Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt spoke out of Psalm 87, and showed us how God’s relational-bent is illustrated many times in the Scriptures. But, one of God’s favorite places in all the universe is the quiet place where he meets with you. Being in a dynamic and growing relationship with God is the only thing that will satisfy you, and bring meaning to your life ...

MY STORY

Tell us about the town in which you were born. Have you been back there recently? If so, what, if anything, has changed there? How did the people there influence you, in good, or not-so-good ways?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush[a]—
“This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her. The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.” (Psalm 87)

Pastor Matt said, “The Scriptures speak about ... an inner thirst that demands satisfaction, this discontentment that rises within you, and again it is not that you are unhappy – most of the time you’re ok but there are those moments when you just wonder if there is something more.”

Have you ever pursued something thinking it would be deeply satisfying—and then it turned out to be a bit disappointing? If so, tell us what happened.

In today’s text, the Psalmist tells us that the Lord loves the gates of Jerusalem. In the Bible, the gate area of a city was the meeting place where significant conversations would happen. Not only did the gates open up to a bustling marketplace, but it was also the place where legal covenants between people were established (with witnesses), disputes were settled, and news about the community was spread. The gates were the relational epicenter of the city.

What’s the significance of pointing out that “so-and-so” was born in a particular city? In what sense does our relationship with God begin at the moment of our conception, and then especially after we’re born?

Why does God love the relational epicenter of Jerusalem more than any other place?

Where are the “gates” where you are able to quietly meet with God?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt said ... “In the time that it takes us to conduct this service, there will be thousands upon thousands of people that will drive by on I-25, whose lives are filled with despair, whose lives are filled with emptiness. They cannot find that which satisfies. They’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work. They’re living lives of lonely desperation and they can’t figure out what it is that makes life worth living and each day goes deeper into despair.”

What are many people seeking to fill the emptiness that haunts them? Why do these substitutes for God always fail?

React to this quote ...

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
C.S. Lewis

How does the historically-indisputable resurrection of Christ guarantee that the believer’s life has significance, purpose, & meaning? What would happen to our hope if the resurrection had not happened?

Share three things in your life that you value deeply. How has God been the ultimate source of those things or those relationships? How has God infused meaning and purpose into your experience with those gifts?

What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s leading, call us to?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Answer the following question with one word: What is the meaning of life?

Tell us a little about how you got to the point of believing that.

Corner one of the non-Christians in your life, (just kidding ... be polite), and ask that person where he or she derives meaning in life. If you’re lucky, they will ask you the question back. Be prepared to talk about why you have the hope of Christ within you.

What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?