SEPTEMBER 8 LIFE THROUGH GOD S PROVISION Psalm 23:1-6 Central Teaching/Learning Aim: The learner will discover the hope and assurance one can find through the provision of the Lord and be challenged to live as a confident person of hope. I. HOOK A. Video clip Little Girl 23 rd psalm. This clip is available, on the LifeGroup Leader Resource page. Length: 01:21 Synopsis: A precious little girl recites the 23 rd Psalm demonstrating a child-like faith. Ask Members to listen for words/phrases that offer hope. Robert Ketchum tells about a Sunday school teacher who asked a group of kids if any of them could quote the 23rd Psalm. A little four-and-a-half year old girl raised her hand. The teacher, skeptical, but with a smile on her face told the little girl to go ahead. The little girl stood up and facing the other kids she said, "The Lord is my shepherd that's all I want." Then she sat down. Ask In what temporal things do people place their trust? How has the 23 rd Psalm provided comfort and hope to you? Lesson Plan State - Today we are going to discuss how we all need hope and how God provides hope for any circumstances. B. Optional Method Object Lesson Bring a baby, lamb or puppy to class. After the class has enjoyed seeing the person or animal ask a series of questions. What would happen if an adult did not feed or provide water for the infant or small animal?
How does one protect an infant or small animal? How is a Christian like a small child or sheep to Christ the Good Shepherd? Next - Read today s passages and ask members to identify the actions of the Good Shepherd. State - Today we are going to discuss how we all need hope and how God provides hope for any circumstances. II. BOOK A. Utilize the discussion guide to examine the Scripture passages. III. LOOK A. Place members into groups and have them discuss the handout Rest for the Weary.
IV. TOOK A. Ask members to share experiences they have had where the Good Shepherd is the only person who sustained them and gave them hope. Read (Psalm 23) from The Message by Eugene Patterson Psalm 23 (The Message) God, my Shepherd! I don t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I m not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Close in prayer.
DISCUSSION GUIDE (Teacher s Copy) LIFE THROUGH GOD S PROVISION Psalm 23:1-6 1. When David is first mentioned in the Bible, what is he doing? (I Samuel 16:11) David was shepherding the sheep. 2. How did David rule as the King of Israel? (Psalm 78:70-72) As a shepherd with a heart of integrity and skillful hands. 3. Why does a shepherd make his sheep lie down in green pastures and go to water? (v.2) Sheep need four things to find rest, no fear, no tension in the flock, no bad weather, and no hunger. They will also not drink from running water. 4. How does God restore you? When/where do you feel restored? 5. How does God guide you? (v.3) 6. How is God s reputation on the line by your life? (v.3) 7. What does David mean by the valley of the shadow of death in (v.4)? There is an actual valley of the shadow of death that sheep herders know about in Palestine. It is a dangerous journey. Death is Satan s greatest weapon but Christ conquered death. 8. What is the significance of the shepherd s rod and staff? (v. 4) The rod was a club to defend against wild animals and the staff was a long pole to guide and control the sheep. 9. What did the phrase You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies symbolize? Table in Scripture referred to the flat land where the sheep would graze. The shepherd would go before them and pull any poisonous weeds that might be harmful. 10. What was the significance of anointing the head with oil in David s day? (v. 6) For sheep, oil would keep flies away from them and it would soothe their wounds. For people it was a way to show honor to a guest in a home. 11. What is the significance of the phrase my cup overflows? (v. 6) When travelers wanted something to drink, you would fill their cup to the top and if you wanted them to leave, you only filled it half full. In Christ, our cup overflows continuously.
DISCUSSION GUIDE LIFE THROUGH GOD S PROVISION Psalm 23:1-6 1. When David is first mentioned in the Bible, what is he doing? (I Samuel 16:11) 2. How did David rule as the King of Israel? (Psalm 78:70-72) 3. Why does a shepherd make his sheep lie down in green pastures and go to water? (v.2) 4. How does God restore you? When/where do you feel restored? 5. How does God guide you? (v.3) 6. How is God s reputation on the line by your life? (v.3) 7. What does David mean by the valley of the shadow of death in (v.4)? 8. What is the significance of the shepherd s rod and staff? (v. 4) 9. What did the phrase You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies symbolize? 10. What was the significance of anointing the head with oil in David s day? (v. 6) 11. What is the significance of the phrase my cup overflows? (v. 6)
Rest for the Weary In the book, A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23 by Phillip Keller, Keller, states that sheep cannot lie down unless 4 things take place. Work through this handout to discover how to have real rest through God s provision. Need One: Freedom from hunger Sheep cannot lie down as long as they feel a need for finding food. In (Psalm 23:2) we find that the Shepherd has so satisfied the sheep s hunger that they can lie down right in the midst of green pastures. Read the following Scriptures and record how the Shepherd provides for our hunger. I Peter 2:2 Heb. 5:13-14 II Tim. 3:16-17 Need Two: Freedom from fear Sheep are helpless, timid animals with little means of self-defense. Read the following Scriptures and record how the Shepherd removes our fear. I John 4:16, 18 II Tim. 1:7 Psalm 56:3-4 Need Three: Freedom from friction Sheep are very tense with others of their kind and feel like they must defend themselves. Read the following and record how the Shepherd relieves tension. Matt. 6:12, 14-15 Matt. 5:23-24 Phil. 2:3-8 Need Four: Freedom from pests Sheep are greatly annoyed and driven to distraction by flies, parasites and other pests which would seek to torment them. Read the following Scriptures and record how the Shepherd relieves our pests. II Cor. 10:3-5 Phil. 4:6-9 Isa. 26:3
(Exegetical: What it meant to Israel back THEN) DAVID S MEDITATIONS ON THE SHEPHERD-LIKE/HOST-LIKE PROVISIONS OF THE LORD... RECOUNTED HIS ONGOING TRUST/HOPE IN THE LORD S PROVISION OF SUSTENANCE, HEALING, LEADING, PROTECTION, GRACE, AND FELLOWSHIP, (Psalm 23:1-6). Note: Psalm 23 expressed David s trust/hope in the LORD to continue to His provision of life and blessing to him personally (in terms/images with which David as the shepherd/king would be familiar) The LORD s provision of life would sustain him both in this life (John 10:10) and in the life to come (John 10:28). David s expression of trust/hope was articulated in terms of two images that he well knew: the shepherd (see Isaiah 40:11) with his sheep (see 1 Samuel 16:11, 19; 17:15, 20, 28) and the host (see Isaiah 25:6; Luke 22:30) with his guest (see 2 Samuel 9:7-13; Luke 7:46), feasting and fellowshipping at the host s table. Bernhard Anderson shows how easily these two images were merged in David s mind to reflect his understanding of his own relationship with the LORD. The shepherd can be portrayed from two standpoints. He is the protector of the sheep as they wander in search of grazing land. Yet he is also the protector of the traveler who finds hospitality in his tent from the dangers and enemies of the desert, (Out of the Depths, p. 145). The words of Psalm 23 present David s trust/hope in highly poetic terms. We will fail to be caught up in the emotion of David s unbounded confidence in the LORD s provision of and for life if we try to explain every image from merely an intellectual or logical perspective. This psalm was meant not so much to be understood, as to be experienced. But when experienced, these images have sustained and encouraged God s sheep through the centuries and will be recounted in the house of the LORD forever. I. David s meditations on the Shepherd-like provision of the LORD... recounted his ongoing trust in the LORD s sustenance, healing, leading, and protection, (1-4). A. The reason David [as the LORD s sheep] would not lack [for any good thing]... was because the LORD was his Shepherd, (1). Note: Sheep do not take care of themselves. The shepherd takes care of them in every way. Otherwise, they would soon die because of starvation, accident, illness, attack by predators. No shepherd = no life. B. The means by which the LORD [the Shepherd] provided for the [physical and even psychological] needs of David [the sheep]... was by making David lie down [eat peacefully] in green pastures [with plentiful provision for hunger] and by leading David beside still waters [an unthreatening provision for thirst], (2).
Note: Through the years, the LORD had provided for David s physical sustenance (e.g., 1 Samuel 25:18-20, 35) and psychological encouragement (e.g., 1 Samuel 20:12-17). God s provision had been especially rich. C. The means by which the LORD [the Shepherd] healed the [spiritual] needs of David [the sheep]... was by renewing [refreshing] David s inner being [emotional/spiritual peace, energy, and stability], (3a). Note: David moved from the LORD s care for the physical/psychological to the deeper emotional/ spiritual. I would not make a great distinction between the psychological and the emotional. Those terms are not in the text, but through them I am trying to grasp the fullness of David s imagery in which the whole person is provided for: body, soul, mind, and spirit (cp., Deuteronomy 6:5; Luke 10:27). The Shepherd and the Host metaphors speak to the full range of our neediness and God s provision. D. The purpose for which the LORD [the Shepherd] led David [the sheep] into the right [ethical/moral] path... was for the sake of His own reputation/glory [to show the nations that He was a good LORD], (3b). E. The result of the LORD s protection [as a Shepherd] for David, experienced through His presence ( You are with me ) and resources/ discipline ( Your rod and staff ), even when David faced the valley of life-threatening situations (a lion, a bear, a giant, an enemy army see 1 Samuel 17:37; 2 Samuel 7:1)... was that David [like a sheep] did not fear evil [that he would come to harm], but rather took comfort, (4). Note: The valley was as much the path into which the LORD directed David, as were the green pastures and quiet waters. The cause of comfort, even in the valley, was the LORD s presence. What a great thought! II. David s meditations on the Host-like ministries of the LORD... recounted his ongoing hope in the LORD s abundant bestowal of grace and promise of fellowship, (5-6). A. The reason [implied] David rejoiced/hoped in the LORD s grace... was because the LORD [as a gracious and powerful Host] had fellowshipped with David [His guest] before the eyes of his enemies, even anointing him [as His co-regent and representative on earth], and abundantly lavishing him with oil [a sign of honor and provision], (5). Note: Imagine a table set on the edge of a battlefield. The conflict is over and the documents of peace and transition of power have been signed. Before the eyes of the defeated enemy, the new king has been anointed (cp. 1 Samuel 16:12-13). We would think of a coronation. Now the table has been cleared of the implements of war and peace and is spread with a banquet celebrating the new king and his kingdom. All, even past enemies, who declare loyalty to the new king, are invited. The king, who sits at the head of the table, will determine in the following days those who will join his table on a daily basis. They will be the fortunate benefactors, graced to dwell in his court and feast at his abundant table. They will fellowship in grace and loyalty with the king.
B. The basis of David s hope, both in his present life and in his future subsistence... were the expectation of the LORD s good loving-loyalty during his life on earth and the promise of living in the LORD s presence [House] for eternity, (6). (Theological... What it means to believers ALWAYS) THE LORD S CONSTANT PROVISION FOR HIS OWN... GENERATES THEIR REFLECTIVE TRUST AND HOPE, (Psalm 23:1-6). I. The LORD s constant provision of sustenance, healing, leading, and protecting... generates reflective trust [that He will continue the same], (23:1-4). II. The LORD s constant provision of grace and promise of fellowship... generate reflective hope [that He will continue the same], (23:5-6).
(Pedagogical... What it means for us NOW) [In this distressing, distracting, and demanding world...] REST IN THE LORD S PROVISION FOR YOU, (Psalm 23:1-6). I. Trust in the Lord s constant provision like a Shepherd, (1-4). A. Rest/Trust in the Lord s physical provision, (1-2). B. Rest/Trust in the Lord s spiritual restoration, (3a). C. Rest/Trust in the Lord s ethical direction, (3b). D. Rest/Trust in the Lord s comforting protection, (4). II. Hope in the Lord s constant provision like a Host, (5-6). A. Rest/Hope in the Lord s abundant, gracious exaltation, (5). B. Rest/Hope in the Lord s loyal, eternal fellowship, (6). III. Find a way, or ways, to gather, remember, and reflect on God s provisions. A. Keep a written journal. B. Keep a photo journal. C. Make a scrapbook. D. Make a quilt. E. Keep a box/trunk of mementos, Etc. F. As you create these remembrances and as you revisit them, you will build trust and hope.