Through the Valley

Discussion Questions:
1) Read Psalm 23 and discuss it as a group. What stands out as you read this passage?

2) This passage opens saying, “The Lord is my shepherd,” which is a personal statement. The image of a shepherd is an image of one who guides or leads. Pastor Kaleb said that we cannot declare that the Lord is our shepherd until we first realize that we are just sheep. Have you personally gotten to the place where you have made the Lord the shepherd of your life? Is the Lord who guides your life or is it something or someone else?

3) Read Psalm 23:4 together. David describes a very fearful circumstance in the verse. The image of the valley in this verse gives us a picture of being surrounded. Do you feel like there are currently situations in your life that are causing you extreme fear or anxiety? How do these verses encourage you?

4) Do you personally have difficulty trusting that God will lead, guide, sustain and comfort you in the midst of every circumstance that may come up in your life? Why or why not?

5) Verse 4 says, “I will fear no evil for you are with me.” The statement David is making is that the presence of his shepherd eliminated the fear of evil but notice that it didn’t eliminate the presence of evil. There was still an extremely fearful circumstance around him. What are some some practical ways that you can still set your focus on the fact that God is with you, even though the situation is still fearful? Do you find it difficult to trust God when the situation still seems the same?

6) What are some things you can do to apply what we’ve seen in Psalm 23 to your life as you’re going through this week?