Don't Give Up: Rattle - MSQ
Part of Songology
April 27, 2025

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Don’t Give Up: Rattle

Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Worship is praising God. It’s giving worth to God. Worship through song is declaring truths about God to God and over each other. At Freshwater, we sing songs with theological truths that are rooted in Scripture.

Today we’ll explore one of Freshwater’s favorites, “Rattle.” It’s about Easter weekend, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The “dry bones rattling” line which is the basis of the song is in reference to a vision of the prophet Ezekiel recorded in Ezekiel 37. These are “valley of dry bones” moments when your hope is gone, and you feel cut off from any future, restoration or renewal. Yet God gives a proclamation of Hope and restoration to come. Sometimes we experience instant restoration, but commonly it’s a process that takes steps and time.

The bones were dry and scattered, so first they came together and are formed. Then tendons and flesh come and skin covers them. However, as in the creation story, these people didn’t come to life until the breath of the Lord came. We need God’s Word and the Spirit. Both are involved in the restoration process – first the Word was proclaimed over them, which caused movement and then, second, the Spirit came and brought life. For us today, God can deliver us from a “valley of dry bones” moment to hope and a new life. And when He does, we acknowledge it was His doing and so praise the Lord.

  1. Can you share a moment when your hope was gone, and you felt cut off from any future restoration or renewal? What steps did you take and how much time was needed to process through?

  2. Can you remember a time when someone shared words of truth and encouragement and it made a real difference in your life situation?

Consider This

Ezekiel 37 is a compelling vision symbolizing God’s power to restore what seems beyond repair. As God’s church, as Christians, we are raised into a vast army, not a collection of individuals or a social club. And like an army, we Christians train, and as an army, we too have a mission.

  1. What do you envision when you think about the vision of dry bones? How do you think it applies to people today?

  2. In Ezekiel 37:3, what did Ezekiel know about God and what can you learn about God from this exchange?

  3. What did God use to bring the dry bones back together (verses 4-5)? What does this teach you about God’s word, and how He often chooses to accomplish His will?

  4. Compare Ezekiel 37:9-10 to Genesis 2:7. What do you think “breath” symbolizes here?

  5. What were the people saying about “dry bones” in verse 11? What else did they say?

  6. How did God respond to the people’s complaint (verses 12-13)? How did God communicate this good news to the people? What does that imply to you and me today?

  7. What will the people know and why (verses 13-14)? What does God’s Spirit do for God’s people?

  8. What is your mission and how do you “train” as a Christian?

  9. According to John 5:24, 2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 4:12, what can God’s word provide to people? How can we better be used by God to speak His word over others?

  10. What brings true life to God’s people, according to Ezekiel 37:14?

Moving Forward – Application

Don’t give up! God is not done with you. There is still hope because God is a live and sovereign God. Seek His will and you will find it.

  1. How can you better prepare to worship God throughout this week?

  2. How can you better prepare to worship God with the body of believers on next Lord’s Day?

  3. What is your plan to renew your mind on God’s promise to you of renewal and restoration this week?

  4. Is there some daily (weekly) habit you can learn from this message to obtain a more hopeful perspective when you face seemingly impossible situations?

  5. People all around you are in their own “valley of dry bones” moments. This week prayerfully seek opportunities to speak a word over them, bring encouragement to them, and point them to Jesus, the true source of our hope.