Delighting in the Bible (Psalm 119)

Community Group Discussion Questions

Text: Psalm 119 (various verses)

Sermon Title: Delighting in the Bible

Date: September 16, 2018 

1. Tell us about a time when you were most passionate about God’s Word. What was this experience like? How did it impact your life?
2. Currently, where are you at in the discipline of getting into the Bible?
3. Read Proverbs 2:1-12. What three conditions or “if statements”are placed upon the reader? What are the likely outcomes given for the one who meets these conditions?
4. Read Psalm 63. What connection(s) do you see between desiring God and delighting in God? Why is this connection important?
5. Read Psalm 119:169-176. What specifically is the psalmist requesting from the Lord in verses 169-170? What instrument or means does he trust the Lord will use to grant his requests? What does He commit to do in response to God’s answer?
6. In what ways are you currently engaging with God’s Word (reading, meditating, listening audibly, memorizing, speaking it out loud, praying, writing, meditating, thinking)? How are these disciplines cultivating your desire for and delight in God? In addition, what other discipline(s) could you use to foster delight, desire, and dependence on Him?
7. If you delighted in God (vv. 14, 16, 24, 72, 92-93, 97, 162) and desired God (vv. 10, 20, 131, 169) more like the psalmist, what would look different in your daily calendar? Explain.
8. If your prayers reflected the dependence of this psalmist on God (vv. 18, 27, 34-36), what would change? How do you think the Lord would answer these prayers? Why?
9. What hope and/or encouragement do you find in vs. 176? Explain.
10. How do you plan to use the “Transformed Journal”on Psalm 119? What are your hopes for using this tool? How can we help encourage you in this endeavor?

Flourishing through Generosity (Acts 20:28-35)

Text: Acts 20:28-35

Sermon Title: Flourishing through Generosity

Date: September 2, 2018

1. Tell us about how another person's generosity has impacted you. What did he or she do for you tangibly and why was this meaningful?
2. What is more difficult for you- to give your time, your money, or your “heart” (emotional and relational energy)? Explain.
3. Read Philippians 4:10-20 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. What motivated the Philippians and the Macedonians to be generous?
4. What thing(s) has the “world” been telling you is required for the “good life”? How does Acts 20:35 reframe what the “good life” entails? 

5. If the Lord miraculous made you a “most generous” person tonight while you were asleep, what would be the first tangible change(s) you would notice in the morning?
6. Based off of your God given roles, what are your top 5- 7 priorities? How well does your weekly calendar reflect these? How about your bank statement?

7. What needs to change on your calendar or spending budget to better reflect generosity in these specific areas?
8. Who has God currently placed in your life that He wants you to be more generous with? In what specific area(s) do you think that He calling you to be generous with this person primarily (your time, your heart, or your money). How will you respond specifically before our next Community Group meeting?