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Series Companion
Sermon Series: Fearless Flock

Series Companion for Fearless Flock

For your convenience, this material is offered in printer-friendly PDF format.

Introduction

We don’t think very highly of sheep. In fact, we use the term “sheeple” as an insult, referring to people who are just caught up in the crowds, can’t think for themselves, and are easily fooled. But the reality is that we are all caught up in different kinds of crowds, voices, demands, and impulses. People, ideas, and tasks are constantly clamoring for our attention. And often these things that seem like they have our best interests in mind will lead us astray. But this spring, we are going to consider what it means to be a part of a different kind of flock. Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved parts of the Bible. In it, we see a vision of life that is based on our dependence upon God, a good shepherd. And as we walk with this shepherd, we will find peace, provision, courage, blessing, and love. So join us as we learn how to be sheep, not “sheeple”!

Resource Overview

  • Within this sermon series companion, you will find space each week for notes on the sermon and Scripture text, reflection questions, and prompts to discuss your reflections with others. When considering the reflection questions, the goal is not to answer everything or have all the “right” answers―instead, let these questions serve as a starting point for curiosity in your conversation with God and others. See the Appendix of this guide for more resources and opportunities to engage with this study.

    • REFLECT: Listen to the sermon, read weekly selections and scripture passages, and answer questions. (30-40 min)
    • RELATE: Discuss reflection questions with your small group.  (60 min)
    • PRAY: Close your time by praying for each other.

  • NB: Sermon schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the pastors.

    Week 1:  (Psalm 23:1) – Walt Quick
    Week 2: (Psalm 23:2-3a) – Meghan DeJong
    Week 3: (Psalm 23:3b-4) – Dave Swaim
    Week 4: (Psalm 23:5) – John Mury
    Week 5: (Psalm 23:6) – Abby Rice (Highrock Online only)

  • We hope that all small group discussions are lively and enriching, but sometimes tough topics will be discussed. The Conversation Covenant* is an agreement to hold respect and grace toward all participants within a small group, no matter the conversation. Please adhere to the Conversation Covenant, or think about how to create one that fits your context.

    I pledge:

    • To act in good faith, with curiosity. I will assume the best about my conversation partners when entering into our groups. I will give the benefit of the doubt, recognizing that they may know something I don’t.
    • To show respect. I will show respect. I will be polite and give due regard for the feelings and traditions of others. I understand that I do not have to agree with someone to show them respect.
    • To speak the truth. I won’t use rhetorical tricks to try to win an argument. I will speak what I genuinely believe is the nuanced truth.
    • To aim to discover the truth. I will not enter into a conversation with the purpose of changing the mind of anyone to my way of thinking.
    • To focus on what we can change. I will focus on what we can do differently in the future since we cannot change what we did in the past.
    • To take responsibility for the conversation. I will take responsibility for the quality of the conversation and the abidance of the rules both in principle and in spirit.
    • To follow the covenant even when others fail to do so. I will abide by the rules regardless of whether another person breaks them.
    • To lighten up and approach the conversation in good humor. I recognize that humor is a hallmark of a constructive, generative conversation and take the conversation in good humor.

    *Adapted from https://conversational-leadership.net/conversation-covenant/

Appendix

    • What was a small win from your week?
    • Share a High/Low from your day or week.
    • On a scale of 1-10, how are you doing coming into this meeting?
    • If you were to describe yourself as a weather forecast today, what would you be? Example: sunny, partly cloudy, rainy with a chance of snow, etc.
    • What song would be the theme track for the day you had?
    • Allow everyone space to share. It’s ok to ask what people are thinking even if they don’t volunteer to share right away. But always give people the option to decline to share. Example: “Hey, Fred, you’ve been a little quiet and I’m curious to know what you think. Would you like to share anything?”
    • Remember there aren’t necessarily “right” answers. Encourage participants to simply be curious about what came up for them or others without the pressure of feeling like they “should” have thought or felt anything in particular. Example: Instead of asking “what is this story supposed to be communicating?” ask “what did you notice?”
    • Embrace the differences. Affirm that different people can come to different conclusions regarding the same thing. Example: “It is really interesting that the text reminded Susie of ABC, while it reminded José of XYZ. Both can be present and true.”
    • Adapt to suit your group’s needs. Sometimes conversation is free-flowing and sometimes it’s easier to move through discussion questions one at a time. Do what feels right for your group, but don’t feel pressured to answer/discuss every single question.
    • Encourage curiosity by modeling curiosity! Asking someone “Tell me more about XYZ” can be a really simple but effective tool to go deeper in conversation.
    • Don’t be afraid of silence. It’s natural to want to fill silences or pauses in a conversation. But don’t be afraid to sit in silence with your group members. Sometimes thoughts just need time to percolate, so don’t feel like you have to rush to another question if no one shares immediately.
    • Refer back to the Conversation Covenant. This is the posture that we as Highrock hold as we gather in groups. When the conversation gets tough, you can always refer back to the Conversation Covenant to remind the group that everyone has agreed to abide by this covenant in small group meetings

  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, et al. Life Together; Prayerbook of the Bible. Fortress Press, 2005.

    Brueggemann, Walter, and W. H. Bellinger. Psalms. University Press, 2014.

    Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms. Augsburg Publishing House, 1984.

    Creach, Jerome F.D. Interpretation Bible Studies: Psalms. Geneva Press, 1998.

    Gaventa, Beverly, et al.. The New Interpreter’s Bible, One-Volume Commentary. Abingdon Press, 2010.

    Waltke, Bruce K., et al. The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary. William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2010.

Weekly Readings & Discussion Questions

  • Watch & Read

    Consider

    • What are some of your current ideas about the Psalms? Note how they have or have not been a part of your Bible reading, prayer life, or understanding of how you relate to God.
    • The 23rd Psalm is one of the most well-known passages of Scripture. What are some of your impressions of this Psalm? Does it pique your interest or does it feel overly familiar?
    • What are some things you are hoping to get out of this small group series?
    • Do you have any questions about reading the Bible?

  • Reflect

    Before your small group gathering, complete the following and reflect on the discussion questions. These will be the basis for your small group time.

    • Listen to the Sermon on Highrock’s YouTube channel.
    • Read the Scripture passage.
    • Selected Reading: Excerpt from Psalms by Walter Brueggemann and William Bellinger

    Relate

    Use these questions as a launching point for your small group conversation. Open with a check-in/getting-to-know-you question. Group opener options are available in the Appendix.

    1. Pastor Walt encouraged memorizing this Psalm. As a group, share your preferred ways of memorizing scripture.  As a group, talk about how you can work on memorizing these passages together.
    2. What from the sermon or reading has brought up new questions? Spend some time as a group sharing and discussing these questions.
    3. Discuss what it means to follow the Lord as your shepherd. How is that different from following “the crowd”?
    4. How does who or what we follow shape our sense of scarcity or abundance?
    5. What is a next step you could take in how you pray, act, or relate to others?

    Pray

    Pray about what came up in your conversation and for the week ahead.

    Scripture

    Psalm 23:1

    “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

  • Reflect

    Before your small group gathering, complete the following and reflect on the discussion questions. These will be the basis for your small group time.

    Relate

    Use these questions as a launching point for your small group conversation. Open with a check-in/getting-to-know-you question. Group opener options are available in the Appendix.

    1. What from the sermon or reading has brought up new questions? Spend some time as a group sharing and discussing these questions.
    2. Discuss what this passage reveals about the character of God. Does this seem to align with your picture of who God is/has been to you?
    3. Here, the Psalmist offers a connection with the land and water as a place of refreshing. Talk about how a connection with creation is a part of God’s provision for us, the human creation. Does the natural world play a role in your own spiritual life? How so?
    4. When have you experienced a refreshing of your soul?
    5. What is a next step you could take in how you pray, act, or relate to others?

    Pray

    Pray about what came up in your conversation and for the week ahead.

    Scripture

    Psalm 23:2-3a

    “He makes me lie down in green pastures,
    he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he refreshes my soul.”

  • Reflect

    Before your small group gathering, complete the following and reflect on the discussion questions. These will be the basis for your small group time.

    Relate

    Use these questions as a launching point for your small group conversation. Open with a check-in/getting-to-know-you question. Group opener options are available in the Appendix.

    1. What from the sermon or reading has brought up new questions? Spend some time as a group sharing and discussing these questions.
    2. When you feel lost or afraid, what feels trustworthy to you? What feels untrustworthy? When you are lost or afraid, how might someone gain your trust?
    3. Consider one of your own “dark valley” experiences. Does/did God feel trustworthy? Why or why not? Share honestly about what makes/made you feel that way.
    4. There is an implication in this text that there will be dark valleys to go through. What do you make of the reality that God doesn’t keep us only in “green pastures”? Discuss what it means for God to be accompanying you in the “dark valleys”. What comfort is offered there?
    5. What is a next step you could take in how you pray, act, or relate to others?

    Pray

    Pray about what came up in your conversation and for the week ahead.

    Scripture

    Psalm 23: 3b-4

    “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
    Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
    I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.”

  • Reflect

    Before your small group gathering, complete the following and reflect on the discussion questions. These will be the basis for your small group time.

    Relate

    Use these questions as a launching point for your small group conversation. Open with a check-in/getting-to-know-you question. Group opener options are available in the Appendix.

    1. What from the sermon or reading has brought up new questions? Spend some time as a group sharing and discussing these questions.
    2. Thinking in historical terms, what would the Psalmist’s declarations about God in these verses have meant to them?
    3. What kind of provision is the Psalmist focusing on here? What needs are they saying God meets?
    4. Together imagine the scene being set here. What senses, feelings, sights, etc. come to mind? Discuss what you notice through imagining and why that might be important.
    5. What is a next step you could take in how you pray, act, or relate to others?

    Pray

    Pray about what came up in your conversation and for the week ahead.

    Scripture

    Psalm 23:5

    “You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
    You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows

  • Reflect

    Before your small group gathering, complete the following and reflect on the discussion questions. These will be the basis for your small group time.

    Relate

    Use these questions as a launching point for your small group conversation. Open with a check-in/getting-to-know-you question. Group opener options are available in the Appendix.

    1. What from the sermon or reading has brought up new questions? Spend some time as a group sharing and discussing these questions.
    2. Psalms traditionally close with a notion of hope remembering God’s faithfulness and promise. Discuss these closing lines and what they convey to you.
    3. During Jesus’ public ministry he often preached that the Kingdom of Heaven has come to earth (Matthew 10:1-8). With that in mind, what does it mean that love  follows us all the days of our lives and we dont need to wait to dwell with God now?
    4. What do you think this Psalm meant to those who would routinely sing it in exile while suffering and waiting? What might it mean to you today? The closing hope of the Psalm helps orient us to God’s faithfulness to us, God’s beloved creation.
    5. When have you experienced a refreshing of your soul?
    6. What is a next step you could take in how you pray, act, or relate to others?

    Pray

    Pray about what came up in your conversation and for the week ahead.

    Scripture

    Psalm 23:6

    “Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
    and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    Forever.”