5. The Good Shepherd
5. The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”. [John 10:11]
Are we under the covering of Jesus, the good shepherd? Do we even understand Jesus as the good shepherd? Have we ever thought about what the benefits are to allowing Jesus to shepherd us? Who is shepherding you, who is looking after your soul, your body, your mind and your spirit? We all have to make a decision to allow Jesus to shepherd us. So as we take a look at Psalm 23 and King Davids revelation of Jesus being his shepherd I want you to think about yourself as a sheep and who you are following, actually. Lets dig in!
PSALM 23
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD” [PSALM 23:1]
- Is he your shepherd? Are you allowing him to lead you and guide you or is there something else in you life that is guiding you? What might that other guiding principle be?
“HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES. HE LEADS ME BESIDES STILL WATERS”. [PSALM 23:2]
- He blesses me! He takes care of my needs! Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a shepherd like that? Are you allowing Jesus to bless you or are you striving to seek the blessing on your own and frustrated in the pursuit because it’s just not working?
“HE RESTORES MY SOUL”. [PSALM 23:3]
- Listen we all get tired weary at some point and need to be restored and refreshed. Let Jesus lead you, let him restore your soul and lift your spirits out of the muck. All you have to do is ask, ‘Jesus I need you to shepherd my soul and lift my spirit’.
“EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”. [PSALM 23:4]
- Are you afraid? Don’t sweat it, we are all afraid at some point. Afraid of being found out, of failure, or not being enough, of dying, of succeeding, but Jesus asks us to take his hand and he will guide us through it and in that we won’t fear evil. Let Jesus be your shepherd.
“YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP OVERFLOWS”. [PSALM 23:5]
- Are you overflowing, or are you empty? Let Jesus fill your cup, let him shepherd you.
“SURELY…GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME”. [PSALM 23:6]
- When Jesus is your shepherd you can’t loose. In the good times and bad times, when you are sick or when you are healthy if you win or loose. For mercy and goodness will follow you in all circumstances. Let Jesus, the good shepherd guide you.
Scripture Reference:
PSALM 23 – A Psalm of King DavidThe Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walkthrough the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me.You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.Surely your goodness and love will follow meall the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lordforever.
Discussion Questions:
- What would it look like if Jesus were shepherding your life?
- If he’s not the shepherd of your life, who is?
- What might be preventing you from allowing Jesus to Shepherd you, guide you, lead you?
- You don’t know how
- You don’t trust him
- You have better plan
- You’re afraid its going to suck
Assignment:
Take a moment to write in your journal what Psalm 23 is speaking to you about your life and your walk with Jesus. Use this journaling technique as a guide.
STAR
S – Scripture Read: Read the Scripture
T – Though Conveyed: What is it saying to you?
A – Application Made: How do you apply this scripture to your life?
R – Response Given: Respond back to God with a prayer