Week Four

God’s Providence, Our Pasture

SEEDS TO SOW: CONSIDER THE ROLE THE PSALMS HELD IN JESUS’S LIFE *

Read Psalm 23

God’s Providence, Our Pasture... in the light of the Psalms.

God’s providence is such a reassuring phrase. It tells us that God cares for his creation, but more than that he cares about all aspects of our lives, and on occasion can intervene to bring about his purposes in our lives. The whole of this psalm speaks to us of the goodness of God. Those who spend time in prayer become more aware of the Providence, of the protective care, of God.

In your discussions be open to consider what are the attributes of God that make up providence and how does it shape us in our relationships with others?

Looking at verse 2, what do you think of the idea that God sometimes has to pull the rug out from under our feet, to stop us dead in our tracks, in order for us to listen?

When we submit to God do we give up some of our freedom?

Read Psalm 23 (Again)

Jesus’s pasture.

How does it make you feel that Jesus could have repeated this psalm on the road to Calvary, on the road to the cross? What aspect of this psalm touches you most in the light of this perspective?

Read Ephesians 5: 1-2

God’s Providence, Our Pasture... in the light of the resurrection.

What could imitating God’s providence look like for you in your home/work/place of education next week?

* SEEDS TO SOW: These are open-ended and optional prompts and are designed for people wanting to develop their own resources in response to the themes. Perhaps if you are using this material as a group you could use these prompts to inspire a time of prayer, or drawing, or creative writing? They are a short and sweet, simply a starting off place for you and your imagination. Tailor and develop as suits your group.