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A Song for When You Feel Empty (Psalm 63)

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask group members:

  • Would you rather spend a day in the desert without a water bottle, or a day in the snowy mountains without a coat?

Over this term we’re looking at a series from the Bible’s song book, the Psalms, as we seek to navigate life together, looking to God in the variety of seasons we face.

Ask for a volunteer to read Psalm 63 to the group, praying a short prayer that – however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.

Watch

Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.

Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)

Psalm 63 is a poetic expression of David’s feelings and hopes.

  • How do David’s physical surroundings reflect his inner longings and feelings?

In the video, we saw that as the people made sacrifices in the sanctuary, they were reminded that they deserved death – but that God had made drawing near to Him possible.

  • How would David have experienced God’s power, glory and love (verses 2-3) whilst worshipping in the sanctuary?

David looked to the sanctuary. Christians look to Jesus’ death to be reminded of God’s love, power and glory.

  • David sings in the shadow of God’s wings. What strikes you about this metaphor, given his circumstances?
  • David is confident that God won’t let his enemies ultimately beat him (verses 9-11). How can Jesus give us similar confidence?
  • When you feel empty or dry, how do you tend to respond? How does David’s song illustrate a better way?
  • What does Psalm 63 teach us about who God is and how he works?

After Israel were freed from Egypt, God commanded Moses to build a tent so that God could be approached in worship. This tent went by several names, including ‘the tent of meeting’, ‘the tabernacle’ and ‘the sanctuary’.

The sanctuary served as the portable room of God. Every detail taught the people something of God’s character. By David’s day, it had come to rest in Jerusalem. It was the place where God would live amongst and meet his people, primarily through an intricate God-given system of priests and sacrifices.

These sacrifices had overlapping functions (described in Leviticus 1-7) but together they reminded Israel of the severity of sin, and the way in which God’s forgiveness depended on another dying in their place. So these sacrifices weren’t a means of humans trying to somehow appease God, but something God had provided so that people can be made right with, and draw near to him.

The sanctuary was eventually replaced by a permanent structure, the temple (built by David’s son, Solomon). Both the sanctuary and the temple were fulfilled by Jesus, our perfect sacrifice. When Jesus died, he provided complete satisfaction for the sins of the world. Because we are declared righteous through Jesus’ atoning blood, every obstacle to friendship with God has been removed. Jesus’ death proves beyond doubt that God’s love is better even than life.

Impacting Our Hearts (15 minutes)

  • Imagine your physical surroundings matched your current feelings and longings. What kind of place would you be in?
  • However you’re feeling, how does Psalm 63 call you to come to Jesus today?

Spend some time praying for one another off the back of what you’ve shared.

If you’re able to sing in your group time, why not consider some of the following songs: You Never Let Go, He Will Hold Me Fast or Blessed Assurance.

Impacting the University (10 minutes)

David pictures the love of God as satisfying and life-giving.

  • In what simple ways could your group demonstrate this love to other people this week, especially if exams and deadlines are on the horizon?

Some ideas to get you started:

  • Offer to cook for your flatmates as a “check in” to see how they’re all doing in a busy term. Could you do this with someone from your impact group?
  • Buy a drink for someone who needs one.
  • As a group, organise a revision break walk at lunchtime with your course mates.
  • Find a time this weekend to take an afternoon off and organise something fun with your flatmates.

Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮

Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.

Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.

Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?

Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.

See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!