The Praises of God's People

SESSION 13 The Praises of God’s People

Summary and Goal

Psalm 1 sets the stage for all the psalms, showing us a vision of God’s people who delight in God’s Word. Psalm 100 shows how the psalms call us to celebrate who God is and give thanks for what He has done. Psalm 110 points forward to the coming Messiah, who will make all things right. As we read and pray and sing the psalms, we identify with the people of God who offer our lives in worship for His great name. Main Passages Psalm 1 Psalm 100 Psalm 110 Session Outline 1. The psalms call us to delight in God’s Word (Ps. 1). 2. The psalms call us to celebrate God’s character and work (Ps. 100). 3. The psalms call us to look for the coming Messiah (Ps. 110).

Theological Theme Worship is bringing glory to God for His Word, His works, and His promise. Christ Connection The psalms cover the spectrum of life. We praise God for His goodness and grace, we confess our sin, and we lament the brokenness of this world. When Jesus came, He stepped into the pain and brokenness of this world and sang these psalms with His people. But Jesus not only sings the psalms; He is the King whom these psalms are ultimately about. Missional Application God calls us to join all of creation in praising Him for who He is and what He has done and to point others to the Messiah that they might join in worshiping the King.

Date of My Bible Study: ______151

Introduction Introduction Option Start by stating the importance of the psalms and how this generation has If time allows, show the largely forgotten how to pray or sing them (leader p. 154; PSG p. 119). video clip “Read Scripture Series: Psalms” to provide an overview of the Book of What are the psalms you are most familiar with? Psalms and the nature and structure of its content. The video will help flesh out In what settings have you encountered these psalms? How the Introduction material were they used? with information about the psalms’ historical background, production, Point out that the psalms were written over a long period of time, noting the and literary variety. If the variety among them. Then summarize the session on Psalms 1, 100, and 110 clip is too long to fit within your group’s meeting time, (leader pp. 154-155; PSG p. 120). Reference Pack Item 7: Wisdom Literature consider emailing your as needed throughout this session. group members a link, either before the group meeting for preparation or 1. The psalms call us to delight in God’s Word after for reflection. (Ps. 1). www.youtube.com/ watch?v=j9phNEaPrv8#t=11 Speak about the first psalm setting the stage for the whole Book of Psalms (leader p. 155), and then read Psalm 1 out loud together as a group. Stress that the emphasis of the psalm is on delight in the Lord (leader pp. 155-156; PSG pp. 120-121). For Further Discussion What is the difference between studying God’s Word or What do our daily attending a worship service out of duty versus delight? disciplines and habits say about us and what we Why do you think Psalm 1 focuses on “delight” in value or enjoy? God’s Word? How can the determination to read Scripture daily, even when we do not feel like it, Say that the delight spoken of in Psalm 1 is something that takes intentionality eventually lead to joy? on an everyday basis. Contrast how Christians for centuries have read the psalms when first waking and just before going to bed with how we now settle for falling asleep looking at a television screen or an iPhone (leader p. 156). Mention that delighting in the Lord and walking in His ways are inseparable (leader p. 156; PSG pp. 121-122).

What is the relationship between delighting in God’s Word and delighting in God Himself?

152 Leader Guide 2. The psalms call us to celebrate God’s character and work (Ps. 100). Point 2 Option Ask: What do people in Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 100. Comment that the psalm speaks of our culture tend to think praising God as we enter into a time of worship and how this should inform about worship? the rhythms of daily life (leader p. 157; PSG pp. 122-123). Ask groups of 3-4 to read the “Essential The psalmist talked about attending worship with praise Christian Doctrine” Worship (leader p. 158; and thanksgiving already in our hearts. What do we do PSG p. 124) and to discuss when we don’t “feel” like praising God? the following questions (consider writing them on a board or sheet of What should we do when our hearts seem cold to God? paper for groups to have; also available on the DVD in The Gospel Project for Note that Psalm 100 celebrates God’s character and work. Observe the wide Adults: Leader Pack): array of emotions and many pictures of God that are present in the Book of • What would it look like to Psalms. Reminding ourselves of God and His promise is one of the central have a heart of worship for purposes of worship (leader p. 158; PSG p. 123). God in every area of life? • How can our worship serve to strengthen one What are some ways you can use the psalms to remember another in our faith? God’s grace to you throughout the week? • How can our worship be a witness to non-believers? How would constant reminders of God’s faithfulness After a few moments, impact your spiritual life? encourage groups to share their responses and reflections. State that Psalm 100 reorients us to the big picture, shifting our gaze from the things of this world to the Creator of this world (leader pp. 158-159; PSG p. 124). Christ Connection: The psalms cover the spectrum What is the connection between celebration of God’s work of life. We praise God for and involvement in God’s mission? His goodness and grace, we confess our sin, and we lament the brokenness 3. The psalms call us to look for the coming of this world. When Jesus came, He stepped into the Messiah (Ps. 110). pain and brokenness of Highlight that Psalm 110 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, this world and sang these psalms with His people. and then read the passage. Show how this psalm focuses our attention But Jesus not only sings on Jesus by its speaking of the coming Messiah and His judgment the psalms; He is the King whom these psalms are (leader pp. 159-160; PSG pp. 125-126). ultimately about...... In what ways do the psalms help form our prayers so that our hearts’ desires align with God’s heart? Missional Application: God calls us to join all of creation in praising Him for Conclusion who He is and what He has done and to point others Say that the Book of Psalms was the hymnbook of Jesus, noting that the to the Messiah that they psalms not only belong to Him but are about Him. For those of us in Christ, might join in worshiping the King. His songbook becomes ours (leader p. 160; PSG p. 126). Apply the truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 127).

Session 13 153 Expanded Session Content The Praises of God’s People Session 13

Introduction Voices from Martin Lloyd-Jones, the famous English preacher from last century, the Church was a dynamic speaker who sought to preach God’s Word with power, “The Psalms are the steady, under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Even today, preachers all over the sustained subcurrent of world consult his books, pastors who share the same respect for the healthy Christian living.” 1 formative power of studying and explaining God’s Word. –N. T. Wright But Lloyd-Jones believed there was more going on in a worship service than just the sermon. On Sundays when he had a guest speaker or was away speaking in other churches, Lloyd-Jones made sure to select Praying Through the Psalms 2 beforehand the songs that would be sung and the psalms that would be 1. Say them out loud. The read aloud. He knew that what people sang from their hearts and recited psalms contain both the with their lips was just as formative and important as what the preacher word God has to say to us about prayer and the said from the pulpit. words He wants us to say Today, we are part of a generation that has largely forgotten how to to Him in prayer. pray and sing the psalms. Perhaps for the first time in all of church history, 2. Festoon them. Think of a psalm as a Christmas tree. the psalms are no longer the bedrock for our individual devotion or Read it and then festoon it corporate worship. This puts us out of step not only with the rest of church with your own prayers, as you would decorate a tree. history but with the earliest Christians. The apostles quoted more from the 3. Paraphrase them. Psalms than any other book in the Old Testament. They were steeped in Meditate and study a the rhythms and poetry and theology of their people’s prayer book. psalm until you understand it well enough to put it into your own words. What are the psalms you are most familiar with? 4. Learn them by heart. Memorize the psalms, but In what settings have you encountered these psalms? How not by rote. Rather, learn were they used? them by heart; make their words your words. 5. Marinate in them. The Today we come to a pause in the Old Testament storyline. God’s soul should marinate in covenant people wrote the psalms over a long period of time. Many are Scripture by repeated, thoughtful, slow, written by King David, a few come from other kings, one comes to us comprehensive, and Spirit- from Moses, and many are from Asaph. The purpose of the psalms was enlightened reading. to recall the mighty acts of God for the people. Some of the psalms focus on praise. Others cry out and lament the evil in this world. Some are confessions of sin. Others point forward to the coming Messiah.

154 Leader Guide Session Summary In this session, we will look briefly at three different psalms. The first, Further Psalm 1, sets the stage for all the psalms, showing us a vision of God’s Commentary people who delight in God’s Word. Next we see how Psalm 100 shows “ ‘Happy’ expresses how the psalms call us to celebrate who God is and give thanks for what the sense of joy and satisfaction in one’s state He has done. Then we look at how Psalm 110 points forward to the or circumstances. It often coming Messiah, who will make all things right. As we read and pray and is the result of blessing that comes from trust in sing the psalms, we identify with the people of God who offer our lives in and obedience to Yahweh worship for His great name. (34:8; 40:4; 84:5; 89:15)… The Hebrew word torah is sometimes translated 1. The psalms call us to delight in God’s Word as ‘law,’ but it is better understood as ‘teaching’ (Ps. 1). or ‘instruction.’ It is the The first psalm sets the stage for the following 149 psalms. It is the revelation of God’s will for His people rather than a model for what the whole Book of Psalms is about—delighting in God. body of legislative material Take a moment to read the psalm out loud together as a group, which is or a collection of judicial decisions, both of which are the way that the Israelites would have said or sung this psalm. notions often associated with the English word ‘law.’ 1 Yahweh’s instruction is Blessed is the man not a burden (Deut. 30:11; who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 1 John 5:3) but a ‘delight’ for those who trust in Him. nor stands in the way of sinners, ‘Meditating’ (from Heb. root nor sits in the seat of scoffers; hgh; Josh. 1:8) has a literal 2 meaning of mumbling to but his delight is in the law of the Lord, oneself, an activity closely and on his law he meditates day and night. related to concentrating 3 on something in order to He is like a tree planted by streams of water understand it…The contrast that yields its fruit in its season, here focuses on the destiny of the two ways rather than and its leaf does not wither. on their behavior, which In all that he does, he prospers. is developed in verses 1-3. 4 ‘Chaff,’ the useless product The wicked are not so, of threshing, is a contrast but are like chaff that the wind drives away. to the fruit in the previous 5 verse. ‘The wicked’ are Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, to be carried away by the nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ‘wind’…being separated 6 from what is useful for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and valuable.” 3 but the way of the wicked will perish. –Kevin R. Warstler and Sherri L. Klouda, Many people who are familiar with Psalm 1 think of it as a HCSB Study Bible proverb—a simple description of wisdom versus folly. And to be sure, there is a contrast between wisdom and foolishness in the psalm. But the more we study and reflect on this psalm, the more we realize Voices from it is ultimately about delight. It’s not simply a lesson about doing the right the Church thing or learning the right doctrine or following the right rules. It’s about “The activity of meditating worship and joy. The psalms do teach us, but the way they teach us is by on the Bible follows the training us to find our satisfaction in the Lord. Psalm 1 claims that the disposition of delighting in the Bible.” 4 believer who is blessed is the one whose delight is in the Lord’s instruction. –Jonathan Leeman It’s more about our heart’s delight than our mind’s choice.

Session 13 155 Not long ago, the two of us were walking on the sidewalk with our Voices from kids in their strollers. We passed by a recently built mosque in our town. It Church History was packed with people praying. The parking lot was full. It seemed like “The most valuable thing every time we walked by, we saw that people were there. A few days later, the Psalms do for me we were talking with a pastor who was struggling about what to do with is to express that same delight in God which made the Sunday night service in their church. It burdened us to think that David dance.” 5 there was always a crowd at the mosque but not at the church. What does –C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) this say about where we find our delight?we wondered. What does this say about our commitment to each other as believers?

What is the difference between studying God’s Word or Voices from attending a worship service out of duty versus delight? Church History “We must ask how we can Why do you think Psalm 1 focuses on “delight” in understand the Psalms God’s Word? as God’s Word, and then we shall be able to pray them. It does not depend, Psalm 1 paints a picture of a believer who delights in God’s Word, but therefore, on whether this delight is not something that only happens spontaneously. It is built the Psalms express adequately that which we into the pattern of everyday life. “Day and night” this person meditates on feel at a given moment in God’s Word. In other words, delighting in God’s Word is not something our heart. If we are to pray aright, perhaps it is quite that will happen by chance. It takes intentionality and preparation. necessary that we pray For centuries, believers have woken up in the morning and said a contrary to our own heart. Not what we want to pray psalm and have gone to bed at night just after reading a psalm. There is is important, but what God no reason for Christians to settle for falling asleep at night with the soft wants us to pray.” 6 glow of the television screen or iPhone being the last thing they see. We –Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) shouldn’t be satisfied to let a late-night talk show host or a show on Netflix have the last word before we climb into bed. One way to increase our delight in the Lord is to be intentional about saying the psalms at night. We have a friend who was going through a difficult time at his job. The stress in his life had caused him to have health issues, and anxiety was keeping him up at night. A few weeks later he told us that he was doing much better. He had started to read God’s Word every night. He simply put the phone down and picked up God’s Word, and he discovered that this was not just a book that he could read; this was a Book that could read him! It purified his mind and prepared his heart as he brought the day to a close. Like our friend discovered, the psalms are a companion to everyday life. But they are so much more than a simple stress-reliever. They reorient us to God and His salvation. They help us delight in the Lord and walk in His ways. We can’t really do one without the other. We walk in His ways because we delight in the Lord, and we show our delight is in the Lord by walking in His ways. Furthermore, we focus on the Lord because we want to be fruitful, not in gaining material prosperity for ourselves but living prosperous, spiritual lives that bear fruit for God’s kingdom.

156 Leader Guide What is the relationship between delighting in God’s Word and delighting in God Himself? Further Commentary 2. The psalms call us to celebrate God’s “Providing seven ways to character and work (Ps. 100). give thanks, the psalmist exhorts worshipers to be Not only do the psalms call us to delight in God’s Word, but they also grateful at all times. The call us to celebrate together who God is and what He has done for us. Take most obvious expression of gratitude is singing, which a look at this psalm, which prepares the heart for corporate worship. is the joyful expression of love and overflows from 1 a liberated heart (vv. 1-2; Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Isa. 51:11; Col. 3:13-16). 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! The redeemed also act Come into his presence with singing! gratefully when they pursue knowledge of God through 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! His Word and works It is he who made us, and we are his; (Ps. 100:3; Rom. 16:25-27). Knowing God not only we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. humbles dependent 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, creatures, it heartens them to realize that he is willing and his courts with praise! to make himself known, Give thanks to him; bless his name! and ultimately he does so through Jesus Christ, 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, revealing our God as a and his faithfulness to all generations. Father and Good Shepherd (cf. Ps. 100:3,5; Matt. 6:9; John 10:14). The psalmist Psalm 100 is a classic example of preparing your heart to “enter his then commands God’s people to express their gates with thanksgiving” and “his courts with praise.” Notice that the gratitude (Ps. 100:2,4). psalm doesn’t give us the image of praising God only once the people were In Hebrew there is no distinction between present. They had praise on their hearts and minds as they entered. serving in church or at What would our worship services be like if we intentionally prepared work. The same word describes worship in every ourselves beforehand? My grandfather would arrive at church 45 minutes place (Col. 3:17). All of before the service so he could still his mind and prepare his heart. He life in every realm is an opportunity to ‘give thanks knew he needed to prepare himself before worship. Of course, you might to him’ and ‘bless his be thinking, I have kids. It’s impossible for me to prepare myself. It’s a struggle name’ (Ps. 100:4).” 7 to get everyone ready on time in the first place! We face some of the same –George Robertson, Gospel Transformation Bible issues, but we are doing our best to create rhythms of life that help us prepare our own hearts and the hearts of our children. That will look different for people at different stages of life. But surely we should prepare ourselves. Voices from the Church The psalmist talked about attending worship with praise and thanksgiving already in our hearts. What do we do “Gratitude and joy are organs of perception. We when we don’t “feel” like praising God? don’t see in order to give thanks and rejoice; we give What should we do when our hearts seem cold to God? thanks and rejoice in order to see.” 8 –Ben Patterson

Session 13 157 This is a psalm that celebrates God’s character and work. Like all the Voices from psalms, it shapes our view of God. the Church Sometimes we limit the effectiveness of the songs we sing in church “In a sense we can think because we only appeal to one or two emotional reactions. But life is of the psalms in terms of difficult, and that’s why the psalms give us a wide array of emotions and reflection, response, and formation. All the psalms many pictures of God. We see God as good and glorious, angry and help us reflect on who God jealous, just and infinite, compassionate and merciful. He is the Shepherd is and what He has done. They call us to respond who knows us better than we know ourselves (Ps. 23). And yet, in the to who God is in worship, darkest times, the psalms give us the ability to lament (see Ps. 88—a lament but they also form us as we learn from them how with no immediate resolution). to respond to life and talk Reminding is one of the central purposes of worship. Even the sad to God.” 9 psalms usually remind us of God and His promise. They are the psalmist’s –David Howard way of reminding the people of what God has said and what God has done. Reminding matters. We take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance. Why? Because sometimes we haven’t even left the church’s parking lot and 99 Essential we’re already living like the cross and resurrection didn’t happen! The Christian Doctrines human act of worship—responding to God—is something that shapes 89. Worship and refocuses us. While many reduce worship to an event or the singing What are some ways you can use the psalms to remember of worship songs, worship God’s grace to you throughout the week? is first and foremost something of the heart and extends to all areas of How would constant reminders of God’s faithfulness life. The aim and focus of impact your spiritual life? worship is God, giving Him the exact due of praise and adoration that He deserves. Psalm 100 reorients us to the big picture of a glorious God and His Worship should be carried out not only at a personal wonderful creation. Our society promotes people who are “self-made” and level within a Christian’s “self-sufficient.” Psalm 100 shows us the difference between “self-made” life but also in joining with other Christians in the people and “God-made” people. It reminds us that God is in control. Our corporate act of worship times belong to Him. All Christian worship is wrapped up in the reality and stewarding our gifts for the glory of God. Corporate that humanity is both frail and beautiful—created in the image of God worship serves to edify and (beautiful) yet broken and sinful and mortal (frail). strengthen other Christians, but it also serves as a Knowing the Lord is God, the psalmist called for thanksgiving. witness to non-believers of The apostle Paul often linked thanksgiving and joy in his letters (see the greatness of God. Phil. 4:4-7). He could see the connection between a thankful heart and a joyful heart. What is perhaps most interesting about Paul’s letters is that his thanksgiving is almost always for spiritual blessings. Of course, we should be thankful in all circumstances and for all good things in life, but what does it say about us that it seems natural to give thanks for earthly things (such as health, a secondhand car, a new job, etc.) but awkward to give thanks for spiritual blessings? Could it be that we don’t see God’s salvation as something quite as real as whatever we can see or feel? The psalms help us see both earthly and spiritual blessings and direct our praise back to God.

158 Leader Guide Like all the psalms, Psalm 100 elevates our mind and shifts our gaze from the things of this world to the Creator of this world. It stirs our Further affections and guides us to see God as more attractive and glorious than Commentary anything else in the world. This kind of worship is what stirs up our desire “The startling fact that to tell others about Christ. Our witness flows from our worship. And yet David spoke of a king as ‘my lord’…was pointed our worship is also part of our witness! When we show our love for God, out…by Christ, who left outsiders see us transfixed by God’s beauty and desire to see that God his hearers to think out its implications, and his for themselves. apostles to spell them out…‘Sit at my right hand.’ What is the connection between celebration of God’s work The authority and power conferred by such an and involvement in God’s mission? address will be illustrated in the remaining verses of the psalm; but it will 3. The psalms call us to look for the coming take the New Testament Messiah (Ps. 110). to do it justice…He is not only greater than David One of the ways the psalms reorient our hearts is by pointing us to the (Acts 2:34, ‘for David future. Throughout the psalms, we catch glimpses of Jesus. Psalm 110 is a did not ascend into the heavens’) but greater good example, and it’s the most quoted psalm in the New Testament: than the angels (Heb. 1:13, ‘to what angel has he 1 ever said, “Sit at my right TheL ord says to my Lord: hand…”?’)…God exalted “Sit at my right hand, him as emphatically as man rejected him until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Acts 5:30ff, ‘Jesus whom 2 TheL ord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. you killed…God exalted… at his right hand’)…It is as Rule in the midst of your enemies! Saviour and Intercessor 3 Your people will offer themselves freely that he reigns (Acts 5:31; Rom. 8:34, ‘Christ…who is on the day of your power, at the right hand of God… in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, intercedes for us’)…In token of a finished task, the dew of your youth will be yours. he is seated (Heb. 10:11ff, 4 TheL ord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘every priest stands daily… offering repeatedly…But… “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Christ…sat down at the 5 TheL ord is at your right hand; right hand of God’)…He awaits the last surrender he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. (Heb. 10:13, ‘to wait until 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; his enemies should be made a stool for his feet’; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. cf. also 1 Cor. 15:25ff). So 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; this single verse displays the divine Person of Christ, therefore he will lift up his head. his power and the prospect before him. Together with verse 4 it underlies most There is so much in this psalm to unpack and not enough time in this of the New Testament session to unpack it all! The main thing to keep in mind, however, is that teaching on his glory as 10 the psalms focus our attention on Jesus. The first readers of this psalm Priest-King.” might see this as anticipating the coming of their Messiah. Today we read –Derek Kidner it and think of Jesus’ work in the past and His coming again in the future.

Session 13 159 Many of the psalms that point to Jesus contain an element of Further judgment. Consider the line about God coming back to “execute judgment Commentary among the nations” and “fill them with corpses” and “shatter chiefs.” “The passages which We find it hard to greet such an example of God’s judgment with joy clarify this oracle are and delight, but perhaps this is because we do not know what it is like to Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 5:5-10 with be part of a society where unjust leaders tyrannize the people. When we 6:19–7:28. It emerges get a taste of injustice, we long for the world to be made right, and God— from these that both the name Melchizedek (king the just Judge of the universe—is the One who will execute vengeance of righteousness) and his when He brings justice to the world. And so, with the psalmist, we say, sphere as king of Salem (i.e. of Jerusalem, whose “Yes, Lord, come and judge the nations!” and remember that the Judge of shortened form brings the universe is the Jesus who once was on a cross, dying for our sins before out the meaning, ‘Peace’) made him a fitting pointer rising to new life. to the one who was to come (Heb. 7:2); that the In what ways do the psalms help form our prayers so that silence surrounding him in the narrative made him our hearts’ desires align with God’s heart? an apt symbol of one who in full reality had ‘neither beginning of days nor end Conclusion of life’ (Heb. 7:3); further, The Book of Psalms was the hymnbook of Jesus. We are told that that his standing on the Godward side of Abraham, Jesus sang a psalm with His disciples (Mark 14:26), and we see Jesus both in the blessing and quoting from the Psalms more than any other book in the Old Testament. gifts he gave and in the tithes he received, proved But the psalms do not only belong to Jesus; they are also about Him. his priority over the whole Jonathan Leeman writes: “Sometimes Jesus said that its verses were about Abrahamic people, and over the levitical priesthood Him, particularly when they referred to a conquering son of David. in particular (Heb. 7:4-19). Sometimes He put its verses into His mouth as if they were by Him, To this it can be added that, in Melchizedek, particularly when the psalmist spoke as a suffering man. He is the happy priesthood and kingship Man of Psalm 1 who meditated on God’s Word. He is the conquering were united as they were to be in Christ. [Compare] Son of Psalm 2 and the victorious One with enemies under His feet in the emphasis on Christ as Psalm 110. But He is also the forsaken and mocked One of Psalm 22. He King in the early chapters 11 of Hebrews, and on him as is the One given vinegar for His thirst in Psalm 69.” Priest in the later chapters, This is the beauty of seeing Christ in the psalms. For those of us in just as in these verses of the psalm.” 12 Christ, His songbook becomes ours. We sing about Him and to Him, and –Derek Kidner slowly but surely, we become more like Him. Don’t neglect the psalms. They show us Jesus.

CHRIST CONNECTION: The psalms cover the spectrum of life. Voices from We praise God for His goodness and grace, we confess our sin, Church History and we lament the brokenness of this world. When Jesus came, “Raise your eyes to the He stepped into the pain and brokenness of this world and Judge, see who it is that is sang these psalms with His people. But Jesus not only sings the seated, with whom he is psalms; He is the King whom these psalms are ultimately about. seated, and where. Christ is sitting at the right hand of the Father.” 13 –Ambrose (circa 340-397)

160 Leader Guide Additional Resources The Praises of God’s People

Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry References Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. 1. N. T. Wright, The Case for the Psalms (New York: HarperCollins, Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry 2013), 23. blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. 2. Ben Patterson, God’s Prayer Book (Grand Rapids: Tyndale, 2008), 20-21. 3. Kevin R. Warstler and Sherri L. Study Material Klouda, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 881, n. 1:1; --“Reading Psalms and Proverbs: A Conversation with David Howard”— n. 1:2; n. 1:4. 4. Jonathan Leeman, “Psalms: Chapter 7 from Read the Bible for Life by George H. Guthrie Songs for New Creation Hearts,” The Gospel Project: Adult Leader --“Schooled by the Psalms”—Article by Ben Patterson; find a link to this Guide (Winter 2012-13): 96. 5. C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Psalms (New York: Harcourt Inc., 1986), 45. --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “Poetic Parallelism in 6. Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible Psalms,” can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. 1970), 14-15. 7. George Robertson, Gospel Transformation Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 746, n. Psalm 100. Sermon Podcast 8. Ben Patterson, Muscular Faith (Grand Rapids: Tyndale, 2011), 160. 9. David Howard, quoted in Read Juan Sanchez: “The Psalms (Overview)” the Bible for Life, by George H. Guthrie (Nashville: B&H, 2011), 117. 10. Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150, Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources vol. 16 in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: IVP, 2008), 428. 11. Jonathan Leeman, “Psalms: Songs for New Creation Hearts,” Tip of the Week The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide (Winter 2012-13): 101. Five Actions of Healthy Small Groups 12. Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150, vol. 16 in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 430. Based on Acts 2:42-47, these are five actions that come intuitively from 13. Ambrose, On the Christian Faith, 2.12.102, quoted in Psalms 51-150, healthy small groups: ed. Quentin F. Wesselschmidt, • Provocative, demanding Bible study to understand what to believe and vol. VIII in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old how to relate to God and others. Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2007), 263. • Redemptive community on display before a watching world. 14. Rick Howerton, Destination: Community (Nashville: Serendipity • Risky, transparent praying in full confidence that God will act. House, 2007), 97-100. • Doing life together in order to know others and be known by them. • Taking care of each other as a result of sacrificial love for each other. Work toward incorporating these actions into your group even as you pray for God to work in your group to make these a reality. 14

Session 13 161 Scope and Sequence

GOAL Over the course of three years, participants will journey from Genesis to Revelation and discover how God’s plan of redemption unfolds throughout Scripture and still today, compelling them to join the mission of God.

PLAN OVERVIEW Fall 2015 The Story Begins God the Creator (Genesis 1–11) God the Covenant-Maker (Genesis 12–50) Winter 2015-16 God Delivers God the Redeemer (Exodus) God the Lawgiver (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) Spring 2016 The Promised Land God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua) God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel) Summer 2016 A Kingdom Established God the King (1–2 Samuel) God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) Coming Next Quarter Fall 2016 Prophets and Kings God the Revealer (1–2 Kings, Isaiah) God the Pursuer (Prophets, 2 Chronicles) Winter 2016-17 Exile and Return God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra) God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

Spring 2017 The Rescue Begins God the Son (Gospels) God Among Us (Gospels) Summer 2017 Stories and Signs Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels) Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels) Fall 2017 Jesus Saves Jesus the Savior (Gospels) Jesus the Risen King (Gospels, Acts) Winter 2017-18 The Church on Mission The Spirit Who Empowers (Acts) The God Who Sends (Acts) Spring 2018 Letters to God’s People The God Who Directs His People (Epistles) The God Who Changes Us (Epistles) Summer 2018 Come, Lord Jesus God’s Prisoner (Acts, Epistles) The God Who Makes All Things New (Epistles, Revelation)

162 Leader Guide About the Writers

Unit 1: J. D. Greear is the lead pastor of The Summit Church in The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. He’s the author of Gospel, Volume 4, Number 4 Summer 2016 Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart, and Jesus, Continued…: Why

Eric Geiger the Spirit Inside You Is Better Than Jesus Beside You. J. D. holds a Vice President, LifeWay Resources PhD from Southeastern Seminary. He and his wife, Veronica, Ed Stetzer have four children. General Editor

Trevin Wax Managing Editor Spence Shelton lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with

Daniel Davis his wife, Courtney, and their four children. Spence and his Content Editor family were sent by The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham

Josh Hayes to plant Mercy Church in the fall of 2015. He holds a BSBA Content and Production Editor from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MDiv from Southeastern Ken Braddy Baptist Theological Seminary. Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Unit 2: Director, Groups Ministry Greg Breazeale (sessions 7-12) resides with his wife, Send questions/comments to: Heather, and three sons in Austin, Texas, where he is the North Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, Campus pastor at The Austin Stone Community Church. One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; He holds an MDiv from New Orleans Baptist Theological or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Seminary and is currently pursuing a DMin in Expository

Printed in the United States of America Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV Keith and Kristyn Getty (session 13) are writers of modern (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One hymns that teach Christian doctrine sung in globally-accessible LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. melodies. Some of their best known hymns include “In Christ For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, Alone,” “Speak, O Lord,” and “The Power of the Cross,” all three One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. co-written by Keith with Stuart Townend. Their hymns are sung For subscriptions or subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or in churches around the world, in fine concert halls of Europe write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email [email protected], and North America, and on US network and public television fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; and the UK’s BBC. Keith and Kristyn live between Northern salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Ireland and Nashville with their three young daughters. Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

WRITERS