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 October 17th-24th
Psalms 31-35. Read and reflect on Psalm 32 in preparation for Sunday, October 24th'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 October: Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
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
Psalm 27
Has God ever said wait when you have requested something from Him? Take a moment and
journal the details of that moment.
Are you waiting well?
Psalms 27:1-6
How do we balance focusing on God and taking care of all of life’s responsibilities?
What cause are you most devoted to?
How can you bring Christ into that devotion? Have you attempted to compartmentalize your
life?
Psalm 27:4-13
Have you struggled with the spiritual discipline of prayer? Explain
Our faith is relational at its core. What event in history solidified that truth? Expound
Psalm 27:14
How we wait is shaping the person we will become. What does that statement mean to you?
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions for This Week's Reading
Psalm 31
David refers to God as a “rock of refuge” in verse two. How would you define “refuge”? How has God been your refuge?
In verse 8, David cries out for grace because of his distress. What is currently distressing you? Take a moment to acknowledge these things before God or thank Him for a lack of distress in your life.
David continues to work through his distress before God and concludes with an uplifting message meant to instill courage in those "who wait for the Lord” (v. 24). What makes waiting for the Lord so difficult?
Psalm 32
How often do you practice the spiritual discipline of confession?
Confession is the first step to repentance (the turning away from sin). In David’s perspective, God returns confession with forgiveness and instruction. In what areas of your life do you need to more fully trust that the Lord loves you and is happy to forgive you?
Psalm 33
Praise is meant to be at the core of all believers. What has God been doing in your life or showing you about Himself that you find praiseworthy?
What are your God Hall of Fame moments (the moments where God showed up in an undeniable way)?
Jot down a prayer of thankfulness to God for His faithfulness.
Psalm 34
David implies that praising God should be continuous and corporate. When and where could you take a moment each day to praise God by yourself and with others?
Verse 19, says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” How does being on our side of Christ’s death and resurrection help us reconcile this verse with the reality of lasting afflictions?
Psalm 35
This psalm is an imprecatory psalm. In an imprecatory psalm, the psalmist calls down or invokes God’s wrath on his enemies. Take a moment to write down the names of people, places, or situations that really upset you.
How does it make you feel knowing that David prayed for his enemies to be cursed and destroyed by God?
What do you think about the idea of incorporating imprecatory prayers into your prayer life?
Take some time in prayer to give into God’s hands the people, places, or situations that are really upsetting you right now.
