Lessons · Wed Aug 19, 2026 · Scripture

Psalm 23 — "The Lord Is My Shepherd"

Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46

The principle

Jesus Christ is our Shepherd — He knows us, leads us, restores us, and stays with us through the valley.

What the lesson is for

Help students feel the tender, loving character of Jesus Christ by slowing down to visualize the images King David used in Psalm 23.

Personal study, first ten minutes

Psalm 23

Read it slowly. Which image can you actually picture? What does that picture teach you about the Savior?

Take it

PowerPoint deck 7.7 MB Lesson source (JSON)

The deck

Click any card to see it full size.

Card 0: CONTEXT SETUP — Six Pictures of the Savior, in Six Verses. — **Card 0** · CONTEXT SETUP Slow Down. See Him.

Card 1: DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI — Read Slowly. Imagine Fully. — **Card 1** · DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI Picture It. Then Ponder It.

Card 2: TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE — Share. Listen. See Him Together. — **Card 2** · TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE Say what you saw.

Card 3: CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION — One Verse. One Picture. One Truth. — **Card 3** · CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION Draw it. Keep it. Live it.

Teacher notes

Supplies, board work and timing. Never printed on the cards.

The study skill being taught is visualizing. Bring blank paper and colored pencils for the Card 3 activity. Warm up with Psalm 30:11 (mourning into dancing) before opening Psalm 23. Optional: sing 'Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd' (Hymns, no. 221).

Journal prompt

The last five minutes. Card 3 hands into this.

Which verse of Psalm 23 did you choose, and what did you picture? Write down the one true thing it taught you about Jesus Christ — and one place in your life right now where you need Him to be that.