Living the Psalms
01. Psalms of Adoration
June 17, 2018
The psalms teach us how to respond to life and connect our daily experience to God. As we begin a short series on the psalms, we start with the foundation behind them all: adoration of God. David teaches us to adore God in his greatness and his goodness, pointing us ultimately towards Jesus. True Christianity leads us to adore God for who he is in himself, and set our gaze on him as we live our life. Application Questions 1. Is adoration of God a normal thing for you? What is your experience like? 2. How might the greatness of God draw out adoration? How might the goodness of God draw out adoration? 3. How can you do more to see the beauty of God in your daily life so that you can find yourself adoring him more?
02. Psalms of Confession
June 24, 2018
We often think of confession as something to be either avoided or endured. We don't want to think of ourselves as being “that bad.” But when we confess our sins to God, we acknowledge the truth of our imperfection and the holiness of God. In doing so, it draws us deeper into Him and frees us to live more authentic lives. Application Questions 1. What comes to mind when you hear the word“confession” ? How do you react to the idea of having to do it? 2. Do you have an accurate picture of the holiness of God and depths of your sin? 3. How can you use eager and joyful confession as you remember the gospel to draw nearer to God?
03. Psalms of Salvation
July 1, 2018
What do we do when we need rescue? We bounce back and forth between feelings of confident joy as saved people, and treacherous despair when darkness surrounds us. By showing us what it means to live as saved people and as people who need saving, Psalm 40 teaches us how to live our life as people who are continuously being saved by God. Application Questions 1. How often do you retell the story of your salvation, to yourself and to others? How does David's recollection of his deliverance shape the way that you think of your own? 2. In what ways does David's response to his salvation, both inwardly and outwardly, inform and correct the way you have responded to your own salvation? 3. How is your response to times of distress similar or different from David's response in Psalm 40? How does David's response change the way you think about your own? 4. In what ways have you tried to help another person, for better or worse, complete the distress/salvation cycle modeled in Psalm 40? How have others tried to do the same for you in the past? In what ways does Psalm 40 show you how you can improve your efforts in the future?
04. Psalms of Lament
July 8, 2018
Laments are the most common form of Psalms found in the Bible. So, why are they so unfamiliar to us? Most often it's because we don't truly understand what lament is. Living in a fallen and broken world, lament ought to be an expected part of our lives and relationships with God. This week we explore how to correctly understand biblical lament and how to develop it as a regular spiritual discipline. Application Questions 1. In what ways do you see suffering in your own life?In what ways do you see suffering in the world around you? 2. What would it look like for you to regularly speak prayers of lament regarding this suffering to God? 3. In what ways do you complain or grumble to others instead of lamenting to God?
05. Psalms of Thanksgiving
July 15, 2018
Thanksgiving should be a natural response to the God of the universe, but so often we forget to thank Him or choose not to take the time to. In Psalm 34 David draws our eyes to characteristics of God that will fuel our hearts for thanksgiving in all circumstances. Application Questions 1. Do you remember to give thanks to God after He delivers you from difficulty? 2. Is your thanksgiving focused more on God's character or His gifts? 3. Which of David's reasons for thanksgiving do you spend the most time thanking God for? Which do you feel God calling you to dwell more on?
06. Psalms of Worship
July 22, 2018
God calls us to worship Him, but what does that mean? The psalmist tells us in Psalm 84 that worship is about what is going on in our hearts towards God. Do you find your home, your comfort, in His presence? That is worship. Do you find your strength in His power? That is worship. Do you find your satisfaction in Him and Him alone? That is worship. Application Questions 1. What would it look like in your life to find yourhomein God's presence rather than looking for comfort in other things? 2. Are there regular, weekly places you go to find your strength other than God? How do these“functional saviors” let you down? 3. Is God enough for you in your life? How can you cultivate your satisfaction in God?