Back to Psalm 23 (4 weeks)
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    4-week sermon series · King James Version

    Psalm 23: The Shepherd's Care — 4-Week Series

    Four Sundays in six verses. The most familiar psalm in the Bible, slowed down until the congregation hears it again.

    Whole-church series; particularly effective in a season of grief or transition

    The arc of the series

    Provision, presence, protection, permanence.

    Week 1: I Shall Not Want

    Psalm 23:1-3

    The whole psalm rests on the first four words; everything after is consequence.

    1. The LORD is my shepherd
    2. Green pastures and still waters
    3. He restoreth my soul

    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

    Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

    Application: What are you treating as your shepherd — savings, health, a person?

    Week 2: Through the Valley

    Psalm 23:4

    The psalm says through, not around — and it is the only verse where David stops speaking about God and starts speaking to Him.

    1. The shadow, not the substance
    2. Thou art with me
    3. The rod and the staff

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.

    Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

    Application: What valley are you in, and what has God actually withheld from you in it?

    Week 3: A Table Prepared

    Psalm 23:5

    God does not remove the enemies; He sets a table in front of them.

    1. In the presence of mine enemies
    2. Thou anointest my head with oil
    3. My cup runneth over

    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

    Psalm 23:5 (KJV)

    Application: Where has God provided in the middle of opposition rather than after it?

    Week 4: Dwelling in the House

    Psalm 23:6

    Goodness and mercy do not meet David at the end; they follow him the whole way there.

    1. Goodness and mercy shall follow
    2. All the days of my life
    3. I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

    Psalm 23:6 (KJV)

    Application: Look back over the last year. Where can you now see goodness and mercy following?

    Planning notes

    • Ideal for a congregation that has recently lost members.
    • Week 2 (the valley) works well with a service of lament and prayer.
    • Print the psalm as a bulletin insert for all four weeks.
    Bible Sundays ™ · biblesundays.com/sermon-series/psalm-23-4-week-series · King James Version · Free to print and share.