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THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD –
Knowing and Trusting the Good Shepherd
Based on the message by Promise Bradley
OVERVIEW
In this message, Promise Bradley opens Psalm 23 to reveal the heart of the Good Shepherd. David did not write these words as someone who merely knew about God. He knew Him personally as “my Shepherd.” Through Psalm 23 and John 10, Promise shows that Jesus still leads His people today as the Good Shepherd who guides, protects, restores, and speaks to His sheep.
As believers come to know the Shepherd more personally, they learn to trust His leadership even when His path is difficult or does not make sense. Using the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Peter, and the older brother in Jesus’ parable, Promise demonstrates how easily we try to control outcomes instead of trusting the One who already knows the way.
The Christian life is learning to know the Good Shepherd so deeply that we trust Him enough to follow wherever He leads. Rather than attempting to control people, circumstances, or God’s timing, believers are called to surrender to the Holy Spirit and grow in self-control, the fruit He produces in our lives.
This message reminds us that Jesus is faithful to redeem every failure, restore every wandering sheep, and lead His people safely wherever He calls them to go.
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Read → Respond → Reflect
Open your Bible. Read the Scripture carefully. Let the Word answer the questions.
As you work through this guide, keep your Bible open and allow Scripture to shape your understanding. The goal is not simply to remember sermon points, but to know the Good Shepherd more personally, trust Him more fully, and faithfully follow wherever He leads.
This guide is designed for individual study, family discipleship, and Roads Groups.
SECTION 1 — KNOWING THE SHEPHERD PERSONALLY
Focus
Jesus desires more than our knowledge about Him. He invites us to know Him personally as our Shepherd, Friend, Guide, Protector, and Provider.
Read
Psalm 23:1–6, John 10:11–18, John 10:27–30
Respond
- What does David mean when he says, “The Lord is my Shepherd”?
- According to John 10, what characteristics describe Jesus as the Good Shepherd?
- What promises does Jesus make to those who belong to His flock?
- How does knowing Jesus personally differ from simply knowing about Him?
- What does Psalm 23 reveal about the Shepherd’s care for His people?
Reflect
- Do I know Jesus personally as my Shepherd, or do I mostly know facts about Him?
- Which description of the Shepherd in Psalm 23 encourages me the most today?
- Where do I need to know Him more deeply?
Further Scripture Reading
Ezekiel 34:11–16, Isaiah 40:10–11, 1 Peter 5:4
SECTION 2 — TRUSTING THE SHEPHERD’S LEADING
Focus
The Shepherd faithfully leads His people on paths of righteousness, even when those paths are difficult.
Read
Psalm 23:3–4, Matthew 7:13–14, Hebrews 12:1–3
Respond
- Why does the Shepherd lead us in paths of righteousness?
- How does Jesus describe the narrow way in Matthew 7?
- What helped Jesus endure suffering according to Hebrews 12?
- Why is following Christ not always the easiest path?
- How does keeping eternity in view strengthen our obedience?
Reflect
- Is there a difficult path of obedience God is asking me to walk?
- Have I confused comfort with faithfulness?
- How can trusting the Shepherd strengthen my obedience this week?
Further Scripture Reading
Romans 8:18, Philippians 3:12–14, 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
SECTION 3 — HEARING THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE
Focus
Jesus still speaks, and His sheep can learn to recognize and follow His voice.
Read
John 10:1–5, John 10:27, James 1:5, Psalm 119:105
Respond
- According to John 10, how do the sheep recognize their shepherd?
- What promise does Jesus make to those who hear His voice?
- What does James encourage believers to ask God for?
- How does God’s Word guide our steps?
- Why is spending regular time in Scripture important for hearing God’s voice?
Reflect
- Am I intentionally making space to hear God’s voice?
- What distractions make it difficult for me to listen?
- How can I grow in recognizing the Shepherd’s voice this week?
Further Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 29:13, John 14:26, Romans 10:17
SECTION 4 — TRUSTING THE SHEPHERD WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PATH
Focus
Following Jesus requires surrendering control and trusting His leadership above our own understanding.
Read
Genesis 22:1–14, Luke 15:25–32, Proverbs 3:5–6, John 18:10–11
Respond
- What did Abraham have to trust God with in Genesis 22?
- What attitude does the older brother reveal in Luke 15?
- What does Proverbs teach about trusting the Lord?
- Why did Jesus correct Peter when he drew his sword?
- What do these passages teach about trusting the Shepherd when His path does not make sense?
Reflect
- Where am I trying to control the outcome instead of trusting God?
- Is there something I need to place back into the Shepherd’s hands?
- What would trusting the Shepherd look like in my current situation?
Further Scripture Reading
Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:3–7
SECTION 5 — WALKING IN SELF-CONTROL
Focus
The Holy Spirit produces self-control in believers as they surrender to the Shepherd’s leading.
Read
Galatians 5:22–25, John 21:15–19, Acts 2:14–41
Respond
- Where does self-control come from according to Galatians 5?
- How did Jesus restore Peter after his failure?
- What changed in Peter between the Gospels and Acts?
- How does surrender to the Holy Spirit produce self-control?
- Why is self-control different from trying to control other people?
Reflect
- Do I spend more energy trying to control others than surrendering myself to God?
- In what area is the Holy Spirit growing self-control in me?
- How can surrendering to the Shepherd help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit?
Further Scripture Reading
Romans 8:5–14, Titus 2:11–14, 2 Peter 1:5–8
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name, speaks to them, and faithfully leads them on the path of life. Even when the journey is difficult or the destination is unclear, He remains worthy of our trust.
The Christian life is learning to know the Good Shepherd so deeply that we trust Him enough to follow wherever He leads.
Ask the Lord this week:
- “How are You inviting me to know You more deeply?”
- “Where are You asking me to trust You more fully?”
- “What control do I need to surrender to You?”
As you continue to follow the Him, remember that He never abandons His sheep. He restores, redeems, and leads every willing heart closer to Himself. He is Good!