Family Worship Guide
Sunday, May 10, 2020
SING
READ
Psalm 15:1-5 (ESV)
1O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
LISTEN
WATCH
ASK
The Psalmist’s Question
Q: What is the psalmist's question in verse 1?
A: In verse 1 the psalmist asked a single question in two different ways. The question pertains to the nature and character of the person who desires to draw near to God. The question is specific:
“If a person is to enter the special place in which God’s presence is symbolized most intimately, what must that person be like?“
The question concerns who is worthy to be received as Yahweh’s guest, to enjoy his protection and hospitality. The answer to the question invites us to examine ourselves in order that we are prepared to worship God.
“God did not save us merely to escape from hell–He saved us to live holy lives.“
Five Characteristics of a Person Who Draws Near to God
Q: What are the five characteristics of a person who draws near to God?
A:
- He who walks blamelessly.
“He who walks blamelessly and does what is right”
–Psalm 15:2a - He who talks truthfully.
“and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;”
–Psalm 15:2b-3 - He who values justly.
“in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord;”
–Psalm 15:4a - He who has integrity.
“who swears to his own hurt and does not change;”
–Psalm 15:4b - He who uses his money wisely.
“who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
–Psalm 15:5
This is not a list by which we are accepted by God, but a measure by which we walk with God. These things are not what God finds within the heart of a man but what he creates in him. This is a text that should always be in front of us before we read our Bibles or attend church.
I. He Who Walks Blamelessly (v2a)
Q: What is the word walk (used as a metaphor throughout the Bible) used to describe?
A: One’s pattern of life and conduct.
Q: How does the Psalmist walk?
A: The first line is expressed negatively, meaning he is without blame. In others words, he cannot be arrested for unrighteousness.
The second line is expressed positively. It is focused on his righteous act.
“He who walks blamelessly and does what is right”
–Psalm 27:2a
Q: According to the Psalmist, what does a holy life consist of?
A: It is both walking blamelessly and doing what it right. It is fleeing from what is wrong and fleeing to what is right. A blameless and righteous person lives in obedience to God and maintains a life of integrity.
“Obedience is the fruit of a righteous life.“
II. He Who Speaks Truthfully (vv2b-3)
Those who are willing to draw near to God have closed the gap between what they say and what they do.
Parents, ask you children if they can trust someone who lies all the time. Then ask them how they feel around a friend who is always truthful and trustworthy. The person who desires to draw near to God speaks truth and is also trustworthy.
Parents, ask you children why is it important to have people in their lives that speak truth to them. The Psalmist mentioned that the person speaks truth but also he does not slander.
Q: Why is it wrong to slander?
A: Because it is a sin that hurts the person slandering and also the person being slandered.
III. He Who Values Justly (v4a)
Parents, ask your children who their role models are.
Then ask them whose actions and character do they find offensive.
Then ask them to read verse 4a.
“in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;”
–Psalm 15:4a
He does not admire people who does unrighteous things, rather he honors and admires people who do righteous things.
Parents, talk to your children of the dangers of following the wrong friends and wrong influences.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
–Proverbs 13:20
IV. He Who Has Integrity (v4b)
Parents, ask your children to read verse 4b.
“who swears to his own hurt and does not change;”
–Psalm 15:4b
Now read to them the fuller form or meaning of the verse: “Who keeps his oath [at all times], and [is faithful] even when it hurts.”
True integrity is doing what you promise even when it hurts. The New Testament teaches that our words must be so reliable that we do not need to give promises.
“But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”
–James 5:12
V. He Who Uses His Money Responsibly (v5)
Q: What are the two actions that we must avoid concerning money?
A:
- Do not take interest from the needy.
- Do not take a bribe.
Those who are guests of God and draw near to God understand that they must be willing to share with people.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
–1 Timothy 6:10
Parents, share with your children that one of the ways that we can make sure that we are not loving money is by us giving money away. It is by helping others in need.
PRAY
–Pray that your family would draw near to God by walking blamelessly and doing what is right.
–Pray that your family would draw near to God by speaking truthfully and trustworthy.
–Pray that your family would draw near to God by valuing justly (looking up to those who are righteous and looking down on unrighteous deeds).
–Pray that your family would draw near to God by having integrity.
–Pray that your family would draw near to God by using your money responsibly.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Again, we’d like to direct your attention to our resources page for more info on family devotions.
Here are some coloring sheets, a word search puzzle, and a handwriting sheet that you can print out for your child. These are all meant to be aids to help you with your child(ren). Feel free to print some of these or all of these, whatever will work best for your specific child and his or her age.