Key Verse for 2025: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Timothy 4:16
Opener: This week, we will finish 1 Samuel and read 16 Psalms. King David wrote a significant number of the psalms. They express a wide range of emotions, from confession to praise and everything in between. David poured his heart out to God and found help and hope as a king, commander, father, and even in failure, through the objective truth revealed to him. David’s emotions were intertwined with the truths of his faith. David’s faith was rational because God revealed Himself to David; he understood true truth. However, his faith was not cold or devoid of emotion (you’ll see this in our discussion of Psalm 27). David could pour out his heart to God because God is a person, not an impersonal life force.
On Sunday, Terry focused on Psalm 27, told a personal story, and concluded with a challenge and some encouragement from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
He challenged us to feel what we feel but believe what is real. By doing this, we will be positioned to become healthy emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually.
As you read the passages, keep the following in mind to guide your discussion: In a world full of emotional and circumstantial uncertainty, God offers the gift of certainty through His revealed truth, which anchors our faith and shapes a God-centered posture for living.
Discussion: Read Psalm 27 out loud together. Please pray before you read the Psalm. And then discuss the following questions:
Q1: look at verses 1-3. What does saying, “The Lord is my light and my salvation” mean? How does this impact the fear we may face with the uncertainties in our lives? How does it reinforce truth?
Q2: David expresses confidence in verse 3, even when facing enemies. Where do you personally find confidence during times of uncertainty or fear?
Q3: Consider verses 13-14. What does it mean to “wait for the Lord” in practical terms? Do you find waiting easy or hard in your spiritual life? Why?
Q4: Look over the Psalm again. How are David’s heartfelt prayers reshaping his perspective and leading him to have a god-centric posture?
Q5: From What we’ve read in the Psalm, what does it look like for David to be waiting in faithful patience? How can you follow David’s example?
Now, Read Romans 8:18-39 out loud.
Q1: Discuss the “gifts of certainty” present in this passage and how they can strengthen and encourage you during uncertain times. In what ways does it provide the right perspective amid challenges? Share your reflections with the group.
Main Takeaway: In a world full of emotional and circumstantial uncertainty, God offers the gift of certainty through His revealed truth, which anchors our faith and shapes a God-centered posture for living. If we believe our emotions and not the objective word of God then we will eventually end up in despair. If we feel what we feel but believe what is real, we will be positioned to become healthy emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually.
Application: After reflecting on this passage and the sermon, is there anything in your life that needs to change? How can we help?