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Small Group Bible Study - Leader Guide
Psalm 23:4
Overview | Our shepherd protects us with His rod (His word) and comforts us with His staff (His Holy Spirit) as we walk through the valleys of life. |
Background | David was a shepherd as a child and later came to be known as the “shepherd king.” God put David in charge of His own personal flock: the children of Israel. |
Read | Read the entire chapter. What stands out? Comments? Questions? |
Warm up | Give an example of a time when you forgot something important for work, a trip etc. How did this affect your attitude? How did it affect the success of your task? If something is forgotten you must either turn back to retrieve it or move forward without it? What impact will each choice have? Life is a spiritual battle and we cannot afford to proceed unprepared. Our shepherd is prepared to protect us and comfort us in any circumstance but we must 1) know this (knowing is half the battle) and accept His help otherwise we will find ourselves alone and susceptible to attack. |
Examine | Psalm 23:4 | Notes |
Ch 7 Even though I walk through the valley “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
| Walking in the Valley
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Discuss | 1. What can we learned in difficult times that can be learned in no other way?
2. What should our attitude be in such situations? | “God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.” C.S. Lewis 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4) |
Examine | Ch 8 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
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Discuss | 3. How can God’s word be used as a rod in tough times?
| “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17)
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Apply | In response to today’s lesson, we can: |
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Notes |
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