Get to know god and his heart through the scriptures
Our Discipleship/Bible Study Leader, John Hall, has created the following Bible Study to lead you into the Psalms. John and another leader, Nancy Rautzhan, lead our Sunday Morning Classes at 10AM for those interested in Studying the Bible and its guidance to the believer in the walk of faith.
Weekly Study Plan: Exploring the Psalms TopicallyWeek 1: Praise and Thanksgiving* Psalms: 8, 19, 100, 103, 116, 145, 150* Focus: Understanding the nature of praise and gratitude in the Psalms.* Discussion Questions: * What are the different reasons the psalmists give for praising God? * How does creation inspire praise (Psalm 19, 104)? * What does it mean to "enter his gates with thanksgiving" (Psalm 100)? * How does remembering God's past faithfulness encourage present praise (Psalm 116)? * How can we apply the command to praise God in all situations of our lives? * What are some ways that we can express our praise to God, outside of just singing?
Week 2: God's Sovereignty and Majesty* Psalms: 24, 47, 93, 97, 104* Focus: Exploring God's role as King, Creator, and Sustainer.* Discussion Questions: * What does it mean to say that God is "king over all the earth" (Psalm 47)? * How does the creation reveal God's power and majesty (Psalm 104)? * How does understanding God's sovereignty bring comfort and security? * How does God's role as king impact our daily lives? * How does the concept of Gods sovereignty differ from human rulers?
Week 3: Trust and Confidence in God* Psalms: 23, 27, 31, 46, 91, 121* Focus: Examining the psalmists' expressions of trust and reliance on God in various circumstances.* Discussion Questions: * How does the image of God as a shepherd provide a sense of security (Psalm 23)? * What does it mean to "wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27)? * How can we find refuge in God during times of trouble (Psalm 46, 91)? * What are some practical ways we can cultivate trust in God? * What are some obstacles that hinder our ability to trust in God?
Week 4: Lament and Prayer for Help* Psalms: 6, 13, 22, 51, 88, 130* Focus: Understanding the importance of lament and honest prayer in times of suffering.* Discussion Questions: * Why is it important to express our pain and sorrow to God (Psalm 22, 88)? * How does Psalm 51 demonstrate the process of confession and repentance? * What does "waiting for the Lord" mean in the context of lament (Psalm 130)? * How can we support others who are going through difficult times, based on the examples of the Psalms? * How does God respond to our cries for help?
Week 5: God's Word and Law* Psalms: 19, 119* Focus: Exploring the beauty and importance of God's Word.* Discussion Questions: * What are the different ways the psalmists describe God's law (Psalm 119)? * How does God's Word provide guidance and wisdom? * How can we cultivate a deeper love for God's Word? * How does the law of God reveal the character of God? * What are the practical applications of God’s word in our lives?
Week 6: Messianic Psalms* Psalms: 2, 22, 110, 118* Focus: Studying the Psalms that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah.* Discussion Questions: * How do these Psalms point to Jesus Christ? * What do these Psalms reveal about the nature and role of the Messiah? * How does understanding the Messianic Psalms deepen our understanding of Jesus? * How does the suffering of the messiah, as shown in the psalms, relate to the modern church? * What are the implications of Jesus being the fulfillment of these prophecies?
Week 7: Wisdom and Penitential Psalms* Psalms: 1, 32, 37, 51, 73* Focus: Gain wisdom from the psalms, and understand the importance of repentance.* Discussion Questions: * What does it mean to be like a tree planted by rivers of water? (Psalm 1) * What are the benefits of confessing our sins to God? (Psalm 32, 51) * How should we respond to the prosperity of the wicked? (Psalm 37, 73) * How does the book of psalms help us to gain wisdom? * How does true repentance change a person's heart?
Tips for Leading the Study:* Encourage open and honest sharing.* Create a safe and supportive environment.* Allow time for personal reflection and prayer.* Consider using different translations of the Psalms.* Pray before and after each study.I hope this helps!
Week 2: God's Sovereignty and Majesty* Psalms: 24, 47, 93, 97, 104* Focus: Exploring God's role as King, Creator, and Sustainer.* Discussion Questions: * What does it mean to say that God is "king over all the earth" (Psalm 47)? * How does the creation reveal God's power and majesty (Psalm 104)? * How does understanding God's sovereignty bring comfort and security? * How does God's role as king impact our daily lives? * How does the concept of Gods sovereignty differ from human rulers?
Week 3: Trust and Confidence in God* Psalms: 23, 27, 31, 46, 91, 121* Focus: Examining the psalmists' expressions of trust and reliance on God in various circumstances.* Discussion Questions: * How does the image of God as a shepherd provide a sense of security (Psalm 23)? * What does it mean to "wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27)? * How can we find refuge in God during times of trouble (Psalm 46, 91)? * What are some practical ways we can cultivate trust in God? * What are some obstacles that hinder our ability to trust in God?
Week 4: Lament and Prayer for Help* Psalms: 6, 13, 22, 51, 88, 130* Focus: Understanding the importance of lament and honest prayer in times of suffering.* Discussion Questions: * Why is it important to express our pain and sorrow to God (Psalm 22, 88)? * How does Psalm 51 demonstrate the process of confession and repentance? * What does "waiting for the Lord" mean in the context of lament (Psalm 130)? * How can we support others who are going through difficult times, based on the examples of the Psalms? * How does God respond to our cries for help?
Week 5: God's Word and Law* Psalms: 19, 119* Focus: Exploring the beauty and importance of God's Word.* Discussion Questions: * What are the different ways the psalmists describe God's law (Psalm 119)? * How does God's Word provide guidance and wisdom? * How can we cultivate a deeper love for God's Word? * How does the law of God reveal the character of God? * What are the practical applications of God’s word in our lives?
Week 6: Messianic Psalms* Psalms: 2, 22, 110, 118* Focus: Studying the Psalms that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah.* Discussion Questions: * How do these Psalms point to Jesus Christ? * What do these Psalms reveal about the nature and role of the Messiah? * How does understanding the Messianic Psalms deepen our understanding of Jesus? * How does the suffering of the messiah, as shown in the psalms, relate to the modern church? * What are the implications of Jesus being the fulfillment of these prophecies?
Week 7: Wisdom and Penitential Psalms* Psalms: 1, 32, 37, 51, 73* Focus: Gain wisdom from the psalms, and understand the importance of repentance.* Discussion Questions: * What does it mean to be like a tree planted by rivers of water? (Psalm 1) * What are the benefits of confessing our sins to God? (Psalm 32, 51) * How should we respond to the prosperity of the wicked? (Psalm 37, 73) * How does the book of psalms help us to gain wisdom? * How does true repentance change a person's heart?
Tips for Leading the Study:* Encourage open and honest sharing.* Create a safe and supportive environment.* Allow time for personal reflection and prayer.* Consider using different translations of the Psalms.* Pray before and after each study.I hope this helps!