The LORD Is My Shepherd: David's Shepherd Song
Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Samuel 16:11; 1 Samuel 17:34-37; John 10:11-15 Old Testament PrincipleTrust
David was a shepherd who wrote songs to God. In Psalm 23 he sang that the LORD is his Shepherd, who leads him, takes care of him and stays with him even in the darkest valley. Because God is our good Shepherd, we can trust Him and not be afraid.
The LORD is a good Shepherd who leads, feeds and protects His sheep and never leaves them. Because He is with us, we can trust Him even in dark and scary times.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). David's Shepherd walked with him through the dark valley. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, went all the way through death for us and came out alive, so He can bring His sheep safely home to "the house of the LORD forever."
John 10:11; John 10:14-15; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25
The Big Story · Redemption
Since sin broke the world, every life has dark valleys. God promised to shepherd His people, and in Jesus the Good Shepherd came Himself, laid down His life and rose again, so His sheep can live in His house forever.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Whose voice?
- Dasch’s Dig Site (bible-times history): The Shepherd's Toolkit
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Shepherd says
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God is my Shepherd.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Follow the shepherd, Color the shepherd and sheep
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
David was a shepherd who wrote a song to God. He sang that God is his Shepherd who takes care of him and stays with him, even in the dark. God is our Shepherd too, so we can trust Him!
Start here
Ask, "Who knows how to take care of a pet? What does it need?" (Food, water, a safe place.) Hold up a walking stick. Say, "Long ago, a boy took care of lots of sheep. He used a stick like this, and he made up songs while he watched them. One of his songs is in the Bible!"
Bible story 6 min
David was the youngest boy in his family. His job was to watch the sheep near Bethlehem.
David led his sheep to green grass. He found quiet water for them to drink. At night he kept them safe. Once, a lion came. Another time, a bear! David fought them off and saved his sheep.
Out in the fields, David played the harp and sang to God. He knew God took care of him, just like he took care of his sheep. So he wrote a song.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Follow my voice 8 min
You’ll need: A blindfold or scarf
- Play the Object Lesson game again with more kids. The blindfolded sheep must find the shepherd's voice among the strangers.
- Let several kids take turns being the sheep.
- Ask, "How can we get to know Jesus' voice?" (Listen to His Word, pray, sing to Him.)
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3rd – 4th grade
In Psalm 23, David, a shepherd, sang that the LORD is his Shepherd who provides, leads, protects and stays with him even in the darkest valley. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, so we can trust Him instead of being afraid.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The Shepherd's job list, Rhythm relay
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Psalm 23 shows a shepherd-king discovering that the LORD is his Shepherd, who provides, guides and stays present even in the valley of the shadow of death, pointing ahead to Jesus, the Good Shepherd who walked through death for His sheep, so we can trust Him with our fears.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: From shepherd to Good Shepherd, Write a verse
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Trust
The same principle in other Bible stories.
In the BeginningGod Provides a LambGenesis 22:1-19God tested Abraham, then provided a substitute in Isaac's place, a picture of Jesus, the Lamb God provides for us.Old TestamentTrust
With NatureLook at the Birds: Jesus Teaches About WorryMatthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 10:29-31Jesus told His followers not to worry. He pointed to the birds, which God feeds, and to the wildflowers, which God dresses more beautifully than a king. Our Father in heaven knows what we need, so we can trust Him and put Him first.New TestamentTrust
Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman Who Touched JesusMark 5:21-43Jairus begged Jesus to come heal his dying daughter. On the way, a sick woman touched Jesus' cloak and was healed, and Jesus stopped to talk with her. Then news came that the girl had died. Jesus said, "Do not be afraid; just believe." He took her hand, and she got up! We can trust Jesus even when it seems too late.New TestamentTrust
Seeing God's WorldThe Big StoryGenesis 1:1, 31; Genesis 3:1-24; Revelation 21:1-5; Romans 11:36The Bible is one true story from beginning to end. God made a good world, sin broke it, Jesus came to rescue us, and one day He will make all things new. Because we know how the story ends, we can trust God in every chapter of our lives.Old TestamentTrust
Is the LORD Among Us? Water from the RockExodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:15-16; 1 Corinthians 10:4God's people traveled through the desert to a place called Rephidim, but there was no water. Instead of asking God for help, they argued with Moses and said, "Is the LORD among us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God told him to take his staff and some of the leaders to a rock at Horeb. God said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses struck the rock, and water gushed out for everyone. God was with His people all along. Paul later said, "That rock was Christ." We can trust God with every need.Old TestamentTrust
Kings and ProphetsDavid and Goliath1 Samuel 17:1-51; 1 Samuel 16:1-13God saves His people by His own power, through the champion He chooses.Old TestamentFreeTrust