The Greatest Gift GivenSample

Week 1: The Giver

Goodness Himself

Read: Psalm 34:8; Psalm 84; Mark 10:18

SOAP*: Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is our sovereign protector. 

The LORD bestows favor and honor; 

he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.

Have you ever received a perfect gift? It was exactly what you hoped for, hinted about, dreamed of, and now it was yours. Maybe it came beautifully wrapped and presented in a way that made you know that, without a doubt, this was special. What made it even better was that the person giving it to you had taken the time to pay attention to what you wanted. They knew what you loved, and they made sacrifices of time and money to make sure you received that gift. Receiving that gift made you feel seen and known and loved and valued. 

Although the gifts God gives us aren’t wrapped up with bows and beautiful paper, they are worth so much more than anything we will ever find under the Christmas tree. God’s gifts for us are not simply things that we want, but the soul-satisfying, eternal, loving gifts that God knows we need.

God’s gifts to His children are good because He is goodness. Psalm 34:8 instructs us to “taste and see that the LORD is good,” and in Mark 10:18, Jesus tells us that “No one is good except God alone.” As we spend time this Advent season unwrapping the good gifts the Father has for us, may our hearts be open to receiving gifts that are so much more than what we want but exactly what we need.

Prayer

Father God, You alone are good, and I am so honored to receive the good and perfect gifts that You know we need. Thank You for being my protector, my shelter, and my strength. May my entire being shout for joy as I share You—my greatest gift—with those around me. Amen.

* As we study the Bible, we use the SOAP Bible Study Method. The acronym stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. 

1. Scripture. Write out the verses at least one time. Slow down and copy the passage from the text, focusing on what you are writing. Writing it more than one time is always helpful.

2. Observation. Take time to observe the passage. What do you see in the verses you’re reading? Who is the intended audience? To whom is the writer speaking? What cultural factors are at play? Are any words or themes repeated? What literary devices are being used?

3. Application. After carefully observing what is happening in the passage, determine the central message or truth of the passage. How can you apply this truth to your life?

4. Prayer. Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time, pray about it. Confess any sin God has revealed. Pray through the truth of the passage.