BRBC Bible Notes

Week by week, we post notes based on the theme of the Sunday service, so that people can follow them in their own personal devotions, in prayer triplets, or in the church life groups.

BRBC Bible Study Series – Psalms

Bible Study #1
Psalm 1: Praying for a Closer Walk with God

Main Passage

Psalm 1

Purpose of the Study

To explore what it means to walk closely with God. Psalm 1 contrasts two ways of life—the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked—and calls us to delight in God's Word, resist influences that draw us away from Him, and become fruitful people who are firmly rooted in God.

Opening Prayer

“Lord, draw us closer to You. Help us to delight in Your Word, to recognise the paths that lead us away from You, and to become people whose lives bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.”

1. Read the Passage

Read Psalm 1 slowly, perhaps twice.

As you read, notice the contrast between:

· The blessed person and the wicked.

· Walking, standing and sitting.

· The counsel of the wicked and the law of the Lord.

· The tree planted by streams of water and the chaff blown away by the wind.

· The two different destinations.

Questions

· What words or phrases particularly stand out to you?

· What does Psalm 1 mean by being "blessed"?

· Why do you think the Psalm begins with what the righteous person avoids?

· What does this Psalm suggest about the direction of our lives?

2. Context and Summary

Psalm 1 acts as a doorway into the whole Psalter. Before we learn how to pray, praise, lament or worship, we are confronted with a fundamental question:

Which way are we walking?

The Psalm describes a person whose life is increasingly shaped by God's Word. They do not merely read God's law occasionally; they delight in it and meditate upon it continually.

The imagery moves from walking with the wicked, to standing in their way, to sitting among them. It pictures a gradual movement away from God.

By contrast, the righteous person is like a tree planted beside streams of water—rooted, nourished and fruitful.

OT Connections

· Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – God's Word shaping everyday life.

· Joshua 1:7-8 – Meditating on God's law.

· Psalm 19:7-11 – The goodness of God's Word.

· Psalm 119:9-16 – Keeping one's way pure through God's Word.

· Jeremiah 17:7-8 – The person who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water.

NT Connections

· Matthew 7:13-14 – The two ways and two destinations.

· Matthew 7:24-27 – Building life upon Jesus' words.

· John 15:1-8 – Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit.

· Romans 12:1-2 – Refusing conformity to the world.

· Colossians 2:6-7 – Being rooted and built up in Christ.

Questions

· What influences most strongly shape your thinking and choices?

· What does it mean practically to "delight" in God's Word?

· What helps us become spiritually rooted?

· What fruit should a life rooted in Christ produce?

3. Key Themes and Reflections

A Closer Walk Begins with a Choice

Psalm 1 presents discipleship as a deliberate choice about the direction of our lives.

We cannot continually absorb the values of the world without being influenced by them.

Augustine wrote:

"You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You."

God's Word Nourishes Us

The righteous person meditates on God's law "day and night". This is not simply academic Bible study. It means allowing God's Word to occupy our thoughts, shape our decisions and form our character.

John Wesley wrote:

"I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air."

His point was that life is brief and therefore should be lived intentionally before God.

Fruitfulness Comes from Rootedness

The tree does not strain to manufacture fruit. It bears fruit because it is planted beside a constant source of nourishment.

Jesus develops the same picture in John 15. Fruitfulness comes from remaining in Him.

Questions

· Is your walk with God becoming closer or more distant?

· What currently nourishes your spiritual life?

· What needs to be removed from your life?

· What evidence of spiritual fruit can you see?

· Where might God be calling you to put down deeper roots?

4. A Word to the Church

For BRBC

· Are we becoming a church deeply rooted in Scripture and prayer?

· Are we helping one another walk closely with Christ?

· Are our ministries producing spiritual fruit rather than simply activity?

· Are we creating environments where people can grow as healthy disciples?

· What qualities in a church leader should be present for that person to lead the church in God’s ways?

Challenge

A healthy church is not simply busy; it is rooted.

If BRBC is deeply rooted in Christ, prayer and Scripture, then its ministry should naturally become increasingly fruitful.

Questions

· What would a "Psalm 1 church" look like?

· How can we help new believers develop deep roots?

· What influences might quietly weaken our spiritual life?

· Where does BRBC need to become more fruitful?

· What should be the priorities in those who seek to lead God’s people?

5. Practical Action

· Begin each day this week by reading Psalm 1.

· Choose one verse to meditate upon throughout the day.

· Identify one influence that is drawing you away from Christ and reduce it.

· Establish or strengthen a regular Bible-reading pattern.

· Ask another Christian to pray with you about your walk with God.

Areas for Prayer

· A closer personal walk with God.

· Spiritual growth within BRBC.

· New and young believers.

· Families and friendships.

· Fruitfulness in local outreach.

· Christians throughout the world seeking to remain faithful.

Closing Scripture Meditation

Psalm 1:3

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season."

Final Prayer

“Lord, plant us deeply in You. Help us delight in Your Word, resist the paths that draw us away from You, and become fruitful disciples of Jesus. May Brighton Road Baptist Church be deeply rooted in Christ and fruitful in serving our community and proclaiming the gospel. May we appoint to leadership those who hold faithfully to your word. Amen.”

For a printable version of this, and previous editions, please click here.

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