1. Lesson 21: Patterns for Contentment
What does it mean to be content?

2. Definition of Contentment
The state of being satisfied with what one has; not wanting more or anything less.

3. How can we be content?
Don’t envy the ungodly! Even though people who live in sin appear to have a good time, remember, the bait always hides a hook (sin).

4. How can we be content?
Don’t get discouraged! Things are not always what they seem!!! It may seem sinners are happy, but looks can be deceiving!

5. Where in the Bible does God show us how to cope with seeing the wicked prosper?
Psalms 37, 49, and 73.
Psalm 49 focuses on two main ideas:
The brevity of life (how short life is)
The certainty of death

6. Why shouldn’t it bother us that it seems like sinners are winning?
They’re not really winning. Remember, you can’t take it with you! They’ll have to suffer the punishments of death, but we will be taken into God’s presence! We’ll be the real winners!

7. The shortness of life Confidence of the righteous
A lesson for everyone: Everyone faces death
An encouragement for believers: Believers can be content in view of their future hope.

8. The shortness of life The foolish hope of the wicked
Abilities: You can’t deter (stop) death, no matter what you do!
Reputation: The wicked think that they can cheat death through posterity (that their names will live on), but death comes for everyone!

9. The Significance of Death
The end of the wicked: their way of life is folly (49:13). Way here means their whole course of life.
The hope of the righteous: rather than being envious of prosperous sinners, we ought to pity them and seek to warn them.
Vindication: we will rule over them one day through God’s grace.
Deliverance: God receives His people to Himself. We’ll all meet in Heaven one day thanks to Christ!

10. Activity in class
Psalm 37 parallels the theme of Psalm 49. Study Psalm 37 and classify the verses under the following four headings.
The actions of the wicked
The end of the wicked
Instructions to the righteous
Benefits for the righteous

11. Answers to Activity in Class
Let’s see how you did! Check your answers with the following:
The actions of the wicked: 7, 12, 14, 21, 32, 35
The end of the wicked: 2, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 28, 34, 36, 38
Instructions to the righteous: 1, 3-5, 7-8, 21, 27, 30, 34, 37
Benefits for the righteous: 3-6, 9, 11, , 31, , 37,