Small-group guides

Leader Guide: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Main text: Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)

Big idea: The LORD is not just a shepherd. He is my shepherd, and He provides, stays with us in the valley, and brings us home. 4:05

Open (5 min)

Pastor Sam pointed out that we often hear Psalm 23 at funerals, but David wrote it "for the road we walk every day of our lives." 2:40

• Ask: Where have you heard Psalm 23 before? What do you usually think of when you hear it? 2:40

Read (3 min)

Read Psalm 23:1-6 aloud together, as the church did on Sunday. 0:58

Discuss (30 min)

1. The Shepherd provides 6:30

Pastor's words: "Rest is not a reward you earn. It is a gift the Shepherd gives." 6:30

• Verse 2 says He maketh me to lie down. Why do you think the sermon said He sometimes makes us rest? 9:10
• Pastor Sam said "the Shepherd does not drive his sheep. He leads them." What is the difference in your week? 9:10
• Verse 3 says He restoreth my soul. What does it mean that the Shepherd does not give up on a wandering sheep? 12:20

2. The Shepherd is with us in the valley 14:45

Pastor's words: "You are not going to stay in the valley. You are walking through it, and you are not walking alone." 14:45

• In verses 1 through 3 David talks about God; in verse 4 he talks to God. Why might that change happen in a hard season? 17:30
• The rod protects and the staff guides. Which one do you need more right now? 20:05

3. The Shepherd brings us home 22:40

Pastor's words: "That word follow means to pursue. God's goodness and mercy are chasing you down." 22:40

• How does it feel to think of goodness and mercy pursuing you? 22:40
• The sermon connected this psalm to John 10:11, where Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. How does the cross change the way you read Psalm 23? 25:50

Respond (7 min)

• Pray Psalm 23 slowly, one verse each morning this week. 28:30
• Name the valley you are walking through, and tell the Shepherd about it. 28:30
• Think of one person in a valley right now. Call them or sit with them. 28:30

Leader note: Keep the discussion anchored to Psalm 23 and John 10:11, the passages the sermon used. If someone shares a heavy valley, pause and pray for them right then, and let your pastor know if they need care. 28:30

Pray (5 min)

Close by praying the way Pastor Sam did: "Restore our souls this week. Walk with us through every valley, and bring us home." 33:00

The Lord Is My Shepherd: Group Guide

This week's text: Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)

Big idea: He is not just a shepherd. He is my shepherd. 4:05

1. The Shepherd provides. "I shall not want." The Shepherd leads us to green pastures and still waters, and rest is a gift, not a reward. 6:30

• When was the last time you truly rested? What keeps you from it? 9:10

2. The Shepherd is with us in the valley. We walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and we do not walk alone: "for thou art with me." 14:45

• What valley are you walking through, or have you walked through? How did you know God was with you? 17:30

3. The Shepherd brings us home. Goodness and mercy shall follow me, which means they pursue me, all the days of my life. 22:40

• Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). What does that tell you about how much the Shepherd cares for you? 25:50

This week

• Pray one verse of Psalm 23 each morning, Monday through Saturday. 28:30
• Write down the name of one person in a valley, and reach out to them. 28:30