The Good Shepherd: A Study of Psalm 23 and John 10
Finding 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 2: The Good Shepherd– Psalm 23:2 and John 10:1-7
Who or what is your shepherd? Who or what is leading you? Who or what do you trust in and look to for life, fulfillment and satisfaction? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will lead me well as I trust in Him and find my contentment in Him.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Sunday, April 26 is the ifnal colleciton day for Lubbock Impact Hygiene and Snack Pantry! Let’s bless Lubbockites in need.
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).
- Where are more at danger of wandering and not seeking the Lord, in the HIGHS when times are TOUGH or the LOWS when things are GOOD?
- READ: Psalm 23:1-2.
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?What do these 2 verses tell me about who God is? (The God shot)What do these 2 verses tell me about who I am?
- What does it mean that Jesus, The Good Shepherd, wants to “make you lie down in green pastures”?
- Doug said that for a sheep to lie down and be at rest 4 conditions must be met: there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger. What conditions are going on in your life that make it difficult to “lie down” and trust the Good Shepherd? What keeps you from being able to “lie down” and find contentment in Jesus?
- What is the connection between CONTENTMENT and TRUST? How does contentment lead us to trust and deeper trust?
- What does it mean that Jesus, The Good shepherd, wants to “lead you beside still waters”?
- Where might I be looking to the wrong sources for life? Or looking to the wrong Shepherd?
- Doug gave us these specific takeaways and questions for when life has you unsettled (difficulty) on untethered (wandering from the leadership of the Good Shepherd)…
1.Define reality.How are things going in your life?
2. Beware the danger of wandering.Where are you wandering or tempted to wander form The Good Shepherds leading right now?
3. Practice gratitude and worship.What can you look back on in your life to express gratitude or praise for God’s leadership in the past?
4. Look to Jesus for His presence and provision to lead you.How can you practice the presence of God in your life now?
5. Listen to His voice as He leads you.How can you listen to His voice and leadership in your life this week?
- 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 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…”
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 23:1-2; Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Ezekiel 34:11-15; Psalm 63:1; Jeremiah 2:13; John 3:13-14; John 10:1-7