How are you with the shepherd?

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this edition of Ascend. We have prepared some questions to help you reflect on what you have read.

1. Where are you most aware of your weakness and dependence on God? Where are the areas where you are most tempted to set up idols and look to providers, protectors and guides other than the Lord? How does the Lord provide for, protect, and guide you?
2. If you are single, are there benefits of singleness that you can thank God for? If you are married, are there benefits of marriage that you can thank God for? How easy do you find it to trust God in the challenges of singleness/marriage (whichever gift you currently have)? Can you say with David “I lack nothing”? If not, who might you work that through with?
3. How do you respond to the idea that the narrow path is the path of true freedom? Is there a tension between your head and your heart? Can you identify Bible passages which speak into this?
4. Which of the three images from David Gibson’s book do you find most helpful and why: sheep and shepherd, traveller and companion, or guest and host? 
5. What in the Heidelberg Catechism do you most need to hear today?
6. It can be easy to doubt that God is with us when we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death. Are there particular passages of scripture which you would find it helpful to read and/or memorise to remind yourself of this truth? 
7. Do you find the rod and staff comforting? If not, why not? How might you better align your heart with God’s word?
8. How is pastoral care at your church for those who experience same-sex attraction and/or gender incongruence? What is good currently? What could be improved? If you are a church member, is there anything you could helpfully feed back to the leadership and/or friends about what is helpful/unhelpful for you? If you are a church leader, are there people you could seek feedback from (recognising that what may be helpful for one person in one season in the context of one relationship may not be helpful for someone else or even for that same person in another season or with another person)?
9. Some of our members have looked back on their lives and identified times where they can see God’s goodness and mercy following them. This can help us to see things that we may have missed at the time. Where can you see God’s goodness and mercy looking back over your time as a Christian? Would it help you to have a daily practice of gratitude for the blessings and small mercies of the day?

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.