To All Generations Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. (Psalm 90:1, NKJV) Teacher s Guide God s Praise... by All Generations Lesson 1 One Mission Point Canton, GA 30114 Phone 770.479.5538 Fax 770.720.4742 Prayer Line 770.720.4557 www.fbccanton.org We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. (Psalm 78:4, NKJV) 2006, Mary Lee Griffith, First Baptist Canton
Life Application Every aspect of praise we studied today touches daily living. To encourage your class members in their commitment to praise God in their every-day lives ask them to look at the four words in the box on their Participant Guide singing, praying, giving, and living. Then, ask them to write out one step they will take in the coming week to praise God in at least two of those areas. They might commit to sing a worship song when they are facing challenges. They might commit to begin every prayer with praise. They might commit to increase their giving by a percentage point. They might commit to read Scripture every day. Whatever commitments they make, they will be praising God and He will be glorified. If your class members enjoy somewhat transparent relationships with spouses and/or others in the class, encourage them to pray for each other in the commitments they have made. If you sense that some are not comfortable praying out loud with one another, ask them to pray silently affirming their commitments to the Lord and asking for His help in keeping those commitments. Close in prayer asking God to do a work in each of our hearts that we might live a life of praise to His honor and glory. 12 Singing Praying Giving Living God s Praise... by All Generations Lesson 1 1 October 1, 2006 Lesson Theme: God commands all generations to give praise to Him in their singing, praying, giving, and living. Key Scripture: Psalm 78:4; 90:1 Supporting Scriptures: Leviticus 23:37-38; 2 Chronicles 20:1, 14-22; Psalm 92:1-4; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:9-13; 23:23; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15 Lesson Focus: That we may make a commitment to make praising God a daily priority. Lesson Aims: (1) That we may identify significant ways that God commanded His people to praise Him. (2) That we may express our praise of God during the class session. (3) That we may integrate one or two new ways of praising God into our lives during the coming week. Most Christians would heartily agree that praise of God is important. When we think of praise, however, we usually think of praise and worship or music. While all forms of musical praise are valuable, biblical praise encompasses so much more than simply singing praise songs or hymns in a worship service. Why is praising God so important? What are some of the significant forms of praising God that are commanded in Scripture? How does praising God benefit the believer?
Let s examine four ways that God commands His people to praise Him in Scripture. We Praise Him in Our Singing Psalm 92:1-4, NKJV 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, 3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. 4 For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph [sing for joy] in the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1 says that it is good to do two things. Question: What are the two things that this verse mentions? (1) to give thanks to the Lord, and (2) to sing praises to His name Praising God often takes these two forms in Scripture praising or worshipping Him for who He is (adoration) and expressing thanks or gratefulness for what He has done (thanksgiving). When we think about who God is, we usually think about His attributes or characteristics. Question: What are some of those attributes or characteristics for which we should praise God? [Consider asking your class to come up with attributes by using the alphabet. Some suggestions for each letter of the alphabet are given below.] Awesome, Able, All in All Beautiful, Blameless Compassionate Creative Deliverer, Defense 2 Near, Never-failing Omniscient, Omnipresent Powerful, Patient, Perfect Quiet, Quick We often think of what is described in verse one as a one-time event a time when we dedicated ourselves to the Lord in an intentional way. In fact, the word used for present is the same word that is used for presenting offerings and sacrifices in the Old Testament. The contrast, however, is in the type of sacrifice that is being offered. This offering is a living sacrifice. The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep sliding off the altar! Although we may yield ourselves to God in a special time of dedication, we are to continue offering ourselves to God day by day. The word used for service reinforces the purpose of this sacrifice. It can also be translated as worship, supporting the fact that our very lives are to be lived as an act of praise and worship. Verse 2 sheds light on this living sacrifice, showing us that the life we are to live is to be characterized in certain ways. Questions: What should NOT be true of us? What should be true of us? [We should not be conformed to this world. We should be transformed by the renewing of our minds.] Obviously this transformation process is something that begins at salvation and will continue until God calls us home. Although God s Holy Spirit does the transforming work in us, we are responsible to do what we can to see that our minds are renewed. Discussion: How does the world try to press us into its mold? [through advertising, television, movies, magazines, books, etc.] What are some of the world s ways that are contrary to God s ways? [materialism, greed, covetousness, preoccupation with self and appearance, sexual freedom] What are some spiritual disciplines or practices that can help renew our minds? [Bible reading, Bible study, Scripture memorization, prayer] 11
Matthew 23:23, NKJV 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. In this passage, Jesus does not condemn tithing, but He instead commends it as that which should be done. However, He does address the arrogance of the Pharisees, for while they faithfully tithed on every herb, they failed to give attention to the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faith. He was simply saying, You should do both! In addition to these established offerings, the people were also encouraged to give additional offerings as needed for the construction of the tabernacle or repairs for the temple (see Exodus 35 and 2 Kings 12). We will examine these special offerings in more detail in Lesson 3. We Praise Him in Our Living One other way we are encouraged to praise God is in our living how we walk before the Lord and live out His principles day by day. In fact, Scripture clearly encourages us to give our bodies as a sacrifice to the Lord. Romans 12:1-2, NKJV 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 10 Excellent, Eternal, Exalted Faithful, Flawless, Forgiving Good, Great, Gracious Holy, Humble, Healer Immortal, Immutable Just, Jealous Kind, King of Kings Loving, Living, Lord of lords Merciful, Mighty, Majestic 3 Righteous, Redeemer Strong, Sovereign Truth, Trustworthy Unchanging, Unsearchable Victorious warrior Wise, Wonderful, Worthy X-ray vision Yahweh, Yearns Zealous Scripture provides many different descriptions of God s character. The psalms are especially rich in enhancing our praise vocabulary. Encourage your class members to develop a glossary of terms used to describe God s nature and attributes that they can utilize when praising God. Psalm 92:1 specifically encourages God s people to sing praises to God, although the subsequent verses suggest that various types of musical instruments were to be used as well. Question: What are some hymns or praise choruses that exalt God for who He is? [Invite your class members to suggest some of their favorite hymns or praise choruses that give worship to God. Some suggestions are provided below.] Holy, Holy, Holy God Is So Good Great Is Thy Faithfulness On Holy Ground Come, Thou Almighty King I Sing Praises Praise Him! Praise Him! Majesty All Hail the Power of Jesus Name He Is Lord O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing Our God Reigns Crown Him with Many Crowns Mighty Is Our God Blessed Be the Name I Love You, Lord To God Be the Glory All Hail King Jesus [You may want to encourage someone who is musically inclined to lead the class in singing a praise chorus or hymn. Or you may want to play an appropriate song on a CD or audiotape player.]
One of the most fascinating stories in the Old Testament recounts the place of singing praises in bringing victory against the enemies of God s people. Read the following verses from 2 Chronicles 20 to see how God instructed the king and people to sing praises to Him in order to bring victory over their enemies. 2 Chronicles 20:1,14-22, NKJV 1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, 4 Another term used in Scripture is the word tithe speaking in reference to a tenth. In Old Testament times, the tenth was simply the beginning point (starting point) for giving to God. In reality, the Old Testament follower of God usually gave upwards of twenty percent of his income to God in offerings and sacrifices. When His people did not give God what He had commanded, He referred to their actions as robbing Him. Malachi 3:8-10, NKJV 8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Questions: How did the people rob God according to verse 8? [In tithes and offerings] What were the consequences of robbing God? [Being cursed by God] What did God command them to do in verse 10? [Bring all the tithes into the storehouse] What did God challenge them to do? [To test or try Him now in this] What did God promise to do for them if they would give Him what He had commanded? [To open the windows of heaven and pour out for them a blessing such that there would not be room enough to receive it] Discussion: Do you believe that this verse has application to us today? Why or why not? We find only two specific references to the tithe in the teachings of Jesus Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42. These references are two different ways of relating the same truth. 9
Name Burnt Grain Peace Sin Trespass O.T. References Purpose Lev. 1:3-17; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24 Lev. 2:1-16; 6:14-23 Lev. 3:1-17; 7:11-36 Lev. 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22 Lev. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10 Adapted from Life Application Study Bible (pages 171 and 203), The MacArthur Study Bible (pages158 and 185), and The NIV Study Bible (pages 150 and 176-177) These established offerings were to be given to God in acknowledgement of His greatness and in awareness that He was the provider of everything that anyone may possess. In fact, Scripture clearly teaches that these offerings were to be given first before anything else (Deuteronomy 18:4). 8 Voluntary act of worship; To make payment or atonement for sins in general Voluntary act of worship; To show honor and respect for God in worship, particularly God s goodness and provisions Voluntary act of worship; To express gratitude and thankfulness to God Mandatory payment or atonement for specific unintentional sins of uncleanness, neglect, or thoughtlessness; confession of sin; forgiveness of sin; cleansing from defilement Mandatory payment or atonement for unintentional sins against God and others requiring restitution; cleansing from defilement; A sacrifice was made to God and the injured person was repaid or compensated and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever. 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. Victory came as they sang praises. Praise is one of our most effective weapons against the enemy of our souls. Not only should we sing praises to God for His character, but we should also express thanks for what He has done for us. God has provided things for us as humans for which we can give Him thanks (sun, sky, flowers, rain, etc.), but He has also done things for us specifically (salvation, family, home, job, etc.). Question: Would anyone like to share some specific way God has blessed you for which you would like to give Him thanks? [Encourage folks to share briefly so that several are able to express their thanks to God.] Discussion: What are the benefits of expressing thanksgiving to God for what He has done for us? [lifts our spirits, takes our focus off our own situation, encourages humility as we recognize all God has done for us] We Praise Him in Our Praying Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 5
When the Lord Jesus gave His disciples a model prayer, He began and ended that prayer with praise. If that pattern has been given to us by Christ, then we would be wise to consider following that pattern in our own prayer life as well. Question: Where do we often begin our prayer times with the Lord? [Ask your class members to suggest the subjects that often become the focus of their prayer times.] We often tend to jump into prayer beginning with a shopping list of prayer requests for ourselves and others. Encourage your class members to consider praying according to this pattern: P raise (Psalm 33:1) R epent (1 John 1:9) A sk (Matthew 7:7-11) Y ou (Matthew 6:8) As we examine the prayers of God s people in Scripture, we often find that these prayers began with praise and thanksgiving before moving on to petition and supplication. Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) David (1 Chronicles 17:16-27) Solomon (1 Kings 8:22-53) Elijah (1 Kings 18:36-37) Encourage your class members to make a fresh commitment to begin each prayer time with praise and thanksgiving. As we do so, we follow the instruction given in Hebrews 13:15. Hebrews 13:15, NKJV 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Ask your class members to take a moment to pray silently expressing praise for one particular characteristic of God and saying thanks for one way God has blessed each of them. After a moment, lead the class in a prayer of adoration and thanksgiving. 6 We Praise Him in Our Giving From earliest Bible times, God s people brought gifts and sacrifices to Him as a way of expressing their thanks and submission to Him. Scripture records that Cain and Abel were the first ones to bring offerings to God (see Genesis 4:3-5). Even before the Law was instituted, people brought offerings to God: Noah Genesis 8:20-21 Abraham Genesis 22 Job Job 1:1,5 God did establish a pattern of offerings and sacrifices that were to be given by His people some daily, some as needed, and some for special feasts and celebrations. When God gave the law to Moses, He also gave Moses the regulations for these various offerings and sacrifices. One passage in Leviticus provides a summary of some of the offerings that were instituted by God through Moses. Leviticus 23:37-38, NKJV 37 These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day -- 38 besides the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD. The early chapters of Leviticus give details on the various types of offerings and sacrifices that the people were to give to God. Some of these offerings were mandatory, but some of them were voluntary. The words used to describe many of these offerings indicated that they were a sweet aroma to the LORD. They were a pleasing gift to Him that acknowledged Him as the LORD God. The chart shown below provides an overview of those offerings. 7