Community Group Discussion Guide

Psalm 11 – August 11, 2019

I. Starter Questions:

What is a character quality you like most in others and what quality is lacking in today’s society? Why?

What made you secure as a child? As an adult, do you still have that, or another “refuge” to go to “your mountain”?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Psalm 11:1-7 NASB[1] In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain; [2] For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. [3] If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?" [4] The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. [5] The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. [6] Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. [7] For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

Brief Explanation: David appears to have been fleeing from an enemy when he wrote this psalm, but we do not know the exact background incident. This Psalm may have been based on a conversation between David and his counselors. David expressed confidence that, even though lawful authority might perish, the godly can trust in the Lord to punish the wicked and deliver the righteous. The central issue in this psalm of individual lament, with emphases on trust and thanksgiving, is the persecution of the righteous by the wicked (cf. Ps. 73).God is the exclusive refuge for His persecuted children (compare Psalms 16:1; 36:7). As a life principle, David sought refuge from his enemies in the Lord, his stronghold.

Life is full of questions. Why do innocent people suffer? Why do good people lose their jobs? Why do good people hurt? The list is endless.Probably the greatest frustration in life is “Why?”. Why does this have to happen to me? Especially now!David was enduring this trial and asking that very question at this time in his life. God had blessed him. He successfully defended his father’s sheep. He had killed the giant, Goliath. Now king Saul was jealous, insanely jealous. And when the king wants a subject dead, that person has big problems!

For Discussion:

1. What things create anxiety in today’s world? What things are creating anxiety in your own life right now?

2. What are some different ways people respond to trials in their lives?3. In verse 1, what do you think “flee as a bird to your mountain” is referring to? Is it

common in today’s society for people to run and hide from difficult issues in their lives?

4. How do the first six words David speaks in this psalm set the stage for the psalm?5. How would you interpret verse 2? Does this still happen today? What are some ways

in today’s society that the wicked “bend their bow” at the “upright in heart”?6. How do you think John 15:18-19 relates to verse 2?7. What are the “foundations” David speaks about in verse 3? Is it a possible metaphor

for the order of society? If so, what makes up the foundations for the order of society?

8. How does Truth fit in today’s culture of moral relativism?9. What is happening to Truth in today’s society, and how does that impact the order

of society? 10. What does verse 4 remind us in light of shifting cultural foundations?11. Verse 6 references a “cup”. What does this represent? Where else do we see a

reference to a “cup”? (See Luke 22:42).12. If ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23, Psalm 14, Psalm 53),

how does the Christian obtain righteousness? What has God done for us which we couldn’t do for ourselves?

13. What is the reward the wicked will receive from the LORD?14. What is the reward that David says the righteous will receive? 15. Looking back at this Psalm, how can you apply what David is saying in your own life?

What/who brings stability, assurance, meaning, hope, and security in life? What name is the only name to know!

III. Responding in Prayer:

Acts 4:11-12 NASB[11] He is the stone WHICH WAS rejected by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. [12] And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

Praise God he has given us eternal life through Jesus Christ! For OUR sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in HIM we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21).

Pray today for the LORD to strengthen you in His mighty power. Pray for endurance and patience to endure hardships and trials, so that he might sanctify us in his power to receive eternal life through

Jesus Christ. Pray for those you know to receive his mercy and grace by softening their hearts to his word, and to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and savior. For our church, praise God for the work he has done this summer through camps, VBS, mission trips and our Spanish and Farsi churches. Thank him for the increase in attendance that we’ve seen at church. Pray that each person attending will experience healthy spiritual growth and guests will connect quickly. Pray for our worship pastor search team to take every right step as they near the end of the process and that God would direct in our search for a Family Equipping Pastor.

Pray for Stan Kelley’s family and especially his wife Bea, as they miss this dear man of God that has entered heaven. Pray for Bobbie Thompson, Rick Buck and Wayne Myers as they recuperate.