Lesson Highlights

Who is God?
Who is God?

Who is God?

In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:

Four different terms to describe God are used in verses 1 and 2. … Psalms: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition states: “God is described using four different names: most High, Almighty, Lord, and my God. The first and second portray His power, the third His covenant relationship with Israel, the last His intimacy. Four terms are used to describe the place of safety: shelter, shadow, refuge, and fortress. The first suggests a place of secrecy; the second, shade; the third, shelter; and the fourth, a fortress or stronghold of God's power.” (p. 281)

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 59.

Herald & Banner Press2016-11-04T09:00:00+00:00November 4th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: God|0 Comments

Can we trust God to take care of us?
Can we trust God to take care of us?

Can we trust God to take care of us?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

Two contrasting images are used here to describe the care of God. He shall cover thee with his feathers suggests the tenderness of His care — the gentleness of His dealings with us. The imagery is that of a parent bird. (Do not miss the connection with the danger to birds in the previous verse.) But gentleness should not be confused with weakness, for He is also thy shield and buckler. Here the imagery is of the hardened warrior in battle. Both items were used to protect the soldier from spears and arrows. The shield was larger and used in stationary situations, while the buckler was smaller and used in mobile, “hit-and-run” type situations. God protects us in battle, whether it be an open assault of the enemy, or guerrilla warfare. He is prepared for either!

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 59.

Herald & Banner Press2016-11-03T09:00:00+00:00November 3rd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Care|0 Comments

Why can we cry out to God with confidence?
Why can we cry out to God with confidence?

Why can we cry out to God with confidence?

"Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee" (Psalm 86:2).
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

God has promised to preserve His people (Isa. 49:8). Often in the Psalms God is praised for this quality. Here David asked for God to be his guard and watchman so that his life would be saved. In previous lessons we have focused upon the faithfulness (steadfast love) of God to those who are in a covenant relationship with Him. The word here is the same; only this time it is used of man's faithfulness to his side of the covenant. The claim of the psalmist was not a boast of superiority, but a plea of sincerity. It was a plea based upon his covenant relationship with Yahweh. It might say, “Lord, I am one of your children. I have done what you asked me to do!” Save . . . that trusteth in thee. Here again David gave God a motivational statement for answering his prayer. He claimed a unique relationship between those who trust in each other.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 53.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-29T09:00:00+00:00October 29th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Confidence, prayer|0 Comments

How do you respond to personal tragedy?
How do you respond to personal tragedy?

How do you respond to personal tragedy?

In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:

It is both fascinating and disconcerting to watch how people respond to personal tragedy. The unbeliever — the one who has no relationship with Christ, nor pretends to have any such — may react by experiencing complete meltdown, or attempting to “hold it together.” The Christian with weak faith often blames God, bargains with God, and questions God. Even the Christian with a stronger faith often responds with these telltale signs of grief. But for the one whose faith in Christ is strong, there is a difference. Many whose faith is weak find such trying circumstances strengthen their relationship with God, but there are some who allow such trouble to crush their spirit and faith in God. The distinctions may be impossible to see at first, but over time it becomes apparent.
Discussion: Obviously, such generalizations risk unfair assumptions and characterizations of people's faith. With that noted, what are some key differences between Christians whose faith is strengthened in adversity, as compared to those whose faith is obliterated?

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 52.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-28T09:00:00+00:00October 28th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Tragedy, trouble|0 Comments

What are key elements of worship?
What are key elements of worship?

What are key elements of worship?

In "Word Focus" Danny McCain writes:

First Chronicles 16 contains a psalm that is a picture of a time of worship. In this psalm, David identified the key elements of worship.
ELEMENT #1 Giving (vs. 28, 29) First, we are to give God “the glory due unto his name.” The word “due” suggests that we are in debt. …
ELEMENT #2 Remembering (vs. 12-22) Human beings are often not good at remembering. We would rather borrow trouble from tomorrow than blessings from yesterday. David reminded us that worship involves remembering. …
ELEMENT #3 Rejoicing (vs. 10, 23, 31-34) Worship is not a time for sadness. … As mentioned earlier, worship is giving; and in giving is joy. ln worship, we set aside our cares and needs and concentrate on God.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 52.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-27T09:00:00+00:00October 27th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: worship|0 Comments

What was David's hope for in his prayer for cleansing?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

The need is greater than just blotting out sin. The psalmist longed for a totally new beginning. Scholars are amazed at the boldness of this petition. The word create suggests that David was looking for a miracle. In no other text is this word used to refer to moral changes in a person's life. This is the word used for God's speaking worlds into existence. This is a request for the removal of everything that separates man from God — a heart where no sin exists. Renew a right spirit within me. The term spirit occurs three times within three verses — twice referring to the human spirit, and once to the Holy Spirit. Here David, in parallel with asking for a clean heart, asked for an inner stamina to pursue right in every situation.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 48.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-22T09:00:00+00:00October 22nd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Purity|0 Comments

How was David "shapen in iniquity"?

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:

We have no indication from scripture that David's parents committed adultery or fornication when he was conceived. Rather, every indication we have is that his parents were in a loving, faithful relationship. Verse 5 points to a deeper truth. Indeed, David would probably say that we all have been “shapen in iniquity.” How is this true?
We are all born with a nature corrupted by carnality, an inclination to rebel against God in order to worship self as god.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 47.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-21T09:00:00+00:00October 21st, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Carnality|0 Comments

What is the most common word for sin in the Old Testament?

In "Word Focus" Danny McCain writes:

“Cleanse me from my sin.” The word used here (chatha) is the most common word for sin in the Old Testament. It basically means “to miss the mark” or “to come short of the goal.” Robert Girdlestone says, “If man was originally made in the image of God, it must have been implanted in him as a first principle that he should live as God lives. Every departure, therefore, from the law of right is a coming short of the purpose for which man was made, and a missing of the goal which ought to be reached” (Synonyms of the O.T.).

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 46.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-20T09:00:00+00:00October 20th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: sin|0 Comments

Prayer – Lesson 7, Studies in the Psalms

Heavenly Father, may this lesson on how to find encouragement in You reach those who are downcast, discouraged, and depressed. Help us to look to You in seasons of joy and distress.

Herald & Banner Press2016-10-16T08:00:00+00:00October 16th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: prayer|0 Comments