Life Group Questions – 6/11
Summer in the Psalms
Read: Psalm 42:1-14
1 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts. 5 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. 6 I am deeply depressed; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. 8 The LORD will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night— a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” 10 My adversaries taunt me, as if crushing my bones, while all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” 11 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
Transformation Questions:
- What is something that you crave? Why do you crave it so much? Have you ever craved an experience with God in the same way? If so, could you share your experience? If not, why do you think that is the case?
- We were designed to worship God. Why do so many people abandon God’s design?
- The psalmist is admitting to weakness without God. What is the true sustenance that we need?
- Have you ever felt like this psalmist? Lonely? Like your tears are your food? Why do you think we can feel that way?
- Why do you think we often feel alone in our suffering? Are you willing to share your struggles with others? Why or why not?
- What do you think about the concept of adverse conditions creating an optimum context for reflection?
- Does the love and hope of God have a greater significance to us because we go through trials? Why do you think that is?
- What are some things we can do in the midst of trials to keep our hope?
- What are reminders in your life of God’s love and faithfulness?
- Why is God’s past faithfulness a good indication of his future work?
- How was the psalmist able to transition from lament to hope?