8.23.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Addressing My Doubts

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 73

The Psalms are interesting because they deal with our human heart. They dig deep into the recesses of heart and discover and deal with our feelings... but in a very different way than we might deal with them. Some of us take the religious approach: we stuff  and deny our feelings because it might not win favor with God. Others take the pop culture approach: this holds to the sovereignty of our feelings.

Download or listen to Addressing My Doubts 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. What is the Psalmist's nagging doubt in this psalm (vv.2-3)?
3. What has he seen (vv.4-12)? What attitudes may be undermining his faith?
4. Do you think the Psalmist is objective in what he sees? Why or why not? What does he find both attractive and negative in the lifestyle, world-view and agnosticism of the rich?
5. What was he hoping his "clean heart" would get him (vv.13-14)? What caused him to change his mind (vv.15-17)?
6. To what might the "sanctuary of God" refer? What new insight does he gain? Why does he feel like God sleeps (v.20; see 35:23; 44:23)?
7. What glory does the Psalmist have in mind (vv.24-25; see 16:9-11)? What path will he take towards it (vv.23-28)?
8. What hope literally surrounds the Psalmist's envy and despair (vv.1,28)?
9. Do you ever share his envy? Does his insight satisfy you? Why or why not?
10. When you have stumbled in this area, how have you recovered your balance? How can we help you?
11. Have you had a "sanctuary" experience? When/where? What happened? What are you doing to keep that faith perspective alive?
12. What is one key thing that the Lord has taught you and/or one response that He is asking you to take? Write out a prayer of response?

8.16.15 | God's Plan

Dr. David Whitaker | Proverbs 16:1,7

Often in life, we have plans that we think we know will play out exactly as we expect. This summer for example: did your summer go exactly as you thought it would? Most likely, not. Plans very often do not go exactly as we expect. Circumstances get in the way. Choices get in the way. Our plans get messed up. There is someone who already knows the future, someone who already knows how these plans are going to pan out regardless of how we think they will. That someone is God. We know God has a plan for Morgan Hill Bible Church... it's just not what we thought it was.

Download or listen to God's Plan to hear more.

8.9.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Gaining Clarity

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 19

Life is a lot like building a model. It's normal for us to try to put life, marriage, relationships and issues that are broken back together. We're so anxious to put it together; we don't know what pieces go where. But there is something more. There's something we have to do before we can do any of this...

Download or listen to Gaining Clarity 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 19. Who speaks in verses 1-4? What do they say? Is it obvious to everyone? Why don’t some people hear?
3. As you consider creation, describe how it reflects God and his glory? His character? His love? His wisdom? His power? His…(other attributes where creation reflects God)?
4. What in creation fills you most with a sense of God’s glory? Describe it.
5. What six names does David give the Scriptures (vv.7-10)? What eight words describe the Scriptures? What phrases describe Scripture’s effect on our lives?
6. What does the revelation through Scripture do for us that the revelation in creation does not (v.11)?
7. Which of David’s “one-liners” about God’s law best matches your experience with Scripture? Why? How else would you describe it? How does Scripture’s sense of value translate into the time you spend reading it?
8. Why are the Scriptures and prayer important for proper self-evaluation (vv. 7-14)? Apart from them, how would we naturally handle our sins and our faults? What “hidden faults” or “willful sins” do you sense God’s Spirit pointing out. (see also 1 John 1)
9. Read v.14. Could you pray that same prayer? What would you need to change to cooperate with the Lord in this prayer?
10. When v.14 says that the Lord is your “Rock” and “Redeemer,” what does that mean? How does it make a difference in your approach to this prayer?
11. 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?
12. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study. 

8.2.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Faithful Love

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 107

We live in a time in which there is a lot of spiritual seeking. Almost everybody seems to disagree about who God is. There's a lot of searching, probing and conversation about religion and spirituality - but there is tremendous consensus about one aspect of God...

Download or listen to Faithful Love 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 107 aloud. Who is invited to thank God (vv.1-3)? What four groups of redeemed people are mentioned? 

3. How should each group respond to God’s unfailing love (vv.8, 15, 21, 31)? 

4. What is the basic problem of the “wanderers” (vv.4-9)? 

5. What is the plight of the “prisoners” (vv.10-16)? Why are they subjected to this plight? (see also Job 36:8-9)

6. How are the “sick” viewed (vv.17-18)? What are their symptoms? How does the Lord answer their cry (vv.19-20)? 

7. What is the greatest need of the “fearful” (as seen in the sailor) (vv.23-30)? Describe their plight and how the Lord answers.

8. With which of these four groups of people do you most identify? From what condition or state of trouble has God redeemed you? 

9. What attitude is being encouraged in this Psalm? Why is it a prerequisite for deliverance?         For change and growth? 

10. What does this Psalm say about God? About the needy? How can you become more God-like in your dealings with the needy around you? Who are they?

11. 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?

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

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.