Praise God for the opportunity to gather together yesterday (by the thousands!) in corporate, online worship. As we continue navigating this unexpected season, we want to offer you some additional resources every Monday to dig deep into the message from Sundays.
We invite you to use and/or share these resources in whatever way you find most encouraging.
Personal Devotional
Yesterday we focused on the power of prayer. Pastor Mike encouraged us that God is near to all who call on Him (Psalm 145:18). He is our sanctuary and security in a season of unknowns. As we continue considering prayer this week, let’s study one of David’s prayers, penned at the darkest time in his life.
Read Psalm 3:1-2
- Perhaps your Bible has a heading under this Psalm that says, “A Psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.” Turn to 2 Samuel 13:1-30 for the backstory. Why was Absalom angry enough to kill his half-brother Amnon?
- By the time David writes Psalm 3, Absalom has not only murdered Amnon, he has rallied Israel to overthrow David and make him king (2 Samuel 15-17). David is on the run for his life…from his own child. Imagine being David. Jot down some of the thoughts and feelings you might have toward God, yourself, and your circumstances.
- Now, reread Psalm 3:1-2. Notice the key lie: “There’s no help for him in God.” Where are you tempted to believe there’s no help for you in God?
Read Psalm 3:3-4
- David combats this lie with several truths. When he prays, “You Lord are a shield around me,” he is speaking to his present circumstances. David needs protection, and he is claiming that unlike a physical shield, which can only be in front of him, God surrounds him. It seems David loved this image. Read Psalm 139:5 and record the unique way David captures the same picture.
- Write your name or draw a picture of yourself in the center of a sheet of paper. (Stick figures are allowed!) Jot down everything you fear on the outskirts of the paper, including uncertainties, possibilities, and worst case scenarios. Then draw a circle around yourself. Around the circle, write the words, “You Lord are a shield around me.” Recognize that this doesn’t mean none of your fears will come to fruition; rather it means that nothing can touch your life that has not been filtered through the sovereign, loving hand of God.
- David also says God is his glory, and the lifter of his head. It’s important for Christians to remember that we are saved by God’s grace alone. At this point in his story, David’s family dysfunction included rape, incest, murder, and treason. He failed in so many ways as a father, Christian, and king. Yet in his lowest moment, David declares that God is his glory and the lifter of his head. Take a moment to confess your brokenness to God. How have you failed to trust Him, love Him, or obey Him? Thank God for the cross, and remind your heart that He is your glory and the lifter of your head.
Read Psalm 3:5-8
- After acknowledging the lie and claiming the truth, how can we know that David truly experiences peace? (See verse 5).
- How have you experienced divine peace this past week?
- In the final verse we see David’s attention turn outward. After soothing his own soul with God’s truth, he prays for the people of Israel. Who can you be praying for this week?
- Reread Psalm 3 in its entirety. Thank God for David’s example of faithfulness in troubled times.
Grace Communities: Sermon Discussion Questions
- Pastor Mike talked about moving from “insecurity” to “security” by shifting our focus from everything that’s wrong to focusing on God Himself. What are your biggest areas of insecurity this week? How can we be praying specifically for one another as we seek to entrust these insecurities to God?
- Psalm 145:17 talks about two aspects of God’s character: His righteousness (or goodness) and His love. Are you struggling to trust in either God’s goodness or God’s love?
- What are some specific ways you’ve seen evidence of God’s goodness or love in the past few weeks?
- In talking about verse 19, Pastor Mike said, “We are active agents in our spiritual life.” He explained that when circumstances unravel, we must run to God to discover His hope, presence, and love. On a scale of 1-10, how faithfully have you participated as an active agent in your spiritual life this week?
- What are some ways you’ve been “showing up” in your spiritual life this week? What specific practices have been the most encouraging and sustaining for you?
graceKIDS! Activity: just for fun!
This week we listened to Pastor Mike talk about God’s goodness and love in Psalm 145. One of the ways God’s people hold on to faith in difficult times is by remembering His goodness and love in the past.
Have each member of your family draw a picture of a happy memory. Talk about how each memory is evidence of God’s love. Put your pictures on display!
GraceStudents 5th/6th Grade: Student Corner
Word of the Week—Sovereignty
Sovereignty means ultimate power and authority. It is an attribute (or characteristic) of God. Because God is sovereign, nothing is scary or surprising to Him. He is 100% in control at all times.
Look at question #5 in the Personal Devotional above. Consider helping your 5th/6th grader complete this activity for themselves. Discuss what it means to be surrounded by God’s love and sovereignty.
GraceStudents (7-12 Grades)
Starting this Sunday night, we’re going live with GraceStudents on Zoom. Download the Zoom app on your device, and watch for more info from your leaders this week!
