Monthly Archives: December 2025

The Many Faces of Grief

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A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 2 Samuel 18:33–19:8

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

Grief can sometimes feel like a living organism. It can be so all consuming that it overwhelms a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. It has its own voice, its own rhythm, and its own presence. It manifests itself in facets, affecting behaviors and movements in life. It even holds the power to affect relationships. It wears many faces.

Understanding grief, managing grief, and healing from grief require much. Part of the process includes sensitivity, patience, time, prayer, and intentionality. Further, it might require help. The beneficial source of aid might come by way of counseling or therapy. Ultimately, however, it is the Higher Source – GOD – who can assist best.

1) Who was David grieving?

2) How did David demonstrate his grief?

3) Why was David’s grief so impactful?

4) Who was affected by David’s display of grief?

5) What person spoke to David regarding his grief, and what did he say?

6) How did David respond after he was confronted?

7) What lesson can be learned from studying David and his process of grieving?

Reflective Thinking: Facets of David’s Grief

Create a comparative timeline of David’s 4 major losses: Saul, Jonathan, his infant son, and Absalom. Take notes on how his grieving process evolved. Notice how he was affected by each. Describe how he moved beyond each loss.

The Phone Tree Bible Study Group’s study of 2 Samuel will resume on January 4, 2026.

Artwork Credit: Käthe Kollwitz | Photo Credit: Woman’s Day

A Study on the Books of Samuel: 2 Samuel 13-19

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Over the next three weeks,

  • Pray that GOD would speak life into your troubled heart. Ask that He would help you to live alive, being fully surrendered to His determined will. Draw fully from His peace, fully from His strength and fully from His goodness. Seek His counsel in all things. Request that He would liberate you from your burdens, woes, shame, guilt, unrest, and sin. Look to Him as the forgiving Redeemer that He is.

  • Read 2 Samuel 13-19.
  • Take notes on the following:
    • Tamar
    • Amnon and His Disgraceful Deed
    • Absalom: Son, Brother, Plotter
    • The Murder of Amnon
    • David’s Troubled Heart
    • Absalom Flees to Talmai of Geshur
    • The Machinations of Joab
    • The Woman of Tekoa
    • Absalom’s Return Home to Jerusalem
    • Joab’s Field
    • Absalom Bows to the King
    • Absalom in Hebron
    • David Escapes from Jerusalem
    • Ziba, Servant of Mephibosheth
    • Shimei Curses David & Throws Stones
    • The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
    • Hushai Warns David
    • The Woman, the Well, & the Covering
    • The Death of Ahithophel
    • The Hospitality of Shobi, Machir, & Barzillai
    • Absalom’s Defeat and Death
    • David’s Response to Absalom’s Death
    • David’s Return to Jerusalem
    • Mercy Shown (David Shows Mercy to Shimei)
    • David and Mephibosheth
    • Kindness Shown to Barzillai
    • The Quarrel About the King
  • Make a plan to select your ONE WORD for 2026. Consider all of the wisdom lessons you have learned from the study on the books of Samuel thus far, then set your mind on a positive declaration for your life.
  • Look for A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article later this week.
  • Enjoy the holiday break.

The Phone Tree Bible Study Group’s study of 2 Samuel will resume on January 4, 2026.

Messy Entanglements & the Progression of Sin

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A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 2 Samuel 11-12

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

How easy is it to fall into messy entanglements and sinful relationships?

When the head and the heart are far from GOD, it becomes incredibly easy to get caught up, wrapped up, and entangled. Thus, it leads to a veering off course and a venturing into that which is sinful.

What might entanglement and progressive sin look like in one’s life?

  • Tainted Vision (Lust and Coveting) -> When seeing something leads to lusting and longing for that which is not yours
  • Blurred Lines (Immortality and Ungodly Choices) – > When moral corruption and comfortable deception lead to excuses, fallacies, and justifications that are without merit
  • Desire and Temptation Played Out (Selfish Enticement and Slippery Slopes) – > When hidden urges and internal weakness lead to “straddling of the fence,” with one foot operating in a “righteous” stance and one foot operating in sin
  • Dark Intentions (Unholy Heart Void and Spiritual Emptiness) – > When a lack of holiness and GOD’s divine presence in one’s life lead to darkness, aimlessness, untruths, unrest, and/or sorrow
  • Separation (Disconnection) – > When the severed relationship with GOD leads to suffering

1) What is the sequence of events concerning David and Bathsheba?

2) How does the concept of lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life apply to David?

3) As king, where should David have been, according to 2 Samuel 11:1?

4) Did David commit the sin of coveting? What did God say about this particular sin?

5) What choices did David make that showed that his heart was not focused on GOD? In contrast, what choices did David make that showed his heart was focused on GOD?

6) What was the result of David’s sinful actions?

7) Who confronted David about the wrongs he did?

8) What message did GOD send to David through his prophet?

9) What confession did David make before Nathan the Prophet?

10) Did David repent?

11) Did GOD forgive David?

12) How did David’s choices affect his legacy?

Lesson Expansion: What do the OLD and NEW Testaments say about the sin of coveting?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

A Study on the Books of Samuel: 2 Samuel 10-12

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This week,

  • Pray that the LORD would grant you the strength that is needed to make difficult decisions. Ask Him to touch your heart and your mouth, so that only righteousness comes forth from both.
  • Read 2 Samuel 10-12.
  • Take notes on the following:
    • David’s Gesture of Kindness Toward Hanun
    • The Princes of the People of Ammon
    • Acts Against David’s Servants
    • The Ammonites and Syrians Defeated
    • Joab
    • David, Bathsheba, and Uriah
    • Nathan’s Parable
    • The Confession of David
    • The Life and Death of David’s First Son with Bathsheba
    • David’s Plea and Demonstrations Before GOD
    • David and Bathsheba’s Second Son
    • Rabbah
  • Delve deeper into the significance of David’s showing in Jerusalem, comparing his 2 Samuel 11 status and his 2 Samuel 12 status. Consider his heart and his motivations. Notice any similarities or differences, with regard to his attitude or intentions.
  • Look for A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article later this week.

How Quickly the Tides Turn: When Relationships Suffer an About-Face

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A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment: 1 Samuel 18:20-19:18 and 2 Samuel 6:16-23

Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

There are special moments in our lives when we are blessed and fortunate enough to enter into meaningful relationships with other people. It is during those times, when all is well, that we can confidently place our trust in, give our loyalty to, and/or commit our hearts to those we deem as significant. However, sometimes, when life happens, the once upon a time story of harmony and unity no longer exists and the tumultuous waves of discontent negatively impact those once stable relationships, creating havoc, chaos, disorder, and disconnect. Feelings and emotions may soon sour, causing the love that once was to vanish.

When relationships unexpectedly change course (for whatever reason), we should consider the reason, the lesson, and the heart of the matter. Furthermore, we should pray to GOD, asking Him for discernment, understanding, and guidance.

Bible Study Questions to Consider:

1) When is Michal initially introduced in 1 Samuel, and what is made known about her heart towards David?

2) What are Scriptural evidences of Michal’s attempts to aid David?

3) Is Michal ever confronted about her actions to help David? If so, by whom and what was said?

4) What is the difference between Michal’s presentation in 1 Samuel versus 2 Samuel?

5) What ultimately happened to Michal and David’s relationship, according to the Bible?

6) What were David’s final words to Michal?

7) What was the difference between Michal’s heart response/words and David’s heart response/words?

Meditative Scripture:

Photo Credit: Shutterstock, Shofar Durbanville