Session 5 (Study Day):Psalms
Aims
By the end of this session you should be able to:
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give an overview of the themes of the Psalms
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state how the Psalms are used in worship and ministry
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give an account of how the main themes of the Psalms relate to your faith journey and ministry as well as that of the church as a whole.
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Zoom Link, Programme & Preparation
Join us on the following Zoom link. The room will be open from 8.45am for a prompt start at 9.00am.
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Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85455178307?pwd=kApL7iIqnML7K6F6bEIAfVwlkpJ24x.1
Meeting ID: 854 5517 8307
Passcode: 135491
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You can find the programme for the morning here.
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Preparation
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Which is your favourite Psalm and why? Be preapred to share this at the start of the morning.
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Watch the videos below and begin thinking about the questions. The study day will be mostly given over to sharing your answers to these questions with your fellow students and tutors leading the day.
Introduction to the Psalms
How to Read the Psalms
Whilst many people today will have individual psalms that have spoken to them in special times, this film clip says that rather than a source of pick & mix individual psalms, the Book of Psalms is meant to be a coherent collection of stories/ poems of God’s relationship with the Children of Israel. How does it work for you?
The Children of Israel venerated David because he worked towards building a Temple. ( though he did not actually get one built). When they finally did manage to build a Temple, the Jews saw it as the place where God ‘lived’ or ‘dwelt’ and could be approached. As well as approaching God in the Temple, they also used the psalms to get close to God at big Festivals and in the family prayers every Sabbath evening.
Can this weaving together of times of formal and family prayer with God be possible for us today?
Where do/can families/ groups of friends go now to meet with God ?
Do special places or times help us to meet God?
In what ways can we use David as a ‘prayer coach ‘ today?