by · 2019-01-09 · 6 Sermon Suggestions ·Get Fit for Life: Use the eight disciplines as a sermon...

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by RANDY SAWYERby RANDY SAWYERby

Leader’s GuideTABLETABLET OF CONTENTS

Lett er From Randy Sawyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Implementing the Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Sermon Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Tips for Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Gett ing Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Week 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Week 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Week 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Week 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Week 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Week 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Week 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Week 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Week 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Week 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Week 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Week 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Week 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

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Dear Leader,

My father has been teaching Sunday school for more than fifty years. Before his retirement six years ago, he would rise at 5:00 a.m. every morning to spend a couple of hours preparing for the coming week’s lesson. I remember stumbling into the den a few times with sleep still heavy in my eyes, and seeing my dad with his Bible and study helps laid out before him. Using a legal-size pad and writing in print smaller than you can imagine, he filled page after page with notes from his personal study. When he stood to teach his class, he was ready! Now he’s retired and doesn’t have to get up quite so early. And he uses a computer instead of a legal pad. But he still spends hours in the Word each week.

I suppose my own love of the Word and my early morning discipline in the Word is a result of dad’s dedication. He taught me that my schedule may have many demands, but I don’t have enough time to neglect my quiet time. The day isn’t right that doesn’t start with the Lord.

Regaining Balance is a result of my own quiet time, and a challenge for you and your folks to join me in that daily discipline. I am aware that there are many excellent devotional and Bible study helps available these days, and just to have you consider Regaining Balance is an honor.

When I originally prepared Regaining Balance, I wondered what I could do to help my folks develop a daily quiet time routine. I concluded that the best way to help them was to be as specific as possible—to give them detailed guidance in regard to the various spiritual disciplines. That’s what makes Regaining Balance unique. Each daily devotional has specified assignments concerning Bible reading and memorization, meditation, prayer, fasting, service, worship, and accountability. If an individual will follow these directions for 91 days, I have no doubt their lives will be brought into balance. That’s really what we want, isn’t it? For God’s people to regain balance.

If there’s anything I can do to help you implement this process, if you have any questions whatsoever, please let me know. May God bless you as you lead others to bring balance into their lives, for the glory of our Lord!

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Implementing the Process . . .by Randy Sawyer

Regaining Balance was developed in accord with a prayer revival at our church. Here’s how it worked for us:

· We scheduled a special prayer time for the whole congregation. In our case we choose a Saturday evening. One hour was given completely to prayer, during which we launched the prayer initiative.

· We gave each member the prayer journal, asking him or her to commit to following the instructions specifically.

· We turned our Wednesday night prayer meeting time into a prayer meeting. Like many churches, our Wednesday services have been dedicated mostly to Bible study. During the prayer revival we changed that. For three months we met to pray! Sometimes we met in small groups throughout the buildings, with leaders assigned to each group. On other occasions we met in small groups scattered throughout the sanctuary. This allowed us to turn the entire sanctuary into an altar. Then on others occasions we met collectively for worship choruses, hymns, testimonies, Scripture reading, and congregational prayers.

· We asked a couple of folks each week to give testimony of how God was using the prayer emphasis to change their lives. The testimonies were unbelievable. Many shared with us how following the daily quiet time journal was deepening their walk with the Lord. One particular Sunday, the testimonies led to a spontaneous time of confession and prayer that lasted for more than three hours.

· We scheduled a church fast weekly, and opened the sanctuary for individual and corporate prayer daily.

· We prepared prayer cards to be distributed at each prayer service. Each person was encouraged to record their requests, exchange them, and put the requests they received in their prayer journal.

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· We assigned small groups and encouraged the groups to meet weekly to discuss each daily assignment, and to pray together.

· Each person was asked to select an accountability partner with whom to pray and to whom they were to report their spiritual progress.

· We scheduled a celebration service to share the impact of the prayer revival.

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Sermon Suggestions

· Get Fit for Life: Use the eight disciplines as a sermon series on Regaining Balance.

· Journey With Jesus: The assigned texts could serve as a series on “ The assigned texts could serve as a series on “ The assigned texts could serve as a series on Journey With “Journey With “Jesus.” The texts offer a chronological look at the life of Jesus. Note that hymns are included that could serve as preludes to corporate readings or the sermon itself.

· Praying the Psalms: Using the assigned texts, preach a sermon series on “Selected Psalms” or “Praying and Praising the Psalms.”

· Note that in each section there are a number of outlines provided that could help you with sermon development.

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Tips for Leaders

The longer I lead the more convinced I am that if the devil wants anyone at all in my congregation, he wants me! In order to lead my people into balanced living, I have to live it myself. Here are a few suggestions that I believe will help make your own journey more successful:

· Follow the instructions strictly. Once your church begins a prayer initiative, the enemy will attack. You will need all the prayer cover you can get. Additionally, you will personally be singled out as a target. Discipline yourself for godliness.

· Don’t use your sermon preparation time as your quiet time. Use Regaining Balance. Do it because your folks are doing it.

· Select a specific time and place for your time alone with the Lord. Find a place where you can spread your Bible, study books, journal, pen, and paper out before you. Find a place that is quiet and lonely.

· Schedule enough time. We are in a hurry these days. Because of over-scheduling, we don’t take the time to let God speak to our hearts. To worship, pray, meditate, and grow in the Word, we need more than a few minutes. Make it at least an hour, and then go from there.

· Journal! If you have never tried to journal, give it a shot during this prayer revival. A good way to begin is by following the instructions of Regaining Balance. Then buy a leather-bound book into which you can insert manuscript pads. Get a good one so you can use it again and again.

· Be public about your commitment. That is, tell your congregation what you’re doing. That will help keep you focused. Share with them excerpts from your journaling, and from what God is teaching you from your quiet time. That will encourage them to follow you.

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Getting Started . . .

To begin this 13-week study, each student must own a copy of Regaining Balance. Th is book may be purchased through Randall House Pulications. Visit www.randallhouse.com or www.randallhouse.com or www.randallhouse.comcall 1-800-877-7030 to order. Quantity discounts are availale for churches:

10 or more $7.9925 or more $7.4950 or more $6.99100 or more $5.99

Because the fi rst session requires students to have completed Day 1 through Day 7, it may be benefi cial to have an introductory meeting. Th is will allow you to ensure that everyone has a book and is aware of the week’s assignment.

Encourage participants to bring their Bibles and Regaining Balance to each class session. Although it is never wise to pressure answers from students, strive to create a class atmosphere that is conducive and comfortable for students to share notes from their Regaining Balance journal, prayer requests, and areas of spiritual struggle and victory.

Please understand that Regaining Balance: Leader’s Guide is exactly that—a guide. Do not feel pressured to incorporate every suggestion into your class time. Be sensitive to your students’ needs and the leading of the Holy Spirit as you prepare for each session.

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Week 1 Day 1—Day 7

Begin each Regaining Balance session with prayer, asking God to bless your group time and make you aware of lessons to learn from Him and one another.

Ask students what spoke to, challenged, or encouraged them the most from Day 1 through Day 7. If you have a talkative group, be sensitive of time and topic. While students should be encouraged to share freely, the group leader must steer the discussion to avoid lengthy rabbit trails. If your group is not talkative, share some of your observations from Week 1 or ask these discussion questions:

Beginning prayer

Day 1 Introduction. What tampers with or hinders your spiritual growth? How does the awareness of God’s presence affect your desires and priorities?

Day 2Read Hebrews 4:16. What does it mean to approach the throne of grace with confidence? How is that practice portrayed in prayer life? Give specific examples.

Day 3How does sin affect you? Others? God? Why is confession necessary? On a white board, compare the nature of sin to the nature of God. Then, discuss the depths of God’s forgiveness.

Day 4Read 1 Timothy 4:1-16. Review the disciplines found in this chapter: striving to be an example (1 Timothy 4:12), reading Scripture (4:13), focusing on spiritual gifts (4:14), meditating on the Word (4:15), showing spiritual progress that is obvious to peers (4:16), practicing all that is discovered in the Word (4:16). Ask for volunteers to share how they answered the question, “What do you need to start doing that will energize you?” Make a list of their answers as an idea board for others.

GET FIT FOR LIFE

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Day 5What are some preconceptions about the definition of worship? How have these verses —1 John 4:12-16, Isaiah 30:15, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 119:5, Revelation 5:12, 13, and James 1:27—changed or confirmed your definition and practice of worship.

Day 6Why did Jesus fast? What was the result of His period of fasting? Read these stories of other biblical characters that felt the need to fast—Leviticus 16:29, 31, Nehemiah 1, Esther 4:16; 9:31, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:21-28 Ask, What were the circumstances behind their call to fast? What can we learn from their situations?

Day 7Participate in collective worship. Ask volunteers to respond to the question, How is God enough?

End each session with prayer. Keep a class prayer journal. Write down prayer requests each week and add updated entries of God’s response.

Prayer request and group prayer time

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Beginning prayer

Day 8What does it mean to you that the presence of the Holy Spirit is a reality? What evidence is there of His presence?

Day 9How does the world define success and happiness? How is evil made to seem good and good made to seem evil? Bring old newspapers to class. Divide your students into groups. Ask each group to identify ways the world’s ideas of success and happiness are portrayed in the newspapers.

Day 10Read Psalm 40. Ask students to share their response to this question: “How have His thoughts of you been evident in your life recently?”

Day 11Ask for volunteers to describe their salvation experience.

Day 12Make a list of observations from the Meditation section, which asks students to jot down the different terms the writer uses to describe God’s Word. What does that Word do for us? How does it work in our lives?

GET FIT FOR LIFE

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Day 13Ask someone you know or someone in your church who has been through a painful circumstance to share that experience with your class. Be sure your guest speaker has healed from this ordeal and can offer insight into God’s redemptive work, even through trying situations.

Day 14List ways to use the “tongue” as a tool of encouragement. Discuss how you can individually encourage someone this week, then decide how you can encourage someone as a group.

Prayer request and group prayer time

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Beginning prayer

Day 15How does the way we treat our physical bodies affect our emotional and spiritual well-being? How does an unhealthy spiritual life affect our emotional and physical health? Ask if everyone has contacted an accountability partner.

Day 16Why is contentment a challenge to maintain? Make a list of the things for which you should be grateful.

Day 17Ask volunteers to share their responses from the Solitude section, which asks, “What does his [Satan’s] defeat mean to you? How does that affect your sense of spiritual victory?”

Day 18This day encourages readers to fast from television for one hour. Use this discussion time to talk about fasting. Ask, In your opinion, why do most Christians overlook the discipline of fasting?

Day 19How does bitterness affect a person’s life? Why is it wrong for a Christian to harbor bitterness? Why is forgiveness so powerful?

GET FIT FOR LIFE

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Day 20What can you do as a group to build relationships with unbelievers? Make a plan. Put it into action.

Day 21Ask volunteers to answer questions from the Solitude section, which asks, “What is Christ doing in your life to bring it into conformity to His?”

Prayer requests and group prayer time

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Beginning prayer

Day 22Ask volunteers to share answers from the Solitude section, which asks, “How has God ‘thwarted’ you in order to teach you that He is enough? Is He enough? Why is He enough? What does He provide that no work-related success or relationship can?”

Day 23List the fruit of the Spirit on the board. As a group, go over each fruit and describe the practical results of living out each of the fruit.

Day 24Ask your group if they agree or disagree with these statements from the text:“Our lives are filled with activities that require our continued attention. Before long, we have lived so much without noticing Him, we lose our sensitivity to Him.”“Our awareness of Him fails because we suppose He is unneeded.”“The fleshly mind cannot comprehend the spiritual without Divine assistance. And since we do not recognize the reality of His presence, we certainly will not seek it.”Discuss this question: How can we consciously “practice His presence?”

Day 25How do you maintain intimacy with Christ? Share an experience with the group when God’s Word really spoke to you or helped you through a confusing period of life. Encourage volunteers to relate similar experiences.

GET FIT FOR LIFE

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Day 26Ask volunteers to share their answers from the Solitude section, which asks, “How did God make Himself known to you in those days of trouble?” How does Christ’s faithfulness in the past dispel present fears and anxieties?

Day 27Encourage students to share observations from their devotional reading of Philippians. If students are slow to volunteer, share some of your own observations or research additional information from a commentary. To order a copy of The Randall House Bible Commentary, “Galatians Through Colossians,” call 1-800-877-7030.House Bible Commentary, “Galatians Through Colossians,” call 1-800-877-7030.House Bible Commentary

Day 28Ask volunteers to share their answers from the Meditation section, which asks, “What is holiness? How is it seen in God? What does Psalm 24 teach you about God’s requirements?”


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Beginning prayer

Day 29Brainstorm with your group the many positive feelings and thoughts God has for us. Read these verses to help the brainstorming process: Psalm 103:2, 3; Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 14:4; Zephaniah 3:17; John 14:27; Ephesians 2:4, 5; and Hebrews 8:12.

Day 30Ask volunteers to share their answers from the Solitude section, which asks, “Who is the greatest leader you know? What, in your personal opinion, makes them so? What kind of impact does this great person make on your life or the lives of others?”

Day 31Discuss God’s attributes. Focus on the big picture of what God is doing in the world.

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

Day 32How does concentrating on Jesus’ sacrifice affect you? Change your perspective?

Day 33Ask volunteers to share their answers from the Meditation section, which asks, “Why would He take your place? What is it about the divine nature that led Him to do it?” Participate in a time of worshipful prayer as a group.

GET FIT FOR LIFE

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Day 34Why is it important that Jesus was both God and man? How does the answer to that question promote worship?

Day 35How has God expressed His love to you on a daily basis? Why is it important for Christians to remember that God is both holy and loving? How would you explain that balance to an unbeliever?


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Beginning prayer

Day 36Share a time when God helped you avoid succumbing to temptation. Encourage others to share similar instances in their lives. In your opinion, do you believe Christians often rely on God for overcoming temptation?

Day 37Repeat the activity in class that is found in the Meditation section: “Read back through today’s Scripture passage and note the specific references to Christ. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. In one column write the phrases that speak of Christ. In the other column write how each phrase describes Him.”

Day 38In the pursuit of godliness, it is easy to become distracted and overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Often discouragement and failure can keep us from moving forward. Of course, God does not desire for discouragement to hinder our relationship with Him. What is the proper response to the ups and downs of practicing godliness?

Day 39If you could have seen Christ’s miracles first hand, how do you think you would have reacted? How would those experiences have impacted your faith? Haven’t you witnessed miracles in your own life? How has God’s intervention impacted your faith?

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

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Day 40Type out the words to “Lead On, O King Eternal” and give each group member a copy. Read or sing this song as a group. Pick out other songs and read or sing them together in worship of Christ’s sacrifice.

Day 41Think about this: What are your motivations for Christian service or regular church attendance? How can a Christian today be guilty of serving the Lord with a spirit of profit?

Day 42A rather large percentage of church-attending believers do not read their Bible on a daily basis. List reasons why Christians don’t read their Bibles regularly. Why is daily Bible reading an important habit to cultivate?


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Beginning prayer

Day 43Discuss the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper. How does meditating on and participating in the Lord’s Supper promote worship?

Day 44What is humility? Bring a few dictionaries and ask volunteers to read several definitions. How have you seen humility displayed in others’ lives? How can we apply humility to our lives?

Day 45Write these promises on slips of paper: Psalm 138:7; Psalm 107:5, 9; Proverbs 3:5, 6; Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 53:5; Luke 6:38; John 10:27, 28; Philippians 4:7, 8; Hebrews 10:30. Pass out these promises to class members as they enter the room. At the appropriate time, ask each person to read the Scripture from the reference on their piece of paper. Ask for testimonies of ways God has fulfilled these promises.

Day 46Instruct your class to break into group of two or three. Allow for a time of prayer within these groups. Provide each group with paper so each person can have a record of the prayer requests mentioned in their groups.

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

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Day 47The author makes three interesting statements: “Perfection is not a prerequisite for service.” “Mistakes do not close the door to a person’s usefulness.” “Jesus prays for our perseverance.” If those statements are true, what impact does that make on your life?

Day 48Review the Scripture from the Bible Reading section. Discuss questions from the Solitude section, which asks, “Consider the behavior of Jesus during the whole affair recorded in these texts. How does He appear to you?”

Day 49Read the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament fulfillments that refer to the crucifixion of Christ: Numbers 21:8, 9 and John 3:14, 15; Deuteronomy 21:22, 23 and Galatians 3:13; Psalm 34:20 and John 19:31-36; Psalm 69:21 and John 19:29. Discuss this question: Since Christ’s type of death was predicted many years before the Romans instigated crucifixion, did God ordain this method of death in the minds of the Romans?


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Beginning prayer

Day 50Bring a heavy item to class. Lift it often. Point out that when carrying a load, it is foremost on our minds. It is possible to think about other things, but the burden occupies much of our thinking. Discuss how all-consuming debt can become. Burden and debt are thought consumers. Use this topic to bridge to God’s forgiveness. How do we feel when the debt is paid or the burden lifted?

Day 51Ask for volunteers to share their response to the question in the Solitude section, which asks, “Why is His resurrection important in your life?” Also discuss how the world would be different if Christ had never risen and Christianity never existed. If Christ conquered death, is there anything too hard for Him?

Day 52The disciples had faithlessness because of the present appearance of their circumstances. What was the truth? How can we make application of this to our lives?

Day 53Share how God reveals His will in your life. Encourage others to share. Note that God’s plans are often bigger and more rewarding than we can anticipate or imagine!

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

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Day 54What is our main duty as believers? What other duties do we have?

Day 55Ask for volunteers to share their response to the questions in the Solitude section, which ask, “What does it mean to you that He is extending His kingdom through you? What are you doing to affect that expansion?” How is God extending His kingdom through your church? Your study group? You?

Day 56Pray for your leaders and the ministers of your church!


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Beginning prayer

Day 57Define faith. When you faced a period in life where you wished for a roadmap of your life, how did you make it through that time? How would Paul’s life and influence have been different if he had known how his life would play out? Imagine a world without faith. What would be different?

Day 58How do you see the antagonists—the world, the flesh, and the devil—present in our culture? What impact do they have on the church? How can the church protect herself ?

Day 59How do you picture heaven? What do you look forward to in heaven? The Christian can always say with perfect confidence that our future is brighter and better than today. How does that confidence affect your life?

Day 60In the Worship section, you are asked to list ways God has blessed you. Ask volunteers to share their responses. Worship the Lord for His gifts and the ways He’s met your needs and filled your desires.

Day 61Read or sing “Be Thou My Vision” as a group. Make this your prayer.

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

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PRAYING THE PSALMS

Day 62Describe the perfect devotional life. How much time should a person spend in God’s Word? Is quantity or quality more important? Is it important to read your Bible even when you don’t feel like it?

Day 63How does the environment testify to God? How is humanity superior to creation? What marks man as special? How does God feel about humanity?


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Beginning prayer

Day 64List the 11 moral traits from this psalm. How do these requirements speak of God’s holiness?

Day 65Ask volunteers to share their observations from the Meditation section, which asks, “Look closer at the three sections of the psalm and list the characteristics presented therein. What does the writer say about nature? What does he have to say about the Law of God? And for what does he pray? Then think once more about Lewis’ interpretation. How does it make you feel to know that there is no escape from God’s Law?”

Day 66Compare Psalm 22 with the account of the crucifixion in the gospels. What types of persecution do you face? How does Psalm 22 give you encouragement?

Day 67Waiting for the Lord can be a challenge for our impatient hearts. Encourage one another with testimony of God’s faithfulness and His reward of obedience.

Day 68What is repentance? What evidence of repentance is there in Psalm 32 and Psalm 51? What caused David to repent? What were his motivations?

PRAYING THE PSALMS

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Day 69Ask volunteers to share their observations from the Meditation section, which states, “Study Psalm 37 to learn the conclusion of a life of wickedness, as well as the end of a life of trust. List the many phrases the composer utilizes to offer comfort and instruction.” What application can you make to your life from what you’ve learned from this psalm?

Day 70How has God pursued you? Does the Church behave like a bride? Explain your answer. How can you reciprocate God’s love?


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Beginning Prayer

Day 71When is it okay for a Christian to become angry? What is “righteous” anger? How should a Christian react when angry?

Day 72How can you as a group convey the hope David expressed to someone who is experiencing trials or discouragement? Discuss the possibilities and determine a plan of action.

Day 73Ask volunteers to share their observations from the Meditation section, which suggests students “look for words or phrases that describe who God is and what He does for His children. Second, see how many references David makes to his troubles. Then search for the writer’s confidence in his Lord. Go slowly; take your time. Pore over the Word; there is a wealth of encouragement here.”

Day 74Read Psalm 66 aloud. Ask one person to read the entire psalm or divide the verses between volunteer readers. Then, sing several songs of praise to God!

Day 75Do you think the author of Psalm 72 understood the Messianic implications? Explain your answer. What does this psalm reveal about Jesus?

PRAYING THE PSALMS

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Day 76“When grace is rejected, grief is the result.” Based on your knowledge of history, how has this statement proven true? Is it also true in individuals’ lives? Explain.

Day 77What causes “spiritual stagnation”? Which is worse, spiritual bondage or physical captivity? Which do we more readily avoid? What steps can be made to avoid spiritual bondage?


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Beginning prayer

Day 78Why are people so obsessed with busyness? How can we incorporate simplicity into our lives?

Day 79On a white board, list all of the promises found in Psalm 91. Ask volunteers to share which promise means the most to them and why.

Day 80Is worship a duty or a response? Is worship only appropriate when it is emotional?

Day 81What motivates you to worship? Why worship? Why does God desire our worship? Read Psalm 103 as a group.

Day 82The author states, “Once again, by using historical allusions and illustrations, the psalmist emphasizes the appropriateness of praising a God whose mercy is extended in spite of man’s repeated rebellion. As a result of such a comparison, he calls the nation to offer prayers of confession for its many offenses.” Take the advice of the psalmist and review God’s mercy in your life. Spend time in prayer confessing sins and recommitting to serving the God of great holiness.

PRAYING THE PSALMS

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Day 83Give each student a blank sheet of paper. Ask them to write down disappointing events in their lives or times when they couldn’t understand God’s actions. Ask them to fold the paper into a small rectangle. Then instruct them to write, “God makes no mistakes” on that folded paper.

Day 84Discuss how the Word affected the author of Psalm 119. Ask for volunteers to share how the Bible affects them. How are their lives different when they are faithful to Bible study?


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Beginning prayer

Day 85Does knowing that God never sleeps bring you comfort or anxiety? Explain. According to Psalm 121, who is God? How does the psalmist describe Him?

Day 86Break into groups and share requests concerning your family. Take extra time for prayer for each other’s families.

Day 87Ask volunteers to share their observations from the Meditation section, which suggests students “note the many reasons given here for offering praise to the Lord.”

Day 88Read Psalm 139 as a group prayer. If students are using different versions, ask each person to read Psalm 139 from his or her translation.

Day 89King David was certainly a creative writer. Provide your students with an opportunity to create their own written work of praise to God. If your class is not filled with writers, make this a group activity!

PRAYING THE PSALMS

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Day 90Ask volunteers to share their observations from the Meditation section, which ask students to “Read Psalms 146—150; slowly mark the number of times we are commanded to praise. Then, going back through, list the reasons why praise should be given and who is commanded to praise.”

Day 91Be prepared to share how the last 91 days has impacted your spiritual, emotional, and every day life. Encourage others to share their testimony as well.


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