A Matter of Life and Death STUDY GUIDE

Icebreaker: Do you ever say, “I need ____,” when in reality you just want it? What do you “need” today?

Sermon Title: The Path of Totality – “A Matter of Death and Life” – Psalm 23 & Hebrews 13:20

Group Discussion:

Read Psalm 23:4a – I need Him with me. How does acknowledging this truth impact our, sometimes unyielding, desire for independence? In what ways can recognizing our need for Jesus reshape our understanding of strength and vulnerability? Are our “need” for Jesus and our “surrender” to Jesus the same function? Does one require the other for this to be complete?

Read Psalm 23:4b – I need Him to comfort me. How does an absolute reliance on Jesus challenge our sinful tendencies of seeking comfort in what the world offers? How can we cultivate a deeper reliance on Jesus as our absolute and final source of comfort rather than filling the void with things, relationships, or substances?

Read Psalm 23:5 & John 14:1-3 – I need Him to prepare for me. Is it a leap of faith in your life to trust the Lord to prepare your ways moving forward? How can we nurture a trust in Jesus’ provisions and preparations for our lives? And how are these levels of trust connected to the idea of total surrender?

Read Psalm 23:6 & Matthew 18:12-14 – I need Him to follow me. In what ways does recognizing Jesus as our follower, as our Shepherd, shape our understanding of discipleship and surrender? Can you share an example in your life when Jesus was following as a Good Shepherd?

Read 2 Timothy 1:10 & Hebrews 13:20 – I need Him to take me from death to life and from darkness to light. Reflecting on personal experiences or testimonies shared, how have people encountered Jesus as the catalyst, as the reason for moving from a place of spiritual death and darkness to one of eternal life and light?

Spiritual Discipline:

Take time this week to study and memorize Psalm 23 (e.g., see scripture and commentary on our Church Center app / Sermon Resources).

Action Steps:

Be intentional this week by inviting someone to watch Jeff’s Easter sermon with you, someone who could benefit from the message; or have them watch it, and then invite them to have a conversation with you about the totality of Jesus and the 23rd Psalm.

Check out our additional sermon resources through RightNow Media from the home page on our Church Center app. If you do not have a RightNow Media account, you may create one for free at: Church Center/Sermon Resources.