BONUS SESSION

Getting Out the Good News

The Blessing of the Obedient Life

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 112:1-10, tniv

Session Truth:

There is great delight and fulfillment in obeying God.

Session in Context

In the midst of sessions on ethics, stewardship, and evangelism, it would be easy to be overcome by a sense of duty and even failure because of the gravity of God’s expectations. It is important for us to understand the great blessing, joy, and fulfillment that come from obedience. Psalm 112 is like many psalms contrasting the blessing of the righteous with the punishment of the wicked. However, this psalm gives far more emphasis to the joy of obedience.

Session Goals:

To rediscover the joy and blessing of living in obedience to God.

To commit to passing the blessed life to the next generation.

To celebrate the blessings that belong to those who trust and obey.

Key Scripture Ideas

Introduction

God’s people need to be reminded of the blessings of obedience. In this psalm we have a creative expression of the gifts that come to the obedient children of God. Psalm 112 is one of several acrostic poems in the Book of Psalms. Each line begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The result is a delightful song of encouragement. There is joy in following God!

Conditions for Blessings (Psalm 112:1, tniv)

This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm. It is a psalm of praise. The first word is Hallelu Yah (“Praise the Lord”). This placed emphasis on the theme of praise.

We are to praise God because of the blessings that come to “those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands” (Psalm 112:1, tniv). Notice the two pairs of coordinating ideas contained in this verse. Those who fear the Lord are blessed; those who do the commands of God find great delight. So, the idea of obeying commands is paired with the idea of being blessed and finding great delight. There is a repetition of ideas here. Fearing the Lord does not mean being afraid of God. It means having reverence and respect for God. This is displayed by living to please God. The idea is not that the child of God would read the laws of God and smile, but rather that the child of God would do the commands of God, and in doing them find joy and blessing.

In today’s way of popular thinking, this seems absurd. In the secular world, delight comes from getting your own way and living as you please. The psalmist, however, praised God for an alternative way of living—one that found “great delight” in obedience.

The Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 112:2-9, tniv)

The next section of the psalm lists the specific ways in which God blesses those who respect Him and follow His commands. The blessings of a righteous people will be passed on to their sons and daughters (vv. 2-3). As verses 4 and 7 suggest, “Darkness” and “bad news” will come to the righteous; however, they will remain victorious because their wealth and riches are ultimately found in God (vv. 4, 7). The generous will receive the same treatment that they show to others (v. 5). It is another version of the Golden Rule (see Matthew 7:12). The righteous will be “remembered forever” (v. 6).

The obedient will not be shaken or afraid of what may come. By faithfully living in the way of God, they have demonstrated trust in the goodness of God. Despite whatever happened to them, they could cling to the God in whom they trusted. Therefore, they possessed security in an insecure world.

Those who help the poor (v. 9) and are concerned about what concerns God will see that they also will be remembered. They will receive dignity like that which they granted the poor. That is the meaning of “his horn will be lifted high in honor” (v. 9). Tremendous benefit is found in obeying the commands of God.

The Other Side of the Story (Psalm 112:10, tniv)

We are not given as much detail about the fate of the disobedient as we are about the righteous. Three clauses are sufficient to understand the contrast between the two groups. The disobedient will see how God exalts the righteous and become angry (v. 10a). Rather than being “remembered forever” (v. 6), they will “waste away” (v. 10b). Finally, although the righteous may expect what is “good” (v. 5) and “triumph on their foes” (v. 8), “the longings of the wicked will come to nothing” (v. 10c).

Which camp describes where you are presently? Are you experiencing joy and blessing or anger and jealousy? What God expects from His people (i.e., His commands) are for our good. He wants the best for us. Yet, He allows us to choose which life we will live.

1 engage interest

The Relationship of Joy and Obedience

Show a poster or a transparency with the quote, “Joy is the serious business of heaven,” and ask the class to discuss its meaning and significance for us now.
M If your Christian life is a journey, are you having fun yet? Why, or why not?
Sing a couple songs emphasizing joy in serving Christ.

As a class, share how you would explain to a pre-Christian friend the benefits of following God.

2 explore the word

Conditions for Blessings (Psalm 112:1, tniv)

Why does the psalmist praise the Lord? What does it means to “fear the Lord”?

How does an individual find “great delight in [God’s] commands”?

According to v. 1, what kind of person is “blessed”? (one who delights in obeying God)

The Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 112:2-9, tniv)

How does a person’s obedience to God’s commands affect his or her children or family? (v. 2)

Are the righteous blessed with “wealth and riches”? How? (v. 3)

How does verse 4 relate to verse 3? How does an individual experience darkness and at the same time possess “wealth and riches”? Describe in your own words the promise of verse 4.

What is the significance of being “remembered forever”? (v. 6)

Why will the righteous not fear “bad news”? (vv. 7-8)

What determines whether someone is exalted by God.

The Other Side of the Story (Psalm 112:10, tniv)

What will the wicked see that will cause them to be “vexed” (angry)? (vv. 9-10)

In this psalm, what stands in contrast to the description of the wicked?

What is the future for the wicked?

3 examine life

Where Is the Joy?

Ask the class to discuss the ways Christian joy can be sapped out of our lives.

What can we do to prevent this?

Our culture seems to be addicted to the pursuit of happiness. How does the world’s understanding of happiness differ from that of a Christian?

Is happiness a goal that you work toward, or is it simply the outcome of our relationship with God? (See v. 1.)

What is needed to pass the blessed life on to the next generation?

Share examples of people finding security and confidence in God, despite life’s hardships. How is this possible?

How can we choose joy? What is the source of joy?

4 exercise your faith

Rediscover and Share Your Joy

Ask class members to ask themselves, “Is the joy of the Lord truly my strength? If not, why not?” What could you do to make that psalm true for you?

Open the class for testimonies of the joy of God at work in their lives.

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