Read Psalm 147: 1-6.

1. The Psalmist begins by praising the Lord (Hallelujah) even amid what

seems to be some difficult circumstances. Why is this praise

important? Do you find it easy to praise God in difficult times?

2. Have you ever been wounded or heartbroken by others? How about

by the church? What would healing look like in these situations?

3. Sometimes we choose to hang on to our anger, withhold forgiveness,

and play the victim rather than allowing God to heal us. Why do we do

this sometimes?

4. What are the examples, of Israel’s past healing by God, the Psalmist

uses to remind us that God stands ready to help heal us again and

again? Can you see any signs of God’s healing already taking place at

GLUMC? How about in your own life?

5. Pastor Mick discusses the inability of humans to simultaneously praise

and be angry or praise and worry. Have you ever noticed that? What

does that teach us about the power of praise? How can you praise

God more in an effort to worry less or be less angry?

6. Read Romans 8: 28. What does this verse mean to you? How does

this verse speak to God’s desire to “heal the brokenhearted and bind

up their wounds”?

7. Read Mark 5: 25-34. What does this teach us is the key to God’s

healing?

8. Pastor Mick talked about forgiveness being the active ingredient in the

healing balm of God’s love, mercy and grace. What did he mean by

that? Why is forgiveness so important to healing?

9. Pastor Mick said to apply this healing balm generously to the affected

areas and reapply as often as necessary until the wound is completely

healed. What did he mean by that? How do we do this in real life?

Prayer for the Week:

Gracious and loving God, thank you for your willingness to heal our broken

hearts and bind up our wounds. We confess, Lord, that we don’t always

make this easy. We tend to hold on to past hurts until they fester and

hurt us even more. Remind us that you have provided the healing balm,

but it only works when we use it as directed. Help us to forgive others as

you have forgiven us, so that all of our wounds might be healed by your

love, mercy and grace. We pray all of this in the name of the One who

makes it possible, our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.