Sunday School Lesson December 6, 2020

Subject: Walking in Grief

The Point: God restores us with His grace and compassion.

The Passage: Psalms 116:1-9, 15-17

Study The Bible: Psalms 116:1-4

1). Call to God when you are in sorrow.

1. I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy.
2. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live.
3. The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow.
4. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”

Lasting truths from Psalms 116:1-4

• The Lord always hears us when we cry out for mercy and this fact should increase our love for Him.
• We can pray to God with confidence as long as we live.
• Greif, difficulties, and hardships are part of life, Christians are not exempt from these, but when we face them we are not alone.
• Our prayers do not have to be long and complicated God knows what we need, as evidenced by his response to the three-word prayer in verse 4.

2). Rest in God who is compassionate toward us.

 Psalm 116:5-9

5. The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6. The Lord guards the inexperienced; I was helpless, and he saved me.
7. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
8. For you, Lord, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Lasting truths from Psalm 116:5-9

• God does not change. He is always gracious, righteous, and compassionate.
• The Lord always watches over us. We are never out of His sight, not even for a moment.
• God is always good to us, rescuing us from grief and other calamities.
• When God rescues us, we are fully rescued. He provides for our safety ,peace, and security.

3).  Trust in God who cares for us in our darkest hour.

Psalm 116:15-17

15. The death of his faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight.
16. Lord, I am indeed your servant; I am your servant, the son of your female servant. You have loosened my bonds.
17. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.

Lasting truths from Psalm 116:15-17

• The death of a faithful Christian is precious and valuable in the Lord’s eye because our death in this life is the beginning of our life eternal in the presence of God.
• Because God has set us free from sin, we should willingly serve Him.
• As we serve the Lord, our attitude should be one of gratitude and thanksgiving.
• Praise and prayer are always appropriate responses to the work of God in our lives.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions.

1. What is the greatest loss you have experienced? How has God restored you with His grace and compassion?
2. Are there areas of your life where you are stuck and unable to move forward due to grief? How can you call to God, rest in God, and trust in God to rescue you?
3. How can you minister to someone you know who struggles with grief, loneliness, and sorrow during the Christmas season?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You, In Jesus’ name, Amen”