CHERISHED IN GOD S EYES

Transcription

1 GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture (PSG, p. 78). DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 78): What have you owned that has gone up in value? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 79). Note the story of the rare aluminum penny and how the owner didn t think it had any value. Acknowledge that society treats a lot of people as if they are not worth much. Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 79): God values and cares for even the weakest among us. SAY: In this final session in our studies about finding our value in God, let s focus on viewing the weakest among us as God does as we study Psalm 8. SESSION 7 CHERISHED IN GOD S EYES The Point God values and cares for even the weakest among us. The Bible Meets Life We hire people to appraise our property. We take jewelry or antiques to an expert to get them appraised. We assign value to everything, and that value can fluctuate depending on the market or interest. What works with physical assets, though, should never be applied to people. Psalm 8 shows us we all have incredible worth and value, even those to whom society assigns little or no value. You are of great value to God. The Passage Psalm 8:1-8 The Setting Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise, but could be more specifically called a hymn of creation. The psalm opens with praise of God as the majestic and all-powerful Creator, whose majesty fills all of His creation (vv. 1-2). The vastness of creation is then contrasted with the seeming insignificance of human beings (vv. 3-4). In light of man s insignificance, the psalmist wonders why God would take notice of people and look after them. The psalmist then marvels at how God has elevated human beings, having given them authority and dominion over all His creation (vv. 5-8). The psalm closes as it began, repeating the praise of God expressed in verse 1 (v. 9). 84 Session 7

2 Biblical scholars have identified several types of psalms in the Book of Psalms, including laments, thanksgivings, praises, and royal songs. Psalm 8 is clearly a psalm of praise as it describes the glory and creative power of God. However, this song also has a royal tone as it refers to the son of man (v. 4). This was Jesus favorite title for Himself while He was on the earth (Matt. 20:18; Mark 10:45; Luke 9:58; John 3:14). The use of this psalm in Hebrews 2:5 9 shows how Jesus perfectly completes God s intended role for man in relation to His creation. Psalm 8:1-2 1 Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with Your majesty. 2 Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger. KEY WORD: Stronghold (v. 2) The Hebrew term gives the meaning of power and strength, in this context of God overcoming and silencing all His enemies. God created us for His glory. Verse 1. As David wrote this song of praise, he began by making sure the singers would have no doubt about the object of their praise: they were praising Yahweh. Moses wanted to know what name for God he was to use when he told the Israelites about God s intention to free them from slavery in Egypt. Yahweh is the name God revealed to Moses (Ex. 3:13 16). This name is God s covenant name and probably implies God s eternal nature. The singers of this psalm were to focus on giving praise to Yahweh, the God without beginning or end, the God who created both the world and their nation. David referred to Yahweh as Lord. The people who originally sang this song knew firsthand about kings and other rulers. They knew what earthly kings expected from their subjects. The title Lord, of course, emphasizes the power and authority of God and points to His rule as King above all kings. Those who worship and praise Him STUDY THE BIBLE Psalm 8: minutes GUIDE: Remind the group of what they have studied so far: > > Adopted into God s Family (The Point: We are loved by God, our perfect Father.) > > Freed by God s Forgiveness (The Point: We deserve punishment, but God forgives.) > > Saved by God s Son (The Point: Jesus came to earth to rescue us.) > > Strengthened by God s Power (The Point: God does not leave us on our own but empowers us through His Spirit.) > > Equipped with God s Gifts (The Point: God has uniquely gifted us to serve Him.) > > Used in God s Service (The Point: God expects us to use the gifts He has given us.) (ENHANCEMENT: Point to these titles on Pack Item 1: Priceless. ) READ: Invite a volunteer to read Psalm 8:1-2. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF JANUARY 17 85

3 THE POINT God values and cares for even the weakest among us. GUIDE: Note the emphasis on the glory of God in verse 1. Call attention to the words magnificent and majestic. Explain that wherever people look they can see the majesty and glory of God the Creator. Invite volunteers to name some things they have seen in nature that point to God s majesty and glory. Following a few responses, note the apostle Paul affirmed that God s eternal power and divine nature are clearly revealed through what He has made (Rom. 1:20). Call attention to the paragraph on PSG page 81 that references the miniscule things in His universe. Stress the marvel that is the DNA code in our cells. Call attention to verse 2. Explain some people reject God even though He has revealed Himself in Creation. Note the defense God has established against His adversaries: the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger. 86 Session 7 must humbly acknowledge His transcendence and majesty and reverentially submit to His lordship over them and all creation. To describe God s name as magnificent is to affirm God Himself as being magnificent. Here name is not simply a reference to God s name Yahweh but points to His total being and character. God is magnificent or glorious because of who He is and what He has done. One way the magnificence of God is revealed is through His creation of the earth. God s majesty is further revealed in the heavens, what people see as they look up from the earth. Genesis 1:14 19 describes how God created all the heavenly bodies; Genesis 2:1 summarizes all that God created: the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. Wherever people look they can see the majesty and glory of God the Creator. The apostle Paul affirmed this same truth when he wrote that God s eternal power and divine nature are clearly revealed through what He has made (Rom. 1:20). Verse 2. Though God s clear revelation of His glory is evident throughout His creation (Rom. 1:19 20), most people have chosen to reject the reality of God s existence and glory. Instead, the fool says in his heart, God does not exist (Ps. 14:1). Because they rejected God s revelation, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude (Rom. 1:21). Once they chose to refuse the truth God has revealed through His creation, they became, in David s words, God s adversaries. David recognized that these people were not only opposed to God but also to those who trusted and worshiped Him. David called them the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 44:16 includes enemy and avenger in a list with the scorner and reviler. David and the nation of Israel often had to fight against such people. As Christians, with the revelation God has provided to us in the New Testament Scriptures, we understand that Satan (the Devil) is God s arch enemy as well as our ultimate source of opposition as he tempts and attacks us. So what has God done to silence such opposition and to provide a relief for His faithful ones? David said that God has established a stronghold. The Hebrew term for stronghold has the meaning of power and strength, in this context of God overcoming and silencing all His enemies. Jeremiah used this same word to refer to God as Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in a time of distress (Jer. 16:19, italics added). How has God done this? How has

4 God silenced His enemies and provided His people with a safe haven? The answer may seem strange to our Western minds. When we seek help, we tend to look for the strongest, the richest, the smartest, the most powerful one to deliver us. God does just the opposite. He uses the ones we would consider the weakest (1 Cor. 1:27). David said that God uses the mouths of children and nursing infants. How can such powerless persons provide strength and security? From David s view young children represented more evidence of God s glory as Creator and Lord. The sounds of small children can remind anyone of the reality of God s limitless power and love. Who else could create such beautiful and amazing creatures? Today we have the technology that allows us to see more clearly God s glory in ways David could not. We can watch the unborn child while he or she is still in a mother s body. Some women considering abortion change their minds when they see the images of the children growing inside them. These women choose life for their children because they cannot deny the glory in those images. That was exactly David s point. Even the weakest part of God s creation forcefully reminds us that God s glory already fills the world through what we can see. May His glorious name be praised forever; the whole earth is filled with His glory. Amen and amen (Ps. 72:19). Since God is so powerful and so present among us, what should we do when we are afraid? We should run to God, our strength and stronghold. The Bible also teaches us that God s glory will continue to expand throughout the earth (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14). When the children were shouting praises to Jesus and the religious leaders objected, Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 (Matt. 21:16). These children were not making the inarticulate sounds of babies and young children. They were announcing correctly that praises should be given to God s Messiah ( Hosanna to the Son of David! v. 15). Through the proclamation of the gospel, God s glory fills the earth in new and more powerful, more God-honoring ways. And we are looking forward to the day when a new heaven and a new earth will bring the fullness of God s glory (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1 4). Stress that even the weakest part of God s creation forcefully reminds us that God s glory already fills the world through what we can see. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 81): How do these verses speak to the sanctity of human life? GUIDE: State that every human unborn, infant, teenager, middle aged adult, one with special needs, or elderly is a vital part of God s creation and plan, and each one brings glory to God. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 82): How is God s majesty revealed through the youngest and weakest? (Alternate: How is God s glory revealed in the weak and helpless?) TRANSITION: Though we may feel insignificant when we look at the vastness of creation, God has given humanity a special status over creation. 87

5 THE POINT God values and cares for even the weakest among us. STUDY THE BIBLE Psalm 8: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read verses 3-8. GUIDE: Display a piece of jewelry that you value (watch, ring, necklace, etc.). Explain why it s valuable to you (sentimental value, monetary value, etc.). Point out that even though some things in life, like this piece of jewelry, are valuable to us none can compare to how valuable each of us is to God. Psalm 8:3-8 3 When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, 4 what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? 5 You made him little less than God, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet: 7 all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, 8 the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas. KEY WORDS: The son of man (v. 4) The phrase is used in common Hebrew parallelism, where the same idea is repeated using different wording. What is stated with man in the first line of the verse is restated using the son of man in the second line for emphasis. God crowns us with His glory. Verse 3. As David continued to reflect on how God s glory is revealed in His creation, he thought about what he could see in the night sky, the moon and the stars. David imagined God as a great, galactic artist who fashioned these heavenly bodies and then set them in place for us to see each night (the work of Your fingers which You set in place). Again, with our technology we can see so much more of the vastness of the universe than David could. Our knowledge only amplifies the glory to which David pointed. Verse 4. As David thought about the vastness of the night sky, he considered the contrast with human beings who seem so small. He specifically chose a word for man that reflects man s weakness and dependence on God s provision and protection. Though human beings seem so small and insignificant in the greatness of all God s creation, yet God 88 Session 7

6 still takes notice of each person and provides for his or her needs (Matt. 6:25-32). The phrase the son of man is used in common Hebrew parallelism. Instead of using man again in the second line, David found another way to say the same thing. The phrase literally points to one who is like (son of) a human being (man). The messianic prophecy in Daniel 7 refers to God s Messiah as being like a son of man (Dan. 7:13). Verse 5. Not only does God remember and look after people, He has created human beings so as to give them special status over all the rest of His creation, a little less than God. The phrase less than God could also be translated as less than the angels. When the writer of the Book of Hebrews quoted this passage from the Greek version of the Old Testament (Heb. 2:6-8), he used lower than the angels. That s how the Greek translation reads. The key word is the Hebrew elohim. This word was often used for God in the Hebrew version of the Old Testament. But it could also simply mean heavenly beings or angels. Regardless of the translation, the primary meaning is the same: in their position and authority, God made human beings lower than God and the angels but higher than the rest of His creation. David went on to describe man s position as that of glory and honor. In comparison to God, man is only a reflection of God s perfect glory. Genesis 1:27 says that God made the man and woman in His own image. God made human beings with that divine image so that they would reflect His glory. However, when a person is spiritually reborn, that individual is also able to reflect the likeness of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). In no way does the Scripture ever teach or imply that man is a god or can become a god. People can only reflect the glory of their Creator, and the likeness of the One who recreates them when they are reborn at the moment of salvation. Sadly, daily events in our world demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the elevated status God has given to His highest creation. Examples include the abuse of children, human trafficking of women and children, prostitution, pornography, drug abuse, all kinds of sexual exploitation of women, genocide, slavery, the legalization of abortion as a means of birth control, the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, brutal murders by terrorists groups, disregard for the homeless and the physically and mentally disabled, bullying, mass murders in schools and workplaces, and on and on. If we re not careful, we become numb to the daily reports of such atrocities. God s ideal is for all people to marvel, as David did, at the glorious status God has given to every single human being. Besides our Almighty God, nothing GUIDE: Reference verse 4. What is a little baby in comparison to the vast universe? David may have felt small and insignificant as He observed what God had created, but David knew he was not insignificant at all in God s eyes. Point to verses 5-6. Stress that God has crowned us with His glory, and we are to reflect God s glory in how we work with and care for His creation, which includes how we treat those among us who are weak, helpless, and at the mercy of others. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 83): How does a person s view of God contribute to his or her view of human life? 89

7 THE POINT God values and cares for even the weakest among us. GUIDE: Direct attention to PSG page 84. Review the chart to examine arguments in support of abortion and arguments in support of life. Stress that an emphasis on the sanctity of human life really can make a difference in saving lives. SUMMARIZE: Review the two case studies of women who were considering abortion (PSG, pp ). 1. A pregnant single woman decided to have an abortion. 2. A woman found herself pregnant, unmarried, and scared. should be viewed as more sacred than the life of a human being. We must not only keep David s view always before us but work to enable others to know the one true God David praised. Without the right view of God, we will never have the right view of human beings, His highest creation. Verse 6. David knew that in the Genesis account of creation God had told the man and woman not only to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth but also to subdue and rule over all that He had created (Gen. 1:28). You made him lord over the works of Your hands. Of course, the man and the woman sinned and corrupted God s perfect world. Though God changed the way He related to human beings because of their sin, He did not change His command for people to have authority over all living creatures (9:2). Everything was still under his feet, under his rule and authority. God still allowed humanity to function as His stewards over creation. Even as God confronted the man and woman who had sinned against Him, He also looked forward to the day when the corrupted world order would be redeemed (Gen. 3:15). His view was more than a mere hope: that day would mark the completion of His eternal plan (Eph. 1:4). That is why He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, from heaven to earth (Phil. 2:6 8). The writer of Hebrews said that we do not yet see everything subjected to man (Heb. 2:8). Sin and Satan still reign, but something has occurred that significantly changed the landscape. Though we don t see man and creation in the perfect harmony God intended, we do see Jesus (v. 9). Jesus is the perfect God-Man. Like the rest of humanity, Jesus was made lower than the angels for a short time (v. 9). He was a human being in every way except that He was without any sin (4:15). Yet, He was also fully divine, God in the flesh (John 1:14). He was the one who was perfectly qualified to taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9), so that everyone who puts their faith in Him can be saved from the slavery and penalty of sin (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 2:14 15). And one day Jesus will totally and finally defeat all God s enemies and all the adversaries of His faithful ones (Rev ). At that point Jesus will fulfill the commission of all humanity to subdue and rule over all God s creation. Perhaps in Mark 4:35 41 we see a glimpse of how Jesus fulfilled God s commission for man to subdue creation. In an instant He ordered the wind and waves to be calm, and they obeyed. All of creation is fully under His authority. 90 Session 7

8 One day God will send forth a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1) and there will no longer be any curse on any part of God s creation (Rev. 22:3). There will only be the perfect peace and harmony God created in the beginning for all people to enjoy. God created a perfect world. Humanity corrupted that perfect design through sin and rebellion. God sent Jesus to enable human beings to be the worshiping servants God intended them to be. We look forward to Jesus return and to the completion of His work of redemption. Verses 7-8. The lists in these verses are similar to the lists found in Genesis 1:28 and 9:2. They specify all the land animals, all the birds, and all the creatures of the sea. God s original intention for human beings was that they should exercise authority over and be good stewards of God s creation. While God clearly meant for man to understand his authority and superior worth, God also intended for people to demonstrate respect and care for both the creatures and the land itself. Many Old Testament Scriptures reflect this intention. For example, in the Ten Commandments God said that the people were to keep the Sabbath holy by resting from their normal labor. This rest also included their livestock (Ex. 20:10). Of course, the Sixth Commandment (v. 13) stressed the sanctity of human life by forbidding murder. Another example of how people are to care for creatures is found in Deuteronomy 25:4 where God commanded that people should not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. They were to allow the ox to eat as it walked around threshing out the grain. Even the land was to be allowed to rest. In Leviticus 25, God commanded the people to provide a Sabbath of complete rest for the land in the seventh year (Lev. 25:4). God s people were to use their authority to help creation maintain the harmony and productivity God had established in the beginning. Though we have marred God s original design by our sin and rebellion, God has never removed our mandate to work with Him in governing and caring for His creation. We must always remember that while we have great freedom and opportunity as we subdue the earth, and now even the heavens as we travel through space, we will always remain God s stewards. That is our high calling. David ended his psalm by repeating his opening words of praise: Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! (Ps. 8:9). As we join David in praise for the glory of God revealed throughout His creation, we will always rightfully fulfill that calling. GUIDE: Emphasize that as the church of Jesus Christ we must value the lives of: > > babies in their mothers wombs; > > teens on the streets of our cities; > > aging senior adults in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. SAY: Why? Because God has crowned them with His glory. He created them to display His glory. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 86): As a group, how can we demonstrate that we value life the way God does? (Alternate: What are the consequences of remaining silent when society devalues life?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity, Glorifying God By Reaching Out (PSG, p. 86). 91

9 THE POINT God values and cares for even the weakest among us. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: God values and cares for even the weakest among us. GUIDE: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 87; see text to the right). Stress that how we care for the weakest among us is a reflection of our love for Jesus. Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs. Wrap It Up SAY: Remember, Jesus told us that whatever we would do for the least of those among us, we would be doing for Him. LIVE IT OUT In a world where opinions about the quality of human life are becoming a higher priority than the truth of the sanctity of human life, God is calling on His people to value and care for the weak, the vulnerable, and the defenseless as He does. How is God leading you to respond this week? > > Reflect. Some seniors are tempted to think they are not as valuable as they used to be. If you are facing this temptation, take time to reflect each day this week on the fact that God values you exactly the way you are. Begin each morning thanking Him for His unconditional love. > > Meditate. Memorize Psalm 139:13-14 this week. Meditate on this passage at the beginning of each day, and thank the Lord that you are remarkably and wonderfully made (v. 13). > > Step forward. Look again at your responses in Glorifying God By Reaching Out (p. 86 [PSG]). Mark on your calendar a date by which you will begin to take action on the steps you identified as an individual. Set a deadline of no later than the end of this month. Call two or three friends from your Bible study group to discuss how you each responded to what your church can do. Set some goals to be completed by Easter, and keep one another accountable. PRAY: Lord, thank you valuing and caring for us. Give us the vision to see and care for the weak and helpless as You do. Amen. 92 Session 7

10 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/G.B. HOWELL Assyrian pectoral sun-disk ornament dated about B.C. The following excerpt is from the article Sun, Moon, and Stars as Imagery and Symbolism (Fall 2010), which relates to this session and can be purchased at www. lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. God asked Job if he could control the constellations Pleiades chains and Orion s belt (Job 38:31-32). Why did God refer to constellations? What did astronomical bodies like the sun, moon, and stars mean to Job and his contemporaries? Astronomical observations helped keep track of time. According to Genesis 1:14-19, God created two great lights, the sun and the moon. These lights were signs ( separating light from darkness), for festivals (marking appointed times), days (cycle of light and darkness), and years (cycle of days). The month was the unit of time, measured by the visible cycle of the moon. The same Hebrew word meant month and new moon. Mesopotamia and Egypt, the first great cultural centers, both utilized lunar calendars. Previous articles Ancient Strongholds (Fall 2009) and Crowns Fit for a King (Fall 2005), relate to this session and can be purchased at biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: Bible Studies for Life. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call SHARING THE GOOD NEWS We discover how much value we have in God s eyes when we realize He sent His Only Son to take the punishment for our sins. When we accept His sacrifice on our behalf, we can truly begin to see other people as cherished. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 93