Morningview Family Worship Week of August 1, 2010
Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 24 (NASB)
1 The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face–even Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!
8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.
Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,The world, and those who dwell in it.
Praying through the Psalms
Day 1 ~ The Holy Creator of World
Read: Psalm 24:1-4
Consider:
For Adults: This Psalm is a celebration of the fact that the God who is the creator, and thus the God above all, is the very same God who is in a Covenant relationship with Israel. In these verses we see not only a hint at God’s majestic personhood, but also in glimpse into how He is approached. We see that He is holy and is approached only in holiness. As you read these verses consider whether holiness is the qualification for admission to His presence, the evidence of one admitted to His presence, or somehow both. Do you see Christ here? How?
Older Children: Verse 1 tells us that God is the creator and owner of the world. What do verses 3 & 4 tell us about Him?
Younger Children: Have you ever made something you really liked? What? Did you know that when you make something you own that thing? What does that mean? What does it mean that God made the world and us?
Family Application: Talk together about what it means for all people that God both created the world and is absolutely holy and without sin. Talk about how sinful creatures relate to Him and why “justification” in Christ is so important for the Christian.
Pray: Praise God today for His absolute sovereign power and for His perfect holiness and unblemished, beautiful character. Thank God for providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself through the cross and pray that the message of the Gospel would go forth to the ends of the earth.
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 ~
Read: Psalm 24:3-6
Consider:
For Adults: In these verses we see the description of the one who is granted access to the presence of God and receives the blessing God gives. As we read these verses, we should be both challenged in our hearts to be more like Christ who exemplifies purity of heart perfectly and at the same time, as believers, we should rejoice with overwhelming joy that the righteousness that God requires here is ours, in Christ, completely apart from our works! Consider the outflow of your worship and communion with God today? Is it merely a mood, or is instead the outpouring of righteousness of Christ into your daily living?
Older children: In the book of Hebrews, it tells us that Jesus entered into God’s heavenly place as a perfect priest and sacrifice so that we can be made righteous in God’s sight. For those who trust Christ as Lord and Savior, how does the “new covenant” of righteousness work itself out in our lives? (Read Hebrews 8:10-12 for the answer).
Younger children: What would you think if you took a big bite of an apple, but it tasted like mashed potatoes? What if you took a bite of a peach, but it tasted like Brussels sprouts? Would you eat those fruits again? How do you think God’s love in someone’s heart should affect the way that they act on the outside?
Family Application: Talk together about how trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior causes a person to have a new heart and all that that means for how they act, think, and feel.
Pray: Praise God for how Jesus satisfied the righteousness requirement of God’s law on behalf of sinners and for how He offers justification as a free gift for all those who come to Him. Pray that Jesus’ righteousness would be more present in your lives and that God would be honored in your home as the works of Jesus are ever more present there by His grace.
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 ~
Read: Psalm 24:7-10
Consider:
For Adults: In this final section of the Psalm, the scene changes from the approach of the worshiper to the approach of the divine object of all worship, the LORD, the King of Glory. In historical context, this could have been sung to celebrate the coming of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, but in the larger context of scripture, it points us to a celebration of Christ’s triumphant taking of the Heavenly throne. As you read these verses, consider gravity and majesty of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem before His victory over sin at the cross and consider how He is your “King of Glory.”
Older Children: In ancient cities, the “heads” of the gates were the top parts that would have to be removed if something too tall had to come through. What does this part of these verses suggest about God’s character? (hint: read Isaiah 66:1)
Younger Children: “Glory” is sort of like greatness, majesty and power all rolled into one. What are some of the ways you can think of that God is glorious? How do you see it in creation? What about in Jesus?
Family Application: Talk together about how God makes himself known not only in mercy, but also in judgment. Talk about how God made himself known in Jesus and how we are to spread this “gospel” of God’s free grace to those who do not know Him.
Pray: Praise God today for how He is the majestic King of Glory. Praise Him for how His glory is shown in the triumph of Christ on the cross and the redemption of His people from their sins. Praise Jesus for His promise to one day finally and fully rid the universe of the curse of sin and for how He will reign unchallenged in that final day. Pray that His joy would fill your hearts and that your home would be founded on the hopeful peace that comes from a confidence in His sovereignty and final return.
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.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh061.sht
