GOD S WORD GIVES COURAGE

GET INTO THE STUDY SESSION 3 GOD’S WORD GIVES COURAGE 5 minutes GUIDE: Direct attention to the image in the Personal Study Guide (PSG) page 40. DI...
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SESSION 3

GOD’S WORD GIVES COURAGE

5 minutes GUIDE: Direct attention to the image in the Personal Study Guide (PSG) page 40.

DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 40): Who do you

The Point

know who has acted with

Because of God’s Word, I can stand

courage?

in a world that opposes me.

The Bible Meets Life

GUIDE: Direct attention to

The way of the world is not to

The Bible Meets Life on

follow God. So when followers

PSG page 41. Point out how

of Christ align themselves under

deep roots allow a tree to

the lordship of Christ, the world

survive storms and high winds.

sees them as aligning against it. Some people might be tempted to bend to the opposition and conform to

GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 41): Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me.

the world’s standards, but following Jesus does not allow that option. We find strength in God’s Word to stand as we should.

The Passage Psalm 119:17-24

The Setting SAY: ”Courageous Christians

The third and fourth sections of Psalm 119, the gimel (vv. 17‑24) and dalet

can stand strong in the storms

(vv. 25‑32) stanzas, are more autobiographical than the first two sections.

of life when they are deeply

In these two sections the psalmist provided a glimpse of the persecution

rooted in God’s Word.”

he had suffered because of his stand for God and God’s Word. 1

In verses 17‑24, the psalmist used six synonyms for God’s Word: (1) word

(v. 17), (2) instruction (v. 18), (3) commands (vv. 19,21), (4) judgments (v. 20), (5) decrees (vv. 22,24), and (6) statutes (v. 23).

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STUDY THE BIBLE

Psalm 119:17-20

Psalm 119:17-20

17 Gimel

Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I

15 minutes

will keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things

from Your instruction.

READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Psalm 119:17-20.

19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands

SUMMARIZE: Refer to The

from me.

Setting on page 42. 1 Point

20 I am continually overcome with longing for Your

out that in verses 17‑24, the

judgments.

psalmist used six synonyms for God’s Word:

KEY WORDS: Stranger on earth (v. 19)—God’s people are only temporary residents on this earth (1 Pet. 2:11‑12), strangers made up of

1. word (v. 17)

all those obedient to God and His ways (John 17:14‑18).

2. instruction (v. 18)

God’s Word keeps me focused when I don’t belong.

3. commands (vv. 19,21)

Verse 17. Verses 17‑18 are linked by the prayer requests opening each verse. The opening words of verse 17, “deal generously,” and of verse 18, “open my eyes,” both present the psalmist’s requests to God. The writer had a confidence that we share: God is there, God wants to help us, and God has the power to do so. The psalmist’s request that God deal generously with him refers to the idea of treating a person well or rewarding him. The psalmist’s words suggest he had the expectation that God would deal with him in mercy and goodness, not judgment. Note the writer’s description of his position. His relationship with God was that of being God’s servant. The terms translated “servant” in both the Old and New Testament are often used to describe God’s people in their relationship with God Himself. The psalmist’s use of the term servant to describe himself implies that he had been acting faithfully in his relationship with God. The psalmist provided the reason for his request: so that he might live and keep God’s Word. The text does not make clear exactly which type of life the psalmist was writing about. Although some scholars view the psalmist’s request as referring to physical life, others view this living as referring to eternal life—both in quality (life as is meant to be) and in quantity (living forever). This life may be experienced

4. judgments (v. 20) 5. decrees (vv. 22,24) 6. statutes (v. 23) LEADER PACK: Use Item 2: Eight Synonyms to show terms used for God’s Word.

S U G G E S T E D U S E | W E E K O F D E C E M B E R 18

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THE POINT

Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me.

GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG pages 42-43 to learn the characteristics of those who are true servants of God. 1. True servants desire to live the Word of God. 2. True servants desire to learn the Word of God.

OPTION: Ask volunteers who have had cataracts to describe how the condition affected their vision. Explore how lack of vision can lead to a loss of courage. Then ask volunteers to describe their vision after cataract surgery. Ask them to describe how their courage returned after their vision was restored. SAY: ”Renewed vision is not something you can accomplish on your own. You need an expert who is trained and experienced. In the same way, God can open our eyes and give us vision so we can act with courage to do His will.”

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 to share more about what it means to ask God to, “open my eyes.”

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partially during our physical life but only fully after we pass into eternity. Which ever type of life the psalmist referenced, his request for life had a singular purpose: the psalmist’s desire to keep God’s Word. The central focus of his life, his very existence, was to keep God’s Word. Verse 18. The psalmist’s second prayer request in this section was for God to open his eyes. The image of opening the eyes was used metaphorically for gaining insight and “seeing” with clarity, for understanding the truth. The psalmist’s request to open his eyes was a spiritual plea for God to help him understand God and His ways (including His Word). This request brings to mind the words of Jesus concerning the Pharisees’ “blindness” to God and His ways, especially in their failure to recognize Jesus for who He is—the Son of God and God’s promised Messiah. In regard to the Pharisee’s taking offense at His words, Jesus replied, “Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:14). Another event that reflects the imagery of the psalmist’s plea to open his eyes is the encounter the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had with the risen Jesus on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection, when He opened the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:31‑32). Later in this psalm, the writer also used the imagery of eyes and sight in the sense of asking God to turn his eyes away from those things in life that are ultimately of no eternal value (any teachings, values, or actions opposed to God) and thereby keep him focused on God and His ways. “Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways” (Ps. 119:37). The writer identified the purpose for his request—so that he could contemplate wonderful things from God’s instruction. The Hebrew word for contemplate means to think intently. When used in a spiritual sense this word means to meditate on. The word is only used three times in this psalm (Ps. 119:6,15,18). The phrase wonderful things refers to God’s self-revelation of His character (who He is) and the spiritual life that flows out of a relationship with God. These wonderful things are the very decrees that God declares, His Word (v. 129). God reveals Himself and what He expects from us in His Word. 2

Verse 19. The psalmist once again referred to his status, using some words that are difficult to understand. We know that he was a native Israelite; how could he have been a “stranger on earth”? In one sense, the Israelites were strangers in the land. All the earth belongs to God. It is His and His alone. Concerning the land the Israelites were to receive in Canaan, the Lord told them, “The land is not to be permanently sold because it is Mine, and you are only foreigners and temporary residents on My land” (Lev. 25:23). In another sense, God’s people of every time period are strangers in the world, meaning the world made up of everyone and everything that opposes God, His Word, and His ways (1 John 2:15‑17). Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) and He said that His followers are in the world, but not of the world (17:14‑18). The apostle Peter wrote of believers as “strangers and temporary residents” in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). The apostle Paul told the Ephesian believers that in Christ they were “fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household” (Eph. 2:19), meaning citizens in God’s kingdom. As the psalmist went on to reveal in the following verses, he was suffering persecution for his love of and loyalty to God and His Word (see Ps. 119:21-24). Such experiences can lead to feelings of despair, alienation, and isolation. In response to his situation as a stranger on earth, and possibly in relation to the persecution he was suffering, the psalmist sought God’s commands. The psalmist recognized that alone he could not deal with the realities of life. Furthermore, true safety and security was to be found in his relationship with God and his obedience to God’s commands. The psalmist’s greatest concern was the possibility that God might hide His commands from him. The psalmist recognized the centrality of God and His Word to his life. 3

Verse 20. In the final verse in this section of stanza three, the substance of the pleas of the three previous verses was presented as a statement of fact. The psalmist was continually overcome with longing for God’s Word (“Your judgments”). The term translated continually overcome communicates the deep longing of the psalmist for God’s Word. The depth of the psalmist’s longing can be seen in the range of the term’s meaning, which includes to be crushed, to be worn down, and to languish, but it’s most basic meaning is yearning or desire. Desires in and of themselves are neither good nor evil: The determing factor is the intentions of our hearts. The psalmist’s desire was for God and His Word. Later in the psalm, he wrote, “I long for Your salvation, Lord, and Your instruction is my delight” (v. 174). 4

DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 43): How would you summarize the psalmist’s requests in these verses? GUIDE: Refer group members to KEY WORDS (PSG, p, 42): stranger on earth. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 for more on the phrase stranger on earth. Ask volunteers to read the following passages: • John 18:36 • Ephesians 2:19 • 1 Peter 2:11 DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 44): In what ways do Christians live as strangers in today’s world? (Alternate: How would our lives be different if we more fully embraced the idea we are “strangers on earth”?) SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 to explain what it means to be continually overcome with longing for God’s Word. TRANSITION: The image of living as a stranger on earth led the psalmist to verbalize the concern he had for those who opposed him.

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THE POINT

Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me.

STUDY THE BIBLE Psalm 119:21-22 10 minutes

Psalm 119:21-22 21 You rebuke the proud, the ones under a curse, who

wander from Your commands. 22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept

READ: Read or ask someone to read Psalm 119:21-22.

Your decrees. God’s Word keeps me focused when I face opposition.

GUIDE: Refer members to PSG pages 44-45: “God punishes rebellious people.” Point out the threefold description of those who receive divine rebuke: 1. Their Character They are insolent, proud, and arrogant. 2. Their Condition They are under a curse. 3. Their Conduct They “wander from your commands.”

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 to describe God’s displeasure with the proud.

SAY: ”God protects His people. When the psalmist faced scorn and contempt, he prayed that the Lord would take it away from him.”

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Verse 21. This verse points to the psalmist’s autobiographical experience. Verse 22 explains that experience in more detail. The psalmist stated a truth: God rebukes the proud. To rebuke means to censure severely; other words expressing this action are reprimand and reprove. In the Bible when used in relation to God, the word translated rebuke is used primarily in reference to God’s judgments against nations (Ps. 9:5; Isa. 17:13) and commands toward nature (Ps. 106:9; Mal. 3:11). 3 The Bible repeatedly speaks of God’s displeasure with the proud. After God rescued David from King Saul, during David’s song of praise to God, he said, “You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud— You humble them” (2 Sam. 22:28). Proverbs speaks of God’s attitude toward the proud and the certainty of God’s judgment of them. “Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Prov. 16:5). One of the differences between a healthy selfconfidence and pride is the need for others, particularly God, in a person’s life. Many, if not most, proud people see little or no need for God or others to help them develop the proper lifestyle. Repeatedly the psalmist recognized his need for God and God’s Word in his life. God’s Word also helped the psalmist deal with proud people and the persecution he suffered at their hands. The psalmist further explained that the proud are those under a curse, who wander from God’s commands. Why are they under a curse? To help answer that question, we should look at the opposite and ask, “Who are those who are blessed?” The opening verses of Psalm 119 provide the answer. They are people whose “way is blameless, who live according to the Lord’s instruction” (v. 1) and “who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart” (v. 2). So the

ones under a curse are those who don’t live blamelessly, who don’t live according to God’s instruction, who don’t keep His decrees, and who don’t seek God with all their hearts. May God help us to be more like the people of verses 1‑2 and less like the people in verse 21! Who are the ones who wander from God’s commands? A word-picture that explains wandering is sheep. Many times, sheep follow their noses and eyes to find more food. Doing so sometimes puts them in grave danger. They need a shepherd to guide and help them. Similar to sheep, those who wander from following God’s commands let other things in life—sometimes even good things—take their focus off what is most important: God and God’s Word. Rather than intentionally sinning, those people let other things crowd out their relationship with God and their study of the Bible. Still, it is a sin to wander from following God and His commands. Others are tempted and consciously choose to wander from God and His Word. Verse 22. This verse provides further information concerning the psalmist’s situation. Apparently evil people had insulted him and treated him with contempt. The psalmist requested that God remove insult and contempt from him. To insult people means to slur them, to abuse them, and to attack their dignity (to disgrace them). The strength of the original Hebrew term is found in the definition: to revile or shame. The opposite is to praise a person. To treat people with contempt means to disrespect them, to dislike or despise them, and to be condescending. The psalmist provided God with the reason for his request that God take insult and contempt away from him: he had kept God’s decrees. Notice that the opposition to the psalmist (who had kept God’s decrees) came from those who had wandered away from God’s Word. Both in the time of the psalmist and today, those who reject God and His Word often revile and despise those who love God and keep His Word. Christians today face a very similar situation to that of the psalmist. Those who follow God and obey His Word are often not well received in our society, which tends to revel in what is wrong and mock those who do what is right. Jesus foretold how the people who reject Him would treat His disciples. “Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20).

DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 45): What kinds of opposition do Christians face today? (Alternate: What are some appropriate responses when Christians face insult and contempt?)

LEADER PACK: Use Item 4: Roots to share with your group that opposition surely will come, but when we’re firmly planted in God’s Word, we have deep roots that will sustain us in any situation.

TRANSITION: When facing opposition for your faith, it is so important to keep your focus on God and His Word.

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THE POINT

Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me.

STUDY THE BIBLE Psalm 119:23-24 10 minutes

Psalm 119:23-24 23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your

servant will think about Your statutes; 24 Your decrees are my delight and my counselors.

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Psalm 119:23-24.

God’s Word keeps me focused on His perspective. Verse 23. Verses 23-24 continue both the themes from the previous sections of this stanza: the persecution the psalmist experienced because of his faithfulness to God’s Word and the delight the psalmist had in following God’s Word. These two verses add more detail about the psalmist’s personal situation. Previously, the psalmist had identified the sources of persecution as the proud (v. 21) and those who insulted him and treated him with contempt (v. 22). Here he identified a third source of persecution as coming from government officials—princes. The term translated princes encompasses officials or leaders in the military, religious, and governmental fields. This is an appropriate reminder that persecution can come from a variety of different sources. In addition, given the loss of religious freedom for Christians in the past few years in our country, these verses are particularly applicable for those who stand for God and His Word today. However, it is very important to realize that such persecution is nothing new for God’s people. The writer of the Book of Hebrews provided an excellent summary of the long history of those faithful to God and His Word who have suffered persecution at the hands of those who stood in opposition to God, His Word, and His people (Heb. 11). The response of the psalmist to the government officials who persecuted him was that he thought about God’s statutes. Once again, the psalmist saw himself in the proper position, as God’s servant. Next he stated his action: he would think about God’s Word. When faced with danger, the psalmist looked to God’s Word for his security. Taking refuge in God’s Word was a repeated action on the part of the psalmist, not merely a one-time event. Instead of responding directly to the government officials who were persecuting him, the psalmist instead chose to respond by focusing on God’s Word. What an amazing response to persecution! By turning to God’s Word in the face of persecution, the 4

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 to point out another source of persecution the psalmist faced: princes, which equates to government officials.

GUIDE: Refer members to PSG pages 46-47 to show how the psalmist could stand with courage as he focused on God’s Word: In verse 24 he declared that God’s Word was his: 1. Delight. “Your decrees are my delight.” 2. Direction. “Your decrees are … my counselors.”

SAY: “The psalmist could stand because he kept his focus on God’s perspective.”

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psalmist remained focused on God’s perspective. When we face persecution (or any bad experience for that matter) we have two choices. We can turn to God in faith or move away from Him in hurt, anger, doubt, fear, and so forth. When the psalmist faced persecution for being faithful to God and His Word, he chose to cling even tighter to the Source of his strength and life. May we always be so close to God that we choose to respond to persecution by turning to Him and His Word. Verse 24. Rather than focusing on his experiences of persecution by elaborating on them, in this verse the psalmist chose to continue his focus on God’s Word. He did not deny the reality of his situation, but neither did he dwell on it. Instead, he focused on God’s decrees. The psalmist made two statements about God’s decrees. The emotional response of the psalmist reflected his spiritual maturity. God’s decrees were his delight. The psalmist loved God and His Word. In doing so, he reflected the attitude God desires of every person. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest command of God’s law, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands” (Matt. 22:37‑40). When a person centers his or her life on God and His Word, all of his or her life is effected for the good. Not only were God’s decrees the psalmist’s delight—they were also his counselors. With God’s Word at the center of his life, God’s guidance and advice were available to the psalmist to guide him in all the situations he encountered. While it is very important to listen to godly people that the Lord puts into our lives who we trust and who know us well, be that family and/or friends, they cannot replace God’s Word. God’s Word is the only perfect, infallible source of guidance. Psalm 1 describes the effects on the person who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night. It is a fitting close to this session. “He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Ps. 1:3).

GUIDE: Draw attention to Digging Deeper (PSG, p, 47) for a brief discussion of God’s Word as our counselor.

DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 48): When has God’s Word acted as a counselor in your life? (Alternate: What are some appropriate responses when Christians face insult and contempt?)

DO: Ask volunteers to share responses to the “Stranger in a Strange Land” activity on PSG page 48.

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THE POINT

Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me.

LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Because of God’s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me. REVIEW: Live it Out (PSG, p. 49); see text to the right). Encourage each group member to commit to follow through this week with at least

LIVE IT OUT You can stand with courage in a world that opposes you. How will you trust the sustaining grace of God’s Word?

>> Stand straight. God’s Word helps you keep a proper

perspective, but other things can influence you and skew that perspective. Identify things you watch, read, or listen to that offer a different worldview. Guard yourself against letting these things keep you from seeing yourself and the world around you from God’s sovereign and loving perspective.

>> Stand together. As a group, identify Scriptures

that have helped you stand courageously. Post these Scriptures or share them through social media. Use Scripture to encourage each other.

one of the applications.

>> Stand with others. Others may be facing insult or

WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that God’s Word helps us keep a proper perspective, so that we can stand with courage in a world that opposes us. SAY: ”Let’s remember that when others come against us, God’s Word never fails. As long as we remain focused on the Lord and His Word, we can stand with courage against all opposition.” PRAY: ”Father, help us stand with courage when others oppose us. Help us remain focused on You and Your Word for the strength we need.”

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contempt because of their decision to walk with Christ. Encourage them. Pray with them. Walk with them. Share Scriptures that have strengthened your faith and walk with Christ.

“Psalm 119 used no less than seven other terms to clarify and enrich our understanding of God’s ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/LOUISE KOHL SMITH (32/25/2)

Word. Each represents a facet of God’s torah; collectively they emphasize the depth and breadth of the Word. “Like an effective ruler, God leads by righteous ‘judgments’

Torah scroll and prismatic torah case from Hebron. The case, made of wood, wood inlays, and silver, has 12 sides.

“The main Hebrew term employed in Psalm 119, and in all of the Old Testament for that matter, for the Word of God is torah, customarily translated as ‘law.’ But whereas the English word ‘law’ implies a legal standard organized and recorded in legal precedents and texts, the Hebrew torah connotes the broader idea of teaching or instruction (v. 18). Also adopted as the name for the first five books of the Bible, the Torah is comprised of a careful blend of legal material,

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Living without Christ might spare us from some opposition and persecution in this world, but the hardships of this life are nothing compared to the eternal life we have when we trust Christ for salvation.

(Hebrew, mishpatim; (v. 20). Being

Each week, make yourself

a term commonly used to describe

available either before or after

the way of a king (see 1 Sam. 8:11),

the session to speak privately

this synonym for the Word draws

with anyone in your group

us in consideration of the kingdom

who wants to know more

of God, a kingdom established on

about becoming a Christian.

the foundations of righteousness

See the article, “Leading

and justice.

Someone to the Greatest

“‘Commandment’ (Hebrew,

Decision of All,“ on page 2 for

mitzvah) implies authority. God’s

guidance in leading a person

Word comes as commands (v. 19)

to Christ.

for us to obey. Yet the psalmist seeks God’s commandments with his whole heart.” The excerpt above is from the article “The Word, a Description” (Fall 2009), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator.

Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ.

history, and narrative.

Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife 51