One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
… And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table. 2 SAMUEL 9: 1-7, 11-13 NLT
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 1 JOHN 3:17 ESV
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. MATTHEW 25:40 NIV
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. PROVERBS 21:13 NLT
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 PETER 3:9 NIV
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. ROMANS 15:7 NASB
If you’re in a group, we want to hear from you!
Take our quick group health survey at move.sc/groupsurvey
1. What is a unique gift you remember unwrapping as a kid and what made it so special to you?
2. Where do you fall in the struggle between worry about not having enough this Christmas season and/or guilt for having too much?
3. Read 1 Peter 3:9. Share a time when you did and did not follow this instruction.
4. How much do you struggle with blessing those who insult you? What are you afraid of losing in that moment? How might turning to blessing in your struggle change you?
5. Read 1 John 3:16-17. What is it about our generosity (or lack thereof) that makes it such a clear sign of God’s love being in us or not?
6. As you think about the people in your life, what do they need and what can you do to help take care of that need out of what God has already given you?
Take a few moments to become still and open your head and heart to God. When you’re ready, begin a conversation with God about your willingness to be a blessing to others, especially people close to you. Ask him some questions like, “Who is close to me that needs blessing? To what extent am I willing to be a blessing to them? How have my past actions expressed willingness? In what way might I be able please God by blessing them? What keeps me from being a blessing to them? Am I afraid of being vulnerable or not having enough?” Allow these questions to guide your conversation with God. Don’t just answer them, but use them as a way to engage with him. When you’re done, put a plan of action in place to be a blessing to the people that have come to mind during this time. Then, share what what has come up with someone close to you.