Sunday, June 8th - Psalm 22
Prepare To Receive the Word:
Pray: For the Lord to speak through his word. For your pastor as he prepares to preach. For your heart to receive the word with gladness. For the Holy Spirit to guide you in the truth. For your church family as they prepare to worship together. For God to magnify his glory in the gospel of Jesus Christ. For God to bring non-believers to faith and believers to maturity.
Read: Read the passage. Take note of any repeated words or phrases. Mark any questions you have. What immediately stands out? What encourages you? What seems hard to understand?
Process The Word:
Pray: For the Lord to help you understand, love, and apply the truth from his word
Read: Read Psalm 22 and related passages (Matthew 27-28, Hebrews 2:12)
Listen: Listen to the sermon (preferably in person at church, or on the podcast if you are unable to join us).
Discuss:
1) Verse 1 is one of the most familiar phrases in the Psalms. In what sense has God “forsaken” or “abandoned” David? Have you ever felt the way David feels?
2) David reminds himself of several truths - (God’s holiness v. 3, God’s past faithfulness v. 4-5, David’s unworthiness v. 6, God’s election and preservation of David v. 9-10). Which stands out to you? Which seems most helpful to remember in times of intense trial? Do you ever “speak the truth” to yourself? How can you grow in this?
3) In verses 12-18 David describes his enemies. What enemies do God’s people presently face? How do we combat them?
4) Even after expressing that God “does not answer” his prayers (v. 2), David calls out again in prayer (v. 19-21). Do you find that you are persistent in prayer, even when God seems to not be answering?
5) The rest of the Psalm shows David proclaiming God’s name (22-31). How is your own testimony an “unlikely deliverance?” How does this lead you to praise God? To proclaim his greatness to others?
6) How does this Psalm point us to Christ, the true suffering King?
7) How is Jesus’ suffering, victory, and reign greater than King David’s? How ought this lead his people to proclaim him?
8) How does the end of the Psalm help us understand why Jesus quotes verse 1 on the cross?
