Welcome to the Weekly Digest!
Below you will find resources to help you on your journey through the Book of Psalms. We've provided you with a reading plan for the upcoming week, journaling prompts, a weekly Spotify playlist, and ideas for prayer. Be sure to check in every week to see what we have for you next as we continue to enrich our journey through the Psalms.
Reading Plan February 6th - February 12th
Psalms 86-90. Read and reflect on Psalm 89 in preparation for Sunday, February 12th's teaching. You can download the reading guide for the entire series here.
Scripture Memorization
Scripture memorization is an important discipline to introduce to our lives as a way to actively hide God's word in our heart. It allows us to not only internalize the text, but to share that truth with others more readily.
Memory Verses for February: Psalm 84:1-2
How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Journal Prompts
* A quick note on journaling: if you're new to this practice, our journey through the book of Psalms will be a great way to get started. The most important step to forming this discipline in your life is to write anything and write often. Journaling is an incredible way to slow down, digest the content of a text, let your brain internalize thoughts that may come up, and keep a record for future reflection on what God was speaking to you during your reading. Journaling can take many forms such as written prayers, bullet points, stream of consciousness, or even poetry. Try some different methods and find the one that works best for you.
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions from Today's Teaching
In what context have you asked the question, “What is my purpose”?
Psalm 138 teaches us that our ultimate purpose in life is to glorify God with our lives. List some practical ways you can accomplish that immediately.
Have you ever wondered why God seems so self-centered when it comes to His glory? In your own words explain how His glory is the polar opposite of self-centeredness.
If this journey of purpose is more about what God is doing within you than what you can do for Him, then put into words how God is currently working within your heart.
Since the success of life is measured by only one thing, the discovery that your purpose in life is to glorify God. How are you doing? How does this statement challenge you to change?
Never forget that this journey with God always starts with grace and is sustained by grace but ends with His glory!
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions for This Week's Reading
Psalm 86
Since Psalm 86 is a Davidic prayer founded on grace. How do prayer and grace work together
in your life?
What is the difference between atheism (denial of the existence of God) and practical atheism
(disregard for God)?
Have you ever declared your belief in God but failed to work it out in a daily practical
application? Expound…
Psalm 87
When you hear the word inclusion what is your first thought?
Psalm 87 is a Psalm of inclusion as we see the image of Israel’s enemies being reborn as the
people of God. The thought of the inclusion of Egypt and Babylon was a struggle for Israel due
to their history with both.
How do we struggle with seeing those that persecute us become our brothers and sisters in
faith? Is that how you pray for them, or do you pray that God eliminates them?
If Paul can be transformed, then why not our persecutors? Why not those that are different
than us? – Why not those that believe differently than we do? Is that not Biblical inclusion?
How are you opening your heart to those who are different? Are you making it easier or more
difficult for those around you to find Christ?
Psalm 88
Psalm 88 is a Psalm of darkness and desperation like none other. Why? Bitter rambling? Never
marginalize our expressions from our vocabulary of prayer. Our prayers should always be in
sync with the reality of our lives.
How relational is your prayer life with God? Engaging with God is far more important than being
philosophical or even theologically perfect. Being right or wrong regarding the Psalmist lament
is not the point of Psalm 88, the pint is honesty in prayer.
Does your pray life reflect your relationship or just your knowledge of God?
Psalm 89
Is our worship determined by if we feel like it or not or should it be a sacrifice at times?
Our praise and prayer should be, “here is what I believe about you God and here is what I see.”
It is a tension that is unresolved, but the prayer is still offered. Offered with the understanding
that God is bigger than we are.
Read again Psalm 89:15-17 and think about the idea of blessedness mentioned in these verses.
How is that place of blessedness realized?
As created human beings we only find true meaning in the worship of our creator.
Psalm 90
How aware are you regarding the brevity of life? Read Psalm 90:7-12 What do those verses say
to you?
What does your “bucket list” (what you want to accomplish before you die) consist of?
How does an understanding of the brevity of life lead to a greater dependency on God?
Again, read verse 12 and focus on the words, “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a
heart of wisdom”. How does verse 12 challenge us to value each day that we live? How does
this verse challenge us in our values and priorities?
What does the psalmist mean by “establishing the work of our hands?”
Prayer
I thank you Father that I can rest in the truth that through your Son, my hope and ultimate future is secured. Even when I experience the conflicts that inevitably arise as I seek to obey you, I know that victory is already won. So your Sovereign hand will sort out the details and I will continue to walk with you, submitting my prayers and requests to you with thanksgiving and assurance.
