Memory Text:

“He restores my soul; He leads me

in the paths of righteousness for His
name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3, NKJV).
• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1)
• “Tend…gather…carry…gently lead…(Isa. 40:11)…bring
them…set shepherds…care…(Jer . 23:3,4); seeks out…rescue
them” (Eze. 34:12). “I know my own…I lay down my life…I
bring them…one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:14-16); “Overseer
of your souls” (1 Pet 2: 25).
• “He makes me lie down…leads…(23:2)…restores my soul. He
leads me in paths of righteousness (v.3)…you are with me…
comfort me (v.4)…prepare…anoint” (v.5) …I shall dwell in the
house of the LORD forever. (v.6)
Lesson: I am cared by my Shepherd.

1. The structure of Psalm 23 pictures feature

God as:
A. The Shepherd and God as the Host
B. The Shepherd, the Wanderer, and the Host
C. The Shepherd, the Comforter, the Host, and
the Father of the house.
D. The Shepherd, the sojourner, the lost sheep
Application Question: I am cared by my Shepherd.

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

• “He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3, NRSV).
• “green pastures” (v.3) “still waters” (v.2) “paths of righteousness”
(v.3) “valley of death” (v.4) “prepare a table” (v.5) “house of the
LORD” (v.6).
• It leads to the right destination—the Shepherd’s home.
• They keep us in harmony with the right Person—the Shepherd Himself.
• They train us to be the right people— like the Shepherd.
• They give us the right witness— They are “right” or “righteous” paths,
whether the going is easy or hard.

Lesson: I do right, the Shepherd’s priority for my life.

2. How many locations are there in Psalms 23 and
which one is the destination?
A. 3 locations, with “still waters” as destination
B. 4 locations, with “table” as destination
C. 5 locations, with “green pasture” as destination
D. 6 locations, with “house” as destination
Application Question: I do right, the Shepherd’s priority for my life.

• “Yea, 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” (Ps. 23:4, NKJV)
• Women view death with more sadness, while men will view death with contentment
(Universality of emotions, 1992).
• How people mourn and grieve depends on many factors in their lives, including but
not limited to the following: gender, beliefs about death, personality type, and
perception of the loss (Universality of emotions, 1992).
• Those who have been enrolled in a death and dying course will view death as
peaceful more often than those who have not previously had the course (McGovern,
2000).
• Death should be discussed with children before they encounter it (McGovern, 2000).

Lesson: I expect death anytime.

3. This kind of experience has led many to
dismiss God from their existences and reject
His involvement in the events of history:
A. The pastures are not always green
B. The waters are not always still
C. The paths are not always peaceful
D. The valley of the shadow of death
Application Question: Expecting death anytime

• “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You

anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (Ps. 23:5, NKJV).
• But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you [Matt 5:44]
• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved,
never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your
enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink;
for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good [Rom 12:18-21].
Lesson: I love my enemies.
4. How did David deal with the surrounding
enemies?
A. He looked at what God was doing for him
B. He thought of his experiences of killing lions
C. He did not think he is surrounded by enemies
D. He trusted God’s promises
Application Question: Loving my enemies (not Satan)

• “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6, NKJV).
• “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and blameless before him” (Eph 1:4).
• Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to con rm your calling and
election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall (2 Pet 1:10).
• These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but
having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having
acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. …seeking
a homeland (Heb 11:113-15).

Lesson: I am certain that goodness and mercy shall follow me.

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5. What equation seems parallel to what David says follows and
pursues him?
A. Pastures + water + table = Righteousness
B. Goodness + mercy + house = Eternity
C. Valley of death + God’s presence + Holiness = Eternal life
D. Goodness + Pleasure + mercy = Happiness

Application Question: Certain that goodness and mercy shall follow

Not at all Certain Slightly Certain Somewhat Certain Moderately Certain Extremely Certain

 Closing Statement
“Those who are nally victorious will have seasons of
terrible perplexity and trial in their religious life; but
they must not cast away their con dence, for this is a part
of their discipline in the school of Christ, and it is essential
in order that all dross may be purged away. The servant
of God must endure with fortitude the attacks of the
enemy, his grievous taunts, and must overcome the
obstacles which Satan will place in his way. . . .
- Messages to Young People, pp. 63, 64.
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