Our Summer Series provides our church family an opportunity to focus together on a specific portion of Scripture. It is intended to challenge every individual church member and family in their personal and family devotions.

Messages

  • July 9, 2023 – Psalms 103–110
  • July 16, 2023 – Psalms 111–119:96
  • July 23, 2023 – Psalms 119:97–134:3
  • July 30, 2023 – Psalms 135–150

Family Devotions

Week 4:

Psalm 139

Devotion Questions
Ice Breaker Question
  • What do you think is the furthest location on earth from where you are right now? Find a map or globe and pick a spot. Go to antipodesmap.com to see how close you were!
Scripture Discussion

  • Have someone in the group read Psalm 139 as everyone else follows along in their own Bibles.

  • Psalm 139 recalls the nature of God to be all-knowing, all-present, and a personally involved creator who is worthy of our worship. There is nothing that He doesn’t know about you, no where you can go to escape Him, and no measure of care that you can’t receive from Him. While this is beyond our minds to understand fully, what are some ways that these truths can bring comfort to us?

  • Let’s look closer at verses 7-12…

  • Take a minute and list the places where God is present. Now be creative, where else might a person go in an attempt to hide from God?

  • One of the places that was on the list was Sheol from verse 8. In the Old Testament, this referred to the “place of the dead” or “unseen place” which was associated with being below the earth or in the depths. It is amazing to think that

  • God is with us even in the places that seem the most dark, undesirable, and unreachable.

  • Go back and reread verse 7, what are some reasons a person might want to escape the Spirit of God or hide from His presence?

  • Has there been a time or season in your life when you didn’t want to be near God? Avoided going to church or stopped praying and reading the bible?

  • What is the promise of verse 10? Read Psalm 23 for a deep understanding of this promise!

  • What is one way that your family can remind one another that God is with us no matter where we are?

  • Close your study by reading Psalm 73:28 together and pray for one another by name that he/she will remember the nearness of God, find refuge in His presence, and make Him known.

  • * Other Scriptures to take a look at: Jeremiah 23:24, Matthew 28:20, and James 4:8.

  • * Bonus: Search for and listen to the song “Heart Won’t Stop” by John Mark McMillan

Psalm 142

Devotion Questions
Icebreaker Questions
  • Tell a story of when you watched or participated in a sporting event where it seemed like there was no way to achieve a win.
  • What was the outcome of the sporting event?

Scripture Discussion

  • Trivia Question - why was David hiding in a cave (read the superscription of Psalm 57…these two psalms are connected in the same event and find the full account in 1 Samuel 18-24)
  • In verse 3 David says his spirit is weak? In what ways is his spirit weak?
  • Verse 4 is a very honest emotional expression. Have you ever felt this way? How did God comfort you?
  • In the CSB translation of verse 5, David says to God, “You are my portion”. What does he mean?
  • Looking at verse 7, what does David mean by “prison”? What is the purpose of God delivering David from this prison?

Week 3:

Psalm 122

Devotion Questions
Ice Breaker Question
  • Do you ever think of praying for peace in Nacogdoches?
Scripture Discussion
  • Have someone in the group read Psalm 122 as everyone else follows along in their own Bibles.
  • The majority of this Chapter is focused on Jerusalem verse 6 and 7 call to reader to pray for the holy city. Verses 8 and 9 give two reasons for why David is actively praying for Jerusalem, what are these reasons?
  • What is significant about these reasons?
  • Could these reasons for praying for Jerusalem be applied to our city?
  • What would it look like to pray for Nacogdoches?
  • How can we seek out the good for our city as David did? How does seeking the good of Nacogdoches benefit First Baptist Church?
Psalm 127

Devotion Questions
Icebreaker Questions
  • What are some things you love about being part of a family?
  • What do you think makes a family really great?

Scripture Discussion

  • Verses 1-2
    • How would you define “control freak”?
    • What things do you try to control in your life?
    • What are you trying to build or protect on your own right now?
    • Do you expect your work to succeed because of what you are doing or because of what the Lord is doing?
    • Are there things right now in your life that you are trying to control that you need to turn over God to build and protect?
  • Verses 3-4
    • How are we to think about children?
    • What do you think it means in verse 4 – “like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth”?
    • Have you ever thought about your family’s legacy?
    • What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

Week 2:

Psalm 112

Devotion Questions
Ice Breaker Question
  • If you had to pick your favorite dessert of all time, what would it be and why? Cost is not an issue here
  • What makes it so great?
  • Would it be toying with you for it to be placed in front of you and you not eat it?
Scripture Discussion
  • Have some read all of Psalm 112
  • Have someone read Psalm 111:10. How does this verse lead into verse 1 of Psalm 112?
  • What does it look like to delight in God’s commands?
  • List some characteristics of the Lord found in verses 3-4. What can we learn about the Lord in these verses?
  • Verse 7-8 gives us comfort in we can be confident and trusting in the Lord. How is this the case? (Read verse 6)
  • Recall a situation as of late where you have had to trust the Lord
  • What does it look like to walk in confidence? How are we able to do so?
Psalm 119

Devotion Questions
Scripture Discussion
  • Spend time memorizing scripture.
  • Psalm 119:11 is a great one to memorize. “I have treasured You Word in my heart that I may not sin against you.”
  • Read through Psalm 119 and pick one key phrase from each division which is marked by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  • Take two prose (two letters of the Hebrew alphabet) and pray them back to God.

Week 1:

Psalm 103

Devotion Questions
Ice Breaker Question
  • What was your most memorable family holiday celebration?
  • Why is it important to remember and share those memories?
Scripture Discussion
  • Read Psalm 103:1–2 aloud. Usually Psalms are addressed to God. Sometimes the Psalms are addressed to the nation or the congregation. But this Psalm is different.
    • Who is doing the talking in these verses?
    • And who is he talking to?
    • Why do you think that is important?
  • In Psalm 103:2, the psalmist encourages himself to not forget all the benefits of being in God's family.
    • What are some of the benefits that you can name for being in God's family?
  • In Psalm 103:11, the psalmist seeks to illustrate and explain the greatness of God's love. How could you illustrate God's love? With what could you compare God's love?
  • In Psalm 103:20–22, we see four people/groups/things that should praise (or bless) the Lord.
    • What are these four things?
    • How could each of these things or people honor and bless the Lord?
Psalm 108

Devotion Questions
 

Psalms Reading Plan

  • July 1: Psalm 103
  • July 2: Psalm 104
  • July 3: Psalm 105:1–21
  • July 4: Psalm 105:22–45
  • July 5: Psalm 106
  • July 6: Psalm 107:1–17
  • July 7: Psalm 107:18–43
  • July 8: Psalm 108
  • July 9: Psalm 109–110
  • July 10: Psalm 111–113
  • July 11: Psalm 114–115
  • July 12: Psalm 116–117
  • July 13: Psalm 118
  • July 14: Psalm 119:1–32
  • July 15: Psalm 119:33–72
  • July 16: Psalm 119:73–96
  • July 17: Psalm 119:97–128
  • July 18: Psalm 119:129–152
  • July 19: Psalm 119:153–120:7
  • July 20: Psalm 121–123
  • July 21: Psalm 124–127
  • July 22: Psalm 128–130
  • July 23: Psalm 131–134
  • July 24: Psalm 135
  • July 25: Psalm 136–137
  • July 26: Psalm 138–139
  • July 27: Psalm 140–141
  • July 28: Psalm 142–143
  • July 29: Psalm 144–145
  • July 30: Psalm 146–147
  • July 31: Psalm 148–150

Psalm 138 (CSB)

  1. I will give you thanks with all my heart;
    I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings.

  2. I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name
    for your constant love and truth.
    You have exalted your name
    and your promise above everything else.

  3. On the day I called, you answered me;
    you increased strength within me.

  4. All the kings on earth will give you thanks, Lord,
    when they hear what you have promised.

  5. They will sing of the Lord’s ways,
    for the Lord’s glory is great.

  6. Though the Lord is exalted,
    he takes note of the humble;
    but he knows the haughty from a distance.

  7. If I walk into the thick of danger,
    you will preserve my life
    from the anger of my enemies.
    You will extend your hand;
    your right hand will save me.

  8. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.
    Lord, your faithful love endures forever;
    do not abandon the work of your hands.