Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Psalm 8), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…
- [1, 9] “O Yahweh our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” We have the personal name of the one true God to call upon—Yahweh, often appearing in English translations as “LORD” in caps—because he has made it known to us. The God of the Scriptures, Yahweh, is our Lord, our Master, because we enjoy a special covenant relationship with him by his grace. The same words of praise begin and end Psalm 8, imbuing everything that comes in between with the tone of praise. How often do you turn your thoughts and voice to Yahweh in praise during the day? Do you turn to him as to someone who has made himself known to you personally, as your Lord?
- [2] Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. How does God “establish strength” in the weak against the strong? Do you usually consider yourself to be weak or strong? What do you functionally believe (that is, what belief actually drives how you live) about why God called you to himself? How does praise to Yahweh arise from the weak differently than it would from the strong?
- [3-4] What gives you a sense of the inconceivable magnitude of difference between God and yourself? Do you believe that he is actually mindful of you and cares for you? Why or why not? What difference would it make in your life if you lived on a regular basis with a sense of wonder that you filled the thoughts of this majestic God?
- [1c, 5] Why is it hard to believe that God has crowned humanity with his own super-heavenly glory and honor? Why should you believe it? What does it mean to be crowned with glory and honor?
- [6-8] Yahweh made everything, and then gave it to us so that we would enjoy his own place in the world with him, at his side. Jesus shows us exactly what this means, because he is God himself in his creation, and he is also a human being in God’s place in creation. What would it look like for you to live like this King in your place in the world?