Key Thought: Psalm 23 talks about a path. The path takes us through the highs and lows in our lives. Do we know and trust the Shepherd as we move along this path.
July 2, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23:1-3.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How can trials alter our paths so that our lives change to better reflect the character of Christ?
3. Personal Application: What does it mean to you to know that there is Someone this caring for you? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I don’t know if God cares for me that much. I’ve seen so much pain, sorrow, and disappointment in my life that I have a hard time recognizing His presence, direction, or protection.’” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23:4.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do God’s rod and staff provide comfort in times of trouble?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever faced a valley of the shadow of death? Did you have any fear, even knowing God is there? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How can I not help being fearful when I am facing death – whether by war, or assault, or cancer, or accident, or old age? Isn’t it natural to fear death?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23:5.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does it mean to anoint us with oil and have a full cup in the face of our enemies?
3. Personal Application: What types of enemies have you had in your life? How have you responded to those who have tried to hurt you or those you love? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I haven’t chosen very good paths in my life. But now that I have chosen to become a Christian and follow Jesus, I find that path to be very difficult because of my past. How do I not do what is normal and seek revenge and react in kind when threatened? That’s what I was taught to do.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23:6..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What two things did David say here that he is certain of?
3. Personal Application: What evidence from your life or from the Bible could you share with someone who questions the certainty of God’s care? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(2)

The post 1: The Shepherd’s Crucible – Teaching Plan appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/1-the-shepherds-crucible/

Welcome to the commencement of the Third Quarter’s Sabbath School lesson studies.

Having scanned through the lesson quarterly, there are so many hymns from which to choose a theme. In effect, there is a commencing theme hymn which changes through the quarter to the finale theme hymn. To start with, we could use
Hymn 552 – The Lord’s My Shepherd or 
Hymn 545 – Savior, Like a Shepherd. Somewhere in the middle of the quarter one could change the theme and add in 
Hymn 159 – On a Hill Far Away which is where we complete our studies in Lesson 13.

Sunday has children stating clearly that “God is love”:
Hymn 76 – O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,
Hymn 77 – O Love of God Most Full,
Hymn 78 – For God So Loved Us,
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True!,
Hymn 116 – Of the Father’s Love Begotten,
Hymn 148 – O Love How Deep How Broad,
Hymn 162 – Wondrous Love,
Hymn 179 – The Wonders of Redeeming Love,
Hymn 190 – Jesus Love Me,
Hymn 191 – Love Divine,
Hymn 197 – The King of Love My Shepherd Is, and
Hymn 359 – God Is Love.

There are many more hymns about God’s wondrous love that could still be added to the list above!

The paths of righteousness spoken of in Monday’s study can be found in 
Hymn 552 – The Lord’s My Shepherd and 
Hymn 546 – The Lord’s My Shepherd.

The valley detours showing the types of paths we may walk along, is also in 
Hymn 447 – Long Upon the Mountains (verse 1) in contrast to the paths in 
Hymn 456 – My Lord and I (verse 2) and 
Hymn 631 – When On Life a Darkness Falls (verse 1).

What a wonder David puts before us (Wednesday) the preparation of a banquet for his enemies, just as Jesus will do for us in Heaven: 
Hymn 104 – My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs and 
Hymn 546/552 – The Lord’s My Shepherd.

We see our God with unfailing love, pursuing “me all the days of my life” (Thursday) where we find His arms are open wide: 
Hymn 289 – The Savior Is Waiting (verse 3). It is there that we are able to be 
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – Hymn 469, and find He will shield us: 
Hymn 499 – What a Friend We Have in Jesus (verse 3).

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(1)

The post 1: The Shepherd’s Crucible – Singing with Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/1-the-shepherds-crucible-singing-with-inspiration/