God Has a Greater Plan | 2 Samuel 7:1-17
I C E B R E A K E R
What is something you planned that turned out completely differently than you expected, but ultimately worked out for the better?
OR
If you could know exactly how one area of your life would turn out, what would you want to know, and why?
S M A L L G R O U P W E E K 5 V I D E O ( 4 : 4 6 )
Watch this week’s small group video by visiting the Fairhaven app – Make Way tab. Before beginning the rest of your discussion, take time as a group to respond to the question in the video.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
We naturally desire to make plans for our lives, often with good intentions and maybe even a desire to honor God. But what happens when God’s plans look different from our own? In 2 Samuel 7, David desires to build a house for God, only to discover that God has something far greater in mind. David’s story reminds us that our relationship with God isn’t measured by what we accomplish for Him, but by our willingness to actively surrender, trust His promises, and faithfully follow His leading. God doesn’t depend on us to accomplish His will, but He does invite us to be part of the story through faithful obedience!
What stood out to you most from this week’s message?
I N T O T H E W O R D
Read 2 Samuel 7:1–7 and Proverbs 19:21.
How can we recognize when we’re pursuing our own good intentions rather than following God’s direction? What makes it difficult to surrender a plan or expectation, especially when we believe it’s something God would want?
Read 2 Samuel 7:8–9, Deuteronomy 7:7–9, and Titus 3:4–7.
How do these passages challenge the tendency to measure our relationship with God by what we accomplish or do for Him? What difference would it make in your daily life to recognize that God was at work long before you desired to do anything for Him?
Read Psalm 37:3–5 and 1 Corinthians 3:6–7.
Where do you see the difference between being responsible for your faithfulness and trying to control the results? How might trusting God with the outcome change the way you approach a current responsibility, relationship, or uncertainty?
Read 2 Samuel 7:11–16, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and Hebrews 10:23.
Take some time as a group to share ways that God has shown His faithfulness to you over the last decade – even if the outcomes were different than you originally hoped or planned for. How does remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthen our confidence in His promises for the future? What does it look like to allow God’s promises, rather than our circumstances or fears, to guide our decisions?
Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29, 1 Chronicles 22:5–10, and Ephesians 3:20–21.
What can we learn from David’s responses to God’s plan? How can these passages challenge the way we think about success, significance, and lasting impact?
E M B R A C E A N D E M B O D Y
David began with a desire to do something great for God but discovered that God’s plan was greater than anything he could accomplish. His story reminds us that making way for God isn’t about proving our devotion through achievements or controlling what happens next. It’s about responding to His faithfulness with trust and obedience, confident that He is working beyond what we can see.
Create space for the group to reflect on and share the following:
• What outcome(s) are you trying to carry today?
• What would it look like to surrender the outcome(s) to God while continuing to take your next right step of obedience?
P R A Y E R P R O M P T
Invite group members to spend a few moments quietly reflecting on the previous questions. Then close by praying together, thanking God for His faithfulness and the promises we have through Jesus. Ask Him to help each person recognize their responsibility to obey while trusting Him with the results. Pray that, as Fairhaven continues to make way, God would work in and through our collective faithfulness so more people can experience the hope of Jesus.
This Week’s Next Right Step — Worship God:
Take time this week to make a list of plans that you have made in various areas of your life – spiritual, family, work, recreation – and then in an active of worship, choose to surrender these plans to the LORD. If you aren’t sure what to say, you can simply pray, “Father, I surrender these plans to You. Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Then post the list somewhere you will see it – your Bible, your vehicle, on your fridge, etc. – and when you’re reminded of your list, resolve to keep trusting Him.
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
• Commitment Sunday is November 15 during normal worship services at your campus. We hope to see you there!
• Check out the Make Way tab in the Fairhaven app to access helpful resources including prayer guides, reflection questions, the weekly Participant Guide (like this one) based on the sermon, and small group videos.
