What’s In a Word: Hesed

30 June - 14 July 2024

Psalms · How would you describe God? Time and time again, the Bible describes God using one word - the Hebrew word 'hesed'. It is a word that is difficult to translate into English because it incorporates lots of depth. It's sometimes translated as mercy, faithful, loving and loyal. This short teaching series before the summer will explore three dimensions of what that looks like in our lives today.

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• 30 June · When we are not

  God remains faithful even when we don’t. When we get it wrong, He gets it right.

  As we celebrating Riverside 40th birthday, we look at what God has done, is doing and our expectation and hope for what he will do. He is faithful.

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  Study Questions

  1. What is one characteristic of who God is that is really important to you?

  2. There is one word in the Old Testament that is often used to described God. It is the Hebrew word Hesed, which is used over 250 times in the Bible. It is a tricky word to fully translate into English, and so various words are sometimes used – faithful, lovingkindness, merciful, loyal. It has connotations of being committed and loyal in a loving and kind way. Notice how God is described in Exodus 34:6-7 which uses the word Hesed – what do you notice about the way he is described?

  3. Read Psalm 25. The word Hesed is used 3 times – in v6, 7 and 10. How does David, the writer, appeal to God’s “hesed” throughout this prayer? How is this characteristic of God central to David’s faith and life?

  4. What is David asking God to remember in v6 and 7? Why does he appeal to God’s Hesed?

  5. Notice the two words that are translated ‘faithful’ and ‘loving’ in v10. What is the relationship between these words, do you think?

  6. In her talk on Sunday, Judy used the phrase, ‘God is overflowing in loyal love.’ How might your life change this week if you believed that to be true?

  7. Think about some of your friends or family who aren’t followers of Jesus. How would they react to these descriptions of God? Why do so many people misunderstand God’s character?

  8. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What does it mean that the ‘Son is the image of the invisible God’? Having seen how God is described using the word Hesed, how does this impact of our view of Jesus? 

     Take some time to pray. Ask that God would help you understand how wide, deep and vast is his loving kindness to us.

• 5 July · Through the years

  Looking at God’s faithfulness through the years.

  As we celebrating Riverside 40th birthday, we look at what God has done, is doing and our expectation and hope for what he will do. He is faithful.

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  Study Questions

  1. 1. What are you most thankful for about Riverside, and why?

  2. 2. Can you think of a story that best illustrates God’s faithfulness in the life of Riverside over the last 40 years?

  3. 3. God has consistently provided over the years. How might that inspire us for the future?

  4. 4. What memory do you have over the last 40 years that you are able to praise God for?

  5. 5. What are you praying for, that you would love to see in the next 40 years?

• 14 July · In the unknown

  Looking at God’s faithfulness in the unknown.

  As we looked at God’s faithfulnes to Riverside’s in the last 40 years, this week we look at how He is faithful in the unknown, and we trust Him to lead us in these next 40 years.

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  Study Questions

  1. One day a friend asks you, “What do you think God is like?” What would you say?

  2. Read Psalm 103. In this Psalm, the Hebrew word Hesed is used 4 times to describes God and his relationship with people – v4, v8, v11, v17. What do you notice about how that word is translated in your bible? How would you summarise what is being said about God?

  3. Various different English versions of the bible translate the Hesed in different ways, as follows. Which do you most resonate with , and why?

     • Mercy (KJV)

     • Faithful love (CSB)

     • Steadfast love (ESV)

     • Unfailing love (NLT)

     • Gods love, though, is ever and always (MSG)

  4. In his talk on Sunday, Tim quoted C.S. Lewis, ‘On the whole, God’s love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for him.’ What do you make of this quote?

  5. In verse 11 and v 17, God’s love and commitment is described. What is so encouraging about these two dimensions?

  6. In Hebrews 8, the writer describes the ‘new covenant’ that Jesus brought. Why is this such good news in the light of Psalm 103:18? What dimensions of the new covenant in Hebrews 8 are particularly noticeable?

  7. On Sunday, Tim said that ‘God is more committed to use than we are to him’. What do you make of this? How might it impact your life today?

     Take some time to pray, asking that God would help you see the enormity of his love & commitment to you, and therefore help you to boldly share it with others in your life.