Home Worship Guide (4-12-2020)

Overview: This is a guide. It has been designed to help you and can be modified by you however you see fit. Especially for those with younger kids, it might be best to read through this in advance and use elements that will fit the attention span of your kids. 

Main Point: Because of what God has done for us, we are to live to point to his excellencies in Christ. 

Read: Psalm 103:1-5

 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 

5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 

 (NLT)

Encouragement: There is always reason for believers to rejoice. Our God has forgiven our sins, He has healed us from the disease of death, He has redeemed us with His love and mercy, He has filled our lives with good things and He has done all this by leading us to repentance of sins and faith in Jesus. May our hearts burst forth in joyous praise as we reflect on all we have in Him and remember that nothing in all creation can remove His great work in us.

Prayer: 

Spend some time praying for the following

1. Pray that God would bless your time with him

2. Pray that God would open your heart and enlarge your love for him

3. Pray that God would show you how he is calling you to respond

Devotion: 1 Thess 5:16-18

Discussion Questions:

1. Which of these attitudes do you struggle with the most? Why do you think that is? 

2. How do each of these attitudes point us back to God? What do each of these attitudes say about God?

3. What are some practical things you can do this week to intentionally cultivate a dependence and focus on God?  

4. What are some reasons you have right now to rejoice? List them out on a sheet of paper.  

5. What are some things that you need to pray about? List them out on a sheet of paper. 

6. What are some things you are thankful for right now? List them out on a sheet of paper.   

7. How do these attitudes grow your relationship with God? How do these attitudes empower you to minister to others as we discussed last week? 

Application:

1. Joy is an essential part of the Christian life. Joy comes from relationship with God and a confidence in God. Therefore, look to God and be joyful. (Additional texts for reference: Psalm 4:7; John 15:11; Romans 15:13)

2. Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. It is a means by which we experience relationship with God and cultivate dependence upon God. Therefore, run to him continually in dependent prayer. (Additional texts for reference: Romans 8:26; Matt 6:5-8; Heb 4:16)

3. Thanksgiving is an essential part of the Christian life. It acknowledges the good that God has done for us and expresses our ongoing need for him. Gratitude magnifies God’s grace and activity in our lives and points us to him. Therefore, be thankful always. (Additional texts for reference: Psalm 107:1; Eph 5:20; Isaiah 12:1-6)

Respond in Song: His Mercy Is More (Consider discussing how the words of this song connect with the truths you saw in the text after singing).

Respond in Prayer (Pray specifically through the things you listed and express your joy and thanksgiving to God as well as bringing your requests to him).