The Lord Is My Shepherd

In one paragraph

On a Sunday shaped by grief, Pastor Adam returned to the shepherd theme from Luke 15 and carried it into Psalm 23, letting the psalm do what it had already done for him while he was preparing a funeral the day before. The message was about what it means to be known and kept by a shepherd who does not give up on wandering sheep, and what it looks like for a congregation to do the same for one...

Read together

1. Psalm 30 Opening prayer, mourning turned to joyful dancing, clothed with joy
2. 1 Peter 1:3 New birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
3. Hebrews 10:23 Hold unswervingly to hope, for he who promised is faithful
4. 1 Peter 1:23 Born again to a life that lasts forever, from the eternal living word of God
5. Luke 15:4 Parable of lost sheep, leaving 99 to go after the one that is lost
6. Luke 15:6-7 Rejoicing over found sheep, more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
7. Psalm 23 Main sermon text, shepherd and friend, read and expounded throughout
8. Philippians 4:11-12 Paul learned the secret of contentment, having plenty and having little, writing from prison
9. Ezekiel 34:2-6 Bad shepherds feeding themselves, not strengthening the sick or seeking the scattered
10. Ezekiel 34:11 God himself will search for his sheep and look after them
11. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build each other up

Talk about it

1. The pastor described community as an 'open pasture' where believers help one another walk in victory. What does that kind of community look like in practice, and where have you seen it working or missing in your own life?
2. The pastor talked about being 'prone to wander' and how isolation makes it very hard to find our way back on our own. Can you think of a time when the body of Christ pulled you back, or when you wish someone had come after you?
3. The sermon moved through Psalm 23 phrase by phrase, noting the shift from 'shepherd' to the intimate 'you are with me.' Which phrase from Psalm 23 is hitting you hardest right now, and why?
4. The pastor pointed out that the table God prepares is set in the presence of enemies, and that those enemies are also invited in. How does that change the way you think about praying for or showing kindness to people who have hurt you?
5. Near the end, the pastor read from Ezekiel 34 about shepherds who fed themselves instead of the flock, then called the congregation to go after the ones who have stepped back. Is there someone specific you know who has drifted away? What would it look like to actually go after them this week?