Receive (20 mins):
Open your time in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Listen to this devotion on Psalm 5 (The reading is included. Follow along in your Bible.)
- Spend some time in personal reflection and prayer. (5 mins)
- Share with the group what God has been speaking to you. Is there a challenge for you? Have you been impressed with a particular characteristic of God? (10 mins).
- Pray together, responding to what God has been showing you in this Psalm. (5 mins)
Read (20 mins):
Read John 10:11-18
- When you have a difficult question/situation, to whom do you instinctively turn? Why that person/group? What have you found helpful? What have been the limitations?
- The Bible often uses the image of a shepherd as the leader of God’s people. What characteristics of a good shepherd come to mind? What do you most value/connect with in this analogy? (i.e. what are you looking for in a shepherd leader?) What do you go elsewhere for?
- What difference does it make that “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”? How can/does this set the good shepherd apart from any other leaders you may follow?
Respond (20 mins):
- Spend a few minutes in personal reflection. What is the Holy Spirit impressing on your heart? (3 mins)
- Take time to share how the Holy Spirit is challenging you. How can you be accountable to each other? Consider keeping a record for the purposes of prayer and accountability. (12 mins)