<<Download as a PDF>>
<<See previous weeks>>
THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Psalm 88
NEXT WEEK'S SERMON: Psalm 89
Preacher: Rusten Harris
Scripture: Psalm 88
MAIN POINTS 1. The Soul in Anguish, 2. The Model of Prayer 3. The God of Salvation
In Psalm 88, we are reminded that as Christians we are not promised lives free of sorrow and suffering; however, God doesn’t leave us alone in our sorrow. He models for us in Psalm 88 to bring our anguish to Him and cling to Him in faith.
Family Discussion Questions:
1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage?
2. What are some things we blame our suffering on?
3. How does your perspective of suffering change when viewing it in light of God’s sovereignty?
4. How does this Psalm model what prayer should look like in the deepest of sorrows?
5. What lies do your feelings tell you in the midst of your suffering? How do you combat those lies?
Parent Tip:
· Read the sermon summary together as a family. Build this into your regular routine, perhaps reading together around the table during a meal.
· There are five questions, each with a different theme. You can choose to go over all five on one night a week, do a couple of questions a few times a week, or discuss one question per day.
· Each question is meant to be a conversation starter model for your children on how to answer these questions by sharing your own personal insights.
· Even if your conversations don’t go as planned, don’t be discouraged. ALL time spent talking about and reading God’s word is valuable!
· The more consistent you are in having these discussions, the more fruitful they will be. As this becomes part of your weekly rhythm, your kids will anticipate the questions and listen more attentively at church.
Additional Scriptures
- Job 1:21b
- Psalm 16:1-2
- 1 Peter 5:6-7
- Isaiah 53:4-5
- Romans 8:28
- Romans 8:38-39
Parent Tip:
Use these additional scriptures as daily reading. This is also a great way to help your children learn to locate passages in the Bible.
Attribute of God:
SOVEREIGN God rules over everyone and everything, even our suffering. God is in control and He is good, so we can trust Him with the outcome of all circumstances.
Parent Tip:We focus on a new attribute of God each week to discuss as a family. Use this time to discuss who God is, answer questions the kids might have, and talk about what that week’s attribute means to each person in your family.
Prayer Focus:
REPENTANCE Spend some time this week repenting of ways you’ve not trusted God in the midst of suffering.
Parent Tip: Each week of the month has its own prayer theme: Church, Family, Community, and Repentance. Use these themes to show your children how to pray. It can be helpful to add this to an already existing routine, like at bedtime or when you’re in the car together.
THIS MONTH:
MONTHLY SONG:
All My Boast Is In Jesus
What wonder of wonders, what love is this
That Christ would die for me
His goodness, His merit, His righteousness
This sinner’s only plea
O foolish pride, be crucified
The work is finished
All my boast is in Jesus
All my hope is His love
And I will glory forever
In what the cross has done
Now fully forgiven, my life is filled
With graces undeserved
For mercy that flowed down that sacred hill
Let praises now return
Rise up my soul and bless the Lord
Who else is worthy
O praise the One, forever blessed
Him alone my heart adores
And I will boast in nothing less
Than the love of Christ, my Lord
I boast not in riches, in strength or might
But in the grace of God
I glory in weakness, to live is Christ
In plenty or in want
That I may know, that all may see
His pow’r within me
Now I stand in His freedom
Ransomed clean in His sight
And I cannot be ashamed for
My boast is Jesus Christ
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 16:17-18 “The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Parent Tip:
Practice reciting it as a family each day at least once. Dinner time is a great opportunity to practice together.
Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Questions 10: How did God create man?
Answer: God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
