LESSON 1 // CHANGING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in
green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides
me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare
a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup
overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
We live in a stressed-out world—but we have a Great Shepherd leading us safely through it.
Psalm 23 is full of wisdom about trusting and following our Shepherd on a pathway of growth
even in the most stressful times, as David learned through his experience with the Lord.
This begins by looking at our lives and circumstances from God’s perspective. In verse 1 we
discover three keys to this.
1. Go to God.
- Psalm 18:6
- Psalm 36:9
Why are we often reluctant to go to God for relief in our distress?
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Ignorance of God’s ability and care.
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Pride and stubbornness that keep us from admitting our weaknesses and our need for
help.
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A lack of experience in the process and power of prayer.
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Idolatrous thinking—expecting other people or things to solve our problems.
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An addiction to sympathy or a “crisis mentality.”
2. Give up control.
Why should we give up control of our lives to the control of our Heavenly Shepherd?
Because He is:
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Wiser than we are.
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Not intimidated by the things that intimidate us.
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Stronger than we are.
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Perfect love—He desires the absolute best for us.
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Capable of controlling what is humanly uncontrollable.
How do we give up control to Him?
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Humble ourselves.
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Put our commitment in words.
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Consciously loosen the grip on our life—stop orchestrating, intervening, scheming,
protecting and holding.
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Willingly follow all the instructions of the Lord, our Shepherd.
3. Get ready to receive.
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I can:
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Replace grumbling with gratitude.
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Replace despair with hope.
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Replace fear with faith.
Discussion questions
1. Why are we so often stressed out by difficult circumstances? What does this tell us
about ourselves?
2. How can faith in the Lord as your Shepherd change your perspective about stress?
3. What does it mean to “loosen the grip” on our lives as we trust our Shepherd? How
hard is this for you?
4. Why is it so important to “follow all the instructions of the Lord, our Shepherd”? What
difference does this make in reducing stress in our lives?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 1
LESSON 2 // LEARNING HOW TO REST
Psalm 23:2 (NIV) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet
waters.
Psalm 23:2 (NLT) He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
1. Recognize the benefits of rest.
Why is rest so important? People who are rested:
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Think more clearly.
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Respond with greater reserves.
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Enjoy life more fully.
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Become more productive.
2. Embrace spiritual rest.
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Establish a relationship with the Heavenly Shepherd (John 10:11).
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Watch your spiritual diet (Matthew 5:6).
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Allow the Shepherd to lead you into rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
3. Embrace mental and emotional rest.
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Totally trust God (Isaiah 26:3).
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Wage war against worry (Philippians 4:6).
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Train your thoughts (Philippians 4:8).
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Discern the devil’s activity (1 Peter 5:8).
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Curb discontentment (Philippians 4:11).
4. Embrace relational rest.
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Clear up conflicts quickly.
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Release all your resentments.
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Eliminate unrealistic expectations of others.
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Quit comparing yourself with others.
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Build and honor healthy boundaries.
5. Embrace physical rest.
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Establish good daily routines.
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Deliberately schedule “down” times.
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Construct your commitments.
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Take time for recreation.
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Ask God to bless your rest and help you embrace it.
Discussion questions
1. Why is spiritual rest the most important kind of rest? What is our role and our
Shepherd’s role in this?
2. In what ways do you struggle with mental or emotional rest? Which of the steps under
#3 above can you focus on to help you find greater peace in this area?
3. How can relational rest help relieve stress in your life? In what relationship(s) can you
apply this lesson to bring about more rest?
4. What is one practical way you can improve your physical rest on a daily basis?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 2
LESSON 3 // PUTTING THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in
green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3a (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down
in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul.
1. We all need to be restored.
Sheep need to be restored by the shepherd when they are:
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Lost.
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Hurt.
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Diseased.
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Stuck.
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Fallen.
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Estranged.
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Disoriented.
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Victimized.
2. The Lord is a restorer.
What resources does God use to restore us?
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His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:12).
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His Word (Psalm 107:20; Acts 20:32)—“green pastures.”
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His Spirit (Luke 4:18-19)—“quiet waters.”
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His people (Galatians 6:1).
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His timing (Psalm 40:1-2).
3. To be restored, we must participate in the process.
Seven requirements for restoration. We must:
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Want to be whole.
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Believe that God wants to restore us.
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Stay planted in a place where God can work on us.
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Be prepared to part with our pain—to let go of it.
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Hang out with healthy people.
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Follow all of God’s instructions.
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Be patient in the process.
Discussion questions
1. Review under #1 above the different conditions in which “sheep need to be restored.”
How do these speak to you about areas of your life where you need to be restored?
2. What resources has the Lord given you to bring healing and restoration to your life?
How have you seen these at work in you and your circumstances?
3. Why is it so important in the restoration process that we “want to be whole” and
“believe that God wants to restore us”? What happens if either of these is missing?
4. What role does patience play in the restoration process? How hard or easy is it for you
to wait on God’s timing in His restorative work?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 3
LESSON 4 // LETTING GOD GUIDE YOU
Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in
green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides
me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in
green pastures; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides
me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
1. Value God’s guidance.
- Isaiah 53:6
- Proverbs 14:12
- Matthew 7:13-14
God has a destination for us, a plan for our lives. This includes helping us mature in:
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Character—spiritual maturity.
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Competence—life skills.
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Calling—life purpose.
We desperately need God’s guidance along the way in our major decisions, daily choices
and present responsibilities. When we follow His guidance, we can expect the wonderful
benefits of walking in “paths of righteousness” where there is:
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Peace.
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Growth.
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Fruitfulness.
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Honor to the Lord’s name.
2. Be guidable.
- Psalm 25:9
- Psalm 32:8-9
Guidable people are:
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Hungry and humble.
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Tender and teachable.
- Psalm 143:10
- Proverbs 23:19
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Attentive and appreciative.
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Faith-filled and faithful.
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Passionate and patient.
3. Trust God’s navigational tools.
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God’s Word (Psalm 119:98).
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The Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:13).
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Godly counsel (Proverbs 19:20).
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Sovereign circumstances (Psalm 75:6).
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Sanctified common sense (Proverbs 13:16).
Discussion questions
1. Why do we need God’s guidance in our lives? What happens when we don’t value
this?
2. In what ways are you a “guidable” person? What are some ways you need to grow in
this area? (for example: becoming more teachable, appreciating the input of others,
etc.)
3. How do God’s Word and His Spirit help us navigate God’s will? How have you seen
this work in your life?
4. What role does “sanctified common sense” play in letting God guide us?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 4
LESSON 5 // FIGHTING FEAR
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (GNB) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for
you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.
To fight fear we must understand that:
1. Valleys are temporary places of transition.
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They transition us to higher spiritual ground.
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They are essential for growth and change.
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They prepare us to birth new things.
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They are not meant to be permanent dwelling places.
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Getting through them to higher ground requires the help of an experienced guide.
2. Valleys are dark, frightening places.
Fear is “an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of
danger” (Webster) that:
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Limits.
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Controls (1 Samuel 13:6-7).
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Cripples and paralyzes (1 John 4:18).
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Torments (Luke 21:26).
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Distorts (Joshua 14:7-8).
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Destroys.
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Contaminates (Deuteronomy 20:8).
3. Valleys are valuable training places.
In our valleys we must learn to:
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Trust our Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14).
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Trust His presence (Hebrews 13:5-6).
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Trust His promises (Psalm 119:50).
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Trust His protection (Psalm 61:3).
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Trust His prodding (Proverbs 3:11-12).
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Actively fight fear with God’s Word (Ephesians 6:16-17).
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Actively fight fear with fervent prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
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Actively fight fear with worship and praise (Psalm 32:7).
Discussion questions
1. How does understanding that “valleys are temporary places of transition” help us fight
fear?
2. In what ways have you seen fear affect your life?
3. Why is trusting our Good Shepherd so important in fighting fear?
4. How do God’s Word, fervent prayer and worship help us actively fight fear? What fear
can they help you overcome?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 5
LESSON 6 // PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Psalm 23:5 (NIV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint
my head with oil; my cup overflows.
We can be confident about our future because:
1. Our Shepherd goes before us.
In your future there is:
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No place God will lead you that He has not carefully planned for you (Psalm 40:5).
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No situation you will face that He has not faced (Isaiah 53:3).
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No test or temptation you will experience that He has not experienced and conquered
(Hebrews 4:15-16).
2. Our Shepherd prepares the way for us.
How does the Lord our Shepherd “prepare a table” for us?
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He makes sure there is adequate provision for our sustenance.
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He removes potential hazards to our spiritual health and safety.
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He positions Himself for our protection.
Exodus 23:20 (NIV) See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way
and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has
seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who
love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (Living) That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no
mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready
for those who love the Lord.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (Msg) That's why we have this Scripture text: “No one’s ever seen or
heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has
arranged for those who love him.”
3. Our Shepherd provides the resources to help us.
Seven things the anointing of the Holy Spirit does for us:
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Empowers us to fulfill God’s will (Zechariah 4:6).
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Enables us to pray effectively (Romans 8:26).
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Helps us understand God’s Word and will (John 16:13).
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Causes us to be more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23).
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Provides us with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4).
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Enables us to get along with each other (Ephesians 4:3).
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Uses us to bring glory to Jesus (John 16:14).
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Actively fight fear with worship and praise (Psalm 32:7).
Discussion questions
1. In what ways does the Lord our Shepherd go before us into our future? What
difference should this make in your life?
2. How have you seen God “prepare the way” for you in real-life situation? What has this
done for your confidence in Him?
3. Why is the anointing of the Holy Spirit so important for us as believers?
4. Based on this study in Psalm 23, how would you describe the future God has in store
for you? How should this impact your approach to the future?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 6
LESSON 7 // STAYING FOCUSED
Psalm 23:6 (NIV) Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 (NLT) Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my
life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
David described three things we must do to keep life properly focused:
1. Guard our faith.
Note the faith-filled words David used:
•
surely = with absolute confidence; no doubts about it; certainly; without fail.
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goodness = that which is beneficial, better, beautiful; prosperity.
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unfailing love = mercy; kindness; favor; pity; faithfulness.
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will = with no doubt about it.
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pursue = chase; run after; aggressively follow.
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me = a personal pronoun expressing a personal perspective.
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all the days of my life = as long as I am alive.
Why is faith so important? Faith is:
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The way we relate to God (Hebrews 11:6).
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The way we experience forgiveness and salvation (John 3:16; Romans 4:3-5).
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The way we overcome adversity and temptation (1 John 5:3-4).
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The key to obeying God (James 2:14).
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An essential part of our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:16).
2. Give our best.
What does it mean to give our best to God?
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B = Build. Giving our best means that we become builders—we live constructively
rather than destructively.
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E = Excel. Giving our best means that we are committed to excellence—in character,
lifestyle, integrity and work. We refuse and resist mediocrity and half-heartedness in
the things that really matter in life. We choose to leave an example of excellence
behind.
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S = Sacrifice. Giving our best requires sacrifice. We have not learned what giving is
all about until we willingly sacrifice things that are precious to us. To leave a legacy of
“goodness and mercy” requires sacrifice.
•
T = Teach. Giving our best involves taking what we have learned and purposefully and
effectively passing it on to others. Sharing our experience, wisdom and life with others
is one of the greatest ways we can leave a legacy of “goodness and mercy.”
3. Get ready for forever.
How do we get ready for forever?
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Settle the question of where we are going to spend eternity (1 John 5:13).
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View our present problems in the light of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
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Realize that what we do here makes a difference there (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation
20:11-15).
Discussion questions
1. How does David express his faith in Psalm 23:6? In what ways does this speak to you
about your faith in the Shepherd?
2. Why is it so important for us to guard our faith in God?
3. What does it mean that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us? What impact should
this have on us and on those who are coming after us?
4. In what ways do you need to grow in giving your best for God every day?
church of the redeemer // stress:less // lesson 7