This session focused on the importance of trust in God during difficult times, the power of self-talk and the tongue, and the comfort and guidance provided by God’s presence. The participants also discussed the concept of valleys and their interpretation in personal experiences, and the need for a more comprehensive and detailed approach to their process. The conversation ended with a commitment to work on these aspects and renew connection with God by using tools that are readily available.
Group Study Recording
Listen to these songs before starting the video:
For Worship
The King Will Come – God Don’t Give Up On Me Yet (Grace Idowu Rendition)
For Praise
For Prayer
Tauren Wells – Hills and Valleys (Acoustic Video)
Resources
Bible Parallels
Make a practice of visiting BibleHub.com to study individual verses and read them in dozens of Bible versions.
https://biblehub.com/psalms/23-4.htm
Follow Up
Next Steps
- Be sure to add the next 4 weeks of study to your calendar along with reminders to study ahead.
- All participants are directed to:
- Practice rewriting Psalm 23:4 in their own words to make it more personally meaningful.
- Develop habits of staying in God’s word and praying regularly, especially before experiencing difficult times.
- Practice speaking positively and “against” negative situations rather than dwelling on problems.
- Be more mindful of inviting negativity into their lives and instead focus on cultivating peace and joy.
- Reflect on how God’s presence brings comfort even when circumstances don’t change.
- Practice patience and trust in God’s timing during challenging situations.
- Prepare for discussing Psalm 23:5 in next week’s session.
Journaling and Discussion Questions
Some questions to journal through and discuss with friends or family members…
- 00:01:53 Consider what we’ve talked about in the past 3 weeks. How have these things gotten you into a space where God needs you to be right now?
- 00:08:02 Google Pictures of Valleys and Discuss
- What do you see?
- How do these pictures of valleys change your perception of “living” through valley experiences?
- 00:10:45 Do we connect our reading of the word to how it speaks to our experiences?
- 00:14:41 VALLEY MEDITATION and discussion
- What are the differences in God’s valley in creation (real life) vs. our mind’s valley experience?
- How do we need to change our mind’s valley experience based on God’s actual valley?
- 00:20:00 Read and Reflect on Psalm 23:4 From Different Translations
- 00:24:56 There are so many different ways that we can experience death that is not the loss of a person…
- 00:26:38 Contradictions in Psalm 23:4 Seek. Find. Discuss.
- 00:34:44 Read about the ROD and STAFF of God. Discuss.
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- Rod = Protection (Discuss This)
- Staff = Guidance (Discuss This)
- Both = Comfort (Discuss This)
- 00:37:15 Watch and Listen
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- 00:41:14 What makes it hard to trust God when you’re going through the middle of your valleys?
- What are the fears, the concerns, or the doubts you face while you’re going through these dark spaces?
- 00:44:07 For those of us who have encouraged someone else through a valley, what have you told them to help them through their valley?
- 00:47:46 What does it mean to you to know that God is in the valley with you?
- When you are in your valley, do you remember that God is there?
- What kind of steps can we take to remind ourselves that God is in these valleys with us?
- What active steps can we take?
- What can we do differently than we have done in the past?
- 00:59:33 Think about how we invite darkness when no darkness exists. Friends, have you done that before?
- 01:02:39 Rewrite Psalm 23:4 in your words (Layman’s terms)
- Let everyone in the group do this. Share aloud. Then, discuss.
- 01:07:43 What does it mean that God is in the valley with us?
- How does God’s presence bring us comfort, even when things do not change?
- 01:14:00 How have you experienced God’s protection or guidance during tough times?
- 01:18:14 Close with Prayer
