Restore Us, O God

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “How can a song bring people together in the context of worship?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in the time you have together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Frame the scripture reading by saying, “Today’s focus text is a psalm, the hymnbook of God’s people. While we don’t often focus on the psalms during Advent, this year we will pay attention to how the psalms focus our attention on God’s restoring work.” Then, read Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 aloud, inviting participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. Ask group members the following questions:
  • What are some different ways that you interpret the tone of verses 1 and 2? What might the psalmist be saying to God here?
  • What do you make of the language about “shining” throughout the psalm? What could that mean? What images related to God “shining forth” emerge for you in this Advent season?
  • Re-read verses 4-7. This is an emotionally fraught passage. What questions does it bring forth for you about God or the people? Where do you see the Advent themes of waiting and hope in this passage?
• The Preaching Notes for November 29 say:

“Psalm 80 has an interesting clue hidden in the final verses. The psalmist writes: ‘But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself’ (Ps. 80:17 NRSV). No doubt in the mind of the writer, this was the king or a prophet, maybe even a whole nation, who desired to be obedient to God and represent God’s law and mercy in all that was done. Through this “right-hand” man or woman, all people have an example of how to walk with God, how to hope in the silence, how to sing praises even in difficult times…But we hear something different this Advent season. We hear the promise of one who would live at the right hand of God and show us how to live there too. We hear of the one who brought God to us and us to God. We—this Advent season and always—look for the face to shine on us and then through us as we seek salvation. Restore us, O God, in the name of the one who sits at your right hand, Jesus the Christ.”

• How does this observation focus your thinking about earlier parts of this psalm?
• Read back through the scripture passage. Is there a word or a phrase that stands out? Write it down for consideration in the week ahead.
• Just One Thing: What is one thing you want to do because of the discussion today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
  • Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
  • Read the text of your choice [Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37] out loud.
  • What do you notice about the text?
  • What questions arise?
  • What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

O Shepherd of Israel, you bring forth guidance and protection from each of our struggles. We praise your name and give thanks for your provision and presence, even when the provision looks like the bread and drink of tears. We wait, and we hope, trusting that we will celebrate your presence and receive your gift of life. We trust that you will hear us when we call. Quicken our hearts and minds to hear your voice. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.