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Call to worship: Revelation 5

Text: Psalm 126

Sermon Outline:

1. Hope realized
   • gratitude, vv1-2a
   • glory, vv2b-3
2. Faith engaged
   • expectation, v4
   • investment, vv5-6

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Psalm 126. What is the setting of this Psalm? Imagine what it was like for Israel coming back from exile in Babylon. What emotions do you think they would have experienced leaving Babylon? How about when they arrived back in Israel, seeing the ruined condition of land and temple?
2. What does it mean to be God's people? Why did God choose Israel? Did they accomplish God's purpose, and if so, how?
3. When Israel's captivity was at an end, not everyone came back. How does this Psalm speak to this fact? What does the Psalmist long to see?
4. The Gospel of Luke envisions return from exile as having never been fully realized (Luke 1:68-79, 2:25-32, 4:18-19). In what way(s) can we see Jesus' life, death and resurrection as the longed for restoration of God's people? How does Jesus interact with the themes in Psalm 126?
5. Read Romans 10-11. How does this Psalm's call to sow in hope of God's faithfulness relate (see 10:14-17). How is the "provocation" of the Gentiles (10:19-21, 11:11-15) similar and/or different to the recognition of God's deeds and people in Psalm 126?