I have experienced a church that never bored me. It consisted of a group of friends that held together for one year when I was about 18. We would meet in the ‘Upper Room’ of Underwood Chapel in Plymouth. We would pile into ‘Penfold’s’ car and go out swimming in the middle of the night. We would pray. We would worship. We changed the culture of the churches we touched and they changed us. Does this dynamic concept of church have to change with life-stage? Do we all grow up and become cagey and reserved? I want a group who are raw and open with each other and their faith. Then I could say with David, “I would rather be at the door of the house of my God …” I think my small group has the potential.
Psalm 84
- What does the psalmist say is lovely?
- For what does the psalmist yearn?
- Upon what are happy people’s hearts set?
- Do you believe that there is such a thing as ‘holy space’?
- Is there a place that you long to go because you regularly meet God?
Going Deeper
Observation
- What body parts does the psalmist say cry out for the living God?
- Where does the sparrow find a home?
- Where do the pilgrims appear (v.7)?
- Who does the psalm ask God to consider and look upon?
- What does God give to those who live with integrity?
Interpretation
- How do physiological reactions reflect true longing?
- How do you imagine the sparrow’s nest? Describe what you picture.
- What places af pilgrimage are indicated in scripture?
- What is the connection of the temple with the kings of Judah? Is there too much connection of ‘church and state’?
- Describe the ‘good’ and the ‘happiness’ that those who live with integrity receive.
Application
- How do you long for personal friendship, acceptance, and forgiveness?
- How can your basic longings lead to a stronger longing for God?
- Why don’t modern Christians go on pilgrimage? Should they?
- Why was the temple so magnificent and our modern churches look like boxes?
- What constitutes the ideal church and how could you be a part of bringing it about?
Plymothian 
That emotional, youthful, yearning, jumping, dancing thirst for God–where has it gone?Where have gone those who can swim, yes swim as an act of worship?Where is the laughter, the overbubbling giggling, the tearful joy?Where has gone the writhing creativity of tormented souls?Why has our church become so…tofu?Almighty God,Remind us again that we are Your children, those called to be like the little children for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. May, when we next look at a child, we desire and yearn to express ourselves at once with their uninhibited demeanor combined with the person we have become up to this point. May we then express ourselves that way. Show us what good can be done through Christians who are recklessly child-like in a spiritually mature way. Make us sober partiers like our Lord.in His name,AMEN