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 5: The Preparing and Providing Shepherd – Psalm 23:5 and John 10:25-30
Who or what is your shepherd? Who or what is leading you? When the Lord is your Shepherd, He prepares a future for you as He gives you purpose and provides for you abundantly, even amid adversity and opposition.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Summer Service Times for May 24-July26 will be at 9:30am and 11:00am. We will return to our usual 3 services in August!
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What is something you are celebrating lately?
- What is your favorite way to celebrate something significant?
- Talk about a time in your life when “the lightbulb came on” and you discovered a sense of your purpose in life?
- READ: Psalm 23:1-5.
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: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage? Especially verse 5?
- 3 specific things are mentioned in verse 5: a prepared TABLE, a head anointed with OIL, and an overflowing CUP, as well as the Good Shepherd as our host, and the presence of enemies. Talk about each one at a time:
- The Shepherd as Host:How does it change your perspective of God to view Him not just as a Good Shepherd, but as a generous host welcoming you to His table?
- The Table in the Presence of Enemies: Doug talked about the context of Psalm 23:5 as a prepared table, a head anointed with oil and a cup overflowing is in the context of and presence of enemies, and maybe still in the valley of the darkest shadow where evil is present. What does it mean for God to prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies, rather than removing the enemies entirel
- What are the “enemies” that threaten your peace of mind, and how does sitting at God’s table help you overcome them?
- How can we feel safe, at peace, or even joyful while under pressure or facing opposition?
- In what ways has God provided for you, or honored you, when you felt surrounded by challenges?
- Doug asked the question, “Will I focus on the evil, adversity and enemies OR will I focus on the gracious provision of my Good Shepherd?” How can you focus on His provision in difficult situations?
- How can you live in confidence and joy today, knowing God is preparing a table for you?
- Anointing with Oil: What is the significance of being “anointed” with oil in this context (e.g., healing, setting apart, purpose)?
- Doug asked the question, “Will I focus on the evil, adversity and enemies OR will I focus on my God given purpose?” How do you find your God given purpose?
- How can you seek to find and/or live out your God given purpose this week?
- A Cup Overflowing: What does it mean for your “cup to overflow” (or run over) spiritually, emotionally, or physically?
- What are some ways you have experienced an “overflow” of God’s blessings in your life recently?
- What good things in your life do you take for granted that represent an “overflowing cup”?
- How does the “overflow” reflect God’s generosity, and how can we share that abundance with others? Doug asked the question, “Will I focus on what He has provided me OR will I focus on what I feel I am lacking?” How will you seek to do that this week?
- READ: John 10:25-30. What stands out to you from this passage and its connection to Psalm 23:5?
- 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 23:1-5 “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.”
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:
John 10:11, 14-15; Psalm 23:1-5; Luke 15:1-17; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 24; 1 Samuel 26; 1 Peter 5:4-10; Psalm 89:20; Ephesians 2:10; John 10:10, 15:11; Isaiah 55:6-10; Psalm 130:7; Ephesians 3:8; John 10:25-30