SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: PSALM 119:1 – 8

Dean’s message on September 21, 2025 was centered on Psalm 119:1 – 8 and was

titled, “A Blessed Life in Prayer”. The sermon’s main thought was spawned when the

Holy Spirit nudged Dean to honor God’s word. Dean felt he already knew and did this,

but his sermon preparation reinforced the thought that Biblical facts and data are just

the beginning in a journey to better understand the richness of God’s words and a

relationship with him.

QUESTIONS:

1. Spend a few moments and have each person share their pre-sermon thoughts on

Psalm 119.

2. Dean contends the word “blessed” is used all the time.

2a. What were your thoughts on the meaning of the word “blessed” before watching the

sermon?

3. The English word “blessed” in the Old Testament is translated from 2 Hebrew words,

“Barak” and “Asre”. Both blessings are from God, but have different meanings. “Barak”,

tends to be of a tangible or worldly benefit to the blessed. “Asre” tends to be more of an

intangible or spiritual benefit to the blessed.

3a. I think it’s easy to see that a “Barak” blessing comes from God. Share your thoughts

on how “Asre” blessings. Do you believe they come from God or is something we get

from our obedience?

4. Barak blessings are used in the Old Testament 326 times, whereas Asre are used 44

times in the Old Testament… Barak is used 9 times more than Asre. Generally

important words are used more.

4a. Can you think of a reason why Barak is used 9 times as much as Asre? (Hint: think

about how God dispenses these blessings in light of his overall plan).

4b. In your faith walk which type of blessing do you focus on… Barak or Asre blessings?

5. Dean talks about the richness of an Asre blessing. Secular examples were used to

illustrate the concept of richness or depth: a single worship singer vs the whole worship

team, a picture of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful vs seeing it in person. When more of a

person’s senses like sight, hearing, taste, memories, mind, emotions, etc. are used, the

person tends to have a richer experience.

5a. After using the example of just looking at a picture of a hamburger vs. eating a

hamburger, Dean showed Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord’s is good…”.

How do you get nourishment from God’s word? Does it require more than reading?

5b. How do you see God’s laws and commandments? Are they just a curiosity or do you

honor them? If so, how do you live your life in light of them?

6. Dean stated that Psalm 119 has words like law, testimony, commandments,

precepts, etc. in every verse. However starting with verse 4 the Psalmist gets more

personal with God. His uses about four 1 st and 2 nd person pronouns in each verse.

6a. How do you typically pray to God? Is it personal or more general in nature? Does it

depend on if you are praying in a group or in your prayer closet?

7. Dean speaks of the Psalmist as a person who has an infectious faith. A person who

has passion for God and his love, truth, wisdom, grace, mercy.

7a. Share if you know people who have an infectious faith. If so, did their faith affect

your faith walk?

7b. Do others see you as a person with infectious faith? If so, how do you feel about

their compliments?

8. Dean relates to the psalmist as one who struggles in living a godly life, knowing he is

fallen in a fallen world. This psalmist is not perfect, yet he keeps on seeking God’s Asre

to be Asre.

8a. Can you relate to the psalmist? If so, share how you relate.

8b. Most of us like to make plans, with a vision on what success looks like. However, if

you experience setbacks, how do you view the setback… especially when you believe

others are the cause of the disruption?

9. In verse 8, Dean notes a difference in the psalmist from the previous 7 verses.

9a. Do you see a difference in the psalmist’s relationship with God starting in verse 8?

10. Understanding that the sermon only looked at the first 8 verses of a 176 verse

psalm, can you see the psalmist’s heart emerge?

10a. Do you think you will take the time to read and find out more about Psalm 119?