Week 11 - The Psalms and Proverbs

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Christian Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:

Which Bible character or story is your favorite?

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 31 ~ Psalm 32 ~ Psalm 33 ~ Proverbs 8:1-21

1.     Have you ever been inside a castle, military bunker, or armored vehicle? What do you think it would feel like to be inside such a strong defense when the enemy attacks?  How would that compare with being on open ground, undefended, when you enemy was advancing towards you?  How might you apply a prayer of “Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!” (Psalm 31:2) to your life right now?

2.     Read Psalm 31:5. Where does this verse get repeated in the New Testament?  What did He mean when He said this (Luke 23:46)?  How is this such a great prayer of trust and gratitude for us as well?

3.     Is it Biblically possible to both hate and love evil-doers? (Psalm 31:6). How has God grown your trust in Him over your life?

4.     What have been some of the most challenging seasons in your life? (Psalm 31:9-13). How did God grow you in those seasons? Rescue you?

5.     How do we know if our sins are forgiven? (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9). What does it mean to be “blessed”? (Psalm 32:1-2)

6.     How does the world seem to be like an unbridled “horse or mule, without understanding”? What are some of the many “sorrows of the wicked” that you see today? (Psalm 32:9-10) When we see the chaos and calamity of the world around us, how should we feel? Pray?

7.     Psalm 33:3 says to “sing to Him a new song” and Revelation 5:9 & 14:3 describes the singing of news songs in Heaven.  At some point, every song we know was a “new song” to us.  What is your favorite Christian song or hymn? Why? When was it “new” to you?  What is a more recent song that you enjoy? Why?

8.     What are some amazing parts of God’s creation that you have enjoyed? How does the reminder of God as Creator (Psalm 33:6-9) encourage our faith? Deepen our trust in Him? Overwhelm us with awe at who He is?

9.     Read Psalm 33:12. When Israel prioritized God, how did it go for them? When Israel prioritized false worship, how did it go for them? What does our nation prioritize? How is it going for us as a nation?  How should we be praying for our nation?

10.  When we hear that God “sees all the children of man” and “observes all their deeds” (Psalm 33:13-15) should that make us nervous?  Why or why not?

11.  Why is waiting so hard?  What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”? (Psalm 33:20-22)

12.  What is wisdom? Understanding?  Why are they so valuable, or “better than gold”? What does wisdom and understanding look like? (Proverbs 8:1-21)

13.  Who taught you the most wisdom growing up?  In what ways do you want to be like them? Why do you want to be like them?

14.  In what situations or settings do you have the hardest time controlling your tongue? Why? How has God changed your words over the years?

15.  What is one area of or relationship in your life that you want to grow in wisdom or words?