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Read Romans 5:1-5

Reflect: How are the members of the Trinity involved in our justification?

The Gospel is taught to be extremely valuable and irreplaceable, as it offers wisdom and teahings unlike anything else. Since we are justified through faith, we have peace and hope with God and Jesus Christ, which the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts.

Respond: Write a prayer in response to this passage's incredible message of hope.

Dear God,
Although I'm tired and don't even want to be here, I pray that You teach me and invoke curiosity for Your Word. Show me the importance of the Gospel and the value  that cannot be found anywhere else.

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Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reflect: According to this passage, what is God’s teleology (end goal) for giving us his word? Before this, what did you think was God’s purpose for the Bible? How might this change the way you read the Bible?

God’s teleology is that the man must be equipped for every good work. Before this, I thought that God’s purpose was to create and shape our understandings of how we ought to live our lives. After reading this passage, I’m able to recognize the Bible more as a tool and guidebook, rather than a manual or instruction booklet. Especially by changing this perspective of the Bible, it completely shifts my understanding and reading of his Word.

Respond: Write a haiku capturing the main idea of this passage.

The guide throughout life
God is our greatest teammate
The Bible is a tool

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Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reflect: How does Paul describe the way Scripture came to be? Why does he use this analogy? Describe the way this description of God’s word impacts your confidence in the Bible.

Paul describes that Scripture came to be by “God’s Breath.” I believe he uses this analogy because of how his “breath” is simply so powerful that it brings in all of Scripture with just his breath. It’s fascinating how they describe God’s handiwork and usefulness in how he creates Scripture, and how that becomes a tool for the rest of the world to use.

Respond: Write a prayer talking to God about your confidence or lack thereof in his word, the Bible.

Dear God,
Please help me with my confidence and understanding of your Word. It becomes immensely difficult and annoying sometimes to try to stay diligent and faithful with study and reading my Bible. Help me to truly value the things in the Bible and realize the sacred and precious information that it holds. Amen.

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Personal Application -> 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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Personal Application -> 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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Based off of the passage, I believe that we can receive the application of training. The point of training is to refine and specific craft and to get better at it. The idea of training with the Bible so that we may get better at understanding, learning, and applying. His scripture is “profitable,” therefore there’s nothing to lose when reading his Word.

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Read: Psalm 19

Reflect: After spending some time meditating on this psalm, what encouraged you the most? How is it an encouragement for you?

I would say that this Psalm is honestly reassuring and comforting in the sense that is explains how God is always in control and how everything revolves around him. This is very encouraging just to know and understand that God’s has everything under control, even when it may seem like he doesn’t.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences to God praising him for the difference he makes in your life

Thank you God for making a difference in my life. Though it may be tedious and annoying at times, I pray that you help me understand and apply all that I’m learning into my life, so that I may become a better person and Christian.

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Read: Psalm 19:7-11

Reflect: Why does the Psalmist compare God’s Law to gold and honey? What has been your personal experience with God’s word? Why do you think this is the case?

The Psalmist compares God’s Law to gold and honey because back in those days, gold and honey were extremely rare and valuable in their society. By bringing in a simile, the Psalmist is trying to highlight the importance and greatness and God’s Law. Personally God’s word has definitely been a challenge because of I feel that it’s very tough to stay consistent and diligent while walking with God. Especially this day and age, where there are so many distractions, it’s frustrating and difficult to stay completely focused on God. In addition, I believe that it’s personally tough to read his word because it can be confusing or boring at times.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences asking God for what you need for His word to become like gold and honey to you.

Dear God, please help me to realize how valuable your Word is to me. I realize that there actually is so much wisdom and great advice in the tough word of the Bible. Help me to understand and realize that your Word is something more valuable than anything this world has to offer.

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Read Psalm 19

Reflect : How does the opening verse and the closing verse make the structure of this psalm an inclusio? What does this inclusio teach is about how we are to live? What specific changes would you need to make in your life to live this way?

I would say that the first and last verse almost “overlap,” to create an inclusio, because of how both sentences introduce and close revolving around the topic of God’s greatness. We are to live and strive to be like God, even though it’s impossible. We are to be righteous through reading his word and trying to apply his wisdom into our lives. By spending more time in his word, we can learn so much from what he has to offer.

Respond : Write a few sentences asking God to help you make these changes in your life.

Dear God, please help me to truly follow through. Reading and understanding are the easier parts of the process, but applying them is most definitely the toughest part. Though it many be frustrating and annoying at times, I pray that you give me the patience and diligence to keep trying and striving to be more like you everyday. Help me make changes in my life that will be long lasting and helpful towards my spiritual growth.

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Read: Psalm 19

Reflect: What does the psalmist say about what the scriptures do for a person? What are some of his descriptions of God’s word? What do you think about the Bible? Be honest.

The Psalmist explains that scripture massively benefits the person reading it as it explains how it "replenishes the soul, enlightens the eyes, & is much sweeter than honey." The Psalmist uses these incredibly specific pieces of imagery in order to help us understand that the scripture gives us something that nothing else can give us. I personally think that the Bible is helpful but very tough to read. I feel that it takes lots of concentration and deep comprehension that can only be developed over time, in order to fully soak in what the Bible is saying.

Respond: What could you compare God’s word to? Write down a few things using the pattern of the psalm.

I would compare God's word to something along the lines of a card written by someone very wise. God's words are truly unlike anything else, which is something that is not easily understood. It takes much time to sit in God's word and think about how this makes sense. Then the tougher part is applying it to your life.  In the Psalm, I recognized patterns such as lots of repetition. Lord, I know you understand my struggles. I know you understand my pains. I know you understand my happiness. I know you understand my frustration. I know you understand me. Help me as I journey through this tough game of life.

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Read Psalm 19

Reflect: How many sections are there in this Psalm? What are the main themes of each division? Which section stands out to you more and why?

I would say that there are about 3-4 sections in this Psalm. The main themes of each division would consist of God’s handiwork, The Law of the Lord, Declarations and Discerns, and God’s words of wisdom. I would say God’s words of wisdom at the end stand out to me the most because of how it’s fascinating how they word the sentences and create a visual understanding and perception for the readers.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences talking to God about what stood out to you.

I would say the descriptions in which they describe the Lord is personally very fascinating to me. The greatest thing that we’re ever be able to experience. Thinking about something so great that we have yet to experience.

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Read: Psalm 19

Reflect: What is Creation doing? How does it do that? Why do you think not everyone hears what it is saying?

Creation is making things beautiful and also allowing us to God’s handiwork and incredible design through creating these things we see everyday. As Creation is essentially revolving around God, we can infer that Creation is created in the Image of God in a sense. I believe that as a Christian, you’re able to have a deeper sense and appreciation for what God had made, especially the things around us. But on the contrary, many people doesn’t hear what this passage is saying because they don’t fully depend and know God enough, in order to appreciate and love him fully.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences describing to God what Creation is telling you about him.

I realized that Creation is a tool in which God used in order to exploit his beauty and creativity. Also for us humans to enjoy everyday and be thankful that we’re apart of his journey. Through the metaphors in the Psalm, they compare Creation to valuable items such as “flowing honey,” or “fine gold” it focuses on the value of the incredible amount of value in these simply yet beautiful pieces of Creation. Through all of these incredible designs, it shows a glimpse of God’s beauty.

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Read: Psalm 19

Reflect: What is the message of the psalm as a whole? What in the psalm stood out to you or tugged on your heart? What reflections about God can you take with you today?

God is with us at all times and is always there whenever we need him. In addition, it describes the Lord as pure, righteous, but also a servant king. It was personally fascinating of hearing the distinctions between the purity of God and the sinfulness of the Psalmist.  I think that I can reflect upon my own sinful nature and truly understand how God is the only solution that can cure me.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences to share with God your thoughts about this psalm.

Honestly God, this Psalm becomes very difficult and frustrating for me to understand. Due to the fact that there’s simply so much going on for me to comprehend at once, it becomes a bit overwhelming. Give me the patience and understanding to to focus and break this passage down, so that I can apply it into my life.

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Read: Psalms 1 and 2

Reflect: How does the last line of Psalm 2 act as the conclusion to Psalms 1 and 2? What structure is this? How does the first line of Psalm 1 explain the word refuge in the last line of Psalm 2? What is God calling you to do?

The last line of Psalm 2 acts as a conclusion for the first 2 Psalms because it explains a bit about those who take refuge in him and those who do not take refuge in him. The structure of the Psalm would be inclusio, due to the fact that it’s repeating the same idea over and over, so that the audience is more likely to remember. (Sandwhich) In Psalm 1, the word refuge is centered around the idea of putting our trust and faith in him, so that we may be safe within God. By putting our worries onto God, it relieves us spiritually and emotionally, so that we may be able to live for him. God is initially calling us to take refuge in him and put our trust, worries, faith, and everything onto God.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences talking to God about your response to these 2 psalms.

Dear God, though these Psalms may be a bit confusing for me, I pray that I really take these Psalms to heart. Help me to spend more time in your word and stay focused on you through the storm. By truly reflecting upon these words and applying it to my life, I pray that you give me the patience and effort to stay consistent in your word and stay strong through prayer. Amen.

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Read: Psalm 2

Reflect: What idea stood out to you in the last section of Psalm 2? What word of advice does the Psalmist give at the end of the psalm?

In the last section of Psalm 2, it fascinated me how it said, "serve the Lord with fear." The Psalmist tells us to be wise with our actions and emotions.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences asking God to help you develop a heart of submission to his son, Jesus.

Dear God, help me to develop a heart of patience and submission to Jesus. It often becomes so difficult to truly focus on the things that really matter, but give me the wisdom and focus to look at you through all things.

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Read: Psalm 2

Reflect: According to the third section of this psalm, what kind of king will this Anointed One be? How does that escalate the promise God made to Judah (Gen 49:9-10) and David (2 Sam 7:11-16)?

The Anointed One will be an all-powerful, wise king. He’s a strong king that rulers over everything. God promises Judah that he would be a ruler over many generations and other kings. This escalates the promise God made to Judah because it brings his kingdom faster with a better leader.

Respond: Using the concepts from this psalm, write a haiku praising Jesus, the Anointed One.

5 Jesus, Praise the Lord
7 Be open, he’s at your door
5 God is your best mentor

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Read: Psalm 2

Reflect: How the psalmist create irony with the way he describes Yahweh compared to the kings? How does your image of God compare to this image?

It becomes very ironic the way that he describes YAHWEH compared to the kings, because the kings believe that they’re all so powerful, but God is so much greater than all of them. It becomes ironic because the kings don’t realize this yet. Personally, God is thing almighty guy that watches over all of us every day which is comforting.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences asking God to help you see him as the psalm describes him to be.

Please help me God see you the way that you would like me to see you. It has recently been very difficult lately with everything going on, so please help me endure through this and give me strength to finish well.

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Read: Psalm 2

Reflect: What are the nations doing in the beginning of the psalm? Why do they do this? How is this a natural result of someone living lick the wicked person from Psalm 1?

In the beginning of the psalm, the nations are rebelling and fighting against God. They do this because they’re so caught up in the worldly desires and believe that they’re equal or better than God himself. This ends up becoming a natural result of a wicked person because of how it becomes foolish to believe that we’re anywhere near God in any way.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences to God asking him to give you reason to trust him fully with your life.

Dear God, please help me to trust you more often and more dependently as I commonly lean on my own understanding. Help me to realize that I can’t do everything on my own.

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Reflect: What is the message of the psalm as a whole? What in the psalm stood out to you or tugged on your heart? What reflections about God can you take with you today?

The message of the Psalm as a whole is talking about the rebellion and disobedience of the people. As God is extremely patient, he does believe that there’s a specific time for discipline. It stood out to me that we should “fear God.” Not completely sure what that means. But I learned that God is always a loving God that will never leave us through thick and thin.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences to share with God your thoughts about this psalm.

Slightly confused and not too sure about the content of the passage, but it does become evident that God is definitely a loving and caring God that allows us to accept who we are and understand that we can find value in him.

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Reflect: If God “knows” the way of the righteous because they live the way he lives, then what do the lives of the wicked and sinners look like? What do you think is the foundational motivation in their lives?

The lives of the wicked and sinners probably don’t live like God or the righteous. I think that their foundational motivation in their lives would be “worldly things,” such as fame, money, popularity, things like that.

Respond: Write a prayer asking God to show you how he is better than, more beautiful than, and more loving than anything and anyone else.

Dear God, please help me understand and try to comprehend the best I can. Help me to lean on you and depend on you when I need something.

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Reflect: How are vv 5-6 connected with the previous sections? What does it mean that God “knows” the way of the righteous? Why will the way of the wicked perish?

Versus 5-6 elaborate and go into more a type of deepening of the word. Throughout the entire Psalm, we see a sort of synthetical dynamic in the story. “God knows the way of the righteous, means that he truly is righteous. The way of the wicked will perish because the wicked don’t have God’s help. The wicked person also doesn’t have a stable source to depend on such as God.

Respond: Ask God to develop a growing intimacy with the way of the righteous within you OR ask him to grow a desire to grow in the way of the righteous within you.

Please help my God to develop my understanding and desire to learn your ways.

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Reflect: Using the Psalmist’s metaphors of tree and chaff (look it up if you don’t know what it is), write down as many differences as you can between a righteous man and a wicked one. Which type of life is more appealing to you and why?

The righteous man :
- planted by streams of water
- yields its fruit in its season
- he prospers in all that he does

The wicked man :
- withers
- are like chaff that the wind drives away

I would have to say that the righteous man is more appealing to me because of how the righteous man seems more stable and matured in God.

Respond: Write a short prayer asking God to help you deepen your appreciation of his word.

Dear God, give me patience and appreciation for me to understanding what you’re saying. I pray that even though it’s complicated and confusing, I wouldn’t give up on trying to understand.

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Reflect: What are the two types of deepenings that are described in these two verses? Which one of these two deepenings is occurring in your own life?

I’m able to recognize 1 deepening towards God, and the other one moving away from God. Currently, I would have to admit that currently I’m moving away from God at the moment.

Respond: Let God know what it would take for you to stop going in the deepening away from him OR let God know what would help you continue in the deepening towards him.

I think with all the school chaos and a lot of my personal insecurities, it makes it really tough for me to focus on God. I really try my best to get to a closer relationship with God but it becomes so hard to stay focused and stay diligent with God’s Word.

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Reflect: The key difference between a righteous person and a wicked person in God’s eyes, is that the righteous person dwells in the Lord and finds his worth and strength from the man up above. People who see their worth in God is so important due to the fact that we often get so distracted about “worldly values,” that we forget the main purpose.

Respond: Dear God, though I often have no idea what I’m reading at times, I pray that you give me patience, diligence, and understanding over time, so that I will be able to grasp your insights of your words.

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Reflect: This Psalm talks about how God knows us better than we know ourselves

Respond: Dear God, help me stay diligent and faithful this school year and stay away from as many distractions as possible.

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This passage says a lot about my current worth because it explains that our worth isn’t based on the worldly things, but our worth is based off of how God sees us.

This Psalm really emphasizes the importance of how we view ourselves and we ought to view others.

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Reflect: Life is never easy and we all wish we had a different life. Does the psalm give us hope? Why or why not?

I guess the psalm does give us hope, because it explains how God understands what we’re going through and he also  knows our mental state.

Respond: Write a couple of sentences letting God know how you feel about this.

I feel that it almost gives me a sense of comfort, knowing that God understands what I’m going through. It’s also relieving because I can talk to him whenever and he’ll fully understand.

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Reflect: Ask questions of the Psalm. Which verses are difficult for you to understand? What questions can you ask of those verses that you think would help you understand them better? Write down your questions

What does the phrase “fearfully made,” mean?
What is the meaning of verse 15?
What does verse 17 mean?

Respond: Write a prayer asking God to give you answers to your questions and understanding of his message to you through the Psalm.

Dear God, as I read this passage, I often get lost and have no idea what a lot of this means. But I pray that you would give the patience and guidance in order for me to understand and see from a different perspective what your words are saying in this passage. Amen.