The Good Shepherd: A Study of Psalm 23 and John 10Finding hope and help thorough the loving care, compassion and leadership of Jesus; the one who promises to be our Good Shepherd. What would it look like for you to let Jesus be your Good Shepherd? Join us for the next 6 weeks as we explore Psalm 23 and John 10 together.
Week 6: The Consistent and Persistent Shepherd – Psalm 23:6Who or what is your shepherd? Who or what is leading you? When the Lord is your Shepherd, He persistently and consistently pursues you with goodness and mercy, and we have the invitation to dwell in His presence now and for eternity.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
We move to 2 services next weekend: 9:30am and 11:00am. These will be our service times from May 24 – July 26. Next weekend is also a Family Sunday.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- ICE BREAKER: HIGH, LOW, BUFFALO? Take turns & everyone shares each of the these:
A HIGH (something great from the past 2 weeks),
A LOW (something that was challenging from the past few weeks),
And a BUFFALO (something random from the past 2 weeks…it can be anything…the more random the better).
- What is an attribute of who God is that has been especially meaningful to you lately?
- READ: Psalm 23:1-6.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other.Either way make as many observations as you can.
OBSERVATIONS: As we wrap up studying Psalm 23, what are the things the observations that stick with you about this passage?
- What does Psalm 23 tell us about who God is?
- What does Psalm 23 tell us about who we are?
- What are the things in this passage that God promises to do?
- What are the things in this passage about how we should respond?
- READ: Psalm 23:6.
What do you think it means that God’s goodness and loving mercy will follow you all the days of your life when the LORD is your shepherd?What do you think it means that you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever when the LORD is your shepherd?
- READ: John 14:1-6 and Revelation 21:3-4.
What assurance do these verses give us for eternal life after this life?What are the implications of how we need to live today with eternity in mind?
- Doug said that we have 3 purposes. Talk about what each one means and your next step:
Psalm 23 = Your purpose is to follow the Good Shepherd always & in all ways.
Matthew 9:36-38 = Your purpose is to follow the Good Shepherd & to join Him in looking for lost sheep.
1 Peter 5:2 = Your purpose is to follow the Good Shepherd & join Him in caring for His sheep.
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step?Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:Psalm 23:1-6 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
PRAYER:Encourage your group to pray this prayer often in 2026 & use to close your group time.
A 2026 Prayer for MORE: Ephesians 3:14-21
“Heavenly Father, Help me to engage with you MORE. Work in me to make me MORE like you. Use me to help MORE people know you. Make my story about your glory! Amen.”
Scripture References:
Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:11, 14-15; Psalm 28:9; Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4; Psalm 86; John 15:5; John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:3-4; Luke 15:1-7; Matthew 9:36-38; 1 Peter 5:2