Discussion Guide
This week’s message challenged us to consider what it really means to live a blessed life. We often define blessings by what makes our lives easier, happier, or more comfortable, but God offers us something deeper. Psalm 1 shows us that a blessed life involves both what we walk away from and what we walk toward. As we learn to delight in God and His Word, He grows something in us that circumstances alone cannot produce. Our goal isn't simply to receive more blessings, but to find our greatest blessing in God Himself.
What you will need:
A Bible or Bible app, a notebook or paper, highlighter and or a pen.
(Scripture references are included for easy access.)
Jump Start
1. Quickly name three things you consider a blessing. They can be big or small! (Examples: pumpkin spice lattes, coffee, pets, football, vacations, or finding a front-row parking spot.)
2. We use the word blessed in all kinds of ways, from saying “bless your heart” to “blessed and highly favored” to saying “bless you” when someone sneezes! What do you think it actually means to live a blessed life? Do you think your definition has changed throughout different seasons of your life?
3. Read Psalm 1:1. What stands out to you about the fact that David begins describing a blessed person by talking about what they don't do? Why do you think avoiding certain things is part of living a blessed life? Why do you think we're sometimes tempted to get as close to a boundary as possible instead of keeping our distance?
4. Read John 10:10. Jesus contrasts what the thief comes to do with the life He came to give. What are some things the world promises will make us happy or fulfilled but can actually leave us more broken? (Consider things like chasing status or money, sexual sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, or substance abuse.) How can we recognize when something we are pursuing is taking us further from the life Jesus offers?
5. Read Psalm 1:2. Verse 1 describes what a blessed person avoids, while verse 2 describes what they pursue. What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord? How is that different from simply reading the Bible because we feel like we are supposed to? Have you ever avoided a spiritual discipline because it didn't come naturally to you?
6. Read Psalm 1:3, 37:4. David compares the person who delights in God to a tree planted by streams of water. What do you think this picture teaches us about the importance of staying rooted in God, especially when life gets difficult? How does delighting in God change the way we understand our desires? What might faithfulness look like in a season when you aren't seeing much fruit yet?
Action Step
This week, identify one spiritual discipline you want to grow in—reading Scripture, prayer, worship, or another practice. Choose one practical way to make room for it in your daily life. Rather than approaching it as another item on your to-do list, ask God to help you draw closer to Him through it. Also, take some time to consider whether there is anything you need to walk away from because it is pulling you away from God and the life He desires for you. Remember, the goal isn't to earn God's blessing by doing everything perfectly. It's to keep turning toward Him and allow Him to shape your heart as you walk with Him.
Deeper Dive (Optional)
Read Matthew 6:31–33, Galatians 5:22–23.
How does seeking God's kingdom first change our priorities and our understanding of what it means to be blessed? How does the fruit of the Spirit help us recognize the kind of growth God is producing in our lives? Looking back over your life, can you identify a season when God was growing something in you that you didn't recognize until later?