Bethesda Chapel 2003
SG Bible Study #1

The Experience of the Living God - A Study of Psalm 63

“I have seen you in the sanctuary…”
“Communion with God in secret is a heaven upon earth.”  George Swinnock.

Warm up song
Select songs that are appropriate to the above theme. Some of the songs sung at the Watchnight service are suitable.

Shout To The Lord

My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down, and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise
I have in You

In The Presence of a Holy God

In the presence of a holy God
There's new meaning now to grace
You took all my sins upon Yourself
I can only stand amazed
And I cry
Holy, holy, holy God
How awesome is Your name
Holy, holy, holy God
How majestic is Your reign
And I am changed in the
Presence of a holy God

In the presence of Your infinite might
I'm so small and frail and weak
When I see Your power and wisdom Lord
I have no words left to speak
In the presence of Your glory
All my crowns lie in the dust
You are righteous in Your judgments Lord
You are faithful true and just

Quiet Contemplation (3 minutes)
At the beginning of each year, one seeks to have a brighter and better year.  How was your experience of God in the past year?  What is your present relationship with God?  What do you hope to see for the year 2003 with God?

Sharing
Take turns to share one significant event or personal application of bible truths in the past year.

Read the selected passage
Text: Psalm 63:1-11

Background (Context)
The psalm was written during the rebellion of his son Absalom, when he had to quit Jerusalem, and escape into the wilderness of Judah (see 2 Sam 15:23; 16:2; 17:29)

Structure
There are actually 12 verses in the original Hebrew as the introduction in the English bible is verse 1 in the Hebrew bible.

vv 1-8       - Holy desires for God and confidence in God
vv 9-11     - Overthrow of his enemies

Notes:
“O God” from “Elohim” – a plural form of God (El), and used frequently in the Bible as an honorific title for God of creation and God of  all mankind (See Genesis).
“my God” from “Eli” – same cry as Jesus on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mk 15:34)

Discussion questions
Q1        What are the attributes of God that David has expressed in this Psalm?
[Optional:  A little game: Take a little blank sheet, without referring to each other, list as many attributes of God as you can in 10 minutes.  Then each of you will take turns to read 5 attributes and check if the attribute is read out.  The one with the most unchecked attribute is the “winner.”]

 

Q2       What desires for God and confidence in God did David express?  

 

Q3       Why is God’s lovingkindness better than life?

 

Notes:
a) lovingkindness from “chesed” is God’s covenantal love/mercy/kindness
b) Beth – house or place, thus we have Bethesda - “house/place of God’s lovingkindness/mercy/kindness”

Applications
a)        What should be your response to the lovingkindness of God?

b)        Reflection – wouldn’t Bethesda Chapel fulfill her namesake if her members expressed the loving kindness and mercy of God with others?

c)        For your resolution for 2003, you may pray and make these your prayer:
*** v1:     O God, you are my God, I will seek you earnestly. ***
 *** v4:     I will praise you as long as I live. ***
*** v8:     My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. ***

Closing Prayer
Read Psalm 63:1-8 together and make it a prayer of dedication. 

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Reference
TREASURY OF DAVID PSALM 63 C.H. Spurgeon
http://grace-for-today.com/chstp63.htm