Psalm 23, Part 1: The Lord Is My Shepherd
Introduction: Read this section first and set a time to complete this guide together
How to Follow the Guide
This guide is designed to be experienced in one dedicated sitting. We strongly recommend going through it with your family or a group of friends. It's essential to approach this experience with a sense of reverence, seriousness, and joy. Go through this guide at a measured pace and be purposeful in your engagement.
The guide is structured with an introductory overview, followed by multiple discussion topics containing both questions and answers. It also includes a reflection segment, a practical application section, and ends with intentional prayer.
While everyone is expected to participate in the Bible readings and discussions, we encourage you to designate a leader who will handle the majority of the reading.
Lastly, the environment you are in will heavily impact everyone’s ability to focus on the passage and discussion. Turn off electronics. Tidy the room. Remove opportunities for distractions. If you have kids, maybe even bring out snacks for them to munch on so they have full and happy bellies while going through this guide together.
For parents:
Following this guide is meant to be beautiful, fulfilling, and fun - not a frustrating burden. If needed, you have the freedom adapt this guide to fit the dynamics of your family.
If you have small children who might struggle with participating in the discussion, we encourage you to find creative ways to have them be involved.
One simple activity would be this: Provide them with paper and crayons and ask them to draw a picture of a shepherd caring for their sheep and have them present their art to the family / group at the end of the session. Encourage them to be creative and add a river, mountains, themselves, etc. into the picture.
We want to highly encourage you to walk through this guide as a family. However, if your children are at that wonderful age where they are unable to participate and therefore will pull your attention away from this guide’s discussion, it could be wise to follow this guide first with your spouse after bedtime and then set a time to do a condensed version with your younger children.
Figure Out the When and Where
Now that you have the instructions, set a time to complete this guide. This could be done as an individual, as a family, or as a friend group.
If you plan to complete this as an individual, determine what day and time you will follow this guide this week.
If you plan to complete this as a family, determine together what day and time you will do this together this week. If you have kids, let them know you’re going to do a special thing together with the Bible on X date so they can begin looking forward to it.
If you plan to complete this with a group, take the initiative and invite others to join you. Determine what day, time, and location you will do this together this week. Because of the necessity of discussion and personal reflection, it’s extremely important to keep your group small - ideally no more than 4 adults.
Begin with Scripture and Prayer
The leader of the group should read this aloud:
“As you gather in your group or family, we encourage full participation by having each member take turns reading Psalm 23 in full out loud. Let the words flow through the room, allowing everyone to actively engage with the scripture.
For parents, we invite you to make this experience even more enjoyable for your children. If they have Bibles, take them to Psalm 23 or have them follow along in your Bible. Encourage them to repeat the words after you, creating a sense of participation and shared learning. You can also make Psalm 23 come alive by having your kids recite it in a psalm-like manner, adding rhythm and melody to the words. This interactive approach not only deepens your family's understanding of the Psalm but also makes it a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.
After reading Psalm 23, we encourage you to pause and pray, reflecting on the words you've just shared. Don’t rush through this. Instead, we encourage you to begin prayer by starting with 30-60 seconds of silence, pondering the words of Psalm 23. You will naturally desire to rush through this, but fight that temptation! Let this be a moment to truly connect with the Shepherd of your souls, expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, and finding solace in His presence.
Let’s now read Psalm 23 and then pray.”
Before moving on to the next section, spend time reading Psalm 23 (as described above) and then the leader should pray.*
*If you need guidance on what to pray, you can pray out this prayer or use these words as inspiration for your own prayer:
Jesus, as we begin to explore Psalm 23, we seek Your guidance and understanding. Open our hearts to the profound truths within this psalm. Help us to recognize You as our Shepherd, providing for our needs, protecting us, and leading us to peace.
Grant us the wisdom to apply these lessons in our lives, slowing down and removing distractions to live out the teachings of Psalm 23.
May Your Holy Spirit lead us in understanding, and may our hearts be transformed by these truths. We thank You for being our Shepherd.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
Knowing God and His Role
Read the following passages aloud:
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’
Exodus 3:13-14
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:11-15
Ask these questions and discuss:
The Shepherd's Role: What does a shepherd do for his sheep? How does it make you feel that The Shepherd (The Lord) does that for you?
The Lord's Qualifications: How is the Lord qualified to be the Shepherd over our lives?
Understanding God's Name: David uses God's name in this psalm. We would write it, “Yahweh is my shepherd.” We can add “Jesus is my shepherd.” Why is it so important to know about who God is to enjoy the promises in this psalm?
Our Role and Experience as Sheep
Read the following passage aloud:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Ask these questions and discuss:
Personal Experiences: What was a moment where you saw God provide, promise, or protect you?
Receiving Blessings and Promises: Thinking of Matthew 11:28-30 specifically, what are ways you can receive the blessings and promises of Psalm 23?
Sheep and Shepherd Roles: What is God’s role as Shepherd and our role as sheep? What benefits do the sheep receive as a result of following the Shepherd?
Kids Activity: Psalm 23 tells us that God will give us what we need. But this doesn’t quite mean what we want. Find two objects in your house, one that is a need and one that is a want, and explain why you picked them.
Reflect
Read the following passage aloud:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
John 10:27-29
Reflect on the following question:
Listening to Jesus: Thinking of John 10:27-29, knowing what Jesus says requires that you know Jesus’ voice. Reflect on your own life: Have you created a life so busy, frantic, and scattered that you struggle with hearing God’s voice? Would you describe your and your family’s relationship with God rhythmic and consistent or irregular and disorganized, or somewhere in between? Are you satisfied with your family’s devotion to a life of following Jesus?
Practice
The practice this week is to slow down to create opportunities to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. This requires intentionality. Decide now when, where, and how you will practice implementing this rhythm. Be creative and figure out what works best for your family dynamic.
A few suggestions:
1. Have a dedicated Bible reading & prayer time as a family. It doesn’t need to be long; it just needs to be intentional and consistent.
2. Don’t use any electronics (Use a paper Bible if you have one).
3. After praying and reading together, do something fun! Go on a walk, play a board game, make a dessert, etc.
Family Practice: In the natural rhythm of your week, find 3 moments where you are intentional about sharing biblical truth or connecting your kids to a relationship with God.
Prayer
End your time together in prayer. We want to encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and participate. Give opportunities for your children to pray as well.
What to pray:
Myself - Pray together out of this psalm. How do you need to respond?
One-another - Pray for the church. Pray that we, together, would follow our good shepherd, be refreshed, be empowered, be led into His works together.
Non-believers - We would love all of our family and friends to be enjoying life as this psalm promises. This life is only available to those who will follow Jesus.