a shepherd looks at psalm 23 discussion questions

Reading this section (yes - for the 3rd time - guess I'm as hard headed as a sheep!!!) God has connected His name and His glory with the walk and conduct of His people. Arena groups will meet together weekly to talk through the weekly readings and discussion questions. Kathy, beautiful card, wonderful message! A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 will give new meaning to the ageless Shepherd Psalm, enriching your trust in and love for the Lord who watches closely over you. Covenant Group Discussion Questions Psalm 23: Faith in the Darkness Icebreaker Option 1: Share about a person you know who has exhibited extraordinary faith. It was so perfect and meaningful I felt that it was a message I was meant to receive and share with all of you. What does the Shepherd provide as his sheep walk through the valley of death? What do the shepherd’s rod and staff provide for the sheep as they follow? This collection includes A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, A Layman Looks at the Lord's Prayer, A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and His Sheep, and A Gardener Looks at the Fruits of the Spirit. Of this psalm, Martin Luther said, “Of all the figures that are applied to God in the Old Testament, that of a shepherd is the most beautiful. I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. Bless you for your humility. As a shepherd, Phillip Keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheep―and of the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for them. Ewes, heavy in lamb, when chased by dogs or other predators will slip their unborn lambs and lose them in abortions. . David did not worry about nor fear this valley as he entered it. Kathy - Thank you so much for sharing! 5. Please join us and add your name to the "Add Comment" section and join us for the following 6 weeks. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want …” Travel the shepherd’s path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of Psalm 23. Wow, this was such a significant chapter! A shepherd's loss from such forays can be appalling. Although I have read scriptures about wool, this caused to me focus on MY old self-life. Not once did I ever think about how God felt. The book being used for this study is called A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, written by Phillip Keller. NOR did I think about "His delight in restoring it to the flock and to Himself". We have named our group "Women Journeying Through The Bible" because that's who we are and what we have been doing.We are going to try a "blog" approach during our "hiatus" between studies. The sheep’s wellbeing depends on what type of a shepherd he has. I've read about the 99 sheep and the lost one - several times. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. BUT . God has the same heart, as the shepherd, full of concern and compassion, for the down cast men and women of this world. . Have a great trip and seminars! Point out that, surprisingly, David wrote Psalm 23 from the perspective of being a sheep, with the Lord as his shepherd! Why did Jesus compare people to sheep? How did Psalm 23 help you to get through that time? Study questions about Psalm 23 ("The Lord is My Shepherd"). I will dwell in the house of the Lord 2. The answers to such questions are necessary to truly understand Scriptural references to sheep and shepherds. 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. %��������� This wonderful time we get to spend with Him - learning His desires for us - helps to shed the old self. . But I didn't think about "the shepherd's deep concern, his agonizing search, his longing to find the missing one". 2) What is it about “sheep” that makes them a good picture of human beings? stream x�Xˎ����+n�R��)�7�g&�x�Iڱ/�,h�$V�d�*�5��ld;ߒs�U�(�j� �B/�ֹ�s���@_h�W�4���*���S��7/�_�27F�x��s���,�(�q�SJ��d�xG��� ����>�M'3�J�~AAh~�o���[,�b���Fo�c.�\lnȟ�hI�zԔ6��Ӣ��C?�i݈ E7�OZ�LZ������Ń�(I�Q§J#�Z���H0a���[��[{`@@�I�{�.E��/��Z.5����, W. Philip Keller, in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, comments on the uniqueness of the shepherd’s staff: “In a sense, the staff, more than any other item of his personal equipment, identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. Choose a group that meets on Wednesday mornings at 6:30am, or Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. 6. When I serve, I have opportunities to spend time with those that most of our society has no use for. As a shepherd, W. Phillip Keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheep--and of the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for them. This section of this chapter really spoke to me. Because they are timid they will not lie down if they are afraid. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. FOREVER (6b) 1. d. Why, or how, do the shepherd’s rod and staff bring comfort? The very beginning of this Psalm brings great comfort to David, no doubt: It solidifies his identity: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” ( Psalm 23:1 ). (Keller was himself a shepherd in British Columbia, Canada, and speaks from experience.) If you wish to study further the work of the shepherd, and how that provides a wonderful picture of what the Lord does for us, read the devotional classic A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Philip Keller. If you have this psalm committed to memory (even if it’s just a few lines), do you remember where you first heard it? Offered here in easy-to-read large print, this beloved classic will give new meaning to … Offered here in easy-to-read large pr He knew who his She… The Lord is our Shepherd and He longs for us to recognize how much He is involved in our lives. Keller infuses new hope into our relationship with Christ. Kathy - we are right there with you - having looked for the comfortable spot way too many times - the blessing is that we are now aware and can reach for Him instead of turn away fro Him. Peggy - how right you are - He always knows where we are even when we don't. 2Ti 4:18) B. 4 0 obj That gave me a visual of way too many times being in bed in the fetal position from pain of losing a loved one, things outside my control AND those INSIDE my control. when He found it. The Good Shepherd spares no pains for the welfare of His sheep. It seems so easy to look for the "comfortable spot " and then become "cast". THE SHEPHERD'S PRESERVATION (23:6) A. The shepherd rescuing a sheep multiple times at certain parts of their lives spoke to me about God's faithfulness to rescue me over and over when I was struggling with something. Phillip Keller - A Shepard Looks at Psalm 23. Thank goodness he is always there and knows where I am when I don't. Psalm&23–Everythingthatweneed& Written&by&Faye&Reynolds& 4 Lesson3:!!He!makesme!to!lie!down!in!green!pasture;Heleadsmebeside! He ought never to have been allowed to keep sheep. No one in any other profession carries a shepherd’s staff. Has there been a particular time in your life when this psalm came to your mind? Discussion Questions for Psalm 23. The author shares his extensive firsthand experience to provide modern readers a window into the lives and behavior of both sheep and shepherd, bringing Psalm 23 to life in a vivid, rich, and wondrous way. He writes with sensitivity of the Good Shepherd, His sheep, the Father Who loves them and the spirit who guides them. I've even thought "YAY!!!" I am going to do my best to remember these feelings. I have been doing it all backwards going away from my Shepherd instead of looking to him to keep me on my feet. Drawing from his experience, Keller walks you verse by verse through this beloved portion of Scripture, offering unique insights into the love our Good Shepherd bestows upon us. This Zondervan Timeless Faith Classic: Is perfect as a treasured self-purchase or gift for any occasion . LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU LADIES!!! c. What does a shepherd do with his rod and staff? I would underscore the possessive of “shepherd.”. Introduction to Psalm 23 Between the Suffering Christ of Psalm 22 and the Sovereign Christ of Psalm 24 is the Shepherd Christ of Psalm 23. quiet!waters.% % % 1. We need to die to ourselves and "let the shearing begin"!!! Judi. Read the whole chapter first then go back and reread it to answer the questions. My name is Judi Courter. The Lord, who created the universe, cares about the minute details in our lives. �w*S��>"��- ��I��%�Qxt5R������x$M�D��R��5"��,�gM��J�|�f�.�c��n��D���t.DCre�%x&�!���庩�XR�B�F�6��N�M���&�e��přf��d�3�Ŋ;�@\M�!v.p(]�E�e��� by I Gordon. �ʇ�e+t#U���Q! Psalm 56:13 gives us a commentary on this aspect of the Christian life saying, “You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Option 2: Where were you when you last felt afraid of the dark? Forever (cf. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me 2. Travel to the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23--it will mean so much more once you've read this inspirational classic from a real-life shepherd! We also know that we are blessed to have each other as our prayer partners to intercede for us as well. . All the days of my life (cf. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 – Chapter 4 “He Leadeth Me Beside the Still Waters” Start each time of study with prayer. 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