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Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson - or another psalm with a similar theme - do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others. While meditating on these two Psalms I am reminded of the words of two songs

Q4. (Psalm 51:17) How does one achieve a "broken and contrite heart"? It is a heart that is crushed or broken by the weight of guilt. What are the earmarks of this condition? A genuine sorrow for the sins committed and the hurt inflicted upon our Heavenly Father. How does this differ from "being sorry" for a sin? Besides being sorry there is a determination of never committing this sin again and a true repentance and turning to Jesus. How does humility relate to this condition? We then come in true humility before God pleading for forgiveness. We know we do not deserve any forgiveness but rely upon God

Q4. How do confession and repentance fit with self-examination? We examine ourselves carefully judging our actions and thoughts; confess our sins, repent and knowingly decide no to repeat these sins and if possible make amends to those we have hurt. What is the result of self-examination without confession and repentance? If after self-examination we do not confess and repent of our sins we will remain separated from God. God will not hear our prayers and He might decide to punish us. How do confession and repentance serve to bring spiritual health and character change? Once we have confessed and truly repented, our relationship with our Heavenly Father is restored. There has to of course be a change in the pattern of our life

Q3. (Psalm 51:10-12) How is it possible to have a "pure heart" after great sin? We read in 1 John 1:9,

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31) Introspection by a neurotic person can foster guilt and self-loathing. Where is the balance? The Lord's Supper is a continuing reminder that there is forgiveness for the sinner and strength for the weak and weary. We are all sinners saved by grace, and we don

Q2. (Psalm 51:3-6) When David says, "Against you only I have sinned" (4a) is he minimizing his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah? No. What does he mean by this? He acknowledges his sin against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. But realizes that all sin is first and foremost against our Lord. Not only has His law been broken, but His name has been brought into disrepute. It also places a barrier between us and God. When he mentions his sinfulness from before birth is he excusing himself or blaming Original Sin? No. What does he mean by this? Here again he acknowledges that we are all born sinners, and that there is not one, no one, who is without sin. We are all sinful in our very nature, and ultimately all we deserve is punishment and death.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 11:29-32) Why has God brought judgment to the offending parties at Corinth? Failure to exercise self-judgment resulted in God's disciplinary judgment upon some in the church at Corinth. It is the same with us, if we do not judge sin in our own lives, our Lord might take disciplinary action against us. We must be careful not to carry on living in sin, while at the same time partaking of the Lord

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? To cover up our sins and yet come before our Lord pleading our innocence, is the height of dishonesty. We should never come before God and try and rationalize our sins. God is all knowing and there is nowhere to hide. How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Our sins will be forgiven only when we confess them in a sincere, frank, and honest way. Also with a repentant heart! Martin Luther said,

Q1. (11:29) Why does "not discerning the body" at the Lord's Supper constitute such a grave sin? Aren't there worse things a church could have done? Failure to recognize the true meaning of the Lord

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson - or another psalm with a similar theme - do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others. Psalm 2 - God rules Why is the world engaged in a useless conspiracy against God and His Son? We continuously hear the call to remove all restrictions! Our Lord dismisses this stupid arrogance and rebellion. He knows we will one day all surrender and fully submit to His Son! My eyes have been opened, And now I can see The love of the Father Given to me. My Saviour, Deliverer, The reason I sing, To You I surrender, For You are my King.

Q4. (Revelation 22:4) When you meditate on "seeing his face," what thoughts come to mind? To come into the presence of our Almighty God is an awesome thought! What a blessing, what a privilege. Why should the Lord's Supper stimulate these thoughts every time we partake of it? Every time I partake of the Lord

Q4. (Psalm 22) What similarities do you see between the words of Psalm 22 and the events of Jesus' crucifixion? There are many similarities; we read about our Lord being rejected, scorned, mocked, insulted, conspired against, His thirst, crucified, pierced, His garments divided and lots cast for them. Almost a parallel account of His crucifixion. Do you think Jesus understood Psalm 22 as referring to himself? Yes. Why do you think the Spirit inspired David to pen these words? To tell and explain to the people of the OT about the coming Messiah, and for us, today, as well as future generations, to have a better understanding of what Jesus endured on our behalf.

Q3. (Psalm 22:1) Why do you think Jesus spoke the words of Psalm 22:1? Here we get a glimpse of what our salvation cost our Saviour; the agonies He endured for us; His sufferings we can never comprehend; and all this done through love, grace, and mercy. In gratitude, all we can ever do is to accept Him by worshipping and submitting to Him anew. What was he seeking to express? Jesus was indicating that by reading Psalm 22 we would have a better understanding of His death on the Cross. What was he feeling? Loneliness and spiritual separation from God. How did God answer his plea? Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had identified Himself with our sins and was paying the penalty in full, and God in His Holiness could not associate Himself with sin. God is holy, righteous, and just, and therefore must punish sin. For this reason God remained silent; He had forsaken Jesus Christ.

Q3. In what sense does the Lord's Supper point to the past? The Jews had celebrated the Passover for centuries. They were commemorating the fact that God had delivered them from Egypt through the blood of the spotless lamb. But we have the true Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the salvation of all who put their trust in Him. How does it point to the present? Presently we have fellowship with our brothers and sisters who will be spending eternity with us. How does it point to the future? The Lord

Q2. (Psalm 110) Why do you think that Jesus asked the Pharisees about verse 1, "If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" Jesus asked them what they believed concerning the identity of the Messiah and from whom would He be descended? They answered partially correctly that He would be the Son of David. But Jesus showed them that according to our Psalm 110 the Messiah would also be David's Lord. They could not understand how He could be David's Son and David's Lord at the same time? And how could David, the king, have someone who was his Lord on earth? Remembering they only saw the coming Messiah in human terms. What point was Jesus making? Jesus was making the point that the Messiah would be both God and Man. As God, He would be David's Lord. As Man, He would be David's Son. And Jesus Himself, combining in His Person both deity and humanity, was David's Master and David's Son. Even after Jesus had fully explained this to them they still were unwilling to acknowledge Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. How does Jesus combine the roles of Warrior-King and Priest in his ministry to us and to this world? We see Jesus as the King, the eternal Priest, and the future Judge of the earth. As King, we should submit to His Lordship willingly. As Priest, He is the mediator, the go-between us and God. He has secured once and for all, forgiveness for our sins. He has also given us access to the Father

Q2. (Luke 22:16) In what sense does the Lord's Supper find its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age? The Jews had celebrated the Passover for centuries. They were commemorating the fact that God had delivered them from Egypt through the blood of the spotless lamb. But we have the true Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the salvation of all who put their trust in Him. The Lord

Q1. (Psalm 2) What does Psalm 2 teach us about Yahweh's "anointed" king? Yahweh

Q1. Why are so many of Jesus' teachings oriented toward the future? I feel that we do not belong in this world; we are only passing through. It with this in mind that Jesus informs us about the things to come, about spending eternity with Him, about the Kingdom of God. What kinds of associations come to mind as you think of the Great Banquet? We will be having fellowship with millions of our brothers and sisters. It will be a

Q4. How does "eating the Bread of Life" (to use Jesus' metaphor in John 6) nourish our faith? Eating the

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson - or another psalm with a similar theme - do one of the suggested. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others. I

Q3. (Psalm 117 and Lamentations 3:22-23). Why are love and trustworthiness so important as the bedrock of the Old Testament faith? The foundations of our faith are His love and His faithfulness. God is love and God loved before creation, Jesus says in John 17:24b,

Q3. (John 6:53-71) If to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood is a strong expression for "to believe," why does Jesus emphasize this so strongly? Jesus was emphasizing the fact that we must, by faith, believe in His work on the Cross

Q2. (John 6:51b) What is Jesus referring to when he says, "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world"? Eternal life. What similarities do you see with Jesus' teaching at the Last Supper in Luke 22:19b? To me, both verses have the same meaning.

Q2. (Psalm 145) Which aspects of God's character mentioned in Psalm 145 stand out to you in particular? This Psalm paints an awesome picture of God as King and of His eternal Kingdom. Here we see His majesty, His unsearchable greatness, His mighty acts, His righteousness, His compassion, and His power all displayed. To me, they all stand out and deserve the praise and worship of His whole creation. Why is it important for "every creature," every human being, to praise him? Among all of God

Q1. (John 6:35-51) What does the metaphor of "eating the Bread of Life" mean in practical terms? Practically it means accepting Jesus as Lord of my life and obeying His commands. To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling and actually making a meal of it? We have to make a meal of it