7.26.15 | Psalms of the Soul: The God of Deliverance

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 40

There are times when life overwhelms us... when circumstances are bigger than what we know how to deal with. Maybe it's an issue with your family, your job, your home, your relationships, your health or something else. Whatever it is, it probably brings you a lot of fear and anxiety. The reason we're going through it is in part a result of the choices we've made. It's a combination of fear and failure.

Download or listen to The God of Deliverance to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?

2. Are you good at waiting? How long do you wait before giving up? When God seems to take too long to respond, what “false gods” offer tempting alternative solutions? What happened last time you relied on one of these gods?

3. Read Psalm 40. Compare the first and last verses. How are the two sections different—what is their mood? (vv.1-10 and vv.11-17) 

4. Can you describe a “miry bog” (v.2) that the Lord has rescued you from? What in your life feels like a “miry bog” that you need rescuing from?

5. Do you have a “new song”--a new life that’s a result of a relationship with Jesus Christ? (v.3) What would the lyrics of your “old song” be before you came to Jesus Christ? How does it compare to your “new song,” or do you have one? Why or why not?

6. What is it that God wants (vv.6-8) from us? What sacrifices does God require from you? 

7. Hebrews 10:5-9 tells us that the Son of God spoke these words (vv.6-8) as He was coming to this world. What other allusions to Jesus do we see in this passage?

8. Which is the greater pressure to you right now: the external opposition of others or the internal weight of your sin? What from this Psalm most helps you in dealing with this pressure?

9. Applying the Scripture to our lives is important. What is the “next step” that God, through this Psalm and the Spirit, is leading you to take?

10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study. 

7.19.15 | Psalms of the Soul: My Guilt

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 32

What do we do when we feel guilty? Much of our environment is filled with guilt - we do and say things we know we shouldn't... And this guilt isn't from other people. This is the real guilt that is the product of the real sin and real choices we make. So the question is how do we respond to that? How do we deal with it and heal from it?

Download or listen to My Guilt to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. Read Psalm 32. How do you compare to the horse of the mute (v.9)? Why?
3. What is the source of blessing (or happiness)? How does this compare with Psalm 1?
4. List out the ways David gives us for responding to our guilt/sin improperly. What happens when we don't respond right?
5. How does "in whose spirit is no deceit" (v.2) relate to the struggle expressed in vv.3-5?
6. List out the ways David gives us for responding to our guilt/sin properly. What happens when we respond in a right way?
7. How does the Lord's counsel (vv.8-9) relate to david's struggle (vv.3-4)? How is he like a horse and a mule?
8. Read the Apostle Pail's reflection on this passage in Romans 4:1-12. What is he trying to teach us?
9. Unconfessed sin sapped David's strength like the summer heat. What picture would you use to describe forfeiting God's blessing by covering up your own sin? (Proverbs 28:13)
10. Applying scripture to our lives is important. What is the "next step" that God, through this Psalm and the Spirit, is leading you to take? Read 1 John 1:5-2:2.
11. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study.

7.12.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Waiting and Waiting

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 27

We all deal with worry and anxiety. Life always bring challenges because we worry about things. Scripture doesn't just shove things under the rug... it forces us to look at real life and real issues. In these issues, we have to wait for the Lord. Be strong and take courage. Gaze upon His beauty and inquire how to dwell upon Him.

Download or listen to Waiting and Waiting to hear more. 

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. Read Psalm 27. How does this Psalm support the idea of "waiting on God"? What hope does it give to you to know that you are not forgotten?
3. What are the benefits of waiting on the Lord? Reflect on the following passages. What do they teach you about God? About you? About waiting? About not waiting?
   1. You will avoid shame (Psalm 25:3; Isaiah 49:23b)
   2. You will receive what God has promised (Psalm 37:9)
   3. You will be exalted (Psalm 37:34)
   4. You will be heard by God (Psalm 40:1)
   5. You will be saved from enemies (Proverbs 20:22)
   6. You will gain new strength (Isaiah 40:31)
   7. You will receive God's goodness (Lamentations 3:25)
   8. You will be overjoyed (1 Peter 4:12-13)
   9. You will develop perseverance, character, hope (Romans 5:2b-5; James 1:2-4)
   10. You will be comforted (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
   11. You will receive praise, glory and honor (1 Peter 1:6b-7)
   12. You will receive great reward (James 1:12)
   13. You will find favor with God (1 Peter 2:20)
4. Applying the Scripture to our lives is important. What is the "next step" that God, through this Psalm and the Spirit, is leading you to take?
5. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study.

7.5.15 | Psalms of the Soul: I've Been Wronged

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 17

Have you ever been wronged by someone? Has anyone attacked you for no reason? Have you ever been accused of something you didn't do or say? Maybe you were the subject of gossip or slander. It's probably happened to most of us. It hurts deeply and sometimes, it's so deep, it becomes debilitating.

Download or listen to I've Been Wronged to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. When have you felt singled out for punishment - by a parent, teacher, boss? When have you been the brunt of someone taking it out on you? Was it ever for something you didn't do? How did you feel then?
3. When have you felt scared or terrified? Did your worst fears come true?
4. Read Psalm 17. Does David think he is without sin (vv.3-5)? Or is he merely reflecting on a particular issue that he has done right? What is he saying about the one wronging him (vv.9-12)?
5. Although he calls on God as a judge (vv.1-5), how does David relate to him (vv.6-9)?
6. Of the three things that he prays for - justice (vv.1-5), protection (vv.6-9) and the fellowship and conformity to God (v.15) - what does David desire most? Why do you think so?
7. "When I awake" seems to be a metaphor for passing through death to the presence of Christ (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2).
8. On what basis do you make your plea before God: your integrity? The heartlessness of your opponent? God's love? Some combination? Or do you rarely see God as judge?
9. What makes the biggest difference in how and why you lived compared to those who don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ: God's love? God's righteousness? God's reward?
10. In what situation do you need deliverance from people or forces that seem out to get you? Applying the Scripture to our lives is important. What is the "next step" that God, through this Psalm and Spirit, leading you to take?
11. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

6.28.15 | Marriage Defined

Dr. David Whitaker

When God created mankind, He created male and female uniquely designed differently, but that together, they would bear the image of God. Together they would display God's covenant of love. Later in Scripture, Jesus says what God brings together, let not man separate. In our culture today, and especially in light of the recent events, this statement is more important than ever.

Download or listen to Marriage Defined to hear more.

6.21.15 | Living Humbly

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Philippians 2:12-18

How do we live humbly? Live like you're saved. When we realized we had salvation in Christ, we became co-heirs with Christ. Why, then, do we have fear and anxiety when we know the One who created everything is in control? When we have worked out and actually realized that God is in ultimate control, we naturally live in humility. There's nothing for which we can take the glory. Worship is worth it.

Download or listen to Living Humbly to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. When was a time you were dazzled by the night-time stars? What did that view communicate to you about God?
3. In v.15, we are encouraged to live in a way that causes us to shine like stars. What do you think God intends the world to know about Him through us?
4. In v.12, we are encouraged to "work out our salvation." Because we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10), what might this working out of salvation refer to? How does v. 13 help bring light to the answer to this question? What difficult situation are you in right now where you are being called to show (work out) your salvation?
5. Why is it so easy to grumble and dispute? Why did the Israelites in the desert find it easy? How does grumbling keep you from shining? Is there anything you are currently grumbling about? When was a time you were inspired by someone shining like a star for God? (v.15) Has God's Word ever served as an anchor in a difficult time for you? Why is "holding fast to the Word" so important to our ability to shine? What is your action step from the passage?
6. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

6.14.15 | Thinking Biblically

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Philippians 2:1-11

Have you grasped the fullness of God's love? We often reduce the event of Christ's life to just an idea or a concept, but the reality is that it was an actual event for which we ought to be grateful. God tells us how to express our gratitude of what was done on the cross: think like God. The Holy Spirit enfolds us and helps form our thinking so that our thoughts follow Jesus'.

Download or listen to Thinking Biblically to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. When was a time you felt "if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy?" (v.1) Please explain.
3. Have you ever set aside personal ambition or seen someone else do it? What happened? (v.3)
4. In v.4, we are told to look to the interests of others. Whose interests might you be being called to put ahead of yours right now? How might you accomplish this?
5. Why is the statement in v.6 such a big statement that serves as our example? Have you ever witnessed someone grasping after "equality?" Have you ever had to stop grasping after equality?
6. In v.9, why did God exalt Jesus to the highest place? What does this say about God's value of the cross and Jesus' humility to take up the cross? When was a time you took up your cross to follow Jesus?
7. The cross is central to this whole passage. Where is God currently calling you to take up your cross?
8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response or trust He might want you to take.