Series: Psalms
Passage: Psalms 1
Title: Play It Again
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)

Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

‌Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

• Do you typically pay more attention to lyrics or instruments when listening to songs? Which is more important (words or music)? Why?
• Do you have an important connection to a certain song? If you are comfortable, share the song and the reason it touches your heart.‌

Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• What experience do you have with Psalms in worship? How have these songs impacted your own praise? Which ones are your favorites? Why?
• Psalms is part of a poetic section of the Old Testament known as “wisdom literature.” How do you define wisdom? Have you ever thought about Psalms as a source of wisdom? Why or why not?
• Are you more likely to read through this collection from start to finish, or would you choose individual psalms to read randomly? Why?
• What is the danger of only using quotes or verses rather than the full context of a song? Read Psalm 73:13-14, then read all of Psalm 73. How does context change your understanding?
• When is the best time to read a Psalm: while you are facing a situation that parallels the songwriter’s, or before? Explain.
• How did Satan try to use out-of-context Psalms to tempt Jesus? Read Matthew 4:5-7. Was Jesus’ reaction based only on the verse He shared, or was it based on anything deeper? How did Jesus’ knowledge of God’s mind help him to resist?
• Read Psalm 1. What does biblical meditation look like? Are you good at it, or still growing? What are some ways you can dwell on God’s Word “day and night?”
• Which emotions do you struggle with most? (Ex: depression, anxiety, fear) Do you trust God’s word to help you in this struggle? Who can you talk to about it? List 1-2 Christian friends who can help you think godly thoughts.

‌Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Pray for the habit of reading Psalms to become part of your routine. Ask for insight to understand the songs you read!