Discussion Questions 13 July 2024
Discussion Questions 13 July 2024
Have someone at the table read Psalm 42, out loud, with breaks to pause, reflect, & discuss where indicated:
v1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.v2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?V3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
Pause and re-read these verses to yourself. Imagine the deer panting for water. Reflect silently: have you ever thirsted for God? What were the circumstances?
Then discuss with the group: How do tears/suffering make us thirsty (for God)?
V4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.V5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Pause and re-read these verses to yourself. Reflect silently: When did you last experience praise and joy in God?
Then discuss with the group: What does it mean to “put” your hope in God? Why does the Psalmist still praise God?
V6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.V7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.V8 By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
Pause and re-read these verses to yourself. Reflect silently: Have you ever felt depth of connection with God?
Then discuss with the group: What imagery does the Psalmist use to describe his relationship with God? How is his spiritual thirst quenched?
V9 I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”V10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”V11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Pause and re-read these verses to yourself. Reflect silently: What complaints do you have for God today?
Then discuss with the group: What can you remind yourself of today to rediscover hope in God?
As you listen to this song, write down one line from Psalm 42 that you most want to remember:
Thank you for coming today and contributing to our discussion.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14