Sermon Response Guide

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: 
Psalm 23 ESV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Key Points

• To overcome spiritual apathy, we must:
  1)    Know the Shepherd
  We’re apathetic because we’ve lost a clear vision of our Good Shepherd, Jesus.
  2)    Follow his path
  If we pursue happiness, we won’t find it. But if we pursue Christ and his holiness, we will find true happiness along the way.
  3)    Seek his presence
  When we neglect God, fear grows and so does indifference. But when we draw near to our Good Shepherd, he casts out all fear.
  4)    Trust his promises
  When we hold fast to the enduring promises of God, our love for God is strengthened and our spiritual apathy is starved.

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
-Psalm 23:4 ESV

Questions for Reflection

Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:

1: When was the last time you felt apathetic toward God and/or the things of God?

• Where do you think that spiritual apathy came from? 

2: How have you seen exhaustion breed indifference in your own life?

• Do you remember what it took to awaken you from that season of indifference?

3: Why might indifference – rather than hate – be considered the opposite of love?

• Considering the relationship between exhaustion and indifference, along with the weight of indifference, how does that affect the way you view the enemy’s tactics in your life today?
• In other words, what is the cost of our busy lives spent in constant communication with a countless number of people?

4: How are you challenged and encouraged by the 4 steps to overcome spiritual apathy?

5: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?

• How will you respond?
• Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?

Pray

Lord, thank you for loving us in the face of our indifference. Awaken us to your steadfast love. Give us a renewed desire to pursue you and your holiness – nothing more and nothing less. May we hunger for your nearness in every moment. Teach us to hold fast to the hope that is ours in you and your everlasting promises.