Theme

What does it mean for us to live under God's counsel?

Questions

• Are there people you can think of who you would go to for advice? Why them - what makes them worth approaching?
• Isaiah 9:2 talks about people walking in darkness seeing light. How is light a good way of describing the Messiah as ‘wonderful counsellor’? [Think about the way in which Jesus is described in John 1:3-5]
• What makes the Messiah a wonderful counsellor (rather than just an ordinary counsellor)? [remember the word for ‘wonderful’ is all about something extraordinary or miraculous]
• The psalmist praises “the Lord who counsels me” (Ps. 16:7), why do you think having God’s counsel should cause us to respond in praise?
• Psalm 16:8 is a verse which describes security for living. How does “setting the Lord always before me” offer security?
• Psalm 16 says that God has made know the path which leads to life (v.11)
  • In what ways does God ‘make known the path which leads to life’? [compare with psalm 119:105-108]
  • How easy or difficult is it to find that path and stick to it?
• V.11 also speaks about joy and pleasure in God’s presence.
  • Do we get caught up in worldly thinking about the paths which lead to joy and pleasure rather than focusing on God’s ways?
  • Joy and pleasure are connected with the presence of God – ultimately what God gives us is himself (and we celebrate this at Christmas) – how can we spend more time God’s presence?
• In Matthew 7:24, Jesus speaks about both hearing his words and putting them into action.
  • Why do you think wisdom is about both hearing and taking action?
  • Are you willing to hear and act on Christ’s teaching as you live each day? Are there areas in your life where this is more difficult than others?
• Why were people so amazed by Jesus’ teaching (Matt 7:28-29)?
  • What do you think it means for Jesus’ teaching to have ‘authority’?
  • Have you ever been amazed by a teaching you found from Jesus – either when you read it or when it was explained to you? What made it so amazing?