Psalm 130
This Week’s Main Idea:
What makes the gospel glorious is not the specific sins we were saved from, but Who we were saved for: the gracious, good, and merciful God.
Icebreaker:
What is the most memorable redemption story you have ever heard?
Introduction:
Every testimony of conversion to Christ is a testimony of God’s grace. No matter what your specific situation, if you have trusted in Christ for salvation, God has miraculously transferred you from death to life.
Read Psalm 130:1-2.
- What comes to mind when you think about “the depths” the psalmist refers to here? Has there been a time in your life when you cried out to God like this? What thoughts or emotions did you experience the most during that time?
- How aware are you of your sin, God’s holiness, and God’s mercy? As you grow as a Christian, how do you think your awareness of these truths might change?
Read Psalm 130:3-4.
- According to these verses, what is God like? How does this square up with popular cultural ideas about God? (How does this square up with the way God is described in our church?)
- According to verse 4, what is a primary reason why God forgives sin? How do you feel about this?
Read Psalm 130:5-8.
- If the psalmist is sure of his forgiveness, what is he now waiting for (v.6)? How might we “wait for the Lord” differently today?
- According to verses 7-8, what is the natural response to a newfound forgiveness from God and intimacy with God?
Taking it Home:
- Do you find you have a growing awareness of your sin, the holiness of God, and His grace? Does your awareness of one seem to grow more easily than another?
- What is something in your own redemption story that could encourage others to “hope in the LORD” (v.7)?
Suggested prayer:
Heavenly Father, in light of who You are and what You are like, we have been wicked and twisted—but still You have shown us love and kindness and mercy and grace! Give us a deeper awareness of our sin and your holiness, and use that to show us even more clearly just how amazing Your mercy and grace truly are. Free us from the things that weigh us down and the sin that clings to us, to live our lives in a way that proclaims Your glory and goodness to the world around us.
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
Joshua 6:15-25; Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 32; 1 Samuel 25; Romans 4:1-8; Galatians 2:20-3:14.