Week 4 - The Psalms and Proverbs

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Christian Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:

What is a spiritual milestone in your life?

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 10 ~ Psalm 11 ~ Psalm 12 ~ Proverbs 3:1-18

1.     When do you feel like God is far away? Why?  How does it feel to know that the writer of Psalm 10 felt the same way?  When have you felt like Psalm 10:10-11?

2.     How would you describe the characteristics, behaviors, actions, attitudes, and words of modern day “enemies” of Christians?  How is this similar or different to the description of Psalm 10:2-9?

3.     Where does the Psalmist find comfort in his distress? (Psalm 10:12-18). How do we similarly need to think and pray in our rough seasons?

4.     What does it practically mean to “take refuge in the Lord”? (Psalm 11:1). How might that show up in our prayers, actions, and thoughts more specifically?

5.     What do you think it means that “the Lord tests the righteous” (Psalm 11:5)?

6.     Have you ever heard, “hate the sin, but love the sinner”?  What Scripture supports that?  What do you make of Psalm 11:5b-6?

7.     Who is “righteous” in the Bible? How do they become “righteous”? (See Romans 5:15-21) How is Psalm 11:7 an encouragement to live closely to Jesus?

8.     Do you think Christianity is growing stronger or weakening? In numbers? In faith?  Why?  What does it feel like when someone you once saw walking faithfully with Jesus no longer seems as passionate or involved?  How do you try to make sense of it?  How is this similar to Psalm 12?

9.     How does David pray in such a discouraging situation?  How does the lord ultimately “place” us in “safety” and “keep” us? (Psalm 12:5-8). How does this Psalm end differently than most of the others?  How is that like our lives/days?

10.  What is easy to remember in life?  What things are more memorable?  What sorts of things do you want your kids and grandkids to never forget? Why?  Why does Proverbs 3:1-2 start off this way?

11.  Why do we have “trust issues”?  How do we grow to trust in someone?  When is trust good?  When is trust dangerous?  How can we tell if we truly trust the Lord “with all your heart”? (Proverbs 3:5-8)

12.  When do you spend money on people?  How can money be a measure of what we love or hate?  Why is money and giving hard to talk about?  What does Solomon say about it in Proverbs 3:9-10?

13.  Why would Solomon say “do not despise the Lord’s discipline”? (Proverbs 3:11-12)  What does discipline feel like when it is happening?  What does discipline feel like years later?  What struggles do parents have when giving out discipline?

14.  How is “wisdom” described? Why? (Proverbs 3:13-18)