The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Blessed Are the Merciful (2|3)
The Hope of Hospitality
• January 7-8, 2017, Durham, North Carolina
Pages 186-191
TOGETHER read the book (END READING AT: ...my head thou dost with oil, anoint, and my cup overflows) and discuss the content below.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out (try to keep it brief).
Psalm 23 (NIV)
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
When it comes to change we don’t start with relationships or culture or things out there. We start with ourselves. We start where we are. We start as soon as we feel convicted by our sin. We start regardless of what the people around us do or don’t do.
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
Watch/Listen to the video below. It might not be your cup of tea stylistically or sonically but take in the words. Quiet your thoughts and get into a comfortable position. If it helps close your eyes and imagine David writing and singing a Psalm to an audience of one.
What is your response to this song?
Not everyone has the gift of writing poetry and music but if you were to write your own Psalm to the Lord what might it be like?
Pray the prayer below or wite a prayer/psalm (song of worship) to the Lord in your journal (or do both):
“Dear Father, please open my eyes and heart by your Spirit, that I might see the glories of your Son in every detail that unfolds by your providence today.”
EXTRA READING:
“Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.”
- Paul David Hewson, better known by the stage name: Bono (born 1960)