GateWay Church of Visalia
Reflection
Psalm 23 Pastor Lance Ainsworth January 17, 2021
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Pray First – Prayer is our first response not our last resort
David is reflecting on the Character of God.
(v1) The Lord is my shepherd – He Cares.
(v1) I shall not want - He Provides.
- Contentment comes from whom we have not what we have
(v2) He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. - He Brings Peace and Rest.
- Matthew 11:28-30
(v3) He restores my soul – He Restores.
(v3) He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. – He Guides.
(v1) The Lord is my shepherd – He Cares.
(v1) I shall not want - He Provides.
- Contentment comes from whom we have not what we have
(v2) He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. - He Brings Peace and Rest.
- Matthew 11:28-30
(v3) He restores my soul – He Restores.
(v3) He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. – He Guides.
Up to this point DAVID has talked in 3rd person – Now he moves to present tense. He is talking directly to God. He has reflected on the Character of God and it’s now time to respond.
CHANGES TENSE – From third person to first person.
(v4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; - I will fear no evil.
CHANGES TENSE – From third person to first person.
(v4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; - I will fear no evil.
Why do we trust God?
(v4) For You are with me; He is Present.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – He Protects.
(v5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. – He gives Victory.
- Ephesians 2:10
(v6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. He Pursues me.
- Follow: râḏap̱ - “pursue”
(v4) For You are with me; He is Present.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – He Protects.
(v5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. – He gives Victory.
- Ephesians 2:10
(v6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. He Pursues me.
- Follow: râḏap̱ - “pursue”
Do you know the shepherd?
Are you in the valley and need to reflect on the character of God? Choose to renew your trust in Him.
Discussion Questions:
What is your natural tendency to reflect and be in touch with what’s going on in your heart or to not look back or within, just keep moving forward? How has reflecting on who God is changed your prayer life?
Do you view yourself as a sheep having total dependence on God? Why do we stray from the shepherd? Do you have a story of restoration in your life? Do you have contentment through your relationship with Christ?
Taking time to renew your trust in God can be a process. What hinders us from trusting God fully? What role does faith play in trusting God through the Valley? Are you in a Valley? Let the group pray for you, God has given us the body of Christ to walk through the valleys of life together.
Have you felt the comfort of the staff? The Holy Spirit is entitled the comforter, that guides us in truth. How can we be more aware of the discipline of God in our life? Do we view discipline as love?
Family Time:
Play a game where the people take turn being the shepherd trying to guide the sheep (the rest of the family) to a certain location in the house. Discuss how God guides us daily.
What is your natural tendency to reflect and be in touch with what’s going on in your heart or to not look back or within, just keep moving forward? How has reflecting on who God is changed your prayer life?
Do you view yourself as a sheep having total dependence on God? Why do we stray from the shepherd? Do you have a story of restoration in your life? Do you have contentment through your relationship with Christ?
Taking time to renew your trust in God can be a process. What hinders us from trusting God fully? What role does faith play in trusting God through the Valley? Are you in a Valley? Let the group pray for you, God has given us the body of Christ to walk through the valleys of life together.
Have you felt the comfort of the staff? The Holy Spirit is entitled the comforter, that guides us in truth. How can we be more aware of the discipline of God in our life? Do we view discipline as love?
Family Time:
Play a game where the people take turn being the shepherd trying to guide the sheep (the rest of the family) to a certain location in the house. Discuss how God guides us daily.