Month 1

Psalm 139

1. Read through this Psalm in one go, what is its general theme?
2. Some of our family friends and relatives might know us while we were babies. It’s very likely that we no longer have memories of that period. How does it feel like when God is described as knowing us before we were born?
3. Imagine we return to the beach where we made a sandcastle the day before. Instead of finding it, we found a message from the sandcastle, complaining that it reacted badly to seawater. As the creator of the sandcastle, what should our reply say?
4. V6 should take our special attention, although many translations do not convey the full meaning. The Contemporary English Version comes close by saying that the way God knows us and protects us is full of such wonderful knowledge that it is “far above me”. If this is not the translation we use for study, let’s find that on the internet, and read verses 1 to 6. Then do the next question.
5. God created time and it is a challenging concept for us. We refer to events in the past and future, and we draw meanings out of events, e.g. “My 21st birthday was an amazing day!” Yet, God knows that, perhaps not in a robotic way, but more how we would become on that day. How troubling or comforming this aspect of “God knowing” is to us?
6. Why might be the psalmist’s motive in asking God to “search” or “examine” him (v1), and even to “test” him (v23)?
7. Often, it is someone else who knows us far better than we do ourselves. This is a good reason for speaking with our close companions when we are dealing with issues causing panic and depressive mood. What examples have we come across, including our own experience, that illustrate this?
8. Returning to the first question on the general theme. Pray about what God has spoken to you. Then, you might want to update your general theme. Also, consider catching up with others to discover more of God’s care for us. Returning to the first question on the general theme. Pray about what God has spoken to you. Then, you might want to update your general theme. Also, consider catching up with others to discover more of God’s care for us.

Psalm 46

1. Based on this psalm, outline 3 different ways God helps us.
2. The nations are described as in “chaos”, “uproar”, crumbling and falling (v6). Today, we can think of “nations” as countries or other social and nationalist groups. Of the nations that you know, are any of them in “chaos”?
3. Continuing from the above question, for the nations that are in chaos, in what ways are they so? Should we be concerned about these nations and their people?
4. For the nations not in chaos (peace), in what ways people live in peace? Should we be concerned about these nations and their people?
5. Spend some time to pray to be still: v10. What challenges are you facing? What concerns are weighing down on you? Say these to God and seek his “be still”.
6. List a few examples of what you can do, or are already doing, to show God’s peace (“be still”) to the people around you and the nations you have some links with (e.g., work colleagues, college friends, volunteering, online chats, church community and extended family).

Psalm 62

1. Verse 1: waiting on God, what is the manner of the waiting, and what do we wait for?
2. Think ahead for the next 2-3 weeks. Share in your group what the present “rock”, and the future “salvation” (v.2) are for each of us.
3. The psalmist says he is in a very terrible situation (v3), but also in a very high position (v4, probably like a prefect, president, or uniformed commander), and remains so throughout the psalm. What clues could we find in the text that God put him there?
4. The author of this question was not in a “high position” when he experienced a “terrible” time at work. The future “salvation” was not clear for a long time. Share in your group what could help or traumatise a colleague. Start with a fictitious example: a chef working in your team at the supermarket cafe.
5. People who are against us (and God) are described by the psalmist as “a puff of wind”, “lighter than vapour”, or “only a breath”. This image suggests a momentary effect on us. Do you agree? What other ideas can the group think of?
6. The psalm does not offer ideas on how to deal with those who are against us. Instead, the verses are about him and God. Reflect on our relationship with God. Share in the group what areas in your life God might be helping you with in the next 2-3 weeks.
   
   For example, the author of this question faced inconsistent treatment relating to an office relocation. He prayed, and God granted him peace, leading to positive relationships amongst everyone in the new office. How might God guide you?

Psalm 30

1. The psalmist (David) begins with an unusual affirmation (vv1-2) that he had cried to God for help: did God then provide David with security, tax relief, a holiday, a career, or?
2. vv3-7: it’s not too clear what David was saying when he continued with praising God from v3, but that God turned away from him in v7. What different ideas or conviction each of us have about this “confusion”in these verses? Share in the group.
3. vv8-12: what evidence did David provide to God that he should save him so he continued to tell and show others about the goodness of God?
4. Some verses have contrasting sentences, e.g. v5, but not v3: how does this verse apply to speaking to others about God’s relationship with us?
5. Read through the psalms again and list the emotional ups and downs David described. Yet he remembered God. Reflect on this psalm as applied to us. Consider sharing about this at Sunday worship, e.g. a prayer, or helping out at refreshment, welcoming etc.

Psalm 7

1. Read through this psalm: who is God according to this psalmist, David?
2. Verses 6-8: the psalmist did not say why he was being pursued by his enemies, which he said was unjust. He didn’t ask God to judge that he did the right thing. What two or more things did he ask God for?
3. Verses 9-10: as a community or church, what is our “heart”? Be specific on one or more things or facets of church life that is/are “true and right”, or “upright.”
4. Believing that God is our judge is important because there are as many opinions about the church as there are people in the community. What might be some ways to improve the resillience of our corporate mental health to live as righteous people?
5. The church might face criticisms from its surrounding community for supporting what is not right or beneficial. Think of a recent exampIe (or, if we are short of examples, think of ocean bottom trawling): what are the most important points for us bearing truth and not lies?
6. What has this study made us concerned about our church? Write a short prayer about it and commit the issues to God.

Two music compositions available for Psalm 7: a hymn and an anthem