Skip to main content

7th/8th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Psalms – What are these for & why are there so many?! 1/26/22

 Small Group night

-          Topic intro

o   Psalms – The book of Psalms is a collection of different prayers & songs each evoking different emotions & experiences of what it means to be human. Some express outrageous joy & praise to the God who created & gave us life. Some give a voice to ways of being that instruct & inform us as people of faith. Some come from the darkness of life, honestly wrestling with what it means to live faithfully when suffering & sorrow are all around. Psalms teaches us to bring our whole selves to God, whether we are in joy or pain or anything in between.


Discussion starters:

 

-          If you had a soundtrack to your life, what would be the first song/title track?

 

-          What kinds of music do your parents listen to? What do you listen to? Is there any music you find in common?

 

-          Do you really think an ancient book of poetry can accurately describe the kinds of things we go through today?

-          What’s the easiest emotion to express? The hardest?

-          Are you comfortable sharing about how you’re honestly feeling at times? Or do you cover stuff up/bury it?

-          Who do you go to when you really need to talk about something? Do you talk to God about these kinds of things?

 

Bible talk:

 

-          Want to narrow your search? A few big topics to engage through the Psalms are

o   Psalm 3 Fear & Anxiety

o   Psalm 22 Pain/Hardship

o   Psalm 32 Confession/Forgiveness

o   Psalm 73 Doubt

 

-          Turn together to Psalm 1. Have a volunteer read it aloud.

o   God’s law = the Bible. What are some of the most important teachings we learn in the Bible? How might following God’s laws make someone prosper?

o   What do you think it means when the writer compares those who follow God’s laws with trees planted by water?

o   The Psalms talk a lot about both those who are happy & those who are wicked. How are those opposites? Do you think sometimes we have both of those happening in us? When have you struggled between those two options?

 

 

-          Now take a look at Psalm 13…

o   Why do you think such a sad Psalm is included in the Bible?

o   Why does the Psalm end with the writer saying he will sing to the Lord?


Activity ideas

Playlist – Many of the Psalms were, and still are, songs. Check out Youtube or Spotify and see what psalm songs you can find.

 

So many Psalms!!! – Just take time to flip through some Psalms & browse. Let kids know they can highlight, underline or sticky note Psalms that resonate with them.

 

Hit it – Alright band, it’s your time to shine. Compose a song (psalm) to God expressing something your group is feeling. I dare you to record a performance of it!

 

Title Track – For each of the Psalms on this list, come up with a song title for it, or draw something inspired by what you read. (Reading the Psalm will help J)

            -Psalm 1

            -Psalm 22

            -Psalm 23

            -Psalm 46

            -Psalm 51

            -Psalm 62

            -Psalm69

            -Psalm 84

            -Psalm 121

            -Psalm 127

 

 

Ok is Psalms starting to sound really weird when you say it now or is it just me?






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Envelopes for Youth Missions & Experiences

  Envelopes for youth missions and experiences We are deeply saddened at the news of the Youth Gathering being canceled. However, you can still support our young people by contributing to our youth missions and experiences fund.    Take an envelope numbered with the amount you’d like to contribute.  -         Place your donation (checks to Prince of Peace, “youth fundraiser” memo) in the envelope and turn it in to the office. -         Keep the card inside and write the amount of your contribution for your records We don't want to sell you anything you don't need. This is a faithful ask for an investment in the faith lives of our young people. Your support will make a life changing experiences possible.    To contribute from afar, simply email or call Brent (brenth@princeofpeacechurch.org, 763-560-8958 leave a message) with the amount you pledge to contribute & send it in to church by the en...
Post a Comment
Read more

11/17/21 7th & 8th gr. Judges

  7 th /8 th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Judges – I don’t know what Judges are at all.                            11/17/21 Hi Guides & families!   Here is this week's content.  Activity ideas are on the back. Remember Highs & Lows & prayers!   v   LargeGroup (6:30) -           Topic intro o    Judges – Despite all that God had done for His people including giving them commandments to live by, they continually strayed & did wrong (sound like anyone you know?). So God began raising up leaders to help them sort out problems & make wise decisions. Some judges were good at pointing people back to right ways of living & some were, well, not so good. o    Think about this: If you could ask only one person for advice in life, who would it be & ...
Post a Comment
Read more

12/1/21 7th/8th Grade: Ruth & Esther

  -           Topic intro o    Ruth & Esther, two of the very few named women in the Bible. The stories of these two amazing individuals show us how God’s covenant is big enough for everyone, even those we would consider outsiders or enemies AND that God is at work even if we as humans don’t name or acknowledge God. God’s work is not dependent upon human behavior. o    Take aways: God’s covenant is big enough to include everyone, even outsiders & enemies. God remains in relationship with God’s people, even if God isn’t mentioned by name.   Discussion starters: Begin by reading the introduction page to each book. (Maybe choose one to read in its entirety later on your own!) -           Who are some of the influential women in your life? In our world today?   -           Whose voices and ideas get the ...
Post a Comment
Read more