Following the Good Shepherd: Embracing God's Guidance

Summary

In every season of life, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rohi—our Shepherd who knows us intimately and cares for us deeply. Just as a shepherd leads, protects, and provides for his sheep, God desires to guide us through every circumstance, whether we are on the mountaintops of joy or in the valleys of fear and uncertainty. Our recent experiences, from the joy of VBS to sending our students to camp, remind us that God is actively at work, drawing people to Himself and leading them into deeper relationship.

The reality is, we are all like sheep: prone to wander, easily deceived, and often seeking comfort in things that ultimately harm us. The world offers many counterfeit shepherds—success, approval, comfort, control—but none can truly satisfy or lead us to life. Sheep, by nature, are vulnerable and lack direction; they need a shepherd to survive and thrive. In the same way, we desperately need God’s leadership, wisdom, and protection.

God, in His grace, does not leave us to our own devices. He pursues us, even when we stray, and delights in bringing us back to Himself. Through the powerful imagery of Psalm 23, we see that God leads us to green pastures and still waters, restoring our souls and guiding us in paths of righteousness. He does not promise a life free from hardship, but He assures us of His presence in the darkest valleys. His rod and staff comfort us, and His provision is abundant—even in the presence of our enemies.

Ultimately, God’s leadership is not distant or impersonal. He leads us through His Word, illuminating our path, and through the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Our response is to admit our need, surrender our self-sufficiency, and daily commit to following Him. When we do, we find not only protection and provision, but also the promise of dwelling in His presence forever. The invitation is clear: will you let the Good Shepherd lead you today?

Key Takeaways

- Our Deep Need for a Shepherd
We are, by nature, like sheep—vulnerable, easily lost, and prone to follow whatever is in front of us, even to our own harm. Recognizing our limitations and susceptibility to deception is not a mark of weakness, but the first step toward receiving God’s guidance and care. Admitting our need for a shepherd opens us to the grace and wisdom that only God can provide. [11:05]

- The Danger of Counterfeit Shepherds
The world offers many false guides—success, approval, comfort, and control—that promise fulfillment but ultimately lead us astray. Like sheep that consume what is harmful without realizing the consequences, we often pursue things that damage our souls and relationships. True life and purpose are found only in following the Good Shepherd, who leads us away from destruction and into abundance. [12:31]

- God’s Leadership is Personal and Purposeful
God does not lead from a distance; He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding us to places of nourishment, rest, and righteousness. His leadership is not random or reactive, but intentional and restorative, always aimed at our good and His glory. Through His Word and the example of Jesus, He shows us the way to live and the path to true fulfillment. [22:12]

- Presence in the Valley
God does not promise to keep us from every trial, but He assures us of His presence in the midst of them. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for He is with us—protecting, comforting, and sustaining us. The assurance of His nearness transforms our experience of suffering and gives us courage to face whatever comes. [28:32]

- The Invitation to Surrender and Follow
To truly experience God as our Shepherd, we must daily surrender our self-reliance and commit to following Him in every area of life. This means trusting Him with our decisions, relationships, and future, and allowing Him to lead us even when the path is unclear. The journey is not about seeing every step ahead, but about knowing and trusting the One who leads us. [34:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[03:10] - Sending Off Students to Camp
[04:45] - The Power of Generosity
[06:20] - Praying for Peace in a Troubled World
[07:23] - Introduction to God as Shepherd
[09:30] - We Are Sheep: Our Problems and Needs
[12:31] - The Counterfeit Shepherds We Follow
[15:08] - The Foolishness of Sheep
[17:06] - Our Deep Desire for Comfort
[18:12] - God’s Relentless Pursuit of Lost Sheep
[21:02] - The Good Shepherd’s Gentle Leadership
[22:12] - How God Leads: Green Pastures and Still Waters
[24:06] - Led by the Word and the Walk of Jesus
[27:36] - Protection in the Valley of Shadows
[29:29] - God’s Abundant Provision and Promise
[33:48] - The Call to Make the Shepherd Yours
[34:19] - Surrendering to the Good Shepherd

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jehovah Rohi—The Lord is My Shepherd

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### Bible Reading

- Psalm 23
(This was the main text for the sermon.)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 23, what are some specific actions the Shepherd takes for the sheep? (e.g., “He makes me lie down in green pastures…”)
2. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of sheep that make them dependent on a shepherd? [15:08]
3. What are some examples of “counterfeit shepherds” mentioned in the sermon that people are tempted to follow instead of God? [12:31]
4. How does the Shepherd respond when the sheep go astray, according to both Psalm 23 and the sermon? [18:12]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose the image of a shepherd and sheep to describe His relationship with us? What does this say about our need for guidance? [11:05]
2. The sermon mentions that God’s leadership is “personal and purposeful.” What does it look like for God to lead us intentionally, rather than from a distance? [21:02]
3. The “valley of the shadow of death” is a powerful image. What does it mean for us that God promises His presence in our darkest moments, rather than promising to keep us from all hardship? [28:32]
4. The sermon says that following the Good Shepherd means surrendering our self-sufficiency. Why is this so difficult, and what might it look like in real life? [34:19]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says we are all like sheep—vulnerable, easily lost, and prone to follow whatever is in front of us. Can you think of a recent time when you “wandered” or followed something that wasn’t God’s leading? What was the result? [15:08]
2. What “counterfeit shepherds” (success, approval, comfort, control, etc.) are you most tempted to follow in your daily life? How do these things promise fulfillment but end up leaving you empty? [12:31]
3. Psalm 23 says God “leads me beside still waters” and “restores my soul.” What are some practical ways you can make space in your week to let God restore your soul? [22:12]
4. The sermon emphasized that God leads us through His Word and the example of Jesus. How consistent are you in seeking God’s guidance through Scripture? What is one step you could take this week to be more intentional about this? [24:06]
5. When you face a “valley” or a difficult season, what is your usual response? How might remembering God’s presence with you change the way you handle fear or uncertainty? [28:32]
6. The invitation at the end of the sermon was to “surrender and follow” the Good Shepherd. Is there an area of your life where you are still trying to be your own shepherd? What would it look like to give that over to God this week? [34:19]
7. The sermon shared the story of Bill Irwin, who trusted his guide dog to lead him on a long journey. What would it look like for you to trust God to lead you, even when you can’t see the whole path ahead? [07:23]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray, asking God to help them recognize their need for His leadership, to surrender areas of self-sufficiency, and to trust Him as their Good Shepherd in every season.

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord is My Shepherd—Our Need for His Guidance
We are like sheep—vulnerable, easily lost, and prone to follow counterfeits—desperately needing the loving leadership of our Good Shepherd. God sees us as sheep, not to belittle us, but to lovingly remind us of our dependence on Him and our tendency to wander, get deceived, and seek comfort in things that ultimately leave us empty. Just as sheep are defenseless and often make poor choices, we too can find ourselves in trouble when we try to lead ourselves or follow the world’s voices. Yet, God does not abandon us in our lostness; instead, He pursues us, offering His guidance and care, inviting us to trust Him as our Shepherd who knows what is best for us. [11:05]

Psalm 100:3 (ESV)
"Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to follow your own way or the world’s advice instead of trusting God’s guidance? What would it look like to surrender that area to the Good Shepherd today?


Day 2: The Good Shepherd Leads Us to True Nourishment and Purpose
God, as Jehovah Rohi, leads us purposefully to green pastures and still waters, providing for our deepest needs and guiding us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He does not lead us randomly or reactively, but with intention and care, offering us spiritual nourishment, peace, and a sense of purpose that cannot be found apart from Him. The green pastures represent abundance and rest, while the still waters symbolize peace and refreshment—both of which we desperately need in a world that constantly pulls us in different directions. When we follow His lead, we discover the fulfillment and direction our souls long for, rather than the emptiness that comes from chasing after our own desires. [22:12]

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."

Reflection: Where do you most need God’s nourishment or peace right now? How can you intentionally seek His leading in that area this week?


Day 3: The Shepherd’s Presence Protects Us in Our Darkest Valleys
Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not need to fear, for our Shepherd is with us—His presence and protection are our comfort and security. Life will bring us through dark and frightening places, but God does not promise to keep us from every valley; instead, He promises to be with us in the midst of them, using His rod and staff to protect and guide us. Just as a child finds courage when their father enters the room, we can face our fears and challenges knowing that our Shepherd is greater than anything that threatens us, and nothing can separate us from His love. [29:29]

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Reflection: What “valley” are you walking through right now? How can you remind yourself of God’s presence and protection in the midst of it today?


Day 4: God’s Abundant Provision and Unfailing Care
Our Shepherd not only leads and protects us, but He also prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies, anoints us with oil, and causes our cup to overflow—His provision is generous and His care is unfailing. God’s desire is not just for our survival, but for our abundance; He honors us, lavishes us with goodness and mercy, and promises that we will dwell with Him forever. Unlike the world’s leaders or even our own efforts, God’s provision never runs out, and He delights in blessing His children beyond what we can imagine, both now and for eternity. [33:48]

Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV)
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s abundant provision or care recently? How can you express gratitude and trust Him for what you need today?


Day 5: Choosing to Follow the Good Shepherd Daily
To truly experience the blessings of the Good Shepherd, we must daily admit our need, surrender our self-sufficiency, and commit to following Him in every area of our lives. It is not enough to simply know about God as Shepherd; we must make Him our Shepherd by entrusting our decisions, struggles, and future to His leadership. This means letting go of the desire to be our own guide and instead saying, “Lead on, Good Shepherd,” in our relationships, work, finances, and every detail of life. When we do, we find the security, direction, and fulfillment that only He can provide. [34:19]

John 10:27-28 (ESV)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

Reflection: What is one specific area where you need to stop trying to be your own shepherd and instead trust God’s leadership? What step can you take today to follow Him more closely?

Quotes

We are like sheep. We've gone astray. And you would imagine that the good shepherd would come, and he would mock us, and he would abuse us, and he would yell at us because we're vulnerable, and we're confused, and we're fragile when we're lost. But the good shepherd comes, and notice there is no yelling and screaming. There is no blame given. Again, what it simply is is you are sheep, and I am your shepherd, and I want to show you how much I love you, how much I care for you, and how much I long for a relationship with you. [00:20:48] (00:00:37 seconds) Edit Clip

You see, some of us think, I'll find my purpose by doing the things I want. And God is saying today that the way that you find purpose and meaning and mission in life is by following the good shepherd. He will lead you to those paths of righteousness. [00:23:31] (00:00:16 seconds) Edit Clip

As the sheep in the flock of God, he says, I fear no evil because you are with me. Now, be very careful not to read into that or to interpret that, that as a Christian, as a Christ follower, that you will not, it does not say, listen, we get this in our heads. Because we're sheep in God's pasture, we'll never go through the valley of the shadow of death. That's not what God says. God says, you will go through the valley of the shadow of death, but you don't have to fear, you don't have to worry, you don't have to be anxious. Why? Because he's there with us. [00:28:41] (00:00:39 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't fall prey to the counterfeits. Leaders, they eventually fall. Friends, politicians, influencers, and even, yes, pastors, we will fail you. But God, Jehovah, Rohi, will not. He loves you and he's got a path for you and he wants to walk with you. And he wants to make sure that when you come up against things, he will fight for you. [00:33:31] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

Is the Lord your shepherd? David says at the beginning of this psalm, the Lord is my shepherd. He is mine. And what that means is I admit that I'm a sheep. I admit I'm dumb. I admit I'm distressed. I admit I'm easily deceived. And I need a shepherd. [00:34:19] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip