Jesus the Shepherd
Connection
Share your highs and lows!
Worship
Song suggestion: You Restore My Soul
Bible
Discussion
1. King David begins the Psalm saying, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." We often live an upside-down version of verse 1: "I am my own shepherd; I am never satisfied." When we feel a sense of want or lack, we often turn to rival shepherds: like success, comfort, or the approval of others.
Which rival shepherd(s) are you most tempted to follow?
How do you let the sufficiency of Jesus meet you in your needs?
2. The ‘paths of righteousness’ (v3) sometimes lead us directly into the ‘valley’ (4). Jesus experienced the only truly God-forsaken valley so that we would never have to.
If you are currently in a ‘valley’ how does your perspective change knowing that the shepherd isn’t distant from you (absent), but there beside you (present)?
3. The Shepherd uses His rod to fight off enemies and His staff to bring back the wandering sheep, pulling them back to safety. Sometimes we duck and dive away from God’s shepherding care.
Is there an area of your life (a habit, a relationship, or a wandering heart) where you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you back on the right path?
How can you as a group help each other to submit to the Shepherd’s rod and staff for your own protection?
4. In verses 5-6, the imagery shifts from a sheep in a pasture to a guest at a royal banquet. We are pursued by goodness and mercy and invited to a table prepared at great cost to the host.
If Jesus has anointed your head and given you a seat at His table despite your unworthiness, how does this change the way we should live our lives and treat others?
Prayer