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Sermon Series: AWAKEN JOY Message: “The Cheesecake Factory of God” Text: Psalm 16 FIRST STEP: (GROUP DISCUSSIONS – Pick one or two to discuss) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Describe a time in your life when JOY was awakened for an extended season. How might a believer experience God’s presence at a deeper level? What habits would help? Give a Webster’s definition of JOY that would match a biblical definition of joy. What is your favorite type of cheesecake? Describe God’s menu at His Cheesecake Factory.
SECOND STEP: (BIBLE INTAKE – Dig as deep as you desire) 1. Read (Psalm 16:1-11): Give a one word description of this Psalm that speaks to you. What does the psalmist want you to know about the Lord? What does he want you to know about his relationship with the Lord? What does he want you to know about his joy? Is joy a gift or a reward for the psalmist? What is the key to the living an abundant and joyful life for him? 2. Read (Psalm 16:1-2): Is the psalmist confident or disappointed in the Lord? How would you best label these first two verses; a prayer and plea for help or a statement of his faith? How might these two verses alone awaken joy in your life if you applied them? What is a REFUGE? 3. Read (Psalm 16:3-4): Compare and contrast the saints in the land vs. those who worship idols. In what way(s) do our own idols destroy our joy? Read these verses in different translations. What does he want us to know about potential joy killers in our relationship with the Lord? 4. Read (Psalm 16:5-6): What surprises you about the psalmist perspective if the context of verse 1 is real danger? Here is an example of THE LORD IS exercise. Who is God to the psalmist and why does he find that significant? What is beautiful about his inheritance compared to ours? 5. Read (Psalm 16:7-8): Why does the psalmist want to praise the Lord? What role does gratitude and praise play in our awakening of joy? Why does the psalmist have so much confidence in the Lord? What role does confidence/trust/faith play in joyful living? Is 16:8 the KEY to joy? 6. Read (Psalm 16:9-10): What is the “THEREFORE” there for? Why does he use three physical references (my heart, my liver, my flesh) to describe his outbreak of joy and gladness? How does this verse 10 compare to last week’s theme verses in John 11:25-26? (see also Acts 2:25) 7. Read (Psalm 16:11): How would you describe this verse? Does Pastor Mark’s description of God’s Cheesecake Factory spark any new insights to who God is and what he desires for you? What does the path of life refer to? How does living with the Lord and in his presence work? If overwhelming joy is found in the Lord’s presence what does the psalmist want us to do next?
THIRD STEP: (APPLICATION – Be doers of the Word) Read Psalm 16 every morning this week. Paraphrase this Psalm into your own words. Do the JOY EXERCISE #1 in the worship program or online. Write out who GOD IS… to you.
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T STEPS
Sermon Series: AWAKEN JOY Message: “The Cheesecake Factory of God” Text: Psalm 16 FIRST STEP: (GROUP DISCUSSIONS – Pick one or two to discuss) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Describe a time in your life when JOY was awakened for an extended season. How might a believer experience God’s presence at a deeper level? What habits would help? Give a Webster’s definition of JOY that would match a biblical definition of joy. What is your favorite type of cheesecake? Describe God’s menu at His Cheesecake Factory.
SECOND STEP: (BIBLE INTAKE – Dig as deep as you desire) 1. Read (Psalm 16:1-11): Give a one word description of this Psalm that speaks to you. What does the psalmist want you to know about the Lord? What does he want you to know about his relationship with the Lord? What does he want you to know about his joy? Is joy a gift or a reward for the psalmist? What is the key to the living an abundant and joyful life for him? 2. Read (Psalm 16:1-2): Is the psalmist confident or disappointed in the Lord? How would you best label these first two verses; a prayer and plea for help or a statement of his faith? How might these two verses alone awaken joy in your life if you applied them? What is a REFUGE? 3. Read (Psalm 16:3-4): Compare and contrast the saints in the land vs. those who worship idols. In what way(s) do our own idols destroy our joy? Read these verses in different translations. What does he want us to know about potential joy killers in our relationship with the Lord? 4. Read (Psalm 16:5-6): What surprises you about the psalmist perspective if the context of verse 1 is real danger? Here is an example of THE LORD IS exercise. Who is God to the psalmist and why does he find that significant? What is beautiful about his inheritance compared to ours? 5. Read (Psalm 16:7-8): Why does the psalmist want to praise the Lord? What role does gratitude and praise play in our awakening of joy? Why does the psalmist have so much confidence in the Lord? What role does confidence/trust/faith play in joyful living? Is 16:8 the KEY to joy? 6. Read (Psalm 16:9-10): What is the “THEREFORE” there for? Why does he use three physical references (my heart, my liver, my flesh) to describe his outbreak of joy and gladness? How does this verse 10 compare to last week’s theme verses in John 11:25-26? (see also Acts 2:25) 7. Read (Psalm 16:11): How would you describe this verse? Does Pastor Mark’s description of God’s Cheesecake Factory spark any new insights to who God is and what he desires for you? What does the path of life refer to? How does living with the Lord and in his presence work? If overwhelming joy is found in the Lord’s presence what does the psalmist want us to do next?
THIRD STEP: (APPLICATION – Be doers of the Word) Read Psalm 16 every morning this week. Paraphrase this Psalm into your own words. Do the JOY EXERCISE #1 in the worship program or online. Write out who GOD IS… to you.
