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OrderIntroduction
Chapters 1, 2, 91 and 107 of Psalms discuss the path of eternal life and the path of destruction. Psalm 1 and 91 describe the firm standing of the way of the righteous, and the blessing that come from fearing God and choosing His way. The destruction of the wicked is espoused in Psalm 2 but Psalm 107 shows how God turns and saves those who acknowledge their wickedness and call to Him for help.
Type of Teaching and Audience
This teaching is applicable to groups of unbelievers who are exploring further the requirements of living a righteousness life. A basic understanding of the requirement for believers to believe in Jesus Christ as savior is necessary. This teaching further reinforces David’s call in Psalms 34:8 to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’. The teaching focuses on the fact that those who choose to take refuge in God have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Series Outline
Lesson 1: Who are the righteous ones? Psalms 1:1-3
The objective is to show a clear distinction between what God requires from human beings, and the actual conduct of men, i.e. showing what conduct is considered righteous?
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Write My PaperLesson 2: What is required of the wicked to become righteous? Psalms 107:1-43, 2:10-12
This lesson shows how simple are God’s requirements for human beings to turn away from wickedness. Moreover, it shows that once people call/cry to Him, He answers them and saves them from destruction.
Lesson 3: What are the benefits of being righteous? Psalm 91: 1-16
This lesson explores the promises that God makes to those who take refuge in Him, i.e. provision, protection, rescuing, honor, long life and ultimately, salvation from destruction.
Lesson 4: What are the results of wickedness? Psalms 1:4, 2:1-9
This lesson examines the results of wickedness and therefore acts as a warning that rebelling against God’s law will ultimately lead to destruction, as there is no middle ground.
Lessons Guide
Lesson 1: Who are the righteous ones? Psalms 1:1-3
This lesson seeks to identify the characteristic of the righteous person.
Key point: Those who take refuge in the Lord are considered righteous, meaning that faith in God results in one behaving in certain ways that differ from those who do not have faith in God as a guide for their life.
Examining word
- From Vs 1, what does a blessed (righteous) person not do?
- Why is association with wicked people forbidden?
- From Vs 2, why does the righteous one need to continually meditate on the law of God?
Application
- What sort of people do I associate with and how do they add value to my life? Do they encourage me to be a better person or does the association pressure me into doing things I do not want to do?
Lesson 2: What is required of the wicked to become righteous? Psalms 107:1-43, 2:10-12
Key point: Previously wicked people called on God and He answered them thus they are called to give their testimony and thanks to The Lord.
Examining word
- From Vs 4-5, 10-12 and 26-27, what characteristics are evident of those who are not righteous? Are they wandering, hungry, afflicted, in peril, rebellious?
- Vs 6, 13, 19 and 28 repeat the same message over and over. What does this imply for you? Is God saying that no matter how far away you are, what you need is to cry to Him and he will save you?
Application
- Have you ever called or of thought of calling to God in your time of trouble?
- Did you call? What prevented you from doing it?
- Did you know that all you are required to do is call to Him?
Lesson 3: What are the benefits of being righteous? Psalm 91: 1-16
Key point: Those who call to God are promised certain benefits since relying on God means that one acknowledges his personal need for God.
Examining word
- What are the 2 conditions in Vs 1 and 2 required to be a beneficiary of God’s promises?
- From Vs 3-16 identify the various promises God makes to those who trust in Him.
Application
- How different would your life be if you believed in God and in His promises?
- If you were expecting God to save you in a certain way, and He did not do it as you expected, would you change your mind about the benefits of believing? Why?
Lesson 4: What are the results of wickedness? Psalms 1:4, 2:1-9
Key point: those who choose to disobey God’s law or completely ignore Him are destined for destruction since there is no middle ground between wickedness and righteousness. One can either be wicked or righteous.
Examining word
- From 2:1-9, why do you think God laughs at those who ignoring or disobeying God’s law?
- From vs. 10-12, why does the poet admonish the rulers of the world to serve the Lord with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling?
- Do the rulers have a means of escape from the consequences their wickedness has ordained for them? Consider Vs 1:4 as a consequence of disobedience.
Application
- In what ways have you ignored what you know to be the right thing and done the wrong thing?
- Are there consequences to making wrong choices? How can you remedy a wrong choice?
- Are there some wrong choices that cannot be remedied?
- Is it possible to know beforehand which choices will lead to results that cannot be remedied? If it were possible, would you make a different choice?
- If you found out that tomorrow was the end of the world, would you make a choice to trust God today?
