Class Lesson December 11, 2016

Lesson Point

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

Some people love a well-planned vacation. They intentionally schedule every memorable moment with events, tours, activities, and more. Others think all that planning simply gets in the way of a true getaway. These prefer to be spontaneous, reserving or purchasing nothing ahead of time because they won’t know what they’ll feel like doing until each day arrives.

Both of these approaches may be viable options for a fun vacation, but I wouldn’t recommend “winging it” with your life. We’ve all known free-spirited people who just “go with the flow” of whatever comes their way. Unfortunately, just going with the flow often takes us where we don’t want to go.

Thankfully, we’re not left on our own to figure out the plans and instructions for our lives. God has spoken to us through His Word— and Psalm 119 shows us just how valuable His Word is for the everyday art of living.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Psalm 119:9-11 

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. 10 I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. 11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 

In life, the matters of the heart are usually the heart of the matter. And that’s exactly where the psalmist focused his attention in verses 9-11: on our hearts. 

To start, the psalmist showed us in verse 9 that the Word of God can guard our hearts against the corruption of sin that comes so naturally to all people (see Rom. 3:23). Of course, there’s only one spiritual cleansing agent that can transform sinners: the salvation that comes through the death and resurrection of Christ. But the Word of God points us to Christ. And when we follow Him through the truths of His Word, we can keep our way pure. 

Next, the psalmist encouraged us in verse 10 to seek the Lord with all our hearts. We don’t read the Bible simply to learn information. Instead, we study the Word of God because we are seeking the God of the Word. You will only find life in the Scriptures if you meet the Life-Giver in the Scriptures. Verse 10 expresses both a holy desire for God and a humble dependence on God—both of which are necessary. As men and women prone to wander from what is best, we need to pray that God will keep us from the devil’s schemes, the world’s temptation, and our own sinful desires. 

Finally, the language of verse 11 reminds us to store up the Word of God in our hearts. We should treat the Scriptures like a treasure we cannot afford to lose. Value God’s Word. Read it. Listen to it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Believe it. Obey it. Share it. Delight in it. If we treasure the Word in our hearts, it will give us victory over sin.

Psalm 119:12-13 

12 Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. 

Psalm 119 begins with God’s blessing on those who live according to God’s Word (see vv. 1-2). Now, the happy psalmist blessed God with his praise: “LORD, may You be praised.” The person who submits to the authority of God’s Word will be a blessed person who exalts the glories of God’s name. 

The psalmist followed his praise with a request: “Teach me Your statutes.” To worship is to ascribe worth to something. In order to do so, we must know the worth of that which we worship. Therefore, no true praise can rise from a heart where no teachable spirit resides. 

To trust and bless the Lord is to ask Him to teach you His statutes. The psalmist’s worship was motivated by the desire that God would guide him and teach him the statutes contained in His Word. 

I hope you see the cycle here: When we encounter God in His Word, it leads us to worship Him. And as we worship Him, we desire to know Him more and more through His Word. 

The psalmist not only praised the name of God, but he also proclaimed the Word of God to others. This proclamation was also an act of devotion to God. Spiritual devotion is evidenced by our witness for God, not just our worship of God. 

Notice that the psalmist didn’t proclaim God’s rules selectively. In today’s world, it’s easy for people to share Scripture passages they like on social media while ignoring whole chapters of the Bible that challenge their thinking or behavior. 

That wasn’t the case with the psalmist. He declared “all the judgments” from God’s mouth, even as Paul did in the New Testament: “I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God” (Acts 20:27).

Psalm 119:14-16 

14 I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 

Can you hear the delight and enthusiasm in the psalmist’s voice? He knew the Word of God to be a treasure of spiritual riches. And he continued to declare that theme throughout his psalm, including: 

• “Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72). 

• “I love Your commands more than gold, even the purest gold” (v. 127). 

In the final verses of this stanza, the psalmist showed us an important method for engaging what God says through His Word: “I will meditate on Your precepts.” Scriptural meditation is misunderstood and neglected by many believers, but it’s a vital spiritual discipline. It’s also a source of joy. 

That’s why another psalmist wrote of the righteous person that his “delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night” (Ps. 1:2). The Bible is a key source of joy in our lives, and the discipline of meditation helps us access that benefit. 

Meditation in Eastern religions involves emptying your mind in order to discover something divine already buried within you—a false hope. But biblical meditation involves filling your mind with the things of God. The second half of verse 15 makes this clear. 

Hebrew poetry doesn’t rhyme words; it “rhymes” thoughts. Meaning, the writer places similar phrases together to connect two ideas. In verse 15, the parallel thought to “meditate on Your precepts” is “think about Your ways.” 

This kind of meditation involves concentration, fixing our eyes on something with intense focus, undivided attention, and steadfast devotion. When we meditate on God’s Word, it leads us to meditate and focus on God’s ultimate Word: Jesus. As the author of Hebrews wrote later in the Scriptures: “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2; emphasis added). 

Finally, notice the recurring phrase “I will” in these verses. The psalmist made three positive vows of steadfast devotion to God’s Word: 

1. “I will meditate on Your precepts.” 

2. “I will … think about Your ways.” 

3. “I will delight in Your statutes.” 

The psalmist also added one negative vow: “I will not forget Your word.” The apostle James expressed something similar when he wrote: “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does” (Jas. 1:25). 

As followers of God, we should never allow anything to distract us from reading, knowing, and doing God’s Word. Let’s make Job’s confession our own: “I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food” (Job 23:12). 

Let’s treasure the Word of God even as it teaches us all we need to live well.

LIVE IT OUT

How will you fill your heart and mind with God’s Word this week? Consider the following suggestions: 

• Study diligently. Set aside time each day for the uninterrupted reading of God’s Word. Use this Personal Study Guide at home, dividing the three Scripture divisions in each session over three days and meditating on the truth of those verses. 

• Study discerningly. Each time you read Scripture, make a note of what it says to you. Is there a sin to confess? An attitude to change? An action you need to do? Make a note and follow through in obedience. 

• Study together. Studying on your own is important, but you should also study the Bible in fellowship with others (see Heb. 10:24-25). The accountability and responsibility a small group provides are great for spiritual growth. 

Don’t wing it when it comes to studying the life-giving, life-altering Word of God. Make the Scriptures an intentional foundation for all that you are and all that you do.

God is so good!

Teacher's Notes

What are some times when you are more inclined to “wing it” rather than follow instructions?

• Putting together a kid’s Christmas present.
• Origami instructions.
• Driving to a place you’ve never been before.
• Install and use a new piece of software.
• Vacation - Some people love a well-planned vacation. They intentionally schedule every memorable moment with events, tours, activities, and more. Others think all that planning simply gets in the way of a true getaway. These prefer to be spontaneous, reserving or purchasing nothing ahead of time because they won’t know what they’ll feel like doing until each day arrives. Both of these approaches may be viable options for a fun vacation, but our lesson this morning wouldn’t recommend “winging it” with your life. We’ve all known free-spirited people who just “go with the flow” of whatever comes their way. Unfortunately, just going with the flow often takes us where we don’t want to go.

Why would a person want to wing it with their life?

We’re not left on our own to figure out the plans and instructions for our lives.

• God’s Word is our instruction manual for living.

• God has spoken to us through His Word—and Psalm 119 shows us just how valuable His Word is for the everyday art of living.

• His Word teaches us all we need to live well.

Today, we’ll look at three ways God’s Word accomplishes this: Cleanses, equips, and delights.

To live well, we need to live a life of purity.

I. God’s Word Cleanses (Listen for advice given by the psalmist.)

Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Is this verse speaking only to young men? Why do you think young men are mentioned here specifically? 

• The psalmist may have been thinking of his own experience. 
• Growing up in formative years, God’s Word should become a foundation. 
• It applies to both genders, and to all ages.

How have you benefited from God’s Word in recent years?

• Has helped me to know God and His will for my life.
• Led me to salvation and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• It has taught me, rebuked me, corrected me and helped me face temptations in my life.
• It has given me direction in life and taught me how to best serve the Lord.
• It has given me wisdom for my life.
• It has grown my faith.
• In times of trouble, it has given me hope and comfort.
• It has given me joy, and peace of mind.
• It has taught me how to hear the voice of God.
• It has taught me to fear the Lord. 

Our lesson says: In life, the matters of the heart are usually the heart of the matter. And this is exactly where the psalmist focused his attention: on our hearts.

• In verse 9 - the Word of God can guard our hearts against the corruption of sin that comes so naturally to all people.

• In verse 10 – we are told to seek the Lord with all our hearts. We don’t read the Bible simply to learn information. We study the Word of God because we are seeking the God of the Word.

• In verse 11 – we are reminded to store up (to hide) the Word of God in our hearts. Like a treasure, we can’t afford to lose.

What does it look like and feel like to treasure God’s Word? (How does a person go about treasuring the Scriptures? And what should we expect to experience when we do place a high value on God’s Word?)

• Value God’s Word. Read it. Listen to it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Believe it. Obey it. Share it. Delight in it. 
• If we treasure the Word in our hearts, it will give us victory over sin.
• Journal your thoughts about what you read.
• Before you read, ask God to speak to you through that day’s passage.
• Ask God to help you apply the concepts in your life.
• Write down the concept you see in the passage.
• Discuss with someone else the importance of the concept you see in the passage.
• Volunteer to teach others … this requires you to study God’s Word more deeply.

Some of the versions say to “hide” God’s Word in your heart. What does it mean to hide God’s Word in one’s heart?

• Memorization, applying what we read.
• Careful consideration of what it says and what it means and what I should be doing about it. Make God’s Truths part of your life, how you think, how you act.
• To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God’s Word in our hearts (Ps. 1:2-3).

What's the instruction? 

• Live according to God’s Word - seek God with all your heart.
• Don’t stray from God’s commands - hide God’s Word in your heart.

Point: God’s Word is a warning of truth for the young and a cleansing of truth for the old. 

God says that He has given us His word so that it will be within us and that we may trust in Him. Faith rises or falls to the degree that it feeds hourly on the treasure of God's truth stored in the heart.

The path of purity is found in God’s Word. God’s people are to strive to live a life of godly purity. Our search to know God leads us to His Word; in His Word, we find Him. When we carry God’s Word in our hearts and minds, we are able to resist sin.

To live well, we need to have a teachable spirit.

II. God’s Word Equips (Listen for reasons to praise God.)

Psalm 119:12-13 (NIV) 

Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

Last week, Psalm 119 began with God’s blessing on those who live according to God’s Word.

• This week, the psalmist praises God, Himself: “Praise be to You, O Lord.” The person who submits to the authority of God’s Word will be a blessed person who exalts the glories of God’s name. 
• In Psalm 103, David speaks of God’s great love for us! And he says that praising God means remembering all He has done for us (v. 2), fearing Him and obeying His commands (vs. 17-18), and doing His will (v. 21). Does your life praise the Lord?
• The psalmist followed his praise with a request: “teach me Your decrees (statutes).” No true praise can rise from a heart where no teachable spirit resides.

What helps you engage the Scriptures in a meaningful way?

• When I am in submission. 
• When I am seeking God’s answers and direction.
• When I encounter God in His Word, it leads me to worship Him. And as I worship Him, I desire to know Him more and more through His Word.
• By remembering. One of the ways we incorporate God’s Word into our lives has to do with “remembering.” A key theme in the OT was remembering the mighty deeds that God had done for His people. Remembering what God has done for me in the past strengthens my faith in God in the present and celebrating His mighty deeds gives Him the praise and glory that He deserves and desires from me. 
• To meditate on God’s Word. (Ps. 1:2)

How does God teach us His decrees (statutes)? 

• God’s Spirit “highlights” verses or passages in my mind as I read them - it’s like the verses jump off the pages and “slap me in the face”.
• God’s Spirit also brings passages or scriptural concepts to my mind when I face different situations.

What attitudes of the heart are necessary to be taught by God?

• To value and honor the source of God’s Word … God, Himself - you are saying that God is someone you want to listen to.
• You anticipate that God has something for you each time you read/study His Word.
• Attitude of submission.

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. Why would speaking of the things that I learned be important for me?

• Verbalizing what you learn, helps you retain it.
• Teaching helps you learn something even better.
• If God’s Truth is as important as I say it is, then it is something worth sharing.
• My behavior and attitude will show a change and this change will be noticed by others.
• This change, the blessing that I have experienced will be something worth talking about with other people.

Point: God’s Word teaches those who are willing to be taught.

To know the ways of the Lord, we must seek to learn from Him. 

To live well, we need to see God’s Word for what it truly is.

III. God’s Word Delights (Listen to the psalmist’s response to God’s Word.)

Psalm 119:14-16 (NIV) 

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

In verse 15, the psalmist shows us an important method for engaging what God says through His Word: “I will meditate on Your precepts.” (see Ps. 1:2) 

Scriptural meditation is misunderstood and neglected by many believers, but it is a vital spiritual discipline. It’s also a source of joy.

What is Scriptural meditation? How do we do it? 

• Contrast to the meditation in eastern religions - those religions “empty the mind” - the psalmist wanted to fill his mind with the concepts of God’s power, authority, and love.
• For us it is to study and think carefully about what we read … every day.

Hebrew poetry doesn’t rhyme words; it “rhymes” thoughts. Meaning, the writer places similar phrases together to connect two ideas. In verse 15, the parallel thought to “meditate on Your precepts” is “consider Your ways.” 

How can we position ourselves to be transformed, rather than just informed, by God’s Word?

• Study diligently. Set aside time each day for the uninterrupted reading of God’s Word.
• Study discerningly. Each time you read Scripture, make a note of what it says to you. Is there a sin to confess? An attitude to change? An action you need to do? Make a note and follow through in obedience. 
• Study together. Studying on your own is important, but you should also study the Bible in fellowship with others (see Heb. 10:24-25). The accountability and responsibility a small group provides are great for spiritual growth. 

Our lesson says that as followers of God, we should never allow anything to distract us from reading, knowing, and doing God’s Word. “I will not forget Your word.” 

How should our attitude towards the Word help us overcome these distractions?

• Positive attitude.
• Come to it expecting to learn something important.
• If we skip reading it, we should miss it like when we miss a meal … feeling hungry for it.
• Anticipate a blessing when we come to God’s Word - look for just what you need for that day.
• Determine to make the time, even if you are busy.
• Ask God to help you set aside your concerns, your worries and help you focus on what He has to say to you that day.

Point: God’s Word is sweeter than honey and better than money. (Ps. 19:10-11)

It is the author’s delight and desire to know. No wonder he mulls over it and takes it to heart. Nothing is more valuable than God’s Word. When God’s Word fills our minds, it affects the way we think and the way we live. God’s Word is not burdensome but a lifeline to God and a demonstration of His grace and guidance. We are to remember God’s Word and never neglect it.

God’s Word teaches us all, young and old, all we need to live well.

Don’t wing it when it comes to studying God’s Word. Make the Scriptures a foundation for all that you are and all that you do.

Conclusion

The message of the psalmist this week has to do with keeping our lives pure by avoiding sin, which is done by knowing the word of God so well that it is always on our minds to correct and to guide us through life. But this is no fixed duty; for the believer the word is like a treasure, more delightful and useful than riches. The Lord is the teacher, His word and His way the lesson, and righteousness the result.

The summary statement would be: Because the word of God is the means by which the faithful maintain purity in life, they desire to learn more from God and enjoy meditating in His word. 

The point of these verses is reflected in the prayer of Jesus for us: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17). The apostle Paul also reminds us that the righteous are those who hear and do the word of God (Rom. 2:13), for the law of God made us aware of sin (Rom. 3:20). As we learn more and more from the word of God and put it into practice, we will become aware of sins that need to be overcome, and righteous practices that need to be incorporated. Through this process we will be able to maintain a righteous way of life.

Hope to see all of you on Sunday! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan