Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – Our Shepherd
Opening
- Compasses and maps give us directions. The Bible also gives us direction. Let’s see how.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Psalm 23 Read all of Psalm 23
Devotional
Big picture The Lord is our guiding shepherd.
- Q: How many of you have heard or read the 23rd Psalm before? Did you know that was Psalm 23?
- The 23rd Psalm is very short, but it is very powerful. It’s many believer’s favorite Psalm.
- Q: Why do you think people love the 23rd Psalm so much?
- It reminds us that God is our good shepherd who leads us and guides us through life.
- Just like a compass and map lead us to safety, so too, the Lord leads us and guides us.
- (Tell the boys of a time where God has led you through something (age appropriate)).
- Look at the key words in the verse. God the good shepherd will do the following:
- He provides for us (we lack nothing).
- He leads us and never forsakes us.
- He refreshes us when we are tired and weary.
- He guides us.
- He walks with us.
- He corrects and protects us (His rod and staff).
- He comforts us.
- He feeds us (prepares a table of food).
- He sanctifies us (anoints our head with oil).
- He is good to us and loves us.
- He saves us from hell and makes a place for us in heaven, with Him forever and ever.
- That’s a lot of wonderful things God does for us!
- No wonder people love Psalm 23 so much. It is packed full of reminders of God’s rich blessing to us.
- Q: So, what do we have to do to get all of those Good Shepherd blessings?
Memory Verse #1
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Topical Questions
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Do you believe God will really do all those wonderful things for you, if you believe in Jesus?
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Why don’t more people believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior if they get all these blessings?
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Does Psalm 23 make you thankful for all the wonderful things God does for you? Why or why not?
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Which of those many blessings we discussed in Psalm 23 are your favorite?
e.g. He saves us.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are truly our Good Shepherd and we are Your sheep, Your flock. We thank You for all of Your many, many blessings. You guide us and loves us so much. You are patient and kind. It is so wonderful that all we need do is just believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ and all those blessings are ours forever. Psalm 23 is so comforting. Help us to memorize it when we need encouragement. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen!
