"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God."
John 1:1
Study Questions for Songs of Faith Week 5
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Read Psalm 9
God’s story
1. In Psalm 9:9, we are told that the Lord is a stronghold. For whom is he a stronghold, according to this verse?
2. Psalm 9:10 says people who know God’s name do something. What do they do?
3. Psalm 9:11 encourages us to tell other people about something for which we sing praise to the Lord. About what are we to tell others?
4. Psalm 9:12 says God looks out for someone and does not forget them. Who does God not forget?
5. Psalm 9:13-18 is an appeal to God to do something. What is the Psalmist asking God to do and why?
6. Psalm 9:19-20 is the capstone of this Psalm. What surprising thing is the Psalmist asking God to do?
1. In Psalm 9:9, we are told that the Lord is a stronghold. For whom is he a stronghold, according to this verse?
2. Psalm 9:10 says people who know God’s name do something. What do they do?
3. Psalm 9:11 encourages us to tell other people about something for which we sing praise to the Lord. About what are we to tell others?
4. Psalm 9:12 says God looks out for someone and does not forget them. Who does God not forget?
5. Psalm 9:13-18 is an appeal to God to do something. What is the Psalmist asking God to do and why?
6. Psalm 9:19-20 is the capstone of this Psalm. What surprising thing is the Psalmist asking God to do?
My Story
1. In times of trouble who do you turn to for support and help? In what circumstances do you ask for God’s help?
2. In what areas of your life do you trust God’s intervention? In what areas of your life do you not trust God’s intervention? What’s the difference between these two areas of life?
3. What are the major events in your life that shaped who you are today? In what ways can you trace the hand of God in these events, both good and bad?
4. Think of a time when you felt afflicted. In what ways were you aware of God’s presence during this affliction? In what ways were you aware of God’s apparent absence during this affliction? What do you think determines your ability to discern God’s presence or absence in a situation of your life?
5. In what ways are you aware of God’s grace in your life? Describe an incident where you were assured God is a God of grace?
6. In what areas of your life do you need God to rise and act? How have you shared these concerns with God in prayer?
1. In times of trouble who do you turn to for support and help? In what circumstances do you ask for God’s help?
2. In what areas of your life do you trust God’s intervention? In what areas of your life do you not trust God’s intervention? What’s the difference between these two areas of life?
3. What are the major events in your life that shaped who you are today? In what ways can you trace the hand of God in these events, both good and bad?
4. Think of a time when you felt afflicted. In what ways were you aware of God’s presence during this affliction? In what ways were you aware of God’s apparent absence during this affliction? What do you think determines your ability to discern God’s presence or absence in a situation of your life?
5. In what ways are you aware of God’s grace in your life? Describe an incident where you were assured God is a God of grace?
6. In what areas of your life do you need God to rise and act? How have you shared these concerns with God in prayer?
Songs of Faith: Meditations on Psalms
(downloadable files)
Previous Study Questions
Witnesses: The Evidence of New Life
(downloadable files)
Week 1: We are Witnesses! - Mark 16:1-8 and Acts 10:34-43
Week 2: 2nd Sunday of Easter - 1 John 1:1-2:2
Week 3: The Beloved Witness - 1 John 3:1-7
Week 4: The Generous Witness - 1 John 3:16-24
Week 5: The Compassionate Witness - 1 John 4:7-21
Week 6: The Overcoming Witness - 1 John 5:1-6
Week 7: The Eternal Witness - 1 John 5:9-13
Week 2: 2nd Sunday of Easter - 1 John 1:1-2:2
Week 3: The Beloved Witness - 1 John 3:1-7
Week 4: The Generous Witness - 1 John 3:16-24
Week 5: The Compassionate Witness - 1 John 4:7-21
Week 6: The Overcoming Witness - 1 John 5:1-6
Week 7: The Eternal Witness - 1 John 5:9-13
Hard Times, Unshakable Faith Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
The Plan for Life Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
O Come, Immanuel! Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
The Greater Way Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Welcome the New! - Hebrews 1:1-14
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Summer of Love Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Love is a Verb! - Amos 5:1-17
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Holy Trinity Sunday
(downloadable file)
April 19 - May 31, 2020
Exile and the Kingdom Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. We believe that people meet God in Scripture, where God’s relationship to — and intention for — humankind is revealed.
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
Free Online Learning Opportunity with Corsera
Free online college level courses on topics of religion are available at Coursera.com. To sign up for courses go to www.coursera.com and register with your email to begin enjoying world-class instruction on great topics of faith. The following current offering is recommended as a supplement to Pastor Frank’s class: Becoming the Book: How the Bible Came to Be.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.