The Church Praises God

1 Based on what has happened with you since the last time we met, what is something you are thankful for?

2 What has stressed you out this week, and what do you need for things to be better?

3 What are the needs of the people in your community, and how can we help each other meet the needs we’ve expressed?

4 What was the story last time we met? What did we learn about God and people?

5 In our last meeting, you decided to apply what you learned. What did you do, and how did it go?

6 Who did you share something with from the last story? How did they respond?

7 We identified several needs last time we met and planned to meet those needs. How did it go?

8 Now, let's read today's story from God...

¹ I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. ² I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. ³ Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. ⁴ Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. ⁵ I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. ⁶ Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. ⁷ Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. ⁸ The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. ⁹ The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. ¹⁰ All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. ¹¹ They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. ¹² They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. ¹³ For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. ¹⁴ The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. ¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. ¹⁶ When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. ¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. ¹⁸ The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. ¹⁹ He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. ²⁰ The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked. ²¹ I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.

1 Now, let’s have someone retell this passage in their own words, as though they were telling a friend who has never heard it. Let's help them if they leave anything out or add anything by mistake. If that happens we can ask, "Where do you find that in the story?"

2 What does this story teach us about God, his character, and what he does?

3 What do we learn about people, including ourselves, from this story?

4 What do we learn from this story about being the church?

5 How will you apply God's truth from this story in your life this week? What is a specific action or thing you will do?

6 Who will you share a truth from this story with before we meet again? Do you know others who would also like to discover God's word in this app like we are?

7 As our meeting comes to a close, let's decide when we will meet again and who will facilitate our next meeting.

8 We encourage you to make note of what you said you will do, and to re-read this story in the days before we meet again. The facilitator can share the story text or audio if anyone doesn't have it. As we go, let's ask the Lord to help us.