CONNECT: What prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles/concerns this week could you bring to him?

WARM-UP

1. Have there been any times in your life in which there has been physically a complete (or almost complete) absence of light? How did this make you feel?
2. Did David have significant cause to be fearful? What causes you to be afraid?

Read Psalm 27:1-6

1. Who does David describe the LORD as in verse 1? What do each of these names mean?
2. How is it clear that this knowledge about the LORD is not just objective truth, but also a personal reality to David? Do you know this to be true as well?
3. How does David have confidence even in the presence of trouble? Do you ever struggle with this in your own life? How so?
4. When you face trouble or stress, what is your natural instinct? What helps you be redirected to God?
5. How does David’s example steer us away from both complacency and self-reliance? Do you think that this is particularly counter-cultural in Australia?
6. What knowledge helps you to trust in God even in the face of trouble? What practices help you to trust in God even in the face of uncertainty?
7. How is knowing God a great gift even when we experience uncertainty, stress, or danger?
8. What did David long for more than anything? What does this mean?
9. How do you seek God? How can we be sure of knowing him?
10. What are the practical ways in which we can seek the goodness of the LORD?

Read Psalm 27:7-13

1. How does David reflect his desire to be known by God in these verses?
2. What does David mean in verse 11? How is obedience an expression of our trust?
3. How does Jesus make it possible for us to have a clear and certain confidence of the future?

APPLY:  What is one fear in your life that could be dispelled by taking confidence in the LORD?

‍

On Your Frontline This Week: People are much more likely to trust what their friends endorse. Which friend or colleague could you invite to Alpha? stbarts.com.au/alpha

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “One thing I have asked” by Aneirin Glyn
• AUDIO: “I will see the goodness of the Lord” by Richard Bewes
• AUDIO: “Walking with Our God” by James Faux
• INTERVIEW with Maryam and Marziyeh at HTB Church, London:
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outline
• Website: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/
• Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom Wright
• Devotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim Keller
• Course: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/
• Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).

‍