Leader Guide

Objective
Students will understand that even though trials come and life can be rough, God is still there with us and that we should worship Him.

Warm Up
Have students write on a sheet of paper about a time or times where they have felt like God was distant or may not have been really focused on them.

Transition
As we think through all of this and we try to answer the question of where God is when we really don’t feel Him, we should understand that God has never left us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to give us all a hope and a future. So, as you listen to the song “Just As Good” by Chris Renzema, marinate on the words and think about how God is always as good as He has always been and that He is always with us.

The Video
Play the music video for “Just As Good” by Chris Renzema.

Bible Study
Read Psalm 121
The question is asked, “Where does our help come from?” It is speculated that David may have written this Psalm and judging by the cry of wanting to know where his help comes from, it may not be a bad guess. However, what we see here is a cry for help from the author that is immediately answered with the fact that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. It’s the same God that keeps our foot from slipping, who shelters us, and protects us from all harm.

• What does it mean that God wants to help us?
• How have you seen God help you in your life?

(This may be a sensitive question so remember to approach it with grace and love. Maybe you open it up for students to share what they wrote down earlier.)

Our circumstances change, but our God never does. Our lives are filled with ups and downs, but our God is still the same God that walks us through the fires. The same God that delivered the Israelites is still delivering us today. Often, we feel that God has distanced Himself from us, but in reality, we have allowed the pace of life and the distractions, that are often invited in by our own selfishness, to create the gap that we feel.

Because of His willingness to be consistent with His love, grace, and mercy, there should be within us a constant sense of worship. We should always be building Him an altar where we can worship Him. Although it may not be an altar like Moses, Jacob, or Joshua would have built, the altar that is stacked stone by stone should be our life.

• How would you describe the promises found in verses 3-6?
• What might this look like in your life?

The songwriter reminds of how near God is to us even when we feel like we’re drowning. When we feel overwhelmed or defeated, God’s love surrounds us and He is just as good today as the day that He called us into a relationship with Him. So, because of His goodness, His presence, His mercy, and His grace, we must choose to build an altar!

Wrap Up
There will always be times where we feel like life is flipped up on its lid and we don’t know which way is up. Our faith in God as our protector, healer, friend, father, etc. is what will help us navigate those times. We can’t be afraid to call out to Him that we desperately need Him. Even in the midst of the struggle, we have to find the strength to build God an altar of worship, even when we don’t think we can. We always can, because our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

List some challenges that teenagers face. Pick one or two of these challenges.

• How can God help you through them?

Spend some time praying for the challenges that others are facing in your group.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Worship” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.