Morningview Family Worship Week of May 23, 2010
Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 119:9-24 (NASB)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, Who wander from Your commandments.
22 Take away reproach and contempt from me, For I observe Your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit and talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.
Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
Praying through the Psalms
Day 1 ~ The Word of God, our Guide
Read: Psalm 119:9-16
Consider:
For Adults: This psalm is one of the greatest celebrations of the Word of God found within pages of scripture. As you read these verses over the next few weeks, consider the Psalmist’s disposition to the word and how Christ says that His sheep hear his voice. Do you hear His voice as you read scripture? Compare the reaction of your heart to that of the Psalmist and ask God to open His word to you in a supernatural way in the days ahead.
Older children: How does sin affect our relationship with others? How does sin affect our relationship with God. What tool has God given you to fight against the sins that tempt you? (hint – v.11)
Younger children: How do you know right from wrong? How do your parents know right from wrong? How does the Bible help us to “keep our way pure?”
Family Application: Talk together about how God’s giving of His word to us is an act of incredible mercy. Consider the fact that God’s justice does not require it but rather that it is an act of His love toward sinners. Talk about ways in which you can cherish God’s word in your home this week.
Pray: Thank God for sending us His word which tells us of His law and of Christ and the Gospel. Confess any apathy that you may have felt towards His word of late and pray that God would make His word come alive in your hearts as you read it in the coming days.
Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.
Day 2 ~ The Illuminated Word
Read: Psalm 119:17-20
Consider:
For Adults: Consider again how the Psalmist feels towards God’s word in verses 19 and 20. How do you think that God’s word might lead us to feel as “strangers” on the earth and how does it affect the desires and yearnings of God’s people?
Older children: Why do you think our church pastors always pray before they begin their sermons? How do you think it might help you to begin your Bible reading with prayer every day? (v.18)
Younger children: Have you ever needed help when you were trying to find something you couldn’t see? Have you ever had to have your parents show you something that was actually not hidden? Who has to help us if we are going to “see” and understand everything in God’s word? (v.18)
Family Application: Consider together how sin affects man’s ability to understand the things of God and talk together about why it is so important that the Holy Spirit work in our hearts and minds as we read, study, and meditate upon God’s word.
Pray: Praise God today that He has not left His children as blind sinners with no guide, but instead gives them His word and His spirit to illuminate it to them. Pray together that God would illuminate His word in your family’s hearts as you read it together and individually this week, and that He would show forth His glory and majesty there to you all.
Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.
Day 3 ~ The Word of God, Our Delight
Read: Psalm 119:21-24
Consider:
For Adults: In these verses we are introduced to the reality that delighting in and following God’s word can cause believers to be estranged from others and often the subject of social reproach. Note the Psalmist’s response listed in these verses is an affirmation of His delight in God’s word and a prayerful dependence upon God. Is prayer and meditation upon God’s word your first reaction to conflict? If not, consider why.
Older children: Will following God’s word always make other people think well of you? What should you do with others who think that you are actually being foolish when you choose to follow God’s word? What did the Psalmist do when others spoke unfavorably about his commitment to God’s word? (v.23&24)
Younger children: Do you think that there is anyone smarter than God? What do you think the Bible says about this? When people choose to ignore God’s commands and His word they are being “arrogant” (v.21) What do you think this means?
Family Application: Talk together about how a love for God’s word is one of the defining marks of the true child of God and how those who reject God’s word are subject to His rebuke and curse. Talk again about how Jesus’ voice is heard in His testimony throughout all of the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, and how this is the primary place where believers hear His voice speaking to them and leading them today.
Pray: Thank God again today for sending His word as a testimony of Himself to us and for how His word leads believers in the path of life. Pray today for anyone that you know who has rejected God’s word and chosen their own wisdom for their life over His. Pray that He would soften their hearts and open their eyes to Jesus through scripture and that they would come to know God’s mercy instead of His curse.
Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.
Hymn of the Week
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/e/leadonok.htm
