Rev. Derrick Drover - Nearer - August 2nd, 2026 - Bible Study

Bible Reading

Psalm 73:25-28

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” [36:18]

John 15:1-5

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” [52:29]

Ephesians 4:27

“and give no opportunity to the devil.” [47:45]

Observation questions

1. In Psalm 73:25-28, what three things are said about God in relation to the believer: what is desired, who gives strength, and where it is good to be? [53:15] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIrfDTYmhhA&t=3195s)
2. What ordinary parts of life were named as places where a person can be thankful to God and aware of his presence? [42:13] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIrfDTYmhhA&t=2533s)
3. According to John 15:1-5, who is the vine, who are the branches, and what does the Father do for branches that bear fruit? [52:39] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIrfDTYmhhA&t=3159s)
4. What warning is given in Ephesians 4:27, and how was that connected to another presence competing for attention? [47:31] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIrfDTYmhhA&t=2851s)

Interpretation questions

1. Psalm 73 says, “Whom have I in heaven but you?” and also, “there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” Does that mean earthly gifts like family, friendship, and home are bad, or does it mean they must stay under something greater? [41:44]
2. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God” puts human weakness next to divine faithfulness. How does that change the way a believer understands tiredness, sadness, or weakness? [45:13]
3. If heaven without God would not be heaven, what does that reveal about what makes salvation and eternal life truly good? [40:29]
4. Jesus says that apart from him we can do nothing. How does that challenge the idea that spiritual fruit comes mainly from trying harder or looking impressive? [52:32]

Application questions

1. God is not meant to stay in a few religious moments. What part of this coming week feels the most ordinary or repetitive, and how might that become a place of nearness to God for you? [43:00]
2. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.” Where does weakness show up most clearly for you right now—in body, emotions, motivation, or faith—and what would it look like to lean on God there instead of hiding it? [45:01]
3. God wants the whole heart, with no locked doors and no closed rooms. Is there any area of life that is usually kept separate from his wisdom and leadership—work, habits, entertainment, relationships, money, or private thought life? What makes that area harder to open to him? [46:53]
4. “Give no opportunity to the devil” is a very direct word. What tends to draw attention away from the Lord most easily in daily life, and how can that be resisted in a practical way this week? [47:41]
5. Abiding in Christ is where fruit comes from. What kind of pruning, correction, or reshaping might God be doing in this season, and how has the first response to that been? [52:52]
6. Psalm 73:28 brings together drawing near, trusting God, and declaring his works. Which of those three feels strongest right now, and which one needs more growth? [53:29]

If God really is the treasure, how would that show up in the first and last moments of the day? What simple change could help keep the heart awake to his presence from morning to night? [44:41]