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This week, we’re in Practice #2: Grow in God’s Word. Specifically, we’ll spend four days in Psalm 119.

We will enter into God’s presence through His holy Word today. If you can, give yourself 15 minutes to just be with God. Set a timer and put everything else away except for you, your Bible, and the device you’re reading this on.

Let’s start: “God, you are good and you are true. You’ve given me your Word as a gift. Thank you that I can know you. Thank you that I can worship you. Open my mind to your truth as I contemplate your words in Psalm 119. Open my eyes - let me see You.”

Now, let’s read from the NET (New English Translation):

9 How can a young person maintain a pure life? By guarding it according to your instructions.

10 With all my heart I seek you. Do not allow me to stray from your commands.

11 In my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you.

12 You deserve praise, O LORD. Teach me your statutes.

13 With my lips I proclaim all the regulations you have revealed.

14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds.

15 I will meditate on your precepts and focus on your behavior.

16 I find delight in your statutes; I do not forget your instructions.

Today, let’s practice a Bible study method known as a word study. We’re going to pick the English word “heart” which we see in verses 10 and 11 (also back in verse 2). The Hebrew term is “leb.”

Blue Letter Bible is a helpful website for word searches. You can go HERE for a definition of the term “leb.” Spend some time reading the possible definitions. Write down what you learn.

How does the definition of “heart” fit with what you previously thought? How does the definition change or alter your original impression of the word?

Based upon your new understanding of the word “heart,” what is the Psalmist saying in verses 10 and 11? What is he exhorting himself to do?

Kat Armstrong, in her book “No More Holding Back,” helpfully writes this: “Even though the word heart appears more than a thousand times in the Bible, it rarely describes just our feelings or one of our internal organs. Instead, many of the authors of Scripture use the term more broadly to mean ‘our truest inner selves’” (86). She goes on to say: “Loving God with all our hearts is not just feeling love toward God or redirecting misguided feelings back to God. It’s about letting our love for him determine how we live” (87).

What the Psalmist is expressing in verses 10 and 11 is an eagerness to live his life in alignment with God’s Word. He doesn’t want to simply feel the right feelings toward God. What he’s really after is to behave in line with truth - to live as a person of godliness and holiness.

So how about you? Does your truest inner self align itself with God’s Word? Is your deepest longing to be conformed in all your ways to God? Spend some time in prayer and confession.

Finally, let’s read from a familiar verse which teaches a similar lesson: 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.

Ask God to make this verse true of you, by the power of His Holy Spirit.

This week, we’re in Practice #2: Grow in God’s Word. Specifically, we’ll spend four days in Psalm 119. We will enter into God’s presence through His holy Word today. If you can, give yourself 15 minutes to just be with God. Set a timer and put everything else away except for you, your Bible, and the device you’re reading this on.

Let’s start: “God, you are good and you are true. You’ve given me your Word as a gift. Thank you that I can know you. Thank you that I can worship you. Open my mind to your truth as I contemplate your words in Psalm 119. Open my eyes - let me see You.”

Now, let’s read from the NET (New English Translation):1 How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the LORD.

2  How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart,

3  who, moreover, do no wrong, but follow in his footsteps.

4  You demand that your precepts be carefully kept.

5  If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes.

6  Then I would not be ashamed, if I were focused on all your commands.

7  I will give you sincere thanks, when I learn your just regulations.

8  I will keep your statutes. Do not completely abandon me.

Today, we’ll practice a Bible study method that includes highlighting or underlining certain types of words. Grab a colored marker or pen and underline/highlight all of the verbs that are assigned to humans in this passage. Circle all the verbs that are assigned to God.

Now write them out.*

What difference do you observe in these two categories of verbs? 

How would you describe God’s relationship to humans? 

What we see in these first eight verses is that humanity is called to a posture of surrender - submitting ourselves to the leadership of God. We are not in charge of our lives. Rather, God’s Word claims a place of highest authority. What a relief it is to know that the God of creation is good enough to care for us and guide us! We don’t have to make up the rules. We just need to obey God, observe what He says, and follow His lead.

Choose one of those verbs you underlined/highlighted. How are you doing in that area? Spend some time in prayer and confession. Ask God to help you re-submit yourself to Him and His Word.

Now draw a square around the phrase “How blessed” in verses 1 and 2. Write out what God says leads to blessing. Sit in that for a while. Consider what biblical blessing is, in contrast with what the world describes as “blessed.” Do you have blessing in your life, according to the definition in Psalm 119? If not, why? Spend some time in prayer and confession. Ask God to help you consider His Word as the source of blessing in your life.

Close your time by meditating on the perfection of God. Indeed, it is staggering, isn’t it? Rest in His all-knowing, all-wise ways. 

*Verbs about humans: obey, observe, seek, follow, keep, focus on, give thanks, learn, keep; verbs about God: demand

Practice #2: Word

If you have spent any time around our church, you’ve likely heard the expression “Inspired truth; not shifting opinion.” But, where do we find that inspired truth?
What makes one truth better than another? At Dallas Bible, we believe the Bible is God’s authoritative word. Still, for many believers, studying scripture can be a tedious, and intimidating task. We hope to see that change!

For Group Leaders

1. Begin in prayer. Welcome the Holy Spirit to the group and invite Him to lead, guide, and convict your group as you meet together.
2. Reflect on the sermon this morning as a group. What were some highlights? Was anything particularly helpful, convicting, or confusing?
3. Consider the following questions and pick a few to focus your discussion.

Examine the Word

• Re-read sections of Psalm 119.
• What are some of the words or phrases used to describe the Psalmist’s delight?
• Why would anyone delight in God’s Word?
• Make a list of reasons why the scriptures are important for a believer.
• What happens if we neglect time in God’s Word?

For Discussion

• Have you ever thought about the Bible as a “library of writings, both human and divine?” How does that help better understand God through His Word?
• Talk about the first time you remember connecting with God through scripture. Was there a time in your past where devotional moments with God were particularly rewarding? What was that time like?
• What’s the difference between reading scripture devotionally, and studying scripture? Why do you think God chose to use a book to communicate to his people? 
• When you hear “Bible” what comes to mind? Do you have any baggage or guilt associated with the Bible and your past?
• Do you feel like you read the Bible well? How would you characterize your relationship with scripture?
• Have you ever encountered a time when your devotional moments in God’s word were less than fulfilling? What was that like? How should a believer navigate those spaces?
• How might reading scripture as an individual differ from reading it collectively as a group? What are some possible pitfalls in reading scripture alone? What are some advantages?

For Discussion: God’s word in groups

• What role does preaching scripture play in the health of the Church?
• We live in a time where you can access world-class preaching at the click of a button. Consequently, it’s easy to find persuasive “Biblical” teaching that will support a variant of presuppositions, biases, and misinterpretations. How do we discern what is good teaching? What role does the local body play in this process?
• Talk about group Bible studies you have participated in. What were the hallmarks of “successful” group Bible studies?

Practice

• Make a goal: 4 days/week / 15 minutes/day…simply to know and enjoy God.
• Start with prayer: “Lord, open my eyes that I can see you.” Psalm 119:18
• Re-read sections of Psalm 119. What does it reveal about the Lord & His Word? You might want to take notes, or simply meditate on His Truth.
• Take some time to worship in response. This could be song, or prayers of praise. You might want to take a posture of surrender on your knees, or hands raised, to fully express what is happening inside.
• Discuss this time with your group. Any challenges or reward?
• Follow the Foundations blog for supplemental resources to help your time in the Word. dallasbible.org/foundations
• Group Activity: Read a longer passage of Scripture out loud together and just listen. You’ll be amazed at what everyone hears! Discuss what you heard God say through His Word.

For Family Discussions

• Take some time to share your favorite Bible stories. Why do you like that particular story? What do you think God says about himself in that story?
• Do you ever have trouble enjoying reading God’s word? Why do you think that is?
• The Bible is God’s book for us. How has God spoken to you through the Bible in the past?
• How old do you think you have to be to read the Bible on a daily basis? What are some ways kids can read the Bible to help with that?

Practice #1: Worship

Worship is at the beginning of what God calls us to do, not only because He’s worthy, but because faith is built and spread through personal and corporate worship. From Adam, to Moses, to Jesus, the Biblical examples of worship are almost as diverse in manner as the worshippers themselves, nevertheless, when worship is primary, people flourish and God is glorified from one generation to the next.

For Group Leaders

1. Begin in prayer. Welcome the Holy Spirit to the group and invite Him to lead, guide, and convict your group as you meet together.
2. Reflect on the sermon this morning as a group. What were some highlights? Was anything particularly helpful, convicting, or confusing?
3. Consider the following questions and pick a few to focus your discussion.

Questions to Consider

• Re-read Ezra 3:1-11; Exodus 20:1-6
• Why do you think worship is such a high priority for Israel as they rebuild?
• Why is it a high priority for God? Does God really need our worship?
• What happens if you (or ‘the church’) don’t enter into worship?
• When you hear the word “worship” what typically comes to mind?
• How do you define worship biblically? What’s the difference between worship and any other religious practice?

Discussion: individual practice of worship

• Talk about the first time you remember understanding the worthiness of God. How did you react? What was it about Him that clicked?
• Think of a personal worship experiences that has been personally meaningful. What was the experience like? What does it have in common with other times?
• To what degree does the status of our hearts matter in worship? How do you prepare your heart for worship?

Discussion: group worship (“Church”)

• Talk about a time when God met you while at “church.” What was it that connected that day?
• Is corporate worship important? Why? What metaphors does the Bible use to describe our fellowship?
• Thinking back on your past experiences, what baggage (negative experiences) gets in the way of embracing worship more regularly?
• Why do you think the Sunday morning worship gathering is minimized today?
• Is there a difference between worshipping together as a body and worshipping alone as an individual? How might one be different from the other?
• How do the different elements of a Sunday morning worship service — contribute to worship? (music, giving, announcements, communion, baptism, prayers & readings, preaching, response) — What do you connect with most?
• Talk about “online church”. What is the cost of it long-term? What is the benefit?

Going Further

• Read Isaiah 1:1-17
• What are your initial thoughts on this passage upon the first reading?
  Anything surprising or confusing in the text?
• What does God have to say in this text about the nature of worship and obedience?
• Examine yourself. Are there any attitudes or practices you’re currently engaging in that might inhibit the acceptability of your worship before God (If you want to go deep as a community, this could be a great time to confess sin to one another)?
• When we read this passage, we see God speaking to a distinct people group rather than separate individuals. With this in mind, what might be God’s message to the American church as a whole about worship right now?

Things to Try Together

• Commit to worship on a daily, personal basis & a weekly basis with the church.
• Sing a song together as a group. This might be… awkward. But the awkwardness might be honoring to God. Try stepping out of your comfort zone.
• Be intentional with praise. Set a timer for 10 minutes on your phone and try to list as many things as you can, that you are thankful for. Think about the character of God. Think about His obvious provision (housing, food, and family). Think about what God provides that brings joy to your life (art, creation, family, food, people in your life).  After making your lists personally, share them with the group at some point in the future.