Psalm 23:4-6 Discussion Guide
Sermon Date: Dec. 17, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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WHY CITY GROUPS?
The point of a City Group is to help us apply God’s Word to our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, and to multiply faithful intimates of Jesus who make more disciples of Jesus. So we gather regularly to give ourselves to three basic Christian practices: sharing stories, reading the Bible, and praying.
PRAY
Ask if anyone would like to open up in prayer and ask God to bless your time together
STORY
Break the ice with a testimony..
Who has prepared their 5-7 minute story?
Who can give testimony of God’s goodness right now? (i.e. answered prayer, provision, transformation, etc.)
VISION FOR THIS DISCUSSION
In this discussion we will take a look at the topic of patience and perseverance. Jesus is coming back, and God wants us to live with trust and endurance as we wait for Him.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PASSAGE
Use the OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) method to read, study, and use Scripture to grow in knowing and following God.
Read Psalm 23:4-6 to provide an overview for this study.
OBSERVATION
Take time to read the passage and make observations. This will help you understand the thought process of the writer. It’s ok if nothing is observed from the specific list below. Feel free to move on to Interpretation.
Take this passage verse-by-verse. What initially stands out?
Who is the intended audience of the writer?
What is the context of this passage:
a) the literary context (passages before and after the passage)
b) the historical context (circumstances of the author’s audience)
c) the cultural context (details relevant to life as it was lived in this place at this time)
Any repeated words, phrases?
Any comparison/contrast between topics, passages, or stories?
Any connecting words/phrases to bridge verses, stories, or ideas?
(“therefore..”, “however..”, “In the same way..”)
INTERPRETATION
-What? (What’s being said in the text?)
What would you say is the main idea of this passage in your own words?
What does it mean to walk through “the valley of the shadow of death”?
Have you ever been through a “valley” in life?
How can God’s presence comfort us and rid us of fear in the valley?
What is a the difference between the “rod” and the “staff” in the context of vs. 4?
Why would each be comforting to us as “sheep” under Jesus as our shepherd?
-Why? (Why is it being said?)
What does it mean for God to “prepare a table before me”?
Who are our enemies?
Why would this be comforting in the presence of our enemies?
Look at the end of vs. 5. Shepherds pour oil over their sheep's heads to keep flies from going inside their ears. If flies get into their ears, they can be driven crazy to the point of injury or sometimes even death.
God pours oil (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) over us to protect our hearts and minds from anything that can damage us emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.
What are the “flies” in your life that God has protected/is protecting you from? (specific lies, insecurities, relationships, habits, etc.)
APPLICATION
-So what? (What does God want me to do about it?)
For myself:
So what ways may the Holy Spirit be leading me to spend time in God’s presence? What does it look like for me to be comforted by both his protection and discipline (staff and rod)?
So what part of my life (what relationship, problem, difficulty) do I need to remember only goodness and mercy are pursuing me? How does that inform my next right step in this situation?
For others:
So what questions would you ask someone who is searching for comfort in the midst of a valley season?
So what biblical counsel would you give to a Christian who struggles with finding comfort in God’s discipline?
So what person in your life is God calling you to talk to in order to help them find comfort in God’s discipline?
PRAYER
Feel free to ask the group for any pressing prayer requests that would be good to pray over together.
Use the TACOS acronym to let the text you studied pray for you:
Thanksgiving - “Father, thank you…”
Adoration - “Father, You are…”
Confession - “Father, I confess…”
Others - “Father, I pray for…”
Self - “Father, please help me…”
*If size or group dynamics seem to hinder prayer, consider dividing into groups of men/women or groups of 3-4 to reduce barriers to praying out loud.