Week 17 - The Psalms and Proverbs

Download the whole book, “The Bible in Three Years” free HERE or on Kindle/Print/Audiobook HERE

Christian Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:

How do you feel God has gifted you?

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 49 ~ Psalm 50 ~ Psalm 51 ~ Proverbs 11:16-31

1.     What does it take to get your attention? Why is it so hard to get the attention of people to think about God?  What are some of the most effective ways you’ve found to get people to open up to God’s Word? (Psalm 49:1)

2.     Read Psalm 49:5. Why do we fear in times of trouble? Why shouldn’t we?  Why do we keep needing these reminders?

3.     Why is Psalm 49:7-9 so powerful when you think about what Jesus did on the cross for us?

4.     How can conversations about the reality of death be a great gateway to talking about Jesus? (Psalm 49:10-12)

5.     Do you feel like you watch too much news?  Spend too much time on social media?  What are the dangers of too much time watching others? (Psalm 49:16-20) What basic Scriptural truths will keep us grounded in the midst of the world’s chaos and injustice?

6.     Read Psalm 50:3. Is this a description that typically comes to mind when we think of God? How is it a helpful corrective?

7.     Why would God emphasize a “sacrifice of thanksgiving” in Psalm 50:14?  Are we grateful enough to God?  How can we more regularly practice gratitude towards God?

8.     Why does God describe the wicked as those who “hate discipline” and “cast my words behind you” (Psalm 50:17)?  Why does a follower of God ultimately love discipline even when it is hard?  Why does a follower of God have God’s words before them?

9.     How would you summarize the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12)?  Knowing that back ground, how does Psalm 51 impact you? Did God grant David’s requests in Psalm 51?

10.  When you think of your most serious sins in life, what emotions do you experience? How does Psalm 51 become more beautiful in light of God’s amazing mercy and forgiveness?

11.  What does David mean when he says “against you, you only, have I sinned”? (Psalm 51:4)  Does it mean that he didn’t sin against Bathsheba, Uriah, or his nation?  Why is our sin ultimately most against God?

12.  Why was Nathan’s rebuke of David so challenging and difficult?  Why is it so hard for us to confront people we love about their sin?  How might Psalm 51 encourage us to have more courage and loving boldness to confront people in their sin?

13.  Who is someone you would describe as a “gracious woman”? How have you seen her get honored in life? Why is it true that “a man who is kind benefits himself”? (Proverbs 11:16)

14.  Read Proverbs 11:21. Why is this truth often repeated across the Bible? How does it help you?

15.  What do you think when you read Proverbs 11:22?

16.  Why do you think there are so many of these proverbs about money, greed, and generosity?

17.  What does Proverbs 11:30 mean? How do you want to be better at “capturing souls” for Jesus?