High School Study Week 1

High School Study Week 1 - PSALM 23:1

3/23/2020

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In a comment at the bottom of the page, answer some or all of the questions below:
(Some of this content is taken from the study guide. For more in-depth personal study download the study guide here: STUDY GUIDE )

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Many times, we think about God in awe-inspiring terms (which we should). He is creator, sovereign, Lord, and so on. But as Matt pointed out, “shepherd” does not inspire awe so much as nearness and care. It communicates a level of intimacy that God has with his people.
How does the idea of God as your shepherd add to your understanding of who God is and what your relationship with him is like?

From Eric: Obviously it is not wrong to want things. When David says “I shall not want” I think he is saying something like “I shall not be ruled by want” because of the life he has in God.
Where do you see yourself ruled by want? What things do you find yourself so focused on thinking “if I just had this.”

John 10:7-11
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

One of the characteristics Matt pointed out is that the sheep that belong to Jesus hear his voice and follow wherever he leads. But Jesus is not the only voice we hear in our world today. There are many different things vying for our attention. Matt specifically mentioned three examples: our personal desires, culture, and relationships.
What are some of the things you tend to look to as a shepherd other than Jesus? How do these things rob joy and life from you and leave you wanting?

How is Jesus the only good Shepherd who can give life and cause us to say “I shall not want”? How ought the reality behind the phrase “I shall not want” transform our lives and relationships? How does it affect the way we face the current difficulty our world is in?

15 Comments

Lily Stadler

3/23/2020 10:02:47 am

1. Knowing that God is my Shepherd gives me a little different view on my relationship with God. I not only see God as my loving father, but also as a protector and guidance counselor of mine. It's sort of taken down to a personal level knowing that you have a perfect Shepherd of your own.

2. Well with current events, I can't see many people, school is canceled, IB exams are cancel, and graduation may or may not happen. I am ruled by the idea for things to go back to normal and go back to the path I was heading on, graduating, getting college credit, and social with others.

3. Jesus is the only good Shepherd because he brings us a full joyful life, a life that we can't find on this planet full of sin and evil. He truly does give us everything that we need to reunite with our heavenly father. He's everything we need to find Joy and Peace. Our relationships and lives shouldn't be center on worldly pleasures that fulfill our needs temporarily. With Jesus as our Shepherd we can face the world and navigate its challenging courses it has for us because we know Jesus will Guide and Lead us through it all.

Eric Rossman

3/24/2020 09:41:54 pm

“Well with current events, I can't see many people, school is canceled, IB exams are cancel, and graduation may or may not happen. I am ruled by the idea for things to go back to normal and go back to the path I was heading on, graduating, getting college credit, and social with others.”

Thanks for the honest response Lily, I think a lot of people relate with that right now. It’s a good example because none of those things are bad to desire, but they are things that often high schoolers, including Christian high schoolers, can make idols out of. Sometimes we don’t realize that we have made idols out of those things until they are being threatened, like they are right now. It reveals how much we think we need those things to be fulfilled.
I think it is good for us to see the blessings tied to this trial. This time reveals areas we might of thought we were trusting Christ, where we aren’t fully. We can seek to see those things rightly, and how good Christ is in the middle of this struggle. I hope this study will do that for us. And that we will go back to those things we had, still desiring them, but not ruled with the pressure of thinking we need them. Also with a much deeper joy that comes from seeing our savior in a deeper way.

Jacob Felten

3/24/2020 08:58:05 am

If I understand God is my shepherd, I know that he has an active role in my life. He doesn’t just sit back and let the world run. He’s guiding it how He wants to, and the Bible says God wants what’s best for us.
I’ve often been ruled by a desire for independence. I want to be able to provide for all of my own needs, so I won’t own anyone anything, or have to rely on others. Of course, there are many things that are out of my control, and God designed humans to be coexistent. Any way in which I may fight against God’s plan will rob me of joy, but specifically always searching for control will leave me worrying about the future and stop me from reaching out to others.
The answer I need to look to is that God is both fully in control, and fully for my own good. Through the cross Jesus has acknowledged that I’m not strong enough to be in control of my own life, so I don’t need to keep struggling. I’m able to say “I shall not want” when I see that everything I need or am trying to give myself can be found in Jesus.

3/25/2020 02:48:23 pm

"He doesn’t just sit back and let the world run. He’s guiding it how He wants to, and the Bible says God wants what’s best for us."

That is a good point Jacob. Sometimes moments like what we are currently in makes us feel like God is out of control. But actually I have seen this pandemic teaching me a lot as well as causing a lot of my unbelieving family to be open about their fears and willing to listen and consider others talk about faith in Christ. God uses things like this for our good. As you said God is in control and for our good

Sara Hanson

3/25/2020 04:48:43 pm

I can relate with unbelieving family members expressing fear during this uncertain time...my mother-in-law canceled her trip to come see Bradley (she would have been here this week), which is discouraging for us all. I could use prayer for my own heart to keep from falling into self-pity and fear.

3/25/2020 05:04:34 pm

What strikes me the most about this psalm and Matt Chandler's introductory comments is the concept of the sheep/shepherd relationship.

I don't tend to see God's attitude toward me as tender, caring, or nurturing. The sheep know their shepherd's voice and follow where he leads because they are needy. Too often my pride keeps me from following Jesus' voice because I want to be in control. I do not follow well and am easily distracted by my own agenda and desires. This attitude robs joy because it puts limits on my relationship with God and keeps me from loving others.

The words "I shall not want" are so powerful! What a powerful statement of faith it is to declare that the LORD (the Almighty Creator of the universe!) is MY shepherd (He specifically chose to rescue ME and continues to lead and guide me by His Spirit daily). Therein lies our confidence; by grace, we belong to Christ and He will not lead us astray.

3/25/2020 05:48:10 pm

"Too often my pride keeps me from following Jesus' voice."

Great point Sara, I think the most common thing that keeps us from seeing God as our shepherd is not a misunderstanding of him (though that is a reason also) but more often I think it is a misunderstanding of ourselves. We don't see ourselves as sheep that need a shepherd. If a sheep tried to take care of itself it would be left wanting. We often are left wanting because we try and take care of ourselves. There is so much blessing waiting for us when we realize we are sheep and need Jesus.

Isabel Renich

3/26/2020 01:28:57 pm

The reminder that God is my shepherd helps me remember that he is there to guide me kindly but firmly, and that he will always take care of me. It's a really meaningful image for me.

I'm often ruled by the want of comfort or routine--I need to relax for a long while, or I need to do what I have in mind for the day. I can really let that distract me, and I become irritable and snappish if I don't get that. Especially in quarantine, with my family all day long, I'm often thinking of my own desires instead of how I can best serve them during this time.

I tend to look at my routine as a shepherd--that it can guide me and help me. I also look to others, like my parents or boyfriend. These aren't bad things at all, but they become bad when I'm always turning to them without the Lord. I'm blessed to have those people in my life, but they're still human and will fail, and I'll be disappointed. I need to turn to the Lord always. He is the only one who will truly satisfy. As hard as it can seem, I know I have all I need in him.

3/26/2020 10:46:18 pm

"I'm often ruled by the want of comfort or routine"

Routine is a big one. We often think that routine can promise us a lot. It makes us feel safe and productive. Routine is something that can easily be a false shepherd to us.

I wonder how often this false shepherd keeps us from seeing the life Christ wants to give us and lead us to. How often this "comfort and productiveness" robs us from the interactions and eternal productiveness that God has for us. Routine is not a bad thing. But when it become an ultimate thing, and idol, it keeps us from the areas where God wants to interrupt our routines for his plans. It makes us feel productive and maybe blind to the ways God wants to show us we aren't being spiritually productive. And overall it can make us feel safe and keep us from seeing how desperately we need Christ, and how really we have not control over our lives. I hope that the break in our routine caused by this quarantine helps us to see how out of control we are, and how in control Christ is.

Elianne Holt

3/26/2020 09:50:06 pm

Sometimes I think of God as more of a far off being, but this verse shows that he should be in the center of my life.

My relationship with him should be the vital part of my life. But I often find myself pushing Him aside for other things that would be ‘fun’ or ‘fulfilling’ now, (such as social media, time with friends, or just plain laziness) instead of what would nurture spiritual growth and my relationship with him forever.

Jesus is the only one who truly can give us life and cause us to say ‘I shall not want’ and when we take that to heart I believe it can open up a freedom that we might not have felt before, because you know that no matter where you are or what’s happening around you. You have your relationship with Jesus and that’s all that matters

3/26/2020 10:38:24 pm

I like how you mention that trusting in Jesus opens up freedom. So often it feels like we are missing out on what the other "shepherds" have to offer when we trust and follow Jesus. The reality is trusting in them is robbing us of the amazing freedom and life that is found in Jesus. Everyone of our frustrations in life can be tied to a false shepherd we have put our hope in instead of Jesus.

Caleb Holt

3/26/2020 09:55:30 pm

I've always tried to be a very autonomous person. I don't like asking for help from anyone, including God. So I definitely tend to rely on my own abilities and achievements to be my shepherd, rather than God. Because of that, I have always both loved and hated this relationship of sheep/shepherd. I hate it because I don't want to need to rely on God most of the time but I love it because it shows that I need to, if that makes sense. Because we weren't created to be able to do everything by ourselves, so if we try to do everything ourself then we are only going to be disappointed in ourselves. But we won't be disappointed if we rely on God.

3/26/2020 10:34:53 pm

"Because of that, I have always both loved and hated this relationship of sheep/shepherd. I hate it because I don't want to need to rely on God most of the time but I love it because it shows that I need to, if that makes sense."

I think what you are describing really shows how we as believers have 2 natures, the flesh and the spirit. The flesh hates this view of God, the flesh wants to rely on itself and be proud of it accomplishes not admitting that it is weak. The spirit loves the rest that is found in knowing God is our shepherd. I think I see this in myself as well. Part of me wanting to trust in God for everything, and being so glad he is there for me. While another part of me wants to say "no, I am good enough, and people should recognize my abilities."

The next question would be were do we go from there? I believe the answer is learning to say no to the flesh and embrace the spirit. Following the flesh is going to lead is to become prideful people who only see the small meaningless things we can accomplish by ourselves. Following the spirit is going to lead to rest and seeing the amazing life that we find in trusting in Christ and not ourselves.

Thanks Caleb.

Bekah Felten

3/27/2020 12:09:44 pm

Sorry I'm late!

The image of the Lord being our Shepherd has always been comforting to me. It humbles me and helps me slow down and remember that I'm just a helpless little sheep in desperate need for someone to guide my steps.

Perfectionism really tends to take hold of me in a lot of areas of my life. There's a part of me that always wants to do perfectly, whether with school, health, or even my relationship with God. It's always about MY works, MY performance, or MY ability to please God.

I can easily make idols of these things which make it difficult to rest in God's grace and provision for me. I need to slow down and remember that it's by grace that I've been saved and He knows perfectly how weak I really am. It's hard to let go of that perfectionism, but I'm continuing to see how wonderful it is to know God as my Father who, despite my countless sins, failures, and weaknesses, has never once been ashamed to call me His daughter. With this, I have everything I could possibly need so I don't have to be defined by my own works and can enter this world with identity in Jesus.

3/30/2020 01:52:44 am

You make a good point when you emphasize "MY". You're struggle is common to most of us. When we struggle with perfectionism, it's not just that we want perfection, we want to be the source of that perfection. That is where the MY comes in.

It's interesting to thing that perfection is also what we go to Christianity for. Except not a perfection of our own, for that is impossible, but a perfection that comes from Christ. So in Christ we have perfection, and it is counted as our own perfection, yet we aren't the source, so no once can boast. The flesh in us wants to be that source.

The amazing thing is we already have perfection. We will be counted on that day as though we did everything perfect, because that is who we are in Christ.

So I guess the struggle for all of us is, who is the shepherd we trust to lead us to that perfection we were created for? Ourselves? When we trust in ourselves not only will we not be able to produce it, we will be overcome with frustration and feel overwhelmed when we can't. We are not up to the task. Christ is the good shepherd who leads us into a perfect right standing with God, by paying is life for us. He lived a perfect life with out being overwhelmed or frustrated because he was completely able to. And in him we find rest, not because we don't want perfection anymore, but because we have it in him.

High School Study Week 1 - PSALM 23:1

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