can try to make our own plans for our life when God is trying to tell us something different. This can cause tension in our relationship with God and . Through this week’s story of David and his desire to build God a temple, we can see that God’s plans are not always the same as ours and that is a good thing.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week
We should rely on God’s vision for our lives more than our own plans 

The Story so Far 

David is now the second king over all of Israel and Judah, just like he was promised would happen by God. Now that David is king, he wanted to bring the ark of the covenant into the center of his capital city of Jerusalem so that the physical sign of God was once again at the center of the Israelite people. The journey to bring the Ark of the Covenant was more difficult than originally intended by David, but when it finally arrived David showed that he worships the Lord humbly and freely by dancing before the Ark as it came into the city. This was not only a sign to the people of Israel but to other nations that David follows God and God is with the people of Israel.  

Here’s where we are this week 

Now that David is king, he tells the prophet Nathan that he wants to build a temple so that the Ark of the Covenant, or the dwelling place of God, wasn’t just in a tent. At first, Nathan approves of the idea until God talks to him in a dream. God then instructs David not to build a temple, because God said he doesn’t need it. Instead, God will build a house (meaning a royal dynasty) from David’s offspring that will last forever.  

Unpack 

*Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

1 Chronicles 17:1-6 

1 Chronicles 17:7-15 

1 Chronicles 17:16-20 

Unpack  

  • Why do you think David wanted to build God a temple?  
    • Why didn’t God want David to build him a “house to dwell in”? What point do you think God was trying to make?  
  • What do you think God meant when he said he would build a house for David? 
    • Who do you think God was referring to?  
      • How does knowing Jesus was God’s ultimate plan of redemption help us trust God’s plans for our lives?  
      • How was this a better plan than David’s hope of building a temple? 
  • What was David’s response to Nathan’s vision from God?  
    • How do you normally react to God moving your life in a different direction than you planned to go? Why do you think that is? 
  • How often do you seek God’s will when you make plans in your life?  
    • How would this change your perspective on what to put your confidence in? What positive things have come out of God’s plan being different than your own? 

Read  

1 Chronicles 17:25-27 

1 Chronicles 22:5-13 

Unpack 

  • What do you think made David trust in God’s plan and promise to establish David’s dynasty? 
  • Why do you think that David made all the preparations for the temple if he trusted that God would keep his promise? 
    • Do you think God ever wanted a temple to be built, or do you think he simply made a concession for the people of Israel? 
    • If you feel comfortable sharing, when is a time that you have tried to take control of God’s plan for your life? What happened in that situation? 
      • What do you think would have happened if you hadn’t tried to intervene?

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • What steps will you take this week to be more confident you are following God’s plan? What is one situation in your life you will prayerfully seek God’s direction for this week? 
  • What is one way you will choose to let God work in your life this week, without getting in the way? 
  • How will we as a group support each other in our attempt to seek and trust God’s plan for our lives this week? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

When God shows us his direction for our lives, it can be difficult to trust and believe that his way is better than ours. We can see the needs and goals we have right in front of us, but God has a much fuller understanding of our needs and where he knows we should go in our lives. We should trust in God’s good plan for our lives and be faithful to follow it so we can dwell in the future he has for us.  

**Join us next week as we go through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

1 John 3:2 

“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-17 

Day 2: 2 Samuel 7:18-29 

Day 3: Isaiah 40:31 

Day 4: Proverbs 3:5 

Day 5: Philippians 1:6 

Day 6: Psalm 33:11 

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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