Before the Session
Facilitator: In advance of the session
- Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
- Thoroughly review all the referenced resources for this session in advance.
- Encourage your group to listen to the FaithElement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media).
Context
Watch this video of a shepherd and his sheep and ask:
- What most stands out to you about this video and why?
- Based on this, what would you say is a shepherd’s job?
- What is the work of the sheep?
- What does it mean to be the people of God’s pasture or the sheep of God’s hand?
- How does this video help you understand your relationship to God or to the other sheep?
Content
Read Psalm 95 then watch the Bible Background Video for this session before asking:
- What do you think it means to “make a joyful noise” in the context of this passage?
- Why do you think this passage starts with praise and worship, but reminds the readers of God’s disappointment with them?
- How does this passage fit into our Lenten journey?
- What does it say about God’s love and mercy?
- What descriptors of the relationship between God and God’s people do we read in this passage?
- What would God say about things we have done in our past that might have been disappointing?
Closure
Listen to Like a Shepherd and continue by asking:
- How does this song make you feel and why?
- In what way is this song the kind of “joyful noise” the psalm is calling for?
- How can someone be worshipful and give praise, knowing that we have all fallen short?
- In what way is Jesus’ “holding us” helping us rise above whatever regrets might arise from our faith
- How can we help people move past mere “noise” and toward a more authentic experience of faith?
Close with a prayer that ends like the following:
Good Shepherd, lead us as the people of your pasture. May we listen to your voice and answer your call. Amen.
Writer: Crystal Shepherd