Session Topic: 

God’s Role As Our Shepherd

Focal Text:

Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV 

Biblical Figure Focus: 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit

Objective: 

To understand and develop trust in God's leadership as our shepherd through examining the role of shepherds when caring for sheep. To take an investigative look at Psalm 23 and its meaning for us as believers. 

Key Words: 

Shepherd - From the Hebrew word, ra'ah, which means to tend to, ruler, and teacher. The word ‘pastor’ is derived from the Latin noun, pastor which means, shepherd. 

Text Background: 

Psalm 23 was written by King David. David had spent his earlier years tending to his father’s sheep. In Psalm 23, David describes the Lord as a good shepherd tending to His flock. Psalm 23 outlines the roles and responsibilities of a shepherd and provides insight on the benefits we have as the Lord’s sheep. Our obedience and reliance on the Lord as our shepherd is our only access to true security and eternal life.


Questions for Reflection 

Reflection: What is the significance of God calling us His sheep? How has learning about the behavior and challenges of sheep impacted how you value God’s leadership? 

Reflection: What characteristics about sheep did you find most relatable? What revelation did God provide about any ‘sheeplike’ characteristics you have? 
 

We Are God’s Sheep: The Similarities - Tally Up Anything & See If You Can Relate

In my research I found that sheep are actually pretty smart animals. Here are some other things we should know about sheep: 

Sheep are social. 

  • They are very social animals and have a desire to stick together. 
  • They follow one another because of social preferences and are typically found with a group that provides mutual support. 
  • Isolated sheep become very distressed. Lambs show poor behavioral and immunity tests if they experience early separation.

Sheep are innate survivors.

  • Sheep combine senses and learning with innate intelligence to produce subtle behaviors that help them survive. All of their behaviors and decisions are rooted in trying to survive. 
  • This is another reason why sheep flock together. 
  • They build mutual cooperation and friendship to learn from each other.

Sheep have the ‘fear factor’. 

  • Sheep are incredibly fearful animals who base their decisions almost entirely on the safety level of an activity.
  • Sheep are unnerved by unpredictable, unfamiliar events and gain confidence when they have a measure of control. 
  • Sheep can be hypervigilant about perceived threats. They will often make an impulsive decision to run off out of fear leaving their shepherd, their flock, and putting themselves in more danger.

Sheep have poor vision. 

  • Sheep can see 300 degrees because of how their eyes are positioned. However, they have very poor vision perception and depth. 
  • Their blind spots are directly in front and behind them.

Other Sheeply Behaviors

  • Sheep are prone to wandering off out of boredom and interest in any random thing. 
  • Sheep are so used to being prey that they are considered masters at hiding illness and injuries out of fear of being targeted by a predator.