The Gift of Celebration - Guide to Practical Applications
The Gift of Celebration
Scripture: Psalm 103 - Study Guide
“Celebration is a way of engaging in actions that orient the spirit toward worship, praise and thanksgiving. Delighting in all the attentions and never changing presence of the Trinity fuels celebration.” (Adele Cahlhoun)
The following questions and guide have been adapted from Adele Calhoun.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What strikes you most about the way Psalm 103 speaks about celebration and praise? How do you need to respond to this?
In what ways is celebration a gift of spiritual formation from God? How might you benefit spiritually and personally from more God-centered celebration?
Where are you most prone to celebrate God (alone, at church, in nature, etc.)? What does this tell you about how God made you and how you most easily meet with him?
When you see others celebrating God in a way that is new or foreign to you, what happens in your mind and heart?
How does the gospel mark us as people of celebration? To what degree is this present in your life through your personality?
Formational Practice: Celebration
Scripture:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Practice: Encourage someone through celebration. Identify someone who brings joy into your life. Ask God how you might celebrate them in a way that encourages them.
Remembering. Take a few moments to be quiet before God. Recall all His provision, gifts, and guidance toward you. To celebrate consider writing a song or poem or prayer of celebration or singing and dancing before the Lord or memorizing a verse of praise from Psalm 103.
Go big. Find the next reason to celebrate (holiday, birthday, anniversary) and truly celebrate with joy and excitement to the glory of God.
