Valley Church Cupertino
Two Roads, Three Pictures, One Way to Life
Craig Shigyo June 8, 2025 10:45 am
Locations & Times
Valley church Cupertino Ca
10885 N Stelling Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
Sunday 6:00 AM
Two Ways to Live, But Only One Brings the Blessed Life
1) Two Paths (1:1-2)
2) Two Portraits (1:3-4)
3) Two Prospects (1:5-6)
Discussion Questions:
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “blessed” (v. 1)? How is your first conception different from how the Bible uses the word?
• Why might Psalm 1 begin by describing what the “blessed” person does not do (v.1)?
• What’s one example where a small influence (someone’s advice, a media habit, a worldview) shaped your thoughts or behavior more than you expected? How does this help you reflect on the progression depicted in verse 1 (walk → stand → sit)?
• Verse 2 says the blessed one “delights in the law of the Lord.” Why is “delight” the key verb here and not duty, discipline, or diligence?
• The Psalm connects delight to meditation. What’s the difference between just reading Scripture and meditating on it? What are some practical or personal suggestions for how someone can move from reading to meditating?
• The Psalmist’s description of the tree in verse 3 echoes the picture of Eden (Gen. 2:8-14) and previews the new heavens and earth (Rev. 22:1-4). How do these pictures deepen our understanding of the blessed path in Psalm 1?
• What things in your life or our culture appear successful or valuable but, in light of eternity, may be revealed as chaff (v. 4)? How can we identify these in our lives?
• The Psalm’s final picture indicates where these two paths lead in the final judgment (vv. 5-6). How does the idea of final judgment shape the way you think about your life right now? Does it bring fear, hope, urgency, or
something else?
• How does it change the meaning of Psalm 1 when we realize Jesus is the only one who truly fulfills the picture of the Blessed One? How does seeing Jesus at the center of Psalm 1 change your motivation to read and meditate on God’s Word, not to earn blessedness, but to delight in the One who already secured it for you?
• In considering these two ways to live, where are you most tempted to follow the world’s counsel instead of God's Word? What promises does the world make that feel appealing at the moment?
• What is one thing you want to remember or apply from studying this passage?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “blessed” (v. 1)? How is your first conception different from how the Bible uses the word?
• Why might Psalm 1 begin by describing what the “blessed” person does not do (v.1)?
• What’s one example where a small influence (someone’s advice, a media habit, a worldview) shaped your thoughts or behavior more than you expected? How does this help you reflect on the progression depicted in verse 1 (walk → stand → sit)?
• Verse 2 says the blessed one “delights in the law of the Lord.” Why is “delight” the key verb here and not duty, discipline, or diligence?
• The Psalm connects delight to meditation. What’s the difference between just reading Scripture and meditating on it? What are some practical or personal suggestions for how someone can move from reading to meditating?
• The Psalmist’s description of the tree in verse 3 echoes the picture of Eden (Gen. 2:8-14) and previews the new heavens and earth (Rev. 22:1-4). How do these pictures deepen our understanding of the blessed path in Psalm 1?
• What things in your life or our culture appear successful or valuable but, in light of eternity, may be revealed as chaff (v. 4)? How can we identify these in our lives?
• The Psalm’s final picture indicates where these two paths lead in the final judgment (vv. 5-6). How does the idea of final judgment shape the way you think about your life right now? Does it bring fear, hope, urgency, or
something else?
• How does it change the meaning of Psalm 1 when we realize Jesus is the only one who truly fulfills the picture of the Blessed One? How does seeing Jesus at the center of Psalm 1 change your motivation to read and meditate on God’s Word, not to earn blessedness, but to delight in the One who already secured it for you?
• In considering these two ways to live, where are you most tempted to follow the world’s counsel instead of God's Word? What promises does the world make that feel appealing at the moment?
• What is one thing you want to remember or apply from studying this passage?
🟢Watch or Listen Online
Sunday Worship Services can be accessed on our website.
http://valleychurch.org