SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: PSALM 119:1 – 8

Dean’s message on September 21, 2025 was centered on Psalm 119:1 – 8 and was

titled, “A Blessed Life in Prayer”. The sermon’s main thought was spawned when the

Holy Spirit nudged Dean to honor God’s word. Dean felt he already knew and did this,

but his sermon preparation reinforced the thought that Biblical facts and data are just

the beginning in a journey to better understand the richness of God’s words and a

relationship with him.

QUESTIONS:

1. Spend a few moments and have each person share their pre-sermon thoughts on

Psalm 119.

2. Dean contends the word “blessed” is used all the time.

2a. What were your thoughts on the meaning of the word “blessed” before watching the

sermon?

3. The English word “blessed” in the Old Testament is translated from 2 Hebrew words,

“Barak” and “Asre”. Both blessings are from God, but have different meanings. “Barak”,

tends to be of a tangible or worldly benefit to the blessed. “Asre” tends to be more of an

intangible or spiritual benefit to the blessed.

3a. I think it’s easy to see that a “Barak” blessing comes from God. Share your thoughts

on how “Asre” blessings. Do you believe they come from God or is something we get

from our obedience?

4. Barak blessings are used in the Old Testament 326 times, whereas Asre are used 44

times in the Old Testament… Barak is used 9 times more than Asre. Generally

important words are used more.

4a. Can you think of a reason why Barak is used 9 times as much as Asre? (Hint: think

about how God dispenses these blessings in light of his overall plan).

4b. In your faith walk which type of blessing do you focus on… Barak or Asre blessings?

5. Dean talks about the richness of an Asre blessing. Secular examples were used to

illustrate the concept of richness or depth: a single worship singer vs the whole worship

team, a picture of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful vs seeing it in person. When more of a

person’s senses like sight, hearing, taste, memories, mind, emotions, etc. are used, the

person tends to have a richer experience.

5a. After using the example of just looking at a picture of a hamburger vs. eating a

hamburger, Dean showed Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord’s is good…”.

How do you get nourishment from God’s word? Does it require more than reading?

5b. How do you see God’s laws and commandments? Are they just a curiosity or do you

honor them? If so, how do you live your life in light of them?

6. Dean stated that Psalm 119 has words like law, testimony, commandments,

precepts, etc. in every verse. However starting with verse 4 the Psalmist gets more

personal with God. His uses about four 1 st and 2 nd person pronouns in each verse.

6a. How do you typically pray to God? Is it personal or more general in nature? Does it

depend on if you are praying in a group or in your prayer closet?

7. Dean speaks of the Psalmist as a person who has an infectious faith. A person who

has passion for God and his love, truth, wisdom, grace, mercy.

7a. Share if you know people who have an infectious faith. If so, did their faith affect

your faith walk?

7b. Do others see you as a person with infectious faith? If so, how do you feel about

their compliments?

8. Dean relates to the psalmist as one who struggles in living a godly life, knowing he is

fallen in a fallen world. This psalmist is not perfect, yet he keeps on seeking God’s Asre

to be Asre.

8a. Can you relate to the psalmist? If so, share how you relate.

8b. Most of us like to make plans, with a vision on what success looks like. However, if

you experience setbacks, how do you view the setback… especially when you believe

others are the cause of the disruption?

9. In verse 8, Dean notes a difference in the psalmist from the previous 7 verses.

9a. Do you see a difference in the psalmist’s relationship with God starting in verse 8?

10. Understanding that the sermon only looked at the first 8 verses of a 176 verse

psalm, can you see the psalmist’s heart emerge?

10a. Do you think you will take the time to read and find out more about Psalm 119?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) Many of us naturally compare our spiritual lives to others around us. When do you find yourself most tempted to measure your faith against someone else's, and what drives that comparison?

3) True service involves knowing names and sharing in people's struggles rather than just meeting physical needs. Who in your life right now needs you to be present with them in their difficulties rather than just offering quick solutions?

4) Our culture constantly shapes our values through media, entertainment, and social pressures. What worldly value or priority have you absorbed recently that conflicts with your faith, and how did you become aware of it?

5) Walking humbly means giving credit to God rather than seeking recognition for our good deeds. How do you struggle with wanting others to notice your acts of service or spiritual disciplines?

6) Sometimes we serve others while secretly keeping score or calculating what we'll receive in return. Can you recall a time when you helped someone with no expectation of recognition or reward, and what was different about that experience?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) Many believers experience spiritual lethargy despite claiming transformation through faith. What areas of your life remain unchanged even though you believe God has given you new life?

3) James says even demons believe the facts about Jesus, but what separates their belief from saving faith is recognizing Jesus died for you personally. How does viewing Christ's sacrifice as personal rather than general change your daily decisions?

4) Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because his faith led to action, while Rahab betrayed her entire culture to align with God. What are you holding back from God that you know He's asking you to surrender?

5) Dead faith calculates what to give God while expecting maximum return, but living faith says "everything is yours." Where do you find yourself keeping score with God rather than worshiping freely?

6) A corpse cannot bring itself to life no matter how hard it tries, yet once alive, movement is natural and expected. What specific actions would naturally flow from your life if you truly believed you've been raised from spiritual death?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) We often pursue happiness through circumstances we can control, but joy comes from something deeper. What's one area of your life where you've been chasing happiness instead of resting in the joy that comes from knowing God loves you regardless of outcomes?

3) Trials have a way of stripping away the image we present to others and ourselves. Can you share about a time when a difficult season revealed something about yourself that you hadn't wanted to acknowledge?

4) Sometimes we treat our faith like a burden that makes life harder rather than recognizing it as the very thing that carries us through. How has your perspective on following God shifted from seeing it as an obligation to experiencing it as a source of strength?

5) James tells us to consider trials as joy, not because suffering is enjoyable, but because these moments invite us to cling tighter to God. What current challenge in your life could become an opportunity to deepen your dependence on God rather than trying to solve it yourself?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) Scripture acts like a mirror that shows us both our brokenness and God's love for us. What area of your life have you been avoiding looking at honestly, and what might God be wanting to show you about it?

3) We often make plans for the next 5 or 10 years while God operates on an eternal timeline. How does focusing on temporary goals sometimes prevent you from seeing what God might be doing in your life right now?

4) There's a difference between knowing what's right and actually doing it. What's one area where your knowledge about following Jesus hasn't translated into action, and what's holding you back?

5) When God blesses us, we sometimes forget the source and start taking credit ourselves. Can you share a time when success or blessing led you to rely more on yourself than on God?

6) If you truly believed that everything you do could be done in Jesus's name, from work tasks to casual conversations. What daily activity would be most challenging for you to approach as sacred rather than ordinary?

Discussion Questions:

1. Paul was changed from a zealous Pharisee to a humble man who suffered and died for Jesus. His change started with an encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Dean contends all followers of Christ are changed people. Share a short testimony on how you have been changed by Jesus. The change can be in the past, recent, or on-going. 

2. Dean referred to Genesis 3 and spoke of the serpent’s lie. A lie which is a part of our fallen nature.

- What is the serpent’s lie?

- Have you ever thought that you live with this lie in your DNA? Whether you do or not, do you think this lie keeps you from trusting God?

- How do you live as a Christ follower and deal with the serpent’s lie.

3. Dean contends that God created us to rejoice in Him…always. We need to rejoice and will seek out joy…whether godly or ungodly. Dean calls the ungodly joy, counterfeit joy. Counterfeit joy is like empty calories.

- Contrast godly joy vs counterfeit joy.

- When you seek out joy, what types of things bring you joy?

- Are you able to rejoice in the Lord always?

4. Dean referred to Philippians 3:10, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Then Dean pointed to 2 Greek words, “oida” and “gnonai”, which translates into “know”. The oida is a factual know, whereas the gnonai is a deep relational knowing. The gnonai knowing embraces every organ and mode of knowledge. This is not just a casual relationship.

- In your knowledge and relationship with Jesus, is it more “oida” or “gnonai”. Explain your answer.

5. In Philippians 4:5, Paul asks us to be seen as “reasonable” by all because the “Lord is at hand”, ie is coming soon. According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Abridged, “reasonable” is translated from the Greek word, “epieikes”. Other English translations are “gentle”, “doing what is right”, etc. 

- Do you think that you are displaying “epieikes” to everyone while waiting for Jesus? If not, have someone pray for you.

6. Dean and Kirie made a commitment to be “all in” for Christ. In their version of being “all in” they listen to the Holy Spirit and try to obey him without counting the cost, without making sure all their ducks are in a row, and not knowing how it will all play out. This has led them to a greater trust in their Lord.

- What does your “all in” for Christ look like?

- Are you growing in your trust of the Lord? Please explain.

7. Philippians 4:6 – 7, commands us not to be anxious about anything, but to go to God with prayer and supplication. 

- Are you able to comply with God’s command not to be anxious, or do you still get anxious? If you still become anxious, what do you plan to do?

- When you pray to God do you go with thanksgiving?

- Do you think you are growing in your prayer life? If so, what is helping you grow?

- Have you ever experienced the peace of God? Share this experience.

Discussion Guide:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) When life is going well, we naturally praise God, but trials reveal a different depth of worship. How has a difficult season in your life changed the way you relate to God?

3) We often try to fix our problems through our own strength rather than surrendering them to God. What area of your life are you currently trying to "clean up" on your own instead of asking for God's help?

4) The things that make us feel strong, like our anger or pride, can actually be impurities God wants to remove. What characteristic or defense mechanism do you find hardest to let go of, even though you know it's not helping your spiritual growth?

5) Our desires reveal what we truly value and pursuing anything above God ultimately leads to disappointment. What competes most for your attention and affection when God is calling you to focus on Him?

6) Spiritual endurance develops through consistent daily choices rather than dramatic moments. What small, sustainable practice could you begin this week to strengthen your ability to persevere in faith?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) When we truly believe that everything good in our lives comes from God, it changes how we view giving. What area of your life do you find hardest to see as a gift from God rather than a result of your own efforts?

3) Abel gave his first and best animals before knowing if his flock would produce more, while Cain calculated what he could spare. When have you experienced the difference between giving from fear versus giving from trust?

4) Sometimes we serve at church or give offerings thinking it will make God love us more. How do you personally struggle with trying to earn what God has already freely given?

5) Work was originally designed to be joyful partnership with God, but sin turned it into burdensome toil. How might viewing your daily work as worship change your attitude toward your job or responsibilities?

Discussion Questions:

1. What story do your actions tell?

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:20).

When you reflect on your consistent daily behavior, how you treat others, how you

speak, what you prioritize, what story do your actions tell you about your heart and your

faith? What kind of “fruit” do you think others see in your life?

2. Why do you think it’s easier to say the right things than to live the right way?

Consider the Pharisees, Sam Bankman-Fried, or even modern Christian culture.

What makes it so tempting to focus on image and reputation rather than obedience to

God’s word? How do we guard against becoming people who say “Lord, Lord” but don’t

do the Father’s will?

3. When have you felt the tension between knowing what’s right and actually doing it?

James says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

Can you share a time when you struggled to live out your faith? What helped you take

a step of obedience? What keeps us from doing what we know we should do?

4. How do you recognize if your worship is sincere or just routine?

Jesus quoted Isaiah saying, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far

from Me” (Matt. 15:8).

What are some signs that your heart is truly engaged in worship and obedience to God?

What habits help you keep your relationship with God active and sincere?

5. Why does true faith always lead to action?

“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

How do you distinguish between trying to earn salvation by works and allowing grace to

produce works in your life? How can we encourage one another to walk out our faith in

practical ways?

6. If someone could only observe your actions (not hear your words), would they know

you follow Jesus?

Reflect on Titus 1:16 and 1 John 3:18.

What changes, if any, would you want to make in your life so that your faith is more

visible through your actions? How can your group help each other live with greater

integrity and impact for God’s kingdom?

Discussion Questions:

1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you?

2) What's a recent decision where you struggled between following what you felt God wanted versus what you wanted?

3) God's love remains constant regardless of our performance or failures. How does truly believing this change the way you approach your relationship with Him?

4) Sometimes following God's guidance means sacrificing something important to us for a greater purpose. What "queen" in your life might God be asking you to let go of?

5) Life isn't meant to be lived alone but with the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom. In what area of your life do you find it hardest to pause and ask for God's direction before acting?

6) God can work through our mistakes and wrong choices to still accomplish His purposes. How have you seen God redeem a poor decision you've made in the past?