Welcome back to lifegroup!
Our groups are all in the process of ramping up for the season. Some groups have met one or two times already, and others are starting this week. I hope the new season of lifegroup is a real blessing for you, and that all of us become better and better at loving others.
Last swim of the season! Because we were rained out, Gilmer County has agreed to open the pool AFTER the season ends JUST FOR US! Bring your family and invite all your friends to swim and eat together at the Gilmer County Pool!
Details are at: www.forgilmer.com
We all know people that have doubts… We all know people that just don’t think they have any need for a relationship with God any more. They’ve tried it out, and it just hasn’t worked for them. They’ve lost faith. I’m doing this next series specifically for your friends who just don’t see the need for God in their lives. Why don’t you invite someone today? SHARE our series website with your friends via Facebook.
World Of Wonder Series
In case you missed Sunday’s final message in the “World of Wonder” series, you can listen right here.
You can also listen or watch previous sermons and series on our website right here.
Even better, you can subscribe to our podcast and have every message automatically delivered to you as soon as it is published!
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
What is a major need in your life right now? How do you think this need can be met?
On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to ask for help when you need it? Do you readily admit when you need another’s wisdom, support, encouragement, or resources? Explain.
Psalm 23:1–3 (NLT)
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
In Psalm 23, David describes Israel’s relationship with God like a shepherd and his sheep.
Jesus also describes himself as the “Good Shepherd,” who willing laid down his life for his sheep.
John 10:14–15 (NLT)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
When you think of God as your shepherd, what aspect(s) of God’s character or actions does this imagery highlight?
What are some of the needs that a shepherd meets for his sheep?
Left to themselves, sheep lack everything. A good shepherd knows what the sheep need and fulfills his duty to provide for them. There are shepherds who neglect their flocks (see Ezekiel 34), but the Lord is not that kind of shepherd. The Old Testament tells again and again of God’s faithfulness to provide for his people Israel. On their 40 year journey through the wilderness into the promised land, the Lord was with the Israelites so that they “lacked nothing” (Deut. 2:7). Moses described life in the promised land as “a land where you will eat food without shortage, where you will lack nothing…” (Deut. 8:9). The same God who had been faithful to provide for Israel would be faithful to provide for David and will be faithful to provide for us who look to Him as our Great Shepherd.
Matthew 6:25–34 (NLT)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
In Psalm 23, David describes himself in a state of rest because of the Lord’s provision for his needs. In Matthew, Jesus speaks in a very similar way.
What does it feel like when all your needs have been met? When you are full with good food and drink? When you are satisfied?
When sheep lie down, it is because they feel safe and satisfied. Philip Keller, a modern-day shepherd, observes in his book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” that sheep will only lie down if four requirements are met:
1) They are free from fear;
2) they are free from friction with other sheep in the flock;
3) they are free from flies; and
4) they are free from hunger.
Because of the care of their shepherd for them emotionally, socially, medically, and physically, they can lie down and rest freely.
In Matthew 6:25-34, (above) what response to life’s needs did Jesus teach against? Do you ever feel the temptation to respond to life’s challenges this way?
Instead, how can the follower of Jesus respond to the needs of this life? How does knowing that God is your Great Shepherd help you to rest in His provision? What does it look like in everyday life? Give specific examples.
Martin Luther once said: “God is a thousand times more willing and ready to do everything that is to be done for his sheep than is any faithful human shepherd” (Pelikan, Jaroslav, ed. “Luther’s Works,” vol. 12. St. Louis: Concordia, 1955. p. 154). Since God Himself is our Great Shepherd, we can rest with confidence and assurance that He will provide for our every need.
How have you seen God as your Great Shepherd provide for your needs in the past?
What is a need in your life right now that you long for God to meet?
How does the reality of God’s faithful provision for you free you to live life without anxiety?
As you close this evening, take some time to praise God for His faithful provision in your life. Recount in prayer some of the ways He has provided for your needs already and petition him boldly for the needs that yet seem unmet. Thank Him for His constant shepherding presence in your life.