small Group Notes Psalm 28-31
October 10, 2024

Unanswered Prayers, Big God, Turnarounds, and Strength for the Journey

He’s a Mighty Big God!

Introduction: Priming the pump for tonight’s discussion.

This week we studied four Psalms together. As we begin, was there anything particular that God spoke directly to you during the study? Can you share it with the group?

Exploration: Questions to guide our group discussion.

  1. We learned from Psalm 28 that sometimes God speaks clearly to us when we pray, while at other times it seems like God is silent. We learned that what may seem like an unanswered prayer could actually be a prayer of no, or not yet. Still, God may delay the answer of a prayer for our personal benefit and spiritual growth. Take a look at these passages together and let’s discuss a few reasons why God may be silent when we pray.

    Can you think of other reasons why God may delay answering our prayers, or appear to be silent? How should a believer interface with a delay in hearing God’s voice?

  2. We learned this week that several of David’s prayers were “Imprecatory Prayers” meaning that David prayed for God to bring retribution on his enemies. How does this Old Testament idea square with the teaching of Jesus on the subject?
    Luke 6:27, 35, Romans 12:20, Matthew 5:43-43
    How does the example of Jesus encountering the woman of adultery in John 8 help us to see these principles in action?

  3. Pastor Joel gave us the illustration of digging a backyard pool with a spoon to illustrate how the tool was too small for the magnitude of the job. In a similar way, sometimes the worship that a believer brings to God is much smaller than what His glory deserves. But with that in mind, does bigger, louder, more exuberant worship mean that God is getting more glory? Let’s discuss this in light of 1 Kings 18:20-29.

  4. We learned this week that God is in the turnaround business. So many times people forget that a trouble spot in life is just that…a spot. Life is lived in seasons, and seasons change. Let’s read and discuss Jeremiah 29:11 and encourage one another to trust God for seasons to turn, as needed.

Additional Scriptures for Deeper Study:

  • Psalm 30:5,11
  • Ezekiel 1
  • Isaiah 6
  • Revelation 4:8

Application: How can I apply this to my life this week?

  1. As we think about our prayer life, it’s good to examine ourselves and reflect on the openness of our communication lines with God. In light of what we’ve learned this week, is there a reason revealed to you why God may be silent?

  2. Are you in a season now that seems like it will never end? Perhaps God would have you put your season in perspective tonight and realize that the page will turn. Hang in there…it’s just a season, and seasons change. Give it to God, and let’s press on together.