Greatest Hits Week 7: Small Group Discussion Guide

The 23rd Psalm

Session Overview
Most people believe that abundance—having more possessions, success, or comfort—will bring happiness. Yet we discover again and again that our “abundance” leaves us discontent and restless.

Psalm 23 reveals the true source of abundance and contentment: the Lord Himself. This study helps us rediscover that when the Lord is our Shepherd, we lack nothing—because His sufficiency is our true abundance.

Key Passage
Psalm 23 (NASB)
(Read aloud as a group.)

Main Idea
True contentment is not found in the abundance of possessions but in the sufficiency of the Shepherd.
When we live in fellowship with Christ and allow His Spirit to guide us, we experience the abundance of peace, joy, and satisfaction our hearts long for.

Icebreaker
Think of a time you had too much of something (food, clothes, streaming services, etc.) and still weren’t satisfied. What did that reveal about what you were really looking for?

1. Abundance Without Contentment
Read: Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Discussion Questions

1. What are some modern examples of “abundance” that still leave people discontent?
2. How does the world’s promise of satisfaction compare to the reality you’ve experienced?
3. According to the sermon, why can’t worldly abundance fill the inner void we feel?
4. In what ways have you personally tried to find contentment apart from God?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• Abundance without Christ leads to emptiness because we were made for fellowship with God (Genesis 1:26–27).
• The void in our hearts can only be filled by His presence, not possessions.
• The “bag of chips” illustration shows that what looks full on the outside can still be hollow on the inside.
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2. The Sufficiency of the Shepherd
Read: 2 Corinthians 9:8
“God is able to make all grace overflow to you… so that you may have an abundance for every good deed.”

Discussion Questions

1. What’s the difference between something being sufficient and being barely enough?
2. How does God’s sufficiency differ from worldly adequacy?
3. What emotions or circumstances reveal whether you’re living from His sufficiency or your own striving?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• Biblical sufficiency means God completely satisfies every need—He’s not “just enough,” He’s more than enough.
• Living from His sufficiency produces peace, gratitude, and rest, not striving or comparison.
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3. Green Pastures and Still Waters
Read: Psalm 23:2–3
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”
Discussion Questions

1. What do “green pastures” and “still waters” symbolize?
2. How do we experience rest in the Shepherd’s care?
3. What are we restored back to when living in His sufficient abundance?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• Green pastures = nourishment and satisfaction. Still waters = calm and renewal.
• Rest flows from trust, and trust flows from knowing the Shepherd is enough.
• When living in His abundance we are returned to our original state where we experienced intimate fellowship with God. 
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4. Walking the Right Paths
Read: Psalm 23:3b; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 2:13–16a
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to “walk in paths of righteousness”?
2. What is relational obedience?
3. How does the Holy Spirit help us live righteously?
4. What happens each time we obey God in dependence on the Spirit?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• Paths of righteousness = fellowship with God expressed in relational obedient living.
• It is an obedience that we freely and joyfully give because we know it will draw us closer to His abundant life. We don’t obey out of fear, we obey to restore our fellowship with Him.
• The Spirit gives both the desire and power to do what pleases God.
• Each act of obedience plants more of God’s heart in us, shaping us to be like Him (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
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5. Comfort in the Valley
Read: Psalm 23:4a; Hebrews 13:5–6
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”
Discussion Questions

1. What changes in David’s tone in this verse? (Hint: from talking about God to talking to God.)
2. What brings David comfort in dark valleys?
3. How can God’s presence remove fear even when circumstances don’t change?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• The Shepherd’s presence is our comfort; He is near and active.
• Fear fades when we know we’re not alone; His presence changes how we face the valley.
• Our comfort isn’t in escaping difficulty but in knowing He walks with us through it.
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6. The Comfort of His Rod and Staff
Read: Psalm 23:4b
“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Discussion Questions

1. What were the rod and staff used for by shepherds in David’s time?
2. Why would these tools bring comfort instead of fear to the sheep?
3. What do the rod and staff reveal about God’s character toward His people?
4. How do these two instruments illustrate both God’s protection and guidance in your life today?
5. When have you personally felt comforted knowing that God was both defending you and directing you?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• The rod was a short club used to protect sheep from predators — a symbol of God’s power and protection.
• The staff was longer with a curved end, used to guide or rescue sheep — a symbol of God’s care and correction.
• Together they remind us that God is near, not distant; He is actively watching and working for our good.
• His discipline and direction are not threats but sources of peace.
• Within His sufficiency, we rest in the comfort that He both guards and guides us.
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7. A Table in the Presence of Enemies
Read: Psalm 23:5a; John 10:10
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean that God prepares a table in the presence of enemies?
2. How does this verse illustrate victory in the midst of struggle?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• God’s care is not delayed until the battle is over—it’s displayed during it.
• Satan cannot hinder God’s provision or fellowship.
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8. Overflowing Abundance
Read: Psalm 23:5b; Galatians 5:22–23
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Discussion Questions

1. What does oil symbolize in Scripture?
2. How does our “cup overflow” in daily life?
3. In what ways can our contentment bless others?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• Oil = the Holy Spirit’s joy, empowerment, and satisfaction.
• The overflowing cup represents a life so filled with Christ that His joy spills into others.
• True generosity and service flow naturally from a heart at rest in Him.
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9. Eternal Contentment
Read: Psalm 23:6; Romans 8:38–39
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Discussion Questions

1. What’s the difference between temporary happiness and eternal contentment?
2. How does this verse assure us that our contentment in Christ cannot be taken away from us if we stay on His path of righteousness?

Leader’s Notes / Answers

• God’s goodness and mercy are constant companions—His abundance never fades.
• Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38–39).
• Our ultimate rest is eternal fellowship with Him.

Reflection & Application

1. Where are you currently seeking abundance apart from God?
2. What steps can you take to continue to be relationally obedient to God this week? How will you bring the power of the Holy Spirit into your decisions?
3. What is one practical way you can let your “cup overflow” into someone else’s life?

Memory Verse
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1