"The Good Shepherd" - Lesson 2

Hello to you once more! Welcome back for the second and final lesson of January. As in other months, you and your entire family are invited to read and listen and create and pray around our selected story.
     This month our story is “The Good Shepherd,” and it is found on pages 130-135 of The Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
     There follows a children’s section, an adult section, weekly prayer, and a wrap up.
Children
     Settle into a comfy spot and listen to the videotape above, or read the story yourself, or maybe oral read it aloud to a family member.
     In last week’s lesson we talked about the 23rd Psalm written by King David, who wrote almost half of all the psalms. This week our subject will be who wrote the rest.
     The book of Psalms is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, which means all the psalms were written before Jesus was born.
     Out of the 150 psalms in the Bible, 73 were written by King David. The others were written by various authors who lived at the time such as -

• Moses: One of the most important prophets wrote Psalm 90.
• Solomon: The son of King David wrote Psalms 72 and 127.
• Asaph: A singer and a musician who served in the temple during the time of King David and who wrote 12 psalms
• Heman: A minister of music in the temple during King David’s reign who wrote Psalm 88
• Ethan the Ezrahite: A boy at King David’s court well known for his wisdom. He wrote Psalm 89.
• The three faithful sons of Korah: Korah was a rebel who rose up against Moses. His sons wrote 11 psalms.

     About half of the psalms are anonymous, meaning there is no known author. Some of these anonymous psalms may have been written by David.  
     The book of Psalms was likely organized by a high priest named Ezra.  He may have also added titles to psalms with known authors.
     Please direct any questions or comments on this blog to Pastor Matt Short, our new pastor.
     Look below the Adult section for the weekly prayer and send-off.
Adults
     Biblical references are Psalm 51, 2 Samuel, and paraphrased Psalm 23.
     Psalm 23 is thought to be the most uplifting psalm, but Psalm 88 is often considered the saddest psalm in the Bible. It expresses a deep sense of despair, fear, and hopelessness. The psalm is about feeling crushed by life's challenges and struggling with the idea that God allows people to suffer. 
    What specifically makes Psalm 88 so sad? It is full of verses that express despair; it is about a cry to a silent and absent God; it ends with darkness and no obvious note of hope.
     Heman the Ezrahite wrote it. He was ill, depressed and felt worse at the end of the psalm than at the beginning. The writer prays, but God does not seem to listen. God seems only to send more trouble to him. He cannot see how things may get better.
     If we sometimes feel the same way, it is good to use this psalm to speak to God. It helps us to speak aloud what we feel. We need to remember to seek the Lord while we are in pain.
     It behooves us to remember Jesus also experienced anguish of the soul.
     Again, our new pastor, Pastor Matt, will entertain any comments or questions about this lesson.
For Children and Adults
     Next Sunday, January 19, 2025, our Sunday School will gather to enjoy a treat, oral read and discuss the story, do a fun craft, and end with a prayer. All are invited to attend. Hope to see you!
 
~ This Week’s Prayer ~
Dear Lord, I am blessed to know that I can
talk to You whenever I want and however I feel.
 
Brrr - Stay warm!
Margo Greer