Click here for our sermon discussion questions or see them listed below. We highly encourage you to listen, think, and talk about the sermon. These are questions you can reflect on yourself, with your family, or with your small group. 

Discussion Questions

1. David sinned by taking a census of Israel.  Although the act of counting people is not inherently sinful, God’s anger was kindled against David probably because of his pride fueled need to know how “strong” he was. Under what circumstance can a healthy bank account or fully funded retirement plan actually be a “bad” thing?  What is it in your life that can be compared to David’s census?
2. After taking the census, David realized his mistake and confessed his sin before God.  In spite of David’s remorse and repentance, Israel was still punished severely. Why do you think God didn’t just forgive and forget? After all, isn’t God full of mercy and loving kindness?  What does Israel’s punishment (70,000 people died) say about how God views sin?  This being the case, what hope is there for sinful people?
3. In v.17, When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father's house.”   Why is it that David could not stand between God’s wrath and the people of Israel?  In other words, why couldn’t David (or any other human for that matter) take God’s wrath and punishment for sin in the place of another?  Why is it that Jesus alone can atone for the sins of ALL His people?
4. When David wanted to build an altar to the Lord near the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the king would not accept the plot of land as a gift from Araunah.  Instead, we read in v. 24 “But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.”  When you come to worship the Lord, what does it cost you?  What price is too high for you to pay to worship your Lord?