Study Questions for August 3, 2025

Read Psalm 51 but focusing on verse 1-12

Based on Psalm 51:1-2 and 2 Samuel 12:8-14, how does David’s confession reflect his understanding of sin?  How can we apply this understanding to our own lives when we recognize and confess our sins?  (cf 51:17)


Psalm 51:1-2 emphasizes God’s mercy and compassion in response to David’s plea for forgiveness. How does this passage, along with Nathan’s response in 2 Samuel 12:13, illustrate God’s character in dealing with sin? Discuss how this encourages us to approach God with our own shortcomings.

According to 2 Samuel 12:10-14, David’s sin had significant consequences despite God’s forgiveness. How do we reconcile the reality of God’s forgiveness with the ongoing consequences of sin in our lives? Share examples of how actions can have lasting impacts even after seeking forgiveness. Should God's forgiveness include the negation of consequences?  Does the experience of consequences after forgiveness is received violate God's character?

The sermon outline highlights the lament structure of Psalm 51:1-12 (Petition for Help, Description of Trouble, Restatement of Plea for Help). How does this structure guide David’s prayer, and what can we learn from it to shape our own prayers when seeking God’s help in times of personal failure or distress?

Could you write a practical purpose statement of Psalm 51 from your understanding? In other words, what does God want the readers of Psalm 51 to do with it?

Posted in

Categories

Archive

 2025

Recent