FBC Diana members,
I want to encourage you to take time for Bible reading and study, prayer, and singing again this Sunday. Family and/or personal time devoted to such things is critical to our growth as Christians. You may use any structure that seems appropriate for you and/or your family, but I recommend following the outline below.
Scripture Reading
Read Psalm 1 aloud.
Prayer
Thanks/Praise. What do you see in Psalm 1 as reasons to praise God? What specifically about God’s character or nature is praiseworthy? How might you praise God for what He has done in your life or for how He has shown you grace and care.
Confession. Think of ways you and others might have sinned this previous week. Don’t accuse others in your prayer, but do try to confess specific ways you and others have expressed sin in your home, in family life together, on your job, in your neighborhood, and in your community.
Supplication. Ask for God’s help in various ways. Here are some topics you might consider praying about:
- Pray that fellow church members would have grace and patience with others in their home during this time of unusual confinement.
- Pray for those who are afraid, those who are weary, and those who are lonely.
- Pray for salvation for our parents, our siblings, our children, and our grandchildren (yours and those of fellow church members).
- Pray for our governmental leaders to wisely work to preserve and protect life.
- Pray for healthcare workers, for law enforcement officers, and for emergency workers of all kinds.
- Pray that God would help FBC Diana church members to look for ways to do good to one another and to disciple one another despite our social distance.
- Pray that FBC Diana church members would gladly part with what our world values in order to take hold of what God values.
Discussion Questions
You might spend some time simply talking through Psalm 1. And you might also use the following questions to help guide your discussion.
- What is the major theme or concept of this Psalm?
- How do these six verses provide a kind of introduction (maybe even an invitation) to the whole book of the Psalms?
- Starting with verse one, list all of the ways the psalmist describes the “blessed” person.
- What aspects of this description stand out most to you? Why?
- What do you think it means for someone to “delight” in God’s “law” (v2)?
- What do you think it means for someone to be like a “tree” that “yields fruit in its season” (v3)?
- How do verses 1-2 indicate the way in which “fruit” is produced in a person?
- Starting with verse four, list all of the ways the psalmist describes the “wicked” person.
- What aspects of this description stand out most to you? Why?
- What do you think it means for the “wicked” person to not be able to “stand in the judgment” (v5)? Whose judgment? And what does it mean to “stand”?
- What does it mean for someone to be included among the “congregation of the righteous”? And what does it mean for “sinners” to be excluded (v5)?
- How might you describe the two “ways” to live presented in verse 6?
- Is anyone truly righteous by God’s standard of obedience and love? Explain.
- Looking at this passage through the lenses of the New Testament (especially the person and work of Christ), how is it that sinners like you can be made “righteous” and called “blessed” (see Ephesians 1:3-10 and Romans 3:21-26)?
- Because our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:21-26), how might Psalm 1 help motivate Christians to:
- Rest and trust in Jesus for blessing or favor from God?
- Strive to live morally upright lives?
- Devote themselves to reading and thinking about God’s word?
- Rely upon God’s good care throughout all the seasons of life?
- How might Psalm 1 also warn Christians against laziness, practicing sin, and presuming upon God’s grace and forgiveness (see also Romans 2:1-11)?
- How might God’s warning to the “wicked” person in Psalm 1 encourage you to talk about the gospel, about Jesus, and about following Christ with others?
Songs to Sing
Click on the links below to view lyrics, download song sheets, and/or listen to song audio.
Scripture Reading
Read Psalm 2 aloud.
Prayer
Thanks/Praise. Offer thanks and praise to God for specific things that come to your mind today… maybe from recent personal experience or maybe from something in the Scripture or the songs or your discussion with others today.
Marc Minter is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Diana, TX. He and his wife, Cassie, have two sons, Micah and Malachi.
Connect with Marc on Twitter or Facebook.
Holding the Line 