So far I have enjoyed praying the Psalms over the students that I work with, colleagues, and my own family. This has been a great way for me to intentionally stop and think about each Psalm as I read them. Although we are looking at Psalm 2 this week, I may end up skipping around in the Psalms depending on the need at the current time. Feel free to use the template below or come up with your questions for yourself and your students to answer this week. Let’s get to it!

Psalm 2 NIV

The Reign of the LORD’s Anointed

¹ Why do the nations conspire[1]and the people’s plot in vain? ² The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ³ “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” ⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. ⁵ He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, ⁶ “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. ⁸ Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. ⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron[2]; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. ¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Takeaway

It is so important to know, especially when times are tough, that it is not who we are, but whose we are. A father’s love is so strong that nothing can separate us from Him. He wants what is good for us, and that does not always align with what we want or what our plans are. Letting go and taking refuge in God when times are hard and allowing His will to be done will take us on a much better path than we could have even imagined!

Prayer

Our Perfect Heavenly Father,

We come to you with our praise and our burdens. You are a perfect father. You have made us Your sons even though we do not deserve it. Help us each day to take refuge in Your love. No matter what culture says to us or what we say about ourselves, we are enough. Your plans, although I do not always understand them, are perfect and will lead me on a journey that will draw me closer to You. Help me this week to show Your love to my students as they encounter different trials. Allow me to be a refuge to my students and a guiding light so they may do your will and see You through my actions. Watch over my students no matter where they are this week. Give them peace knowing You are always nearby. In Your Holy name.

Amen

Weekly Discussion Questions for Students:

• What do social media and culture want us to be like?
• Have you worked hard at something, and it still did not go your way?
• What could it look like to be counter-cultural in our classroom community?
• Who are the go-to people that you trust that you can seek for guidance and support?
• What has gone well for you today or this week?
• What is a challenge that you have had to overcome?

Praises and Requests

Praise – Throughout the week you can jot down praises that you or your students have during the week.

Requests– Note any requests that come in or that you hear about from students, colleagues, or in your own life that you can pray for with students or on your own time.

Feedback

If this process has been helpful to you in working through the Psalms, please let us know and share it with others. I am also looking for feedback or tips as well to make it even better! Thanks for all that you do each day for students!