Psalm 23 - The Journey Called Life

1) What are the duties/responsibilities of a shepherd? How would sheep behave if they did not have a shepherd?

Read Psalm 23

2) Verse 1 reads “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” What point is David making? David is making an expression of faith in this verse. He has a deep trust in God. God will meet David’s needs physical (food, drink, clothing, shelter) and spiritual (love, peace, security, joy, righteousness, etc.). He’ll never go without. Cross reference Matthew 6: 25-34.

3) Read verses 2-3. What four things does God the Shepherd do for David the Sheep? How is each beneficial to the sheep?

A) He makes the sheep (David) lie down in green pastures - Benefit is rest

Point out to the group that the Shepherd (God) MAKES the sheep (David) lie down (rest) in green pastures. Why is it that the Shepherd (God) has to make the sheep (David) lie down to gain rest? The sheep are about to journey to the next pasture. They need rest in order to make the journey successfully. Can’t stop between pastures for very long. See why in a moment.

Is it necessary for God to make us lie down and rest? What are some ways he makes us lie down? One example is the fourth commandment - Sabbath: God commanded that we rest one day out of seven. What can happen to us if we do not heed God’s command to lie down (rest)?

B) He leads me beside still/quiet waters - benefit is peace. The Shepherd (God) leads the sheep (David) to a place that is peaceful and serene. When the sheep need rest the Shepherd (God) leads them not to places that are chaotic and filled with noise and racket but to a place where they can enjoy His peace. What are some places that God has led you so that you can know peace?

C) He restores my soul. The Shepherd (God) restores the sheep’s (David’s) soul. What does that mean? Restore - to bring back to a former or original state. What do you think David’s soul was like before God restored it? Anger? Sadness? Despair? Frustration? Fear? How did God restore David’s soul? God led David away from whatever it was that changed his soul and made him rest in a place of peace and serenity. In this place David could renew his strength by spiritually feeding on the green grass and drinking the cool waters. Cross reference - Psalm 46:10. How does God restore your soul?

D) He guides me in the paths of righteousness - benefit is doing what God says is right. Why did God guide David in the paths of righteousness? For David’s glory or God’s glory? To bring glory to God’s name.

Who do you rely on when deciding to do what is right? Yourself, someone else, or God? Why do you do what is right? To bring honor to your name or the name of God?

Notice that all of the above comes before what’s next. Why? He’s giving us the strength we need to successfully make it through the difficult part of the journey.

4) Read verse 4. What imagery comes to mind when you hear the phrase “the valley of the shadow of death”? Imagery - sheep walking through a valley. On either side are hungry wolves with red eyes staring at them. Reason why sheep need rest earlier. Can’t stop in the valley of the shadow of death. Reason why he guides us down the paths of righteousness. So that we will continue to walk righteously during the difficult times.

5) Why do the sheep have to walk through this valley? Only way to get to the next pasture. A valley is located between steep mountains. Sheep can’t travel through rocky, steep mountains. Have to go through the valley where danger is constant.

For David as king - He had enemies all around him who wanted him dead in the worst way (Saul, Philistines, his own son Absalom). The shadow of death fell over him regularly. David did not fear the evil that cast the shadow of death, why? God was with him. God’s rod and staff gave him comfort.

6 a) What is the purpose of a rod? Symbol of authority. Used for guiding. The sheep wanders astray from the pack heading for danger the shepherd will tap him with the rod to get him back to safety.

b) What is the purpose of a staff? Staff has a crook at end. Used to pull sheep out of dangerous places - thorn bushes, rivers, steep places, etc.

Both are symbols of God’s mercy/grace Both give us comfort.

c) How does God’s rod and staff comfort us who are walking the valley of the shadow of death?

List examples of “valleys of shadow of death” today - Some examples terminal illnesses, drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, missionaries in dangerous nations (Islamic countries, Asia).

7) Vs. 5 - What imagery comes to mind when you read “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”? What is so significant about God anointing David’s head with oil? Cleansing from filth. Why does David’s cup overflow? Overwhelming joy of being in the presence of God. Being cared for by God. God was the host, David the guest. Ex. Stephen (Acts chapters 6 and 7)

8) Why does David believe that goodness and mercy/lovingkindness will follow him for the rest of his life? He’s following after the Shepherd (God). After making it through the most difficult part of the journey, David is confident that it will end successfully.

9) Where does David like to call home? House of God. Why? That’s where God lives. He wanted to be in the presence of God forever. Who doesn’t? Here lies the end of the journey.