SESSION 13

The King Who Had It All

Starting well is easy. Finishing well is a lifelong project that many do not complete.
Introduction
Do you remember the childhood make-believe game called Three Wishes? This game involved making any three
wishes, big or small. I wish for a new bike. I wish I could walk through walls or fly like Superman! I wish I
could see my dad, who has been gone for so long.
When we were young, just three wishes could satisfy our childlike imagination. As time passed and we grew up,
we got smarter. Some of us figured out that we only really needed one wish answered. Do you remember what
that one wish was? I want an endless supply of wishes, of course!
A rare few kids, with time, would devote one of their wishes to solving world hunger or bringing world peace.
But honestly, most of us just asked for an infinite supply of wishes so we could make sure we got whatever we
wanted for the rest of our lives.
In chapter 13 of The Story God appears to the third king of Israel, Davids son Solomon. God actually tells him,
You can ask for anything from me and I will give it to you. What Solomon requests is an amazing example to all
of us.
Talk About It
If you were playing the wish game and could be given one super power that would enable you to help others,
what would it be?
Video Teaching Notes
As you watch the video segment for session 13, use the following outline to record anything that stands out to
you.
King Solomon wisely asks for wisdom
[Your Notes]
Solomon builds the temple
[Your Notes]
Solomons proverbial pot of lukewarm water
[Your Notes]
Solomons conclusion in the book of Ecclesiastes
[Your Notes]
Video Discussion
1. Our culture can be a little like the kettle and we can become the frogs plopped into the water if we are not
careful. Name some examples of dangerous and incremental changes happening around us that we can fail to
notice. What can we do to wake up, notice, and resist these changes?
[Your Response]
If Solomon was the wisest guy to ever live and he did
not notice when he became a frog in a kettle, what
makes us think we are too smart to do such a thing?
2. As David neared the end of his life, he gave a charge to his son Solomon (1 Kings 2:1 4; The Story, p. 176).
What were his specific exhortations and how do these words reflect what David had learned from his personal
choices in life?
[Your Response]
3. God appeared to Solomon in a dream and engaged him in the If you could have anything you want
conversation (1 Kings 3:5 14; The Story, pp. 176 177). What did Solomon ask for and what did he refrain
from asking for? What can we learn about prayer from this account in Solomons life?
[Your Response]
4. As Solomons wisdom grew, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write and collect wise sayings. According to
Proverbs 1:1 7 (The Story, p. 179), what is the purpose and value of the proverbs and why are they needed
just as much today as they were in ancient times?
[Your Response]
5. The Story (pp. 179 183) includes many examples of proverbs. Respond to one of the questions below about
this collection of wise sayings:
What do they teach us about fearing God?
What do they teach us about God-honoring relationships?
What do they teach us about how to handle our finances wisely?
What do they teach us about how we use our words?
[Your Response]
6. As the temple was dedicated, Solomon prayed and spoke to the people of Israel (1 Kings 8:22 61; The Story,
pp. 186 188). What do his words teach us about God? What does he ask for himself and for the people, and
how can his prayer inform the way we speak with God?
[Your Response]
7. After Solomons prayer and charge to the people, God spoke (1 Kings 9:1 9; The Story, pp. 188 189). What
promises did God give the people (If you do this I will do this)? How did these promises give both hope and
a sober awareness of their need to follow God closely?
[Your Response]
8. At the end of his life, the wise King Solomon did some very foolish things (1 Kings 11:1 13; The Story, pp.
191 192). What did he do and what were some of the consequences? How can we avoid finishing poorly?
[Your Response]
Is there some area of your life you would like your small group to pray for you to continue living wisely or to
redirect you so you can live and finish strong?
[Your Response]
9. Read movement 4 of The Story in the Getting Started section. How does God unfold his story in this fourth
movement and how does this connect with your story?
[Your Response]
How we live our lives matters.
Our prayer needs to be that we will not only start
strong but finish strong.
Closing Prayer
As you take time to pray, here are some ideas to get you started:
Ask God to help you grow in his wisdom more and more with each passing day.
Invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to any kettles of slow-boiling water that you might be in right now.
Pray for strength to hop out today!
Thank God for the wise people he has placed in your life and ask him to help you become someone who can
offer wisdom to the next generation.