Psalm 23 Week 1

SESSION GOALS

The point of every session is a main idea with the goal of informing our knowing, feeling and doing.

MAIN IDEA: We can confidently place our lives in God’s capable hands.

Head Change: To know that in Jesus we have everything we need, for every area of life, all the days of our lives.

Heart Change: To trust God, gratefully and completely, to meet our physical, spiritual, emotional, directional, relational, and eternal needs.

Life Change: To take our next bold step into the future because we are under the expert care and guidance of a Good Shepherd.

1. Which of our innately human needs does Psalm 23 speak to?
   
2. Brad suggests we might think of Psalm 23 as the resumé of Yahweh, Almighty God. What abilities and qualifications does God reveal to David in Psalm 23? Which of His qualities are you particularly grateful for, as you place your life in His care?
   
3. David writes, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’ What does this tell us about who God is today? How might the truth that Jesus is your Shepherd—presently and continuously—change how you feel about whatever you’re facing this week?
   
   
4. In Psalm 23:1, David expresses his utter contentment in the Good Shepherd’s care. Consequently, he’s not craving or yearning for anything more. Do you know someone who seems genuinely fulfilled, knowing that Jesus Himself is enough, and all they’ll ever need?
   
5. Brad states one translation says “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.” Share a time in your life when you thought you were lacking but God provided for your needs.
   
6. Brad claims that the greatest gift Jesus came to bring was Himself, as all the other gifts He offers (grace, forgiveness, guidance, hope, justice et al) are found in Him. Which of Jesus’ gifts feel most real or valuable or life-changing to you, in your current season?
   
7. Share a time when you felt like you were hurting, in pain, or directionless. How can you lean on the Shepherd to give you direction during these times?
   
8. Brad warns us to not only use Psalm 23 for funerals. Yes, this is a good chapter for those who are hurting, but how can we use this verse in our day to day living?
   
9. We’re not sure exactly when David wrote Psalm 23, but it does carry a certain maturity and the weightiness of life experience. As we have discussed, ‘I shall not want’ is the theme of the psalm. Read Philippians 4:12. What is the “secret of being content”? How can we strive to apply this to our everyday life?
   
10. Read Psalm 27:1. How does the theme in this verse compare to the theme in Psalm 23:1?