NextLevel Online: Praying the Psalms A Prayer for Everything

When you are sick, the LORD will raise you up

This session delves into the universal experience of sickness, which underscores our mortality and the consequences of sin as described in Genesis 3:17-19. Psalm 30, David's song of gratitude after recovering from illness, highlights the theme of healing and points to the ultimate resurrection through belief in Jesus. Participants explore questions about personal experiences with sickness, biblical connections between sin and illness, and the transformative power of Jesus' teachings on sickness and disability. Psalms about sickness include 6, 38, 39, 41, 69, 102, and 143, while those about resurrection include 30, 40, 68, 103, 116, and 118.
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When you are sick, the LORD will raise you up

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
18:38When you are sick, the LORD will raise you upWhen you are sick, the LORD will raise you up

Session 7: When you are sick, the LORD will raise you up (Psalm 30)

Summary: Sickness is a universal human experience. While the human body is wonderfully designed, our experience with sickness is a reminder of our mortality. In Genesis 3:17-19 the Bible teaches that sickness is a result of the curse due to the sin of Adam (who represents mankind), and it serves as a prelude to death. Many psalms describe the symptoms of sickness, often relating it to the root problem of sin, and the psalmist appeals to God for healing. Psalm 30 is David’s song of thanksgiving after being raised up from his deathbed, pointing to the ultimate resurrection from death for all who believe in Jesus.

Background: In the Old Testament, sickness was always seen as a consequence of sin. When the psalmist prays for healing it is often accompanied by confession of his sin. Seven psalms are identified as penitential psalms, that is, they are prayers of repentance from sin (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). They all assert that physical suffering is a result of sin. Jesus changes this paradigm when he says that ultimately sickness provides an opportunity for God to be glorified (John 9:3). The Hebrew word Sheol refers to the realm of the dead, the place where everyone goes when they die. Everyone enters Sheol through the gates of death.

Opening Questions:

  1. When was the last time you were sick? Did you pray for healing?

  2. Have you ever experienced miraculous healing? Do you know someone who has?

Study Questions:

  1. Read Psalm 39:4-6. What metaphors does David use to describe human life?

  2. Read Genesis 3:17-19. What are the consequences of Adam’s sin for the human race? Does this seem fair based on what Adam did (ate a piece of fruit)? Why or why not?

  3. Read Psalm 6:1-5 and Psalm 38:1-11. Which descriptions of his pain stand out to you? Who does David blame for his pain?

  4. Read Psalm 102:3-11. Describe the psalmist’s physical condition. What are the relational and social effects of his illness?

  5. Can you think of some examples of the connection between sin and sickness? Are there sinful behaviors that can result in sickness?

  6. Read John 9:1-3, John 11:1-4, and Luke 5:17-26. What observations can you make about Jesus’ teaching on sin, sickness, and disability?

  7. How does Jesus’ death on the cross reverse the consequences of sin? (Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4-12)

  8. Read Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:1-3. What correspondence do you see in these passages and Genesis 3:17-19?

Application Questions:

  1. Read James 5:13-18. Discuss the relationship between sickness, sin, prayer, and healing.

  2. Why do you think God allows us to experience physical challenges?

  3. How can these penitential psalms help us pray when we are in pain?

  4. Is it nighttime or morning for you right now (30:5)? In what ways does Psalm 30 give you hope?

Psalms about sickness: 6, 38, 39, 41, 69, 102, 143

Psalms about resurrection: 30, 40, 68, 103, 116, 118

When you are sick, the LORD will raise you up Instructions

Lesson
18:38When you are sick, the LORD will raise you upWhen you are sick, the LORD will raise you up

Session 7: When you are sick, the LORD will raise you up (Psalm 30)

Summary: Sickness is a universal human experience. While the human body is wonderfully designed, our experience with sickness is a reminder of our mortality. In Genesis 3:17-19 the Bible teaches that sickness is a result of the curse due to the sin of Adam (who represents mankind), and it serves as a prelude to death. Many psalms describe the symptoms of sickness, often relating it to the root problem of sin, and the psalmist appeals to God for healing. Psalm 30 is David’s song of thanksgiving after being raised up from his deathbed, pointing to the ultimate resurrection from death for all who believe in Jesus.

Background: In the Old Testament, sickness was always seen as a consequence of sin. When the psalmist prays for healing it is often accompanied by confession of his sin. Seven psalms are identified as penitential psalms, that is, they are prayers of repentance from sin (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). They all assert that physical suffering is a result of sin. Jesus changes this paradigm when he says that ultimately sickness provides an opportunity for God to be glorified (John 9:3). The Hebrew word Sheol refers to the realm of the dead, the place where everyone goes when they die. Everyone enters Sheol through the gates of death.

Opening Questions:

  1. When was the last time you were sick? Did you pray for healing?

  2. Have you ever experienced miraculous healing? Do you know someone who has?

Study Questions:

  1. Read Psalm 39:4-6. What metaphors does David use to describe human life?

  2. Read Genesis 3:17-19. What are the consequences of Adam’s sin for the human race? Does this seem fair based on what Adam did (ate a piece of fruit)? Why or why not?

  3. Read Psalm 6:1-5 and Psalm 38:1-11. Which descriptions of his pain stand out to you? Who does David blame for his pain?

  4. Read Psalm 102:3-11. Describe the psalmist’s physical condition. What are the relational and social effects of his illness?

  5. Can you think of some examples of the connection between sin and sickness? Are there sinful behaviors that can result in sickness?

  6. Read John 9:1-3, John 11:1-4, and Luke 5:17-26. What observations can you make about Jesus’ teaching on sin, sickness, and disability?

  7. How does Jesus’ death on the cross reverse the consequences of sin? (Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4-12)

  8. Read Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:1-3. What correspondence do you see in these passages and Genesis 3:17-19?

Application Questions:

  1. Read James 5:13-18. Discuss the relationship between sickness, sin, prayer, and healing.

  2. Why do you think God allows us to experience physical challenges?

  3. How can these penitential psalms help us pray when we are in pain?

  4. Is it nighttime or morning for you right now (30:5)? In what ways does Psalm 30 give you hope?

Psalms about sickness: 6, 38, 39, 41, 69, 102, 143

Psalms about resurrection: 30, 40, 68, 103, 116, 118