GOD S PROMISE OF PROVISION

Transcription

1 SESSION 3 GOD S PROMISE OF PROVISION The Point God provides for those who choose to live under His care. The Bible Meets Life We don t always make wise or correct decisions. When we discover our error or sin, how should we respond? Psalm 34 shows us that God responds to us when we turn to Him for help and deliverance. Life under God s care is good because He provides all we truly need. In His love and faithfulness to us, God provides. The Passage Psalm 34: SESSION 3

2 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Psalm 34:1-14 I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 4 Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. 5 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. 6 The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 7 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! 8 You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing. 9 Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. 14 Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. The Setting Psalm 34 praises the Lord for His deliverance of those who fear and trust in Him. The psalm is associated with David s seeking refuge with the Philistine king Achish of Gath (or Abimelech) when David fled from the court of King Saul (see 1 Sam. 21:10-15). David s reputation for slaying Philistines preceded him, and when David feared for his life, he feigned insanity before the king in order to escape unharmed. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 29

3 ENGAGE (15 MINUTES) GET INTO THE STUDY ENGAGE: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the next page. (This is optional. If you d rather skip the Engage Options, just begin with the first discussion question.) SAY: We don t always make wise or correct decisions. When we discover our error or sin, how should we respond? Psalm 34 shows us that God responds to us when we turn to Him for help and deliverance. Life under God s care is good because He provides all we truly need. In His love and faithfulness to us, God provides. ITEM 4 Leader Pack: Use the Psalm 34:8 Poster to help introduce the session. THE POINT GUIDE: Call attention to The Point. Explain that this is the key to keep in mind throughout the session. God provides for those who choose to live under His care. READ: Read and summarize The Bible Meets Life for your group (p.26). Who wouldn t want to experience the good life? The good life is often seen as the experience of pleasure or the lack of unpleasant experiences. It is commonly thought to be a life of contentment with all needs met. But can all our needs really be met? Who can we run to for help in our times of need? Many nights when thunderstorms shake our house, my three-yearold will come to our room, asking: Daddy, can I sleep in here tonight? He will place his sleeping bag on the floor next to our bed, but before falling asleep, he ll ask me to hang my arm over the side of the bed. If I ask why, he ll say, Just so I ll know you re there. Those nights with my son are a wonderful reminder of how God responds to our needs. David penned Psalm 34 because he knew this truth: whatever our needs physical, emotional, or spiritual our Father in heaven responds and provides. Just as my son finds comfort by my side, our Heavenly Father promises to be by our side as well. Let s look at how He provides. The gray bar indicates this material is from students Personal Study Guide. The bolded page number is where you can find the corresponding DISCUSS: Ask students the question, How would you define the good life? text in the Personal Study Guide. PRAY: Transition into the session by praying that students would trust God s provision in their lives. 30 SESSION 3

4 Engage Options YY Lead with Action On the board or a large poster displayed in the front of the room, write the words The American Dream. Invite the group to come up and list words they relate to this phrase. When everyone has had a chance to contribute, read the words aloud. Say, Many people strive to collect the successes and things they think will make them happy. So often, we equate our level of happiness with the amount of things we have. Yet, God tells us that all we need is found in Him. He is the provider of all good things. YY Lead with Atmosphere Display various photos of travel destinations around the room or on the screen. For example: a beach paradise, Paris, a snowy mountain landscape, New York City, etc. Lead students to answer the following question: What are some reasons people like to visit these places? Allow a brief time of discussion. Say, Many people equate happiness with positive experiences and the absence of negative experiences. Some people look to extravagant vacations or experiences to fulfill them and provide ultimate happiness. While there is nothing wrong with a great trip, we must remember that God promises to provide all we need. Nothing this world offers can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts like the Father can. OPTION: Instead of writing words that relate to The American Dream, guide students to draw their ideas, and present their pictures to the group. OPTION: Lead students to share their favorite trip or vacation they ve ever been on. Discuss why those experiences stood out, and remind students that nothing in this world even a great vacation can satisfy the desires of our hearts like God can. YY Lead with Media Look up a news clip or article about a family surviving in a snowed-in car. Say, Sometimes unexpected circumstances come our way and we find ourselves unprepared or ill equipped. But God, in His sovereignty, is faithful to give His good and perfect provision in our lives. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 31

5 IMPART (10 MINUTES) STUDY THE BIBLE The Point: God provides for those who choose to live under His care. I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. PSALM 34:4-7 PSALM 34:4-7 SAY: We can confidently trust that God will meet our needs. God will not force His presence and provision on us. But when we seek Him, He will be there for us. READ: Guide a volunteer to read the following (p.28): David began Psalm 34 with praise to God and He invited us to join him in proclaiming God s greatness. Verses 4-7 show us why God s greatness was on David s mind: Whatever the need was, God was there and met that need. DISCUSS: Discuss with students their answers to the following activity (p.28): When we God Seek the Lord (v.4) Look to the Lord (v.5) Cry to the Lord (v.6) Fear the Lord (v.7) DISCUSS: After you have discussed the activity, ask students the following question, When and how has God responded to your needs? SAY: God doesn t just provide what we need; He gives Himself! Throughout the Old Testament, appearances of the Angel of the Lord indicate the presence of God and many see Him as the pre-incarnate Christ (Gen. 16:10-13; 22:11; Judg. 13: 3-23). God is not an elusive Deity we have to search for; rather, He is always near. 32 SESSION 3

6 Commentary PSALM 34:4-7 The background event referred to in Psalm 34 is found in 1 Samuel 21. David, fleeing from King Saul, sought refuge in the Philistine city of Gath. Some of the royal servants identified David to King Achish [AY kish] as an Israelite warrior. Afraid for his life, David pretended to be insane when brought into the king s presence apparently, David inwardly prayed while he ranted and raved outwardly. Achish thought him to be a crazy man and drove him away. David realized that it was the Lord s response to his heartfelt plea for deliverance, not his pretense, that secured his deliverance. Some years later, he wrote this psalm to show how the Lord delivers the righteous when they call to Him. [Verse 4] God responds when we call to Him. In verses 4 and 6, David testified how the Lord heard his prayer and delivered him from his terrifying ordeal. These two verses parallel in both meaning and structure. I sought the Lord means that David prayed with desperate earnestness. The idea of seeking the Lord brackets everything in verses 4 through 10. TIP: Encourage students to share a time when God was near to them in their time of need. [Verse 5] David next encouraged all believers that what the Lord did for him was (and is) available to each of them. Just as he sought the Lord, they too could look to the Lord. Look means to intently fix one s gaze. Looking to the Lord implies trust in His ability to deliver from trouble. Keeping oneself spiritually focused on the Lord leads to beaming with radiant joy both internally and visibly. Because God will answer those who look to Him for help in their times of need, those who keep their gaze on the Lord can never be ashamed. [Verse 6] David rephrased his testimony. In verse 4, He spoke in the first person, I sought. This time he spoke in the third person. Poor is not a reference to financial poverty. Rather, it s an admission of David s helplessness in facing his fears and troubles apart from the Lord s intervention. [Verse 7] Those who fear Him in verse 7 are the same people who look to Him in verse 5. Again David alternated from personal testimony to encouragement for all who will call on the Lord in time of need. The word fear is a different Hebrew word than fears in verse 4. Fears, in that verse, means terrors, the kind of fears that cause one to be panic stricken. But the Hebrew term translated fear in this verse, while in some instances it can be similar in meaning to the term in verse 4, in this context means a humble reverence for the Lord. It is a positive fear. (See Proverbs 1:7.) TIP: Explain to students that the fear described here in not based on terror, but rather is a reverent fear that acknowledges God as Ruler. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 33

7 IMPART (10 MINUTES) STUDY THE BIBLE The Point: God provides for those who choose to live under His care. Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing. PSALM 34:8-10 PSALM 34:8-10 SAY: We all want to find contentment in life, but culture has put its own spin on what fulfillment should look like. DISCUSS: Discuss with students the following questions, What does the world say brings happiness? Why can t these things ever bring true happiness? SAY: While it s easy to get trapped into thinking these things will make us happy, they will never give us what we truly desire and need. Why? Because we can only find joy and contentment in things that have eternal value. GUIDE: Lead students to look up Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:15 to see what Jesus said about the good life. Then, guide students to read Philippians 4:12-13; Psalm 34:8; Matthew 6:33; and Ephesians 3:20 to read about the provision and goodness found only in God. DISCUSS: Discuss with students the following questions, What does it mean to taste God s goodness, and how can we do that in our lives? 34 SESSION 3

8 Commentary PSALM 34:8-10 [Verse 8] We ve seen that satisfaction and goodness are ultimately found in God alone. Next, David encouraged fellow believers to taste the goodness of the Lord for themselves. He wanted them to experience the Lord in the same way he had (see Heb. 6:5; 1 Pet. 2:3). How were they to accomplish this tasting? By seeking the Lord in prayer, looking to the Lord for provision, and fearing the Lord. Notice that the encouragement to taste is paired with a promised outcome. Those who experience God will see for themselves that the Lord is good. The person who takes refuge in the Lord for safety is described as blessed or happy Those who walk in right relationship with God experience the joys of His goodness. Those who take refuge (trust) in the Lord are blessed. [Verse 9] David s first imperative was taste. His second imperative is to fear God. For the saints, the command to fear God is coupled with a promised outcome: they will not lack anything. They will receive good from the Lord. In times of need, the Lord provides for and delivers those who call on Him. TIP: If you notice a particular student is struggling through a session, make a note, and let them know later that you are available to talk or pray with them about anything they are facing. Ensure they know you are there for them when they need you. [Verse 10] David stressed the importance of relying on the Lord, not on oneself. Even though they are strong, young lions experience the lack of food and go hungry. Just as this is true for the lions, it is also true for the person who refuses to turn to the Lord for help. But those who seek the Lord won t lack any good thing. Two points need to be made about this verse. First, the good things referred to here points to those things God provides for our benefit. Such provision will always be in accordance with His will and purposes for our lives, chief among which is to grow in holiness as we are conformed to the image of Christ through His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. Second, we need to remember that while God does provide, it s not necessarily done on our schedule or in the way we always want. We are to trust Him because the good things He ultimately provides are far better than the things we hope for or expect. TIP: Point out that God is always at work, even when it seems He is not. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 35

9 IMPART (10 MINUTES) STUDY THE BIBLE The Point: God provides for those who choose to live under His care. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. PSALM 34:11-14 PSALM 34:11-14 SAY: We ve already seen that when we fear God and seek Him, He meets us in our need and provides abundantly. But what does it look like to seek and fear the Lord? GUIDE: Lead students through the following steps (p.30): 1. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. To fear the Lord we first must acknowledge He is just, right, and holy. That acknowledgement will be reflected in our desire to be just, right, and holy as He is (1 Pet. 1:16). 2. Turn away from evil and do what is good. God is holy, and He will have nothing to do with evil. We are to be like Him. But a holy lifestyle is not just about avoiding evil; it is also about doing good. 3. Seek peace and pursue it. Being a follower of Christ does not mean we will live in trouble-free relationships or situations, but we are to pursue peace (Heb. 12:14). DISCUSS: Discuss with students the ways we can identify the evil we must avoid and the good we must pursue through Scripture, prayer, and the church. SAY: When we respond to God the right way with fear and submission we will begin to experience His grace and provision in ways we can t even imagine. DO: Direct students to complete the Action Point, The American Dream (p.30). The American Dream In the space below, draw a picture of what the American Dream means to you, and explain your picture/definition to the group. Then, with a partner, discuss how God provides for His children. Does He always provide in the way we want? Why can we trust that He knows best what we need? Explain. 36 SESSION 3

10 Commentary PSALM 34:11-14 [Verse 11] Those who respond with holiness and reverence experience God s provision. In verses 4-10, David used personal testimony and open invitation to encourage God s people to seek the Lord. David changed his approach in the second half of the psalm. Here, and through the rest of the psalm, David took up the role of a teacher instructing (spiritual) children. Solomon, one of David s sons, would later employ this role in the Book of Proverbs. As teacher, David s first command was Come! He addressed his readers as a parent, calling them children. He wanted them to be available for instruction. His second command was that they should listen to me. Listen didn t mean merely to hear what David had to say, but to respond with obedience to what is heard. The two commands are followed by a promise, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. David had earlier taught that the Lord protects those who fear Him (see v. 7). He had encouraged the saints to fear the Lord (see v. 9). Now, he would instruct them on how to fear the Lord. TIP: Discuss with students how our words are powerful. They can cause blessings or can cause us to sin. [Verse 12] But before David began to teach the fear of the Lord, he asked a critical question. His question could be rephrased as, Are you the kind of person who delights in life? Are you the kind of person who knows what good truly is and enjoys it? If so, David said, allow me to teach you the key to the good life. Let me teach you to fear the Lord. How desperately we need this teaching in our world today! [Verse 13] David taught that fearing the Lord involves refraining from speaking evil. Fearing the Lord begins with controlling one s words. Keep literally means to stand guard over. The idea is to stand guard over one s own tongue so that one can repel or turn away any evil words one is tempted to speak. Evil words may be inappropriate, unholy, foolish, damaging, or deadly. Such words make nothing better. For emphasis, the same truth is repeated with the interchange of the words tongue and lips. The application is more specific. Those who fear the Lord must stand guard over their lips. [Verse 14] David expanded the thought of turning away from evil words to include turning away from evil deeds. Evil actions are incompatible with the fear of the Lord. David went further: those who fear the Lord must do good (see Matt. 7:24; Jas. 4:17). These two aspects together form the definition of repentance. Doing good correlates to seeking and pursuing peace. Today, we think of peace primarily as the absence of fighting or hostility. The Hebrew idea of peace was far more comprehensive. Biblical peace includes the ideas of harmony, healthiness, and wholesomeness. Peace exists when things work together the way the Lord intends them to work. TIP: Pray for your students that they would seek and pursue peace today. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 37

11 IMPACT (10 MINUTES) APPLY IT TIP: From time to time, lead students to pray as a group for the ministry, each other, and the impact they can have on the community. Spend group time on this rather than covering the whole session if the opportunity arises. SAY: How will you choose to live under God s provision and care? READ: Guide a volunteer to read aloud a few ways students can take what they learned and Apply It (p.31). YY Express thanks. Make a list of all the ways God has provided for you. Be specific! Use this list as a reminder to thank God daily for His involvement in your life. YY Evaluate your walk. Living a holy life in fear before the Lord is a continual journey. Which of the actions listed in this passage do you need to strengthen to improve your relationship with Christ? Explain. YY Advance God s provision. One of the ways God has provided for you is through the love and generosity of others. Determine how God might want to use you to help someone else. GUIDE: Lead students to consider which of the three suggested responses to the Bible study most closely applies to them and their current circumstances. ASK: Which of these responses do you personally need to focus on most as you live this session out? Allow time for responses. WRAP UP PRAY: Close in prayer, asking God to help students put their trust in Him as their Father and Provider. ASK: Ask students about last week s Live It Out options. Discuss any responses and encourage students as they choose to apply the Bible to their lives. GUIDE: Encourage students to complete one or both of the Live It Out activities for the week. Let them know you will discuss them the next time you meet.. For free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife 38 SESSION 3

12 LEADER LIVE IT OUT To find the One Conversation for all ages, visit Before the session, challenge yourself to grow with your students through this Live It Out. Encouragement Jar Psalm 34:4 Notes: On the outside of a jar, write out Psalm 34:4, and keep the container somewhere you will see it regularly. A few times a week, write down a way God has provided for you and put the slip of paper in the jar. After several weeks, pull out all the paper and read through the ways God has provided for you. ONE CONVERSATION Scripture: Psalm 34:1-14 Topic: God s Promise of Provision Use these discussion starters to help foster a spiritual conversation with your family. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We don t always make wise or correct decisions. When we discover our error or sin, how should we respond? Psalm 34 shows us that God responds to us when we turn to Him for help and deliverance. Life under God s care is good because He provides all we truly need. In His love and faithfulness to us, God provides. STUDENTS THE POINT: God provides for those who choose to live under His care. When and how has God responded to your needs? What does it mean to taste God s goodness? Discuss the following quote:...he longs to relieve our worries and has promised to supply our most fundamental needs. 1 Charles R. Swindoll 1. Charles R. Swindoll, Quotes About Provision, Goodreads [online], [accessed 16 March 2015]. Available from the Internet: LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some suggested ways to help your student: If he or she plans to complete Prayer Partner: Discuss the questions provided in the Live It Out with your student. Share with him or her how you ve seen God s faithfulness in your life. If he or she plans to complete Encouragement Jar: Make the encouragement jar a family practice. After a few weeks, gather together and pull out your slips of paper. As a family, take some time to thank God for His faithfulness in your lives. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 39