Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Shawn shares his personal struggles with feeling stretched thin and overwhelmed by life's demands - from house selling challenges to work-life balance. He reflects on how God interrupted his frustration with the words of Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Drawing from both David's experience as a shepherd and Paul's contentment in prison, Shawn explores how true contentment comes not from having everything we want, but from recognizing that in Christ we already have enough. The message emphasizes that gratitude transforms our perspective from focusing on what we're missing to remembering who walks with us through every season.

Ice Breaker

What's one thing that always makes you feel grateful, no matter what kind of day you're having?

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Help us to slow down from the busyness of life and be present with You and with each other. We pray that You would speak to us through Your Word and through our discussion. Show us what it means to truly find our contentment in You alone. We ask that You would use this time to draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Key Verses

1. Psalm 23:1-6
2. Philippians 4:11-13
3. John 10:11

Questions

1. Shawn shared about feeling like he was constantly juggling responsibilities and never having enough time. What areas of your life make you feel stretched thin or like you're not showing up enough?
2. The phrase 'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing' came to Shawn during a frustrating moment in traffic. How has God's Word spoken to you during difficult or unexpected times?
3. David wrote Psalm 23 not from a place of ease, but from experience with both green pastures and dark valleys. How does knowing the context of David's life change how you read this psalm?
4. Paul said he learned 'the secret of being content in any and every situation.' What do you think that secret is, and how can we practically apply it to our daily lives?
5. Shawn mentioned that God wants to shape our desires until they align with His. What's the difference between God giving us what we want versus shaping what we want?
6. The sermon suggests starting prayers with gratitude rather than requests. How might this change in approach affect your prayer life and overall perspective?
7. Shawn wrote: 'Even when I feel like I don't have enough, I know that in Christ I do.' What's your honest reaction to this statement? Does it bring comfort or make you uncomfortable?
8. How can we practically choose gratitude when we're walking through seasons where it feels like there's not much to be thankful for?

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to start each day by writing down three things you're grateful for before you think about your to-do list or what you're lacking. When you catch yourself feeling frustrated or stretched thin, pause and remind yourself: 'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.' Practice beginning your prayers with gratitude rather than requests, thanking God for who He is and how He's walking with you through your current circumstances.

Key Takeaways

1. True contentment comes from recognizing that in Christ we already have enough, not from having everything we want
2. Scripture memorization matters because God's Word can speak to us exactly when we need it most
3. God wants to shape our desires until they align with His, so He can trust us with what we want
4. Gratitude transforms our perspective from focusing on what we're missing to remembering who walks with us
5. Both David and Paul found contentment not because their circumstances were perfect, but because they trusted in God's faithfulness

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd who never leaves us or forsakes us. Help us to truly believe that in You we lack nothing, even when our circumstances feel overwhelming or insufficient. Shape our hearts and desires to align with Yours. Teach us to choose gratitude over complaint, trust over worry, and contentment over constant striving. As we go into this week, remind us that You are walking with us through every valley and leading us beside still waters. May our lives reflect the peace and contentment that comes from knowing You are enough. In Your precious name, Amen.