W e realize you may not be able to discuss b. Even when you are struggling to feel close to all the questions. Pick the ones you lik e. God, or in those times when God seems to be Small Group Questions silent, what do you know to be absolutely true “Desperate Cries” about God? Psalm 22 c. What happens to the way you “feel” about God when you are reminded about the “truth” of God? Previous message summary: In the 19th Psalm, David writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” No one can miss the d. How important is praising God in the storms of fact that God has revealed himself to man through his creation. life? The sky, sun, stars, plants, and animals all point to a designer Discussion Questions God who created our world and everything in it. But God has not just spoken to man through the general revelation of Read Psalm 22 creation, he has also spoken specifically to man through his written Word, the Bible. David uses six parallel statements 2. This psalm sounds like it was written at the foot of the about God’s Word to communicate that God is in charge and cross. How do the following verses point to the cross life works when we surrender our lives to God’s way of life. of Jesus and describe what he endured? David says that the Word of God provides great warning and a. Psalm 22:1 (Matthew 27:46) much reward and should be desired more than anything else in life. David ends this Psalm with a plea to honor God though the b. Psalm 22:7 (Mark 15:29) things that he says and through the meditations of his heart, c. Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:41-43) because he realizes that God is not just the great existent one, but also his rock and redeemer. God is not silent. He has d. Psalm 22:14 (John 19:28) revealed himself to man. e. Psalm 22:16 What we learned: When we look around and see God though f. Psalm 22:17 nature, we should praise him and honor him as the God of all creation. When we look into his Word, we need to realize that g. Psalm 22:18 (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke God is the one who has all authority and loves us so much that 23:34; John 19:23-24) he sent his only Son, Jesus, to reveal himself as the God of h. Psalm 22:31 (John 19:30) mercy, peace, and love. Our response needs to be that of David, who addressed God as rock and redeemer. 3. What can you conclude about Jesus fulfilling prophecy by reading Psalm 22? Who wrote Psalm 22, and when Introduction was it written? 1. Have you ever asked God, “Where are you?” Have 4. When you read this psalm, what does David “feel” as you ever felt like the world was against you and God he struggles through life? Read Psalm 22:1-2 & 6. was distant and silent? If so, what was it like for you to endure that particular storm in your life? a. Have you ever felt like you were abandoned by God? If so, how would you describe that time in a. Is there a disconnect between what you know to your life? be true about God and how you feel? What do b. What can you do to remind yourself of God’s you do when you feel distant from God? presence when you feel abandoned and alone? What did David do to remind himself that God was still with him in times of feeling abandoned? Read b. How does the future hope of heaven help you Psalm 22:3-5 & 9-11. know that God is with you during those times when you feel abandoned and attacked? c. How can your small group help to remind you of God’s care and concern for you? Challenge: When you cry out to God, feeling abandoned 5. What other “feeling” does David describe in this and attacked, know that God hears your desperate cry Psalm? Read Psalm 22:12-13 & 16. and he will deliver you. Know that God can be trusted to rescue you and provide for you, even when it looks like a. Have you ever been under attack? If so, what was your situation is hopeless. May you find yourself, like that time in your life like? Where did the attacks David, praising God for who he is and how he provides, come from? How did you survive those attacks? even in the midst of the storms of life. b. What did David say about God and his presence in his life when he was feeling attacked? Read Action: Complete this statement: This week, I will be Psalm 22:19-21. reminded of God’s ______________________ even when c. What does Scripture teach us about the source of I don’t feel like it. attack in the life of a Christian? Read Ephesians Next Steps: 6:16 and 1 Peter 5:8. G I am so glad that God can be trusted to do the right d. How can the church or your small group be a thing, even when things don’t make sense. source of strength to you during times of attack? G I will strive to worship God, even when he feels distant 6. What does David do as a result of what he knows to or entirely absent from my experience. be true of God? Read Psalm 22:22-24. G In difficult circumstances, I will determine to take my a. What is the one thing that you need to do when eyes off my situation and look to God. you feel abandoned or attacked? How can G One area of my life I need to turn over to God is praising God give you strength in the midst of the _____________________. storm? b. What happens to our life situations when we take our eyes off of our situation and gaze upon the greatness of God in worship? c. What can you praise God for even in the midst of the storms of life? Make a list and use it as a reminder that God is always with you. 7. In what way is Jesus the perfect example of praising and honoring God in times of difficulty and trial? How can his example help you in your time of difficulty and trial? a. How has God provided in the past, and how can that past provision serve as a reminder of how God will get you through tough times?.