The book My Biography of God is a real challenge to know who God is. It is not so much a book to read as it is a framework to study who God is. I have used this with my teens on Wednesday nights to highlight different things brought up in the study.
The blurb on Ironwood‘s site says:
My Biography of God is a unique blend of Bible study, memorization, thoughts to consider, and writing designed to challenge you to learn more about the God of eternity. That knowledge will encourage you to live more godly day by day. In section 1 you will research the character and description of God, write what you have learned in section 2, and record your own prayer requests and praises in section 3. As you become the author of your own biography of God, the hope is that you will write from the heart, not just the head. Discovering “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8) should be a life-changing experience that will show eternal results.
It is originally designed as a daily study, with each day relating to the topic for the week. Because of the nature of the format, I will not be posting to this site my memorization of verses or certain other aspects of the study (mostly the Sections 1 and 3). Instead, I will be posting mostly the Section 2 aspect of the study on a weekly basis rather than a daily basis.
Here, I want to present my own personal study and share challenges – specifically to my teens, but also to the general public. I have received permission from the author to do this as a ministry tool. The format will go like this (unless I can think of a better way) – Each category in Section 2 of the book is designed to be added to throughout the entire study. I will do something similar by copying the category contents from previous weeks into the new weeks and then add the info from each week. At the very bottom of each post, I will offer some reflection and challenges.
Again, my intent is not to reprint the book on the web or do the work for you (what I post here will even be a truncated version of my own personal study), so I highly recommend that you purchase the book yourself and do this study on your own.
Why My Shepherd?
Psalm 23
Object Lessons About God
One of the easiest ways that you can learn about God, Whom you cannot see or touch is to compare Him or His character to things that you can see or touch. Psalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd.” You understand what a shepherd does, because you can see him and watch him complete his tasks. When the Bible compares people to sheep, you can understand what the believer’s relationship with his Shepherd should be like. In this section, record the physical object lessons you find in the Bible that teach you about eternal concepts.
Prepared table shows God’s provision Psalm 23:5
Rod and staff show God’s protection Psalm 23:4
Oil and overflowing cup show God’s generosity and mercy Psalm 23:5
The house of the LORD shows the real, physical place that I will dwell with God Psalm 23:6
Why Did God Create Man?
Why am I here? Why did God create me? What is my purpose? The answers to these questions should have a profound effect on your life. The answers may not make sense at first, but you must remember that God is your Creator and His way is the only way. Record here what He says about why He created man.
To dwell with Him forever – Psalm 23:6
Relationship with Him (sheep to Shepherd) – Psalm 23
To glorify Him – Psalm 23:3
What Has God Given Me?
All my needs – Psalm 23:1
The best things – Psalm 23:2
Salvation – Psalm 23:3
Courage and comfort – Psalm 23:4
Life (present and eternal) – Psalm 23:6
What Relationship Does Man Have With God?
That of a sheep and Shepherd (protection, care, love) – Psalm 23
Names of God
THE LORD THY GOD – Deuteronomy 28:58
Rock – Deuteronomy 32:4
Character of God: Faithfulness
Truth, veracity, as the faithfulness of God; strict performance of promises, vows, or covenants; consistency in affection, as the faithfulness of a husband or wife
He always provides – Psalm 23:1
He keeps me righteous – Psalm 23:3
His goodness and mercy continue through life and into eternity – Psalm 23:6
Character of God: Goodness
The state of being good; the physical qualities which constitute vale, excellence, or perfection; kindness; benevolence; benignity of heart; but more generally, acts of kindness; charity; kindness; benevolence of nature; mercy; the Lord God – abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34)
God’s provision – not just for needs, but supplies the best things – Psalm 23:1-2
God’s protection – Psalm 23:4
I am sandwiched between his leadership (Psalm 23:3) and his goodness and mercy that follow me (Psalm 23:6)
Character of God: Love
Giving to meet needs with no motive for reward
He looks for and leads toward the best things for my life – Psalm 23:2-3)
He does not abandon me during hard times (Psalm 23:4)
He does what is best for me personally even when there are bigger things going on (Psalm 23:5)
Character of God: Mercy
That benevolence, mildness, or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to for bear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant
He protects me from my enemies, though I was by nature His enemy – Psalm 23:5
His mercy is everlasting – Psalm 23:6
Character of God: Omnipresence
Present in all places at the same time
He can care for each of His sheep personally – Psalm 23
Character of God: Providence
The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; foresight; timely care; particularly, active foresight, or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation
He has a future home for me in heaven – Psalm 23:6
Concluding thoughts for Week 1
God is an incredible provider. I have no need to want.
Not anything.
Ever.
There is nothing to worry about. There is nothing to fear. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make wise choices and plow on ahead with my life, but I do know that God is looking out for my best interests and he does so personally.
How about you? What have you been worrying/anxious about? Hopefully this gives you a glimpse of how much God provides for you. It’s funny that this psalm is so often thought of as a funeral psalm – but it is a LIFE psalm!
There are so many other applications and thoughts that can be found in this passage – what are yours? Leave your observations in the comments below.
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