Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
Ice-Breaker:
Were you bullied as a kid? How did it make you feel to see someone you cared about get bullied? ORRR.... maybe YOU were the bully?
Discussion Questions:
- In Psalm 7 David is crying out to God and taking refuge in him. David finds safety and hope IN the righteousness of God BECAUSE of the righteousness of God. Some might think that God's righteousness and justice are reason to FEAR him, so it's interesting that David is drawn to God because of these attributes in his time of need. It's the justice and righteousness of God that gives us a safe place to grow, thrive and trust in him. The righteousness of God is our shield. When you think of God being righteous and just, what emotions does it invoke? Is it fear? Safety? Something else? What is it about his righteousness and justice that might make you feel safe?
- David is asking God, "Where are you?" He's perceiving that since his enemies are going unpunished that God isn't moving. David is being honest, admitting he believes that God's unresponsiveness is due to his lack of attention to the situation. But David returns to the truth that God WILL bring justice. It's David's hope and claim that God is constantly overseeing human affairs and declaring justice every day, whether we see it or not. So, ultimately he believes his case will not slide by unnoticed but will receive the attention it deserves. Have you ever been there? Talk about a time in your life when things were falling apart and it seemed like God wasn't paying attention. Can you see now, looking back, how he might have been working all along?
- The big idea from Sunday was, "The righteousness of God is our REFUGE." All of the psalms invite us to understand that divine righteousness should be a source of confidence and comfort, not of fear and dismay. Just as children thrive when they are able to grow up in a safe environment, so will we thrive in the safety of God's presence. God is the definition of consistent and steady. When your life is anything but consistent, how can you begin to lean on your Heavenly Father to bring you stability? What does that look like practically?
- God is a refuge for the VICTIM. We've all been hurt by another Christian or a church. We've all been victims. Isaiah 1 speaks of seeking justice, helping the oppressed, defending the cause and fighting for rights. Many Christians and churches have become way too obsessed with their own rights and freedoms, and there's not near enough focus on the rights and freedom of oppressed people in our country. God, however, is concerned for the oppressed. A genuine faith and understanding of righteousness will produce in us empathy and action for actual victims of oppression. Because of our selfishness we tend to read ourselves into the role of David in Psalm 7. But wait! What if you aren't the victim? Here's an interesting thought to ponder: What if YOU are the oppressor with your boot on neck the victim? Is there someone in your life that could be praying this psalm with YOU as the enemy?
- God is the refuge for the DISTRESSED. The idea of God as a refuge is a wonderful and important gift to all of us who live in the midst of a broken world. We've seen so many horrible things, so much evil, so much death and suffering. As we said before, it's easy to question whether or not God is paying attention. But ultimately and eternally, evil WILL be punished. Because of his righteousness and justice, like David, we should, "sing praise to the Lord Most High!" Are you broken? Tired? Frustrated? Stressed out? Confused? Hopeless? What would it look like for you to take refuge in Him? What must shift in you to get to where you can praise him in the midst of your suffering?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would find safety in the righteousness of God.
- That we would know God is always working.
- That we would learn to praise God in our suffering, finding refuge in him.
1 Comment
Praise the Lord!