Here is a Day by Day guide to learning and applying:
Read: the daily Scriptures and Answer the Question from the sermon.
Create: Create your own questions/comments from the scriptures
Discuss: Talk about your questions and reactions to the scriptures.
1/20/25
Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11
Title: As The Deer
BIG IDEA: In the dark night of the soul, our only hope is to look to the Light of the World.
Memory Verse: Psalm 23:1-3a
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
REMINDER:
A Disciple...Loves All People, Discovers Identity in Jesus, Deepens Relationship with Jesus.
What have I done this week to feed my soul, feed others, and feed my flesh?
What stood out to you in the sermon this week?
What did God reveal to you in the Scriptures this week, maybe for the first time?
Scripture Study Tip
What does it say, What does it mean, and How do I apply it to my daily life.
READ Psalm 42:1-11
In verse 4 David remembers back to a “better” time.
Where is your relationship with Jesus right now, and how has it changed since you first believed?
When a deer pants for fresh water it’s because its in desperation. When your soul is downcast, how do you respond with your whole being (heart, soul, mind, & strength)?
Pastor Nate shared that when people are in pain, they often are tempted to respond with isolation.
How does God use community to carry His people through times of trouble and
desperation?
READ Psalm 23
Head: What does this psalm make you think?
Heart: What does this psalm make you feel?
Hands: What does this psalm make you want to do?
ACTION STEP
A Disciple…Loves All People, Discovers Identity in Jesus, Deepens Relationship with Jesus.
Big Idea: In the dark night of the soul, our only hope is to look to the Light of the World.
This Week:
Reread Psalm 42 through the lens of Jesus Christ, meditating specifically on verses 5-6 and commit to the following:
• “I will” write out the lies I tell myself and the whispers Satan tells me.
- “I will” write out the truths of God’s word next to each lie and whisper.
1/13/25
Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6
Title: I Shall Not Want
BIG IDEA: The Lord is my shepherd.
Memory Verse: Psalm 23:1-3a
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
REMINDER:
A Disciple...Loves All People, Discovers Identity in Jesus, Deepens Relationship with Jesus.
What have I done this week to feed my soul, feed others, and feed my flesh?
What stood out to you in the sermon this week?
What did God reveal to you in the Scriptures this week, maybe for the first time?
Scripture Study Tip
What does it say, What does it mean, and How do I apply it to my daily life.
This weeks questions aim to reflect on the themes of God’s shepherding, rest, guidance, presence in difficulty, and the eternal hope that Psalm 23 offers.
Read Psalm 23
- The Lord as Shepherd:
- Psalm 23 opens with the powerful statement, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." What does it mean to you personally that God is described as a Shepherd who cares for His sheep? How does that image shape your understanding of God’s role in your life?
- Rest and Rhythm:
- In verse 2, the shepherd "makes me lie down in green pastures" and "leads me beside quiet waters." What does the idea of God "making" us rest mean in a practical sense? How do you balance the need for rest with the pressures of modern life that encourage constant activity?
- Guidance and Soul Restoration:
- Verse 3 talks about God guiding us along the right paths for His name’s sake. Reflecting on your own life, can you identify times when you followed a path that seemed right at first, but ultimately led to frustration or pain? How did God's guidance restore your soul in those moments?
- The Dark Valley:
- Verse 4 acknowledges that even though we walk through the darkest valley, we need not fear evil because God is with us. What dark valley (a difficult season, personal struggle, or painful situation) are you currently facing? How does the promise of God’s presence with you in these times impact your ability to endure?
- Peace in the Presence of Enemies:
- Verse 5 describes God preparing a table in the presence of our enemies and anointing our head with oil. How does the idea of finding peace and abundance in the middle of chaos or conflict challenge your current perspective on how to handle life’s difficulties?
- Living with an Eternal Perspective:
- Verse 6 speaks of God’s goodness and love following us all the days of our life, and dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. How does the eternal perspective of life in Heaven shape how you live today? In what ways can you begin to make everything in your life about Christ rather than yourself, as the sermon challenged?
Constant Reminder
Six questions for gospel-centered discernment. Memorize and ask these six questions to discern and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.
G - God's glory: Will this decision primarily be about my glory or God's glory?
O - Other Christians: What do other gospel-saturated, Christ-centered, wise friends say about this upcoming decision?
S - Scripture: Does the Bible command, permit, or prohibit this decision? What does inerrant, infallible Scripture say?
P - Prayer: Have you abided with, rested in, asked from, listened to and waited on God in this decision over time?
E - Evangelism: Will this decision give me the opportunity to share the gospel and invite people to faith in Jesus?
L - Lifestyle: Will this decision lead me to live a lifestyle of love marked by the Fruit of the Spirit and holiness?
