This is part of the worship series
"The Lord, Our Shepherd"
Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5
Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | Easter
Home Devotions
Daily Devotional Guide
This home devotional guide covers the six weeks of Lent on the theme of Psalm 23.
Week One
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:1 that form the theme for the week, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Philippians 4:19
Q. What is one of the things God said to you through the message presented this morning?
Monday: 1 Peter 2:24–25
Q. As Peter tells us, we are like “sheep going astray.” What are some of the things you have done that show this is true? How do you know you have “returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”?
Tuesday: John 10:14–16
Q. Who might be some of the “other sheep” that are mentioned in v. 16? Take a moment to pray for them.
Wednesday: John 10:14-16
Q. What does the prayer of v. 14 have to do with the statements in vv. 7–10? When can you offer this prayer?
Thursday: Proverbs 8:10–19
Q. Who is the “speaker” in these verses, and what do they have to do with following the Good Shepherd?
Friday: Psalm 73:23–26
Q. What events in your life have been teaching you the truths stated in these verses?
Saturday: Isaiah 40:10–11
Q. Of the three verbs in v. 11 (gathers, carries, and leads), which best describes what God has been doing for you lately?
Week Two
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:2 that form the theme for the week, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul." May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Isaiah 49:8-12
Q. As you listen to God speak once again in these words from this morning's message, what phrase speaks to your heart?
Monday: Revelation 7:13-17
Q. Read over these verses carefully, and then mention some of those you have known in life who are now in heaven, experiencing this promise right now; also spend some time reflecting on the ways we can and do experience this promise here on earth.
Tuesday: Revelation 22:17
Q. Why do you think the Triune God invites us to "Come"?
Wednesday: Psalm 73:21-28
Q. What is God doing in your life to change you from the "brute beast" of v. 22 into a lamb that follows the Good Shepherd?
Thursday: Psalm 34:1-10
Q. How can we "taste" God (v. 8)? What are some of the ways that are suggested in these verses?
Friday: Psalm 37:1-11
Q. What events in your life cause you to "fret" or to "be envious" (v. 1) and what are the responses and alternatives given in these verses?
Saturday: Ezekiel 34:11–16
Q. As you consider the actions of God, the Shepherd, which are spoken of in these verses, which ones have you experienced personally, which ones are you praying for regarding yourself, and which ones are you praying for regarding someone else?
Week Three
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:3 that form the theme for the week, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Isaiah 6:1–8
Q. Do you often sense the guilt-lifting impact of vv. 6–7 as they follow the story of vv. 1–5? Do you often sense the response of v. 8?
Monday: Psalm 103:1–5
Q. As you review the list of blessings cited in these verses, what are some other items you would add to the list?
Tuesday: Psalm 103:6–12
Q. As we're told that God "does not treat us as our sins deserve",(v. 10) and that He "removes our transgressions from us" (v. 12), how is His "righteousness" and 'Justice" expressed (v. 6)? As you bring to mind the gracious work of Christ, what is your response?
Wednesday: Psalm 103:13–22
Q. What is said about God's righteousness in these verses that makes you respond with the words, "Praise the Lord, 0 my soul"?
Thursday: Hebrews 10:19–25
Q. What most often stands in the way of your approaching God: a lack of confidence (see v. 19) or a lack of habit (v. 25)? What would Jesus tell you relative to each of these issues?
Friday: Isaiah 48:10–11
Q. What events in your life have felt like "the furnace of affliction"? Have you been able to see ways that this served to add to God's glory and fame (vv. 9, 11)?
Saturday: Psalm 5:1–8
Q. This is the psalm we used to begin this week. What words express your state of mind today?
Week Four
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:4 that form the theme for the week, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. ” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Isaiah 43:1–7
Q. As you read over these verses from our passage today, what words especially resonate in your heart? As the extended verses (vv. 3–7) speak of God's "gathering" task, who are some persons you are aware of that God may be gathering through your worshiping community? Will you pray for them this week?
Monday: 2 Corinthians 4:5–12
Q. As you review this passage, take note of the descriptive words in vv. 8–9. When have you experienced the "negative" words, and then have you experienced the "positive" words?
Tuesday: James 1:2–4
Q. What is it, according to James, that keeps us going in "trials"?
Wednesday: 1 Peter 1:6–9
Q. Yesterday we heard James' words on trials, and today we read Peter's perspective. What is Peter's explanation of "trials" in our life? (Be sure to note verse 9.)
Thursday: Romans 8:34–39
Q. This classic passage speaks of our comfort in the face of the reality of "facing death all day long" (v. 35). What forms of attack listed in v. 35 have you encountered lately? What have you done about them? What does God ask you to do?
Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:35–54 (or verses 50–54)
Q. What "higher reality" is described in these verses, and how does knowing this reality help us in "the valley of the shadow of death"?
Saturday: Hebrews 12:7–11
Q. This passage introduces the concept of "discipline", which we will consider next. How do the words of Hebrews 12:7 speak to our experience of "life in the valley"? Can you identify a personal example of "hardship" that has served to train and mature you?
Week Five
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:4 that form the theme for the week, “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Hebrews 12:7–11
Q. As you once again read over these verses from our passage today, what words especially resonate in your heart?
Monday: Hebrews 12:1–6
Q. Looking especially at the first three verses in this passage, what is the "spiritual lesson" you find/or today? How does this relate to the words of Hebrews 12: 4–11?
Tuesday: Isaiah 38:9–20
Q. Take note of the range of emotions displayed in these verses. How is ii possible to move from the agony of the first few verses and arrive at the acceptance of v. 17?
Wednesday: Hebrews 5:7–8
Q. If Jesus was "perfect" from birth, how is it possible that He "learned obedience"? What does this say about our learning process?
Thursday: Isaiah 32:17–20
Q. How would you describe this picture of "maturity" with modern images? What does this passage say to your heart?
Friday: 1 Peter 5:5–11
Q. What are some of the elements of "submission" (v. 5a) that this passage calls us to learn in life? (Answer by looking at vv. 5b– 11)
Saturday: Hebrews 1:8–9
Q. Tomorrow morning we will consider the "anointing" of Jesus, and the anointing of our own heads. What does this "anointing" mean to you at this point in your spiritual journey?
Week Six
Here you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:5 that form the theme for the week, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.
Sunday: Hebrews 1:6–7
Q. As you once again read this passage, what have you learned today about the reality of "anointing"?
Monday: Isaiah 26:1–9
Q. As you read this extended passage about God's work, what are some of the striking aspects of experiencing the "oil of peace"?
Tuesday: Psalm 103:1–8
Q. This cherished psalm speaks of the "oil of healing". Identify as many statements as you can that describe God's work of healing in our lives.
Wednesday Ephesians 1:7–14
Q. God anoints us with His Spirit (v. 13). What are some of the marks of the "oil of humility" that are assumed and mentioned in this passage?
Thursday: Isaiah 61:1–3
Q. How can we live out the anointed lifestyle described in this passage? What particular people can we pray for today who need the "oil of gladness" mentioned in v. 3. (Can we accompany our prayers with an invitation to sit next to us Easter Sunday?)
Friday: Revelation 19:6–9
Q. In our Good Friday service tonight we consider the table that is spread before us by the Good Shepherd (See Psalm 23:5). What do these words in revelation say about that table?
Saturday: Psalm 6
Q. This psalm is a good one to read between Good Friday and Easter. What words seem appropriate for you to hear and to say during this "in between period." What words do you need to offer to God in prayer for yourself! What words do you need to offer on behalf of others?
Sunday: Matthew 28:1–10; Psalm 23:6; Psalm 16:9–11
Q. These are the passages we use today in our Easter worship. What is it that makes Easter such a great day of celebration?
