LifeGroup Questions:

WEEK OF 8/1

1.) Discuss the William Wallace quote from Braveheart: "Every man dies, but not every man really lives." How is this quote similar to what we find in Psalm 34:12? How does David relate 'seeing many good days' to living according to 'the fear of the Lord'?

2.) Read Psalm 34:13. What do you think Paul includes issues of speech in explaining what it looks like to fear the Lord? How does not controlling one's tongue prevent a person from seeing many good days? (See also Prov. 10:19; 11:12; 13:3; 15:1) What feelings stir up within you when you don't control your tongue compared  to when you are careful with what you say?

3.) Read Psalm 34:14. What does it mean to turn from evil? Why is it important to see how far we can stay from evil compared to seeing how close we can get without sinning? To live according to the fear of the Lord requires more than simply fleeing evil, but also doing good-why?

4.) How does one live in peace with God?  How does one live in peace with others? What if others don't want to live in peace with you? (See Heb. 12:14 and Rom. 12:18) Why must we pursue peace? How does pursuing peace enable us to see many good days?

WEEK OF 8/8

1.) Read Psalm 42:1-2. How do you think the Psalmist is feeling based on these two verses? Is it typical for believers to feel this way? Is it OK for believers to feel this way? What is the Psalmist's initial response to his 'Dark Night of the Soul'? Why is it important that we follow his example rather than how many others respond in our world today? (See also Jeremiah 2:13)

2.) Read Psalm 42:3-11. What does verse seven indicate about how David felt about his life at this point? Why is it so helpful for us to be honest with God when we are sad or depressed rather than try to ignore how we are really feeling?

3.) What value is there in remembering what life was like when we weren't in the midst of 'The Dark Night of the Soul'? What value is there in praising God even when we don't feel like praising Him? How can we continue to put our hope in God when we can't see a light at the end of the tunnel?