Seekers for Jesus: 2nd Quarter 2017

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.

Seekers for Jesus is a quarterly written especially for young people ages 12-14. In addition to introductory material and biblical exposition, each lesson contains a section to help students apply the lesson to life. Questions are interjected to gauge the student’s understanding of the presentation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Jan 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781681672458

Book preview

Lesson 1

04.02.17

I’VE GOT YOUR BACK!

Psalm 23

Background Scripture: Psalm 23

Word Up! God is our Shepherd!

THE REAL DEAL ON TODAY’S LESSON

To allow more space for exposition, all lesson print Scripture passages may not appear in their entirety.

TODAY’S LESSON

Everyone has needs and wants. If you were to make a list of your needs, what would be listed as your top five needs? Most people need the same things: food, shelter, protection, water, and love. God has shown us over and over again that He can and will provide for the needs of His people. In today’s psalm, we read the words of David, who wrote many of the psalms. Psalms are songs of praise directed to God. They have different themes and were written for different occasions. Some celebrate God as the Creator; others celebrate Him for His mercy. Today’s psalm is a song written from the personal perspective of David’s relationship with God as his Shepherd.

SIDELINE QUESTION: What are the benefits of trusting God?

TODAY’S LESSON

I. God Provides Rest and Peace (Psalm 23:1–3)

David was probably an old man reflecting on his life when he wrote Psalm 23. He had experienced great tragedies and disappointments, but he loved God and had come to know Him as his Shepherd. In ancient times, kings were known as shepherds over the people of their kingdom. The king, like a shepherd, would be responsible for providing prosperity and peace for the citizens. When David refers to God as a Shepherd, he also acknowledges God’s role as Lord over the universe. Just as a shepherd provides for his sheep, God provides for His people. David knew God as One who gave His children more than they deserved because of His great love for His people.

Verse one states that because God is our Shepherd, we will not want for anything. This truth might initially sound contradictory, especially if you have ever felt as though you don’t have everything you need or if you have felt dissatisfied with the things you have. But when God is the center of your life, you will find that He is good and faithful, and He does provide for you. You will be able to better recognize what are needs and what are only wants. God will put people in your life who will also be able to help you to receive what you need, whether these are the basic necessities like food and shelter, or more complicated needs like love and care.

God provides for you in spiritual and emotional ways too. He knows life is difficult at times, and He offers rest from your weary journey. The descriptions of lying down in green pastures and resting beside still waters offer peaceful imagery, allowing you to see that God offers you peace every day, and He wants you to reach out and take it. When you are hurting or troubled, God can restore your soul.

God will also lead you down the paths of righteousness. When you aren’t sure about your future or what might happen, you can trust that God is good, and He has made a righteous way for you.

Verses two and three show not only that God provides peace, but that God also provides what is necessary for life. Green pastures are a food source for sheep. Sheep drink from still waters. They are safe from danger when led in right paths. God as Shepherd sustains life with His