by
Jennifer Wilcox
*READ*: Psalms 1 & 15
*KEY IDEA*:
Being a person after God’s own heart is one who keeps God’s law (abides by
God’s teaching) and she will be counted as righteous. That person, and not
the wicked one who disregards the Law of God, will be welcomed into God’s
sanctuary.
*BACKGROUND*:
While it is unclear who penned the first Psalm, we know that David authored
the fifteenth Psalm. Both Psalms deal with the reality of God’s blessing:
dwelling with God in righteousness and God’s punishment: being eternally
separated from God in wickedness. These Psalms give us a clear message that
God expects us to follow Him and that there are severe and eternal
consequences for those who do not.
In the Psalms we are faced with the question of who can be called
“righteous?” Can any one of us be “righteous” in God’s sight? Our question
is quickly answered in these early Psalms where we learn that the one who is
right with God “delights in the law of the Lord” (1:2a), is instructed by
God’s teachings in the law (1:2b) and “speaks the truth” to others (15:2).
This is a wonderful and challenging lesson for the Church today.
*NARRATIVE*:
There is so much about these two psalms (1&15) that speak directly to the
joy of living on God’s path and the problems we face today in the battle
between choosing good and evil. The way we view the authority of Scripture
will ultimately determine how deeply this study will, by the power of the
Holy Spirit, penetrate the hearts of
the learners If we understand the Scripture as the inspired Word of God and
“useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2
Timothy 3:16), then the teaching of these two psalms will greatly influence
the way in which we worship God, pray and live out a daily lives.
This is a key point because clearly the psalmist for both 1 and 15 has a
clear picture of the battle between righteousness and wickedness. As
commentator Derek Kidner notes that, “the two ways (righteousness and
wickedness), there is no third, part for ever.” (IVP, Psalms 1-72, pg. 49)
We read in Psalm 1:1-2 that we either
“walk in the counsel of the wickedsit in the way of sinners(and) sit in the
seat of scoffers” or we “delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it
day and night.” This is the underlying struggle in our daily lives and
indeed, it is the root of the problems we face in the Church today.
The person who is constantly bombarded by the negative messages of this
world and who allows those messages to seep into her thinking will soon
enough begin to experience and live out that negativity.
This one is not in the way of God’s blessing. But the person who drinks
constantly from the stream of God’s teaching not only grows deep roots of
faith, but bears fruit (I.e. gifts for ministry) and glorifies God in her
life. The subtle but powerful difference here is that we should not allow
our experiences of the world inform what is real and godly, rather, we ask
the Holy Spirit to teach and inform us of God’s reality and truth through
the Word of God.
Psalm 15 further illustrates the heart condition of the person who walks in
the way of the LORD. This persons lives rightly, speaks truthfully, not
deceitfully, is not swayed or influenced by evil people, but rather, knows
and honors the righteousness of the LORD, is trustworthy and generous
(15:2-5). This may seem like a “tall order” and it is! But when our lives
are totally surrendered to Jesus Christ, we realize that we have no stake in
not telling the truth and we are able to give generously to others. Why is
this so? Because our reality is rooted not in our position among people or
in the worldly goods we have. Instead, our reality is rooted in God. Thus,
anything
that happens to believers in this world is inconsequential for the One we
seek to serve and honor is the Almighty God and our dwelling place is in the
sanctuary of the LORD (15:1).
Does this mean that we are not to be concerned for this world? Absolutely
not! God calls us in this psalm (15:5) to give generously and without
benefit to ourselves. Doing such that our lives may be a living testimony to
the merciful provision and love of God. The result of one” whose walk is
blameless and who does what is right” (15:2) is that she is secure in God’s
promise for that dwelling place. She need not be afraid.
*Suggested questions for discussion*
(Psalm 1)
1. How can “delighting” and “meditating” on God’s law be a blessing in a
person’s life?
2. What “delight” or comfort or joy do you find in God’s teaching?
3. What are the characteristics of a tree that is planted by a river’s edge?
4. What area(s) of your life is God calling you to be more rooted in Him?
5. How do you know God watches over you? Share life examples.
(Psalm 15)
1. Can you think of an example from scripture when Jesus stood up for what
was right? How did that effect the people around Him?
2. When have you had to stand up for what was right or speak the truth when
it was not the popular thing to do? How did this change or effect you? How
did it change or effect others?
3. Have you ever had to keep a promise (an oath, vs. 4) even when it hurt?
How did you feel about that afterwards? How was your faith strengthened?
4. What is the criteria for those who will dwell in the sanctuary of the
Lord?
5. Do you believe in Jesus Christ and His promise of salvation?
*SUMMARY*:
God’s greatest gift to us is His Son, Jesus Christ. Only by faith are we
saved and only through Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we dwell in
the sanctuary of God. The gospel of John 14:6 reminds of this undeniable
truth. It is by His grace are we made right with God. So righteousness is
not of our own doing, it is the free and loving act of God toward His
people. This we must keep in mind as we study the Word of God and worship
the Lord.
Daily we must “delight” and “meditate” on God’s Word so that we can be
rooted in the reality of Jesus Christ and direct our worship to the One who
alone is worthy of our praise, adoration and thanksgiving.
From here we move out in mission and service so that others who would
believe and have faith in Jesus Christ may dwell in the sanctuary of the
living God.
*SUGGESTIONS FOR LEADERS: *
1. Preparing the Lesson
A. Read both the Lesson Plan in the Study Guide and the information in
this Supplement. Read the scripture and the suggested reading from the
Book of Confessions (see below).
B. Review the questions in the supplement. They are intended to get the
students thinking about what the Psalms say and how they apply to our
daily living. You may wish to put them on cards for easier reference.
2. Connecting with God and with one another
A. Opening Prayer
Gracious God, Thank You for Your Word to us. We come wanting to know
and love You more deeply. Search our hearts Lord, and see if there
is any wicked way in us. Cleanse us Lord and put us on your path. We
pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. AMEN.
B. You might want to sing together from the Maranatha Praise Book
_”Create in Me a Clean Heart” _or from the hymnal “_Spirit of the Living
God.”_
3. Discover the Scripture & Exploring the Scriptures
A. Read Psalms 1 & 15 together … This could be read responsively,
verse by verse.
B. Use the narrative in the Study and Supplement. Don’t be hesitant in
using the word “Law” when talking about God’s teaching!
C. You might take this opportunity to read the from the Confessions
Shorter Catechism 7.001 (Worship)
Q. #1 What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Larger Catechism 7.169 (Righteousness and Salvation)
Q. #59 Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?
A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to
all those for whom Christ has purchased it: who are in time by the
Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ, according to the gospel.
4. Closing Time Together
A. Sing together the hymn “Amazing Grace”
B. Closing Prayer
Precious Lord, You alone are worthy of our praise! God You are
gracious and full of mercy. Thank you for the gift of Your Son
through whom we are saved. You have shown your love to us in so many
ways and we are ever thankful. Teach us to walk in Your truth and
give generously of all that we have and all that we are in You. And
give us such faith that we cannot be shaken. Pray in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.