A Song to the God Who Knows (Psalm 139) by Dave Dawson

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Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion:

1. This is the last week of the Songs of Hope sermon series. How has God used these Psalms in your life? we have studied Psalms 8, 34, 57, and 73 so far in addition to Ps 139
2. Read Psalm 139 and discuss the following:
   1. What specific things does the Lord know about us (v. 1-6)? when we sit or rise; our thoughts; going out or laying down; familiar with ALL our ways; knows ours words before we speak them
   2. What is David telling us about God in verses 7-12? Why is it important? God is Omni-present, everywhere all the time, and we are never without Him, we cannot hide from Him; this is a foundational truth about God’s uniqueness, what makes Him God. It has all kinds of important applications such as we are never alone, He sees everything, etc.
   3. What do verses 11-12 say about God’s ability to handle the most hopeless situation? There is no amount of darkness or evil that God hinders Him. In fact, He redeems these dark times.
   4. What words are used to describe how God made us (v. 13-18)? created our inmost being; knit us together; we are fearfully and wonderfully made; we are not hidden from Him; He was there when we were conceived; He knew us before we were conceived, before we were formed.
   5. What can we learn from David’s outburst in verses 19-22? Does it shock you that he would talk to God this way? Since God already knows our thoughts and heart, we might as well express them to God so He can help us. God wants our honesty and for us to express our needs to Him. It may shock some people yet some might already talk with God this way.
   6. Why do you think David changes his tone in verses 23-24? As he is telling God his angry outburst, he realizes he might be sinning and asks God to show Him. David shows his trust, humility, and sincere desire to live for God in these verses.
3. How do we reconcile Psalm 139:21-22 with Matthew 5:44? Ps 139:21-22 expresses David’s anger toward God’s enemies. Matthew 5:44 is Jesus telling us to love our enemies, even when persecuted so we can assume even those that hate God. The men on our question writing team thought it was “hate the sin but love the sinner”. The women on the team thought that David was expressing his sinful, angry feelings about God’s enemies and then corrected himself in verses 23-24. Ps 139:21-22 are not telling us its okay to hate them, it is just David expressing his honest yet sinful feelings to God.
4. How can a person develop a sense of God’s unshakeable presence? Why would they want to? Answers will vary but one thought is to talk with Him throughout the day - ask Him questions, thank Him, praise Him, look for His blessings. We want to have a relationship with God and He wants to have a relationship with us!
5. How can Psalm 139 help you to: answers will vary

1. Worship Him? praise Him for his uniqueness in being omnipresent
2. Pray to Him? go to Him for advice since He alone knows everything about me
3. Trust in Him? believe that He is with me and will never leave me

Break into gender groups to discuss the following:

1. What are the benefits of being known by God? Is being COMPLETELY known by God scary for you? Why? answers will vary but some of the benefits are we can pray to God and never be misunderstood, His gifts are personal, etc. Some people may be scared about God knowing them because of sin in their life, or just plain not feeling worthy. This is a chance to remind ourselves of the gospel - He loves us and sent Jesus to pay for our sin so we can have relationship with the living God!
2. Psalm 139:23-24 shows David’s humility, trust, and dependence on God. What anxious thoughts, struggles, or offenses are you dealing with? How could praying these verses to God help you? answers will vary but we are trying to help you help your members to lean into God and submit to Him sincerely

Homework: Read Philippians this next week in preparation for the next sermon series. It’s only 4 chapters! the next 5 weeks will be on the book of Philippians.