Gratitude, The Cross, and the Good Shepherd

Gratitude is the key!

Introduction: Priming the pump for tonight’s discussion.

This week we studied three Psalms together. As we begin, was there anything particular that God spoke directly to you during the study? Can you share it with the group?

Exploration: Questions to guide our group discussion.

1. We learned from Psalm 21 that gratitude is the key to joy and worship. When we count our blessings and name them out loud, our gratitude fills us with Jesus’ joy. Gratitude is also the fuel that powers our worship. Let’s look at a few other scriptures to unlock this spiritual truth even more. Take turns reading aloud with the group, and discuss as you are led.

   • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
   • Psalm 28:6-7
   • 1 Peter 1:6-7
   • James 1:17
   • Ephesians 1:3

2. Psalm 22 is one of two amazing passages in the Old Testament that gave prophetic details of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ centuries before the Lord was even born. In fact, crucifixion hadn’t even been invented when these passages were written. The companion text is Isaiah 53. Let’s take turns reading that passage, perhaps sharing the reading load among the group, and discuss how Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 both provide a picture of history in advance.

3. The 23rd Psalm is the most well known of all the Psalms. We hear it at weddings, funerals, and on many special occasions. Some of us as churched kids were even required to memorize the Psalm in Sunday School. We learned that God gives His children rest and nourishment, attends to our salvation and spiritual care, protects His children from perils, and blesses us graciously with His hospitality and grace. In your opinion, which of these are your top two or three greatest benefits and blessings of being a sheep in the Lord’s fold?

Additional Scriptures for Deeper Study:

• Psalm 100:3-4
• John 10:1-5
• John 21:15-19
• Matthew 18:12-14

Application: How can I apply this to my life this week?

1. Let’s take an honest look at our own personal disposition. Are you the kind of person who defaults to gratitude, or do you default instead to things like thanklessness, criticism, or ungraciousness? How would God have you to look inward as you seek to apply the gratitude principle to your life?

2. In our world today, it isn’t a compliment to be called a sheep. Most often, when someone speaks of people as sheep today, it is derogatory…people who don’t think for themselves, who are foolish, or who follow ideas blindly. In light of what we’ve learned in Psalm 23, would you be more willing to embrace that identity in light of having such a great shepherd?