Grow Group Questions • Psalm 23 • Through The Valley

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As we’re beginning a short series in the Psalms focusing on calling out to God, are there any Psalms or worship songs that you’ve used as a prayer to God? Or one that has helped draw you closer to him? Why does that one, in particular, stand out to you?  Read Psalm 23 in a few different translations as a group (NLT, ESV, CSB). What stands out to you about this Psalm? Is there anything you find challenging about it?
How do you think King David growing up as a shepherd affected his view of God?  Pastor David shared on Sunday that to King David, “God is not a distant Shepherd that stands on a hill overlooking all of his many many sheep. As he writes this, we get the picture of King David’s close relationship, even intimate relationship with HIS shepherd.” Before going into the message on Sunday,  did you view God being our “shepherd” as being that intimate and close? Why or why not? Read John 10:11-18. How does Jesus affirm this idea of himself being a “good shepherd”?
King David paints a picture of a God who both leads him to “green pastures” and “through the darkest valley”. Do you believe God leads us to “dark valleys”? Why or why not? 
Why do you think God does that? King David speaks of God actually leading him through the darkest valley. How is God leading us through a “dark valley” different from a dark time in our lives caused by our own sin? Why is the distinction important?
To King David, “dwelling in the house of the Lord forever” meant having a true intimacy and worship of his God. Do you view your times of worship, either on Sunday or otherwise, with the same level of reverence and importance? Is setting apart time to worship God an important part of your Christian life? Why or why not?
Should it be?  On Sunday, Pastor David called us to not just sing about God, but TO Him. Do you find that easy to do? What do you do to keep your focus on Him in worship? Is this any harder to do watching service at home? Why do you think that is?
How do you feel about your current level of closeness with your shepherd? How can we get to a place where we feel comforted by Him, and trust that he is with us?
 
 
Senior Pastor Search Team Prayer Prompt Pray for a heart of renewal as we look forward to what God is doing through this search and this season of our church! That our hearts would sing with the promises of His word! Looking not back at who we were but forward to what he has in store for us!   “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV) “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Psalm 51:10 (ESV) “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!……. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”.Psalm 119: 103;105 (NIV)
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