Psalm 23, Part 2: Be the Sheep

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 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.

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

Set a specific 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:

“In this week’s guide, we will provide practical examples of how you can apply the teachings from the message on Psalm 23:2. During the message, we discovered the importance of being intentional about listening to the voice of the Shepherd, just as a sheep listens to its shepherd's guidance. As you read through the following lists, we encourage you to select three examples from each section that resonate with you. By doing so, you'll be taking deliberate steps to live out the sermon's valuable lessons in your daily life.

First, it’s important to set the tone for the night by reading Psalm 23. Go slow. You can even read it multiple times. Once you’re done, 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.



Practicing Psalm 23:2

Trusting in God's Provision

Psalm 23:2 reminds us of God's role as our provider. To practice this trust, we can cultivate contentment in our daily lives. Contentment is a state of mind that appreciates what we have and trusts that God will meet our needs. We will provide practical examples and exercises to help you embrace contentment in your daily walk.

  1. Gratitude: Develop a habit of gratitude. Regularly take time to count your blessings and express thankfulness to God for the things you have. This practice shifts your focus from what you lack to what you've been given.

  2. Cultivate a Generous Spirit: Generosity fosters contentment. Sharing with others not only brings joy but also helps you realize the abundance you possess. It's a tangible way to demonstrate your trust in God's provision.

  3. Simplify Your Life: Overcommitment, clutter, and busyness can lead to stress and discontent. Simplify your life by decluttering your physical and mental spaces, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

  4. Embrace Patience: Trust that God's timing is perfect. Waiting on His guidance and provision can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to exercise patience and cultivate contentment in His plan for your life.

Trusting in God’s Safety

Psalm 23:2 also speaks of God's role as our Shepherd who keeps us safe. To experience God's safety is to acknowledge our vulnerability and to place our trust in the one who never fails. It is an act of surrender and faith, knowing that we are held in the palm of His hand. In times of danger, He is our shield. In moments of distress, He is our deliverer. His safety is an unshakable foundation we build our lives upon, casting aside our anxieties and placing our confidence in Him.

  1. Prayer and Surrender: Regularly surrender your fears, concerns, and anxieties to God through prayer. Recognize that He is your ultimate source of safety, and trust that He is always present and watching over you.

  2. Scripture and Promises: Meditate on the promises of safety found in the Bible. Verses like Psalm 91:4-5 and Isaiah 41:10 remind us of God's protective presence. Memorize these passages and rely on them during moments of doubt or fear.

  3. Fellowship: Seek support and encouragement from your Christian community. If you find yourself feeling alone and far away from God, engage in fellowship with other believers who can uplift you.

  4. Daily Surrender: Start each day by surrendering it to God. Trust in His safety by acknowledging that He is in control, and you are under His loving care. This daily practice sets the tone for a life built on trust in God's protection.

Trusting in God’s Rest

Just as Psalm 23:2 speaks of God leading us beside still waters, His rest is a serene oasis where our weary souls find nourishment. It is an invitation to pause and relinquish the burdens that weigh us down, to cast our anxieties upon the Shepherd who tenderly cares for His sheep.

We often find ourselves entangled in the demands of a fast-paced world. But God's rest calls us to a different rhythm, a pace that allows us to breathe deeply and reflect on His goodness.

To experience rest from God is to acknowledge our limitations and to release the need to be in control. It is an act of surrender, a reminder that we are not defined by our achievements or productivity, but by our identity in Him.

  1. Sabbath Rest: Set aside a dedicated day of rest, following the principle of the Sabbath. Use this time to disconnect from work and worldly concerns and focus on worship, reflection, and spending quality time with God and loved ones.

  2. Pray Consistently: Prayer allows you to cast your cares and anxieties on God and find peace in His presence. Prayerful reflection on Scripture can be particularly calming.

  3. Solitude and Silence: Create moments of solitude and silence in your daily routine. In these quiet moments, you can listen for the still, small voice of God and find comfort in His presence.

  4. Nature and Creation: Spend time in nature, appreciating God's creation. The beauty of the natural world can be a source of peace and a reminder of God's care and creativity.

  5. Unplug and Disconnect: Temporarily unplug from digital devices and social media. Disconnecting from the noise of the world allows you to rest from constant information and distractions.

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.