The God Who Invites Us to Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

The first item on the list of provisions given to us by God our Shepherd is rest. It is easy to read right past this truth every time we encounter this psalm. The reality is that sheep, much like many humans, do not easily rest. If left to themselves they tend to wander aimlessly. They will not lie down unless they have a readily available supply of food. And, because they are defenseless and vulnerable, once they do lie down, they tend to be quite skittish. A small sound or movement can send them running.

But a good shepherd knows all this about his sheep. And so, he finds rich pastures and leads them there. And he directs them to stop and rest. He also stays with them to calm and reassure them.

GROUP DISCUSSION. What images come to mind when you think about resting?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Describe a time when you experienced emotional and spiritual rest.

Read Psalm 23:2-3.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul."

1. These verses tell us about a God who causes us to lie down in green pastures, who leads us beside quiet waters and who restores our soul. Take a minute of quiet to reflect on these images. What thoughts and feelings do you have in response to these images?

2. Read Matthew 11:25-30.

Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Mat 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.


Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].


Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.


Mat 11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

This text begins with Jesus praying. In his prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual humility (being little children). What is the relationship between spiritual humility and being able to respond to an invitation to rest?

3. What does Jesus invite us to do in the text from Matthew?

4. What promises does Jesus make?

5. How do these promises compare with your expectations of what Jesus wants to offer you or expects from you?

6. What words would you use to paraphrase the way Jesus describes himself in the text from Matthew?

7. What about this description of Jesus might make it easier to rest in Jesus' presence?

8. Psalm 23:3 says that the rest God provides "restores my soul." In Matthew 11:29 Jesus promises "rest for your souls." What do you think these phrases mean?

9. What experiences have you had of your soul needing rest?

10. The text in Matthew is addressed to people who are weary and burdened. What is causing you to feel weary and burdened at this time in your life?

11. What makes it difficult for you to rest physically, emotionally, spiritually?

12. What helps you to rest physically, emotionally and spiritually?

13. Take a few minutes of quiet and picture yourself in a green meadow, beside quiet waters with Jesus. Jesus has invited you to come to him and to rest with him. You have accepted the invitation. As you rest quietly with Jesus, he reminds you that you are safe with him because he is gentle and humble in heart.

Write about your experience during this time of reflection.

Respond honestly to Jesus' invitation to rest. Share your fears, your hesitations, your longings, your gratitude, your need for help in resting, your need for rest or whatever honest responses you have.

Now or Later
This week reread Matthew 11:28-30. Revisit question 13, writing each day about your experience as you respond to Jesus'invitation to rest.

The God Who Shepherds Us

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is written from the perspective of a shepherd in Palestine. It was his job to take the family's flock of sheep out in search of food. This meant going on long journeys with the sheep. It meant living with the sheep day and night. It meant guarding them from predators. It meant finding suitable pastures for them to graze and enough water for them to drink.

Being a shepherd meant thinking about the needs of the flock most of the time - much like a parent thinks about the needs of a young child, planning ahead for feeding time and rest time and play time. I remember when I was caring for our children when they were little, anticipating their needs and delighting in their presence in our home, I would find myself reflecting from time to time, "this is a picture of what God does for me." As the pslmist cared for his flock, he seems to have had a similar experience.

GROUP DISCUSSION. When have you experienced joy in meeting a need for someone?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. What would you list as your most basic five or six needs in life?

The psalmist sees in his experience of delighting in and providing for his beloved sheep a picture of the loving, active, intimate care that God provides day after day all through our lives. He wrote as one whose eyes are opened to the amazing truth of God's powerful, protective, joyful, sustaining love for us.
Read Psalm 23.

1. The thesis for this psalm is stated in the first verse. How would you paraphrase this verse for our context?

2. List the needs that God the Shepherd meets as they are described in the rest of this psalm.

3. We live in a consumer society. We tend to think of ourselves as always lacking something, always needing something more. Reflect for a moment on what it would be like to be aware that God will provide everything you need. What thoughts and feelings do you have as you reflect on this thought?

4. Which of the needs identified in this psalm are you particularly aware of God meeting in your life at this time?

5. What is it like for you to experience God's care in this way?

6. Which of the provisions described in this psalm are you especially in need of?

7. This psalm describes our relationship with God as one in which God actively provides for us. God gives and cares and attends. We receive and receive and receive. How does this picture of God compare with your concept and experience of God?

8. Sheep are vulnerable animals, in need of their shepherd's care. In what ways do you relate to this metaphor of being a sheep?

9. How does this picture of who we are in relationship to God (the receivers of love and care) compare with your concept of who you are in relationship to God?

10. What difference might it make (or does it make) in your life to see your relationship with God in this way?

11. Do you relate to the image of God as a shepherd? What other images come to mind when you reflect on God as the one who provides, cares, protects and guides?

12. Spend a few minutes in quiet, reflecting on God as your loving shepherd or caretaker. What thoughts and feelings or images come to you as you reflect in this way?

13. When we are experiencing a specific need, it can be helpful to remember that God, who is our loving Shepherd, desires to meet our needs. Scripture frequently reminds us to talk to God about our needs. What specific needs are you experiencing at this time that you would like to ask God to meet?

Express your needs and your gratitude to God who shepherds you.

Now or Later

This week, begin each day in quiet, reflecting on God as your loving Shepherd. End each day by focusing on the ways you sense that God cared for you during the day.

You might want to keep a gratitude list, acknowledging God's specific care each day.

Pray that your heart and mind will be open to receive all the good gifts God is giving you.

A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23

Introduction post.

This is the beginning of my Fall Bible study. The book being used for this study is called A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, written by Phillip Keller. The study questions being used are from The 23rd Psalm, The Lord, Our Shepherd, written by Juanita Ryan. It is a part of the LifeGuide Bible study series. Both books cost about five dollars each. If you would like to participate in the study, you can copy and paste the questions posted each week into the comment section, and then record your personal answers. Additional questions, comments, and even criticisms can also be posted in the comment section.

What Psalm 23 is about and what to expect from this study.

Juanita Ryan writes:

Psalm 23 is a personal confession of love and gratitude from one human soul to God. It is a portrait of a God who is astonishingly intimate, kind, protective and generous with us. The message it offers, the golden key it holds out to us is this: we are invited to live securely in God's love and care for us. We are sheep - not very strong, not very wise, very much in need of help and guidance. God is a good Shepherd. God tends to us, cares for us, plans for us, provides for us, protects us, guides us and stays close to us. In life and in death we can come to know that all is well because God, our good Shepherd, is with us. Our part is to remember who we are and who God is. Our part is to rest in God's unfailing love, to follow God's faithful guidance and to allow ourselves to receive our good Shepherd's personal care for us.

The meaning, purpose and satisfaction we search for in life does not come from striving or proving ourselves or working hard to please others or God. The simple secret explored in this psalm is that life becomes rich, full and deeply satisfying when we rest in God's unfailing love.

May your heart and mind be nourished in the green pastures and beside the quiet waters of God's kindness. May your soul be restored as you grow in awareness of God's personal, tender care for you. May you rest in the promise of God's constant presence with you. May you know the peace and joy that come in anticipating that God's love and goodness will folow you all the days of your life. May you find your true home in the God who delights in you and who loves you unconditionally, abundantly and faithfully.