It is human to long and search for happiness. Society today spends a large amount of time seeking the answer. A recent Ted Talks presenter revealed the results of an ongoing study entitled, Harvard Study of Adult Development. The study has been following 724 men and their families for 75 plus years to try and determine what made these men happy. His conclusion was that the one primary ingredient that brings happiness is healthy relationships. Not surprisingly, this study did not emphasize the first and only relationship that brings eternal happiness – our relationship with Jesus Christ. LifeWay's Explore the Bible Study: His Presence drives home this truth as we look at Psalm 84:1-12.
My approach to this weeks session is entirely different than the original teaching approach. Instead of focusing on elements of worship, I am focusing on the elements of a healthy relationship with Christ. Throughout this passage the psalmist uses the word "happy" or "blessed" to describe this relationship. The emphasis throughout the psalm is that true happiness is only found by pursuing and experiencing the presence of God.

I have focused the TARGET of this session accordingly: True happiness is only found through pursuing and experiencing the presence of God.



In an article entitled, CS Lewis on Real Happiness and Real Christianity, the author summarizes CS Lewis' views on happiness from his book, Mere Christianity. His summary helps provide the context for Psalm 84:1-12.




TEACHING HELPS

PowerPoint - Several slides are provided for you to use or to reference for your discussion. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Video - The following video could be used to supplement your closing.

Photo By: Ben White

Our oldest granddaughter is at the age when her parents are teaching her to say "thank you." I am sure you remember those days when you were either teaching a child or learning yourself how to express thanks to someone.  Saying "thank you" seems to be something that is, to a large degree, missing in our culture today. Maybe it's because we have forgotten about all the blessings given to us by God. This week's Explore the Bible study: Our Response from LifeWay provides us with some great reminders from the heart of one who was very thankful and desired for God to be given all the credit for the blessings.

Video for LOOK OUT: LIVING OUT THE STUDY
Use the video or the content to help your group formulate a plan for living with a heart of thankfulness that honors God. This is a video from 1995 but the content is still very relevant.


DOWNLOAD THE TEACHING PLAN GUIDE

How do we face all the uncertainty, difficulties, challenges, dangers, and questions life throws at us? It is by embracing Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd! King David knew Him as LORD, the covenant God of Israel. David got what so many of us forget. Hopefully, LifeWay's Explore the Bible study: The Good Shepherd from Psalm 23:1-6 will remind us of the goodness of the Shepherd we call Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ.

As you guide your group session this week, consider, if appropriate, encircling fellow group members who are experiencing dark valleys. Spend some extra time closing the session with prayer for anyone in the group who is experiencing especially difficult times.

Illustrations and Ideas

Story Option: The downloadable teaching plan includes a summary of an article that captures the testimony of the family who lost their 17 year old daughter in the church bus crash last week in Atlanta. It could be used to discuss the strength that only comes from knowing God as the Good Shepherd.

Music Option: The following music video of Shane and Shane's song, Psalm 23: Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy, could be used as a part of the LOOK OUT portion of the study. Click to listen.

Video Option: The following video of the song, The Lord's My Shepherd (Psalm 23) by Stuart Townend, could be used as an additional option to support the session: Click to View

Video Option: This video captures the testimony from the Story Option.  

What phrases were you taught growing up that were used to teach you about some particular danger? Perhaps it was something as simple as, if you eat ice cream too fast you'll get a headache or something more dangerous like don't stand too close to the cliff or you might slip and fall.  Most of the time these warnings are because parents or loved ones understand the dangers based on their knowledge of the past. LifeWay's Explore the Bible Study this week, The Past, focuses on learning about the spiritual dangers of the past so that they might be avoided. 

The following video will help you prepare to teach this session: CLICK TO VIEW

Psalm 78 is one of the psalms of Asaph. The information below from the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary will help you understand the background of Asaph:

Levite musician that David appointed to serve in the tabernacle until the temple was completed (1 Chron. 6:39). Asaph was the father of the clan of temple musicians who served through the history of the temple. A member of the clan was among the first to return from exile in 537b.c. (1 Chron. 9:15). Part of the musical responsibility included sounding the cymbal (1 Chron. 15:19). David established the tradition of delivering psalms to Asaph for the temple singers to sing (1 Chron. 16:7). Asaph and the singers ministered daily (1 Chron. 16:37). Their musical service could be called “prophesying” (1 Chron. 25:1-7). Descendants of Asaph delivered prophetic messages under God’s Spirit (2 Chron. 20:14-19). Later generations sang the songs of Asaph “the seer” (2 Chron. 29:30). Psalms 50 and 73-83 are titled “Psalms of Asaph” or similar titles. This may refer to authorship, the singers who used the Psalms in worship, or to a special collection of psalms.