Session 2 1 Kings 8:46-60

IN EXILE (1 KINGS 8:46-48)

listen for how God’s discipline moved the people toward repentance.

46 When they sin against you — for there is no one who does not sin —
and you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy,
and their captors deport them to the enemy’s country — whether distant or nearby —
47 and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported
and repent and petition you in their captors’ land:
“We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,”
48 and when they return to you with all their heart and all their soul
in the land of their enemies who took them captive,
and when they pray to you in the direction of their land
that you gave their ancestors, the city you have chosen,
and the temple I have built for your name,

Connect:

Solomon knew that the people’s disobedience would result
in God handing them over to their enemies.
The people would find themselves physically separated from their homes
and also spiritually separated from God.

Ask:

• What types of discipline does God use to draw His children to repentance?
• physical and spiritual

Examine:

Discuss the progression
from sin to discipline to repentance

When sin

• God is angry
• handed over to enemy
• deported

When come to senses

• repent
• petition: “We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,”
• return with all heart and soul

Search:

Point out that repenting is not just feeling sorry for what we have done,
but it also includes turning away from sin and turning toward God.

Discuss:

• How could the instructions to repent and return have helped produce hope for those exiled in a foreign land?

Transition:

When God’s discipline happens in our lives,
it should lead us to repentance.