Sunday School Lesson Outline - The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary

April 2

Lesson 5 (KJV)

Shepherding Love

Devotional Reading: John 10:11–18

Background Scripture: Psalm 23

Psalm 23

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

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Photo: Design Pics / Thinkstock

Key Verse

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

—Psalm 23:1

God Loves Us

Unit 2: God’s Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love

Lessons 5–9

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the shepherd and host metaphors.

2. Explain how the psalm’s imagery brings comfort, goodness, and mercy to those who trust in the Lord.

3. Tell of a difficult life event when trust in the Lord as shepherd was essential for a God-honoring outcome.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. An American Secular Icon—Psalm 23

B. Lesson Background

I. Shepherd Metaphor (Psalm 23:1–4)

A. Identifications (v. 1)

B. Actions (vv. 2, 3)

New Green Pastures

C. Confidence (v. 4)

II. Host Metaphor (Psalm 23:5, 6)

A. Vindication (v. 5a)

A Table Prepared

B. Reward (vv. 5b, 5c)

C. Deliverance (v. 6)

Conclusion

A. Not an Icon, but a Test

B. Prayer

C. Thought To Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Crimean	Kry-mee-un.
Davidic	Duh-vid-ick.
Yahweh (Hebrew)	Yah-weh.

_________________________________________________

What Do You Think? How do we resist idolizing those who would claim to guide (shepherd) us today? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Recognizing the danger before it happens ■ Correcting the problem after it happens ■ Other _________________________________________________ What Do You Think? How can we improve at recognizing when God is leading us toward “green pastures”? What can happen if we don’t? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Regarding job relocations ■ Regarding spiritual nourishment ■ Regarding ministry service ■ Other _________________________________________________ Visual for Lessons 5 & 9. Use these lyrics as a road map: draw attention to thoughts that reflect various points in the text as they are encountered. _________________________________________________ What Do You Think? In what ways can we be God’s instruments of comfort to those in a dark valley of life? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Regarding physical issues (sickness, etc.) ■ Regarding mental issues (depression, etc.) ■ Regarding spiritual issues (doubt, etc.) ■ Regarding relationship issues (marriage, etc.) _________________________________________________ What Do You Think? When was an occasion that God’s goodness followed (even pursued) you, but you didn’t recognize it at the time? How did you grow spiritually from the experience? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In your preteen years ■ In your teenage years ■ During various stages of adulthood _________________________________________________ What Do You Think? What specific things can we do to prepare better to dwell with the Lord forever? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Regarding the imperative of holiness (1 Peter 1:15, 16; etc.) ■ Regarding the imperative to love (John 13:34; etc.) _________________________________________________ Zorn, Walter D., Laura McKillip Wood, and Nicholas A. Tomeo. “Shepherding Love.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2016–2017. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson, Jim Eichenberger, and Margaret K. Williams. Vol. 64. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2017. 271. Print.