Shepherd of the Valley Messages

By Shepherd of the Valley

Weekly messages from Shepherd of the Valley Church in Afton, Minnesota... more

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FAQs about Shepherd of the Valley Messages:

How many episodes does Shepherd of the Valley Messages have?

The podcast currently has 455 episodes available.

Shepherd of the Valley Messages episodes:

February 22, 2026 I Am – The Bread of Life
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26min
February 15, 2026 I AM – Who I Am
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30min
February 08, 2026 Live Restoried
What is one of your favorite stories to tell? (Ex. a family story that comes up often)
Scripture
Psalm 139:1–3
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… you are familiar with all my ways.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Observation
How would you describe God’s actions in this passage? Based on these verses, how does God relate to our lives?
These Scriptures speak to God knowing both ordinary moments (“sit” and “rise”) and unseen ones (“thoughts from afar”). Do you believe that God is with you in the unseen and the ordinary moments?
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does Paul mean by “new creation.” How should our lives look different if we are new creations?
What do these two passages together suggest about God’s relationship to our past, present, and future?
Application
How might God want to use our whole story? If we are new creations, why do things from the past still matter?
Have you had a moment where your reaction didn’t match what was happening around you? What would it look like for you to notice, name, and make sense of something that keeps showing up for you?
What is one step you could take this week to consider your own story and how God might want to work in that story? What makes you hesitant or excited about that process?
Prayer
God, you know me completely — my past, my patterns, and my present.
Thank you that in Christ you are not erasing my story, but restoring it.
Help me trust you with the parts I don’t yet understand,
and lead me forward into the new life you are forming in me. Amen.
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32min
February 01, 2026 Spiritual Direction 101
What is a memorable dining experience you’ve had?
Are you a person that tends to look inward? Why or why not?
Read Proverbs 4:23. What might it mean to guard our heart? What does the heart represent in this passage?
How might we attend to what is going on in our hearts when it comes to our faith? How good are you at doing this with God?
How do you respond to this phrase: Not everyone needs to know everything, but someone needs to know everything. Do you agree with this? Who is this person/people for you?
In what ways can you practice spiritual direction: checking in on yourself and your relationship with God alongside someone else formally or informally?
Read John 15:5-6, in ways do you try to do things “outside of God”? How can you remain in Him?
Close in prayer. (consider the communal prayer practice below)
Live it Out: Click here for communal prayer.
Going Deeper: 1. Reach out to a spiritual director in our congregation – Vonda [email protected], Jerry [email protected], or Nancy [email protected]. 2. Read Seeking God Together by Alice Freeling 3. Engage with God in a new way through Arukah House (led by Shepherd member Jane Grant-Abban).
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30min
January 25, 2026 A Service of Lament & Hope
Psalm 88:1–9
1. What emotions stand out to you most in this psalm? Which verses feel the heaviest?
2. What does this passage teach us about bringing our pain to God?
Lamentations 3:19-25
1. How can remembering God’s faithfulness change how we face current trials?
2. How do hope and lament co-exist in this passage?
Romans 12:9-21
1. Which of these do you find easiest to live out? Which feel the hardest?
2. How do verses 14–16 challenge the way we respond to people who hurt, annoy, or misunderstand us?
3. What does it mean to “live at peace with everyone” while still maintaining healthy boundaries?
Sermon on the Mount
1. Which teaching from the Sermon on the Mount challenges you the most right now?
2. What does it look like to live out Jesus’ teaching in a world that is broken?
3. If someone asked you what following Jesus looks like based on this sermon, what would you say?
1. Which passage do you personally connect with the most right now and why?
2. In what ways does Jesus’ call us to love our enemies?
3. How might God be inviting us to respond to pain, conflict, or injustice after reading all these together: Psalm 88:1-9, Lamentations 3:19-25, Romans 12:9-21, and Sermon on the Mount?
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19min
January 15, 2026Designed for Attachment
Warm Up (Pick 1 or 2)
When you were a kid, what was something that helped you feel safe or calm?
Who is someone (past or present) you feel relaxed being yourself around—and why?
Are you more of a “figure it out myself” person or a “talk it out with someone” person?
Scripture (Read Together)
Psalm 131:1–3, John 15:4-9, Col 3:12-17, Rom 8:15–16
Questions
What words or images stand out to you from these passages?
What feels comforting about this picture of God?
What feels challenging or unfamiliar?
Observation
How does these passages describe the posture of God towards us?
What do you notice about Jesus?
What do these passages imply our posture toward God and others should be?
How is this image different from how we often think about mental health and faith?
Application
With God
Do you tend to relate to God more through striving or resting?
What helps you feel close to God when you’re overwhelmed?
What might it look like for you to “abide” (John 15) this week?
With Others
How does feeling secure with God change how we show up for others?
What does “carrying one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) look like in everyday life?
When someone is hurting, what does presence look like instead of fixing?
Prayer
Invite the group into a short, guided prayer:
God, help us receive your love—not try and earn it.
Calm our anxious hearts. Heal what has been wounded.
Teach us to be people of presence for one another. Amen.
Optional Prayer Practice
Sit quietly for 30–60 seconds.
Invite participants to picture themselves resting safely with God.
Close with the Lord’s Prayer or Romans 8:15 spoken together.
Going Deeper (If Time Allows)
What messages about independence or strength shaped you growing up?
How might those messages influence your faith today?
What would it look like for the church to be a place of secure attachment?
At-Home Practice (Optional)
Spend 5 minutes this week in quiet prayer using Psalm 131.
Practice being fully present with one person—no fixing, no rushing.
Notice when you are tempted to withdraw or strive, and gently return to God.
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36min
January 04, 2026You Do New
When was a time you didn’t take someone’s good advice? How did the situation turn out?
Scripture: Read Judges 1:1 and Judges 21:25 NLT
Observation:
What stands out to you when you hear how Judges begins versus how it ends?
What do you think contributed to the shift?
How do you think God felt during this time in the life of the nation of Israel?
Application:
What do you think it means practically to “do what seems right in your own eyes”?
Where do you most feel the pull toward “You do you” thinking in your own life?
Decisions?
Relationships?
Time?
Faith practices?
Mark 2:18-22 describes Jesus, who came to bring about something NEW. As you consider the year ahead, what might God want to do NEW in your life?
Prayer:
Ask God to reveal one area where you’ve been doing what seems right in your own eyes
Ask Jesus, our King, to give you insight into the New He wants to invite you into this year.
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30min
December 28, 2025The Beginning and The End
When you reflect on 2025, what feels most lost, broken, or unfinished in your life or the world?
Where did you experience glimpses of hope or renewal this year?
Read Genesis 2:15–17 and Genesis 3:7–9. What changes in Adam and Eve after they sin—emotionally, relationally, and spiritually? What does hiding reveal about how shame works in our lives?
In Genesis 3:9, God asks, “Where are you?” Why do you think God asks a question instead of making an accusation? Why does God ask the question?
In Revelation 21:5, God says, “I am making everything new.” How is this kind of “new” different from starting over or throwing things away? What has God made new in your life?
Read Genesis 2:10–14, Revelation 22:1–5, and John 7:37–38. What similarities do you notice? What do you think “thirst” represents spiritually?
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29min
December 21, 2025You are the Light of the World
Warm-Up
Share a time when a light has brought you comfort.
Scripture
Read together: Matt 5:14–16 Eph 5:8–14
As you read, listen for words that describe identity, purpose, and love.
What words or phrases stand out to you?
Observation:
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” Why do you think Jesus begins with a declaration rather than a command?
Jesus describes a lamp hidden under a bowl as absurd. What does this image tell us about the purpose of light—and the purpose of our faith?
In Eph 5:8, Paul says we were once darkness, not just “in darkness. How does that deepen your understanding of what grace really does in a person’s life?
According to Eph5:9–14, what does walking in the light produce? Which of those feels most needed in your life right now: goodness, righteousness, or truth?
Application:
Where do you sometimes feel pressure to “manufacture” light instead of simply reflecting Jesus?
What are some subtle ways we might hide God’s light—fear, comfort, busyness, self-protection?What would “faithful presence” look like instead of performative faith?
Matthew 5:16 connects light with good deeds motivated by love. Who in your life right now might need the tangible love of Christ, not advice or correction, just presence?
The sermon reminded us that even a single lumen pushes back darkness. What is one small, faithful act of love God may be inviting you into this week?
“What is one way this series has reshaped how you think about light, love, or your role in the world?”
Prayer
Invite the group to pray silently for a moment, reflecting on where God’s light has changed them this Advent.
Then close with a prayer like this:
Jesus, Light of the World,
thank You for shining into our darkness and changing who we are.
Thank You that we do not have to create light, earn light, or shine perfectly—
only to reflect what we have received from You.
As Advent closes and Christmas comes,
help us walk as children of light—
loving faithfully, showing up consistently,
and bringing Your grace into places that feel heavy or dim.
Make our lives point beyond us to You,
so that others may see Your love and give glory to our Father in heaven.
Amen.
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27min
December 14, 2025Light That Came At Christmas
Warm-Up
Share a time when a light revealed something you didn’t notice before—maybe physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How did it change your perspective or bring joy?
Scripture
Read Together: John 1:4–5, 9-13, John 8:12, John 3:16–21, John 9:1–7, John 12:35–36, John 12:44–46, 1 John 1:5-10. As you read, underline or note any phrases about light, truth, or joy that stand out to you.
Observation
In John 8:12, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” What does it mean that Jesus identifies Himself as light, not just a source of moral teaching or knowledge? How does this relate to joy, according to the sermon?
In John 9, Jesus heals the man born blind. How does this story illustrate the way Jesus’ light exposes truth and restores life? Who were the truly blind in this story, and what does that tell us about spiritual blindness in our lives today?
1 John 1:5 says, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” How does knowing this encourage you to walk in Jesus’ light? In John 12:44–46, Jesus invites us to see and follow His light. How do love and action reflect that light to others?
John 12:35–36 and John 1:9–13 describe becoming children of light. What does it mean to live as a child of light in your day-to-day life? Where do you see joy naturally arising as a result of walking in His light?
Application
Where in your life do you most need Jesus’ light to bring joy this Advent season?
Are there areas where you’ve been trying to create your own light instead of relying on Him? How could you invite Jesus into those areas?
How can you reflect Jesus’ light through love, encouragement, or service in tangible ways this week?
Prayer
Jesus, Light of the World, thank You for shining into our darkness and restoring our sight. Thank You for bringing life, truth, love, and joy. Help us walk fully in Your light this week, reflecting Your joy and grace to everyone we meet. Show us where we are blind, and let Your light guide us. Amen.
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26min

FAQs about Shepherd of the Valley Messages:

How many episodes does Shepherd of the Valley Messages have?

The podcast currently has 455 episodes available.