Getting to Know you:
What’s a strange or bizarre thing that has happened to you?
What are you most thankful for right now?
Going Deeper:
Read 1 Samuel 21:13 and then Psalm 34:8. How does knowing the backdrop to this psalm adjust the way we should view it?
Discuss the following: Praise is for every moment of life from Psalm 34:1.
-How might we choose to bless God when life is hard?
-Read Psalm 34:3…how can we encourage people to exalt his name together? For instance, when Christians don’t sing in church or won’t pray publicly?
Read Exodus 34:29-35. What happened to Moses in these verses?
-What connection do these verses have to Psalm 34:5, 16?
-What could it mean today to have face to face connection with God and have that showing on our faces?
Read Psalm 34:15-22 and compare and contrast the righteous and the wicked. What do the righteous do that characterizes them as righteous?
-Discuss this statement. The righteous are those who live in the fear of the Lord, (vs.7,9,11) take refuge in the Lord (vs.8) and seek the Lord (vs.10). What do these things mean?
Read Psalm 34:12-14 and discuss what it practically means to fear the Lord accordingly. Look up James 3:3-6, Prov.10:19, Rom.12:9 and Gal.6:9-10.
Make the connection between Ps.34:20, Exodus 12:46, and John 19:33.
Take it Home:
Actively look for things to thank God this week, especially when things get messy.
When things get messy, lament first but praise second.
