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 444 episodes available.

Shepherd of the Valley Messages episodes:

July 13, 2025 Justice
What is a “that’s so unfair” story you have from childhood?
When you think of the term justice what comes to mind? How would you define it?
How do you see Jesus living out a posture of justice? What is his approach?
What does it mean that all people were “created in the image of God?”
How do we know when we’re being tempted to see someone as less than?
Matthew 14:13-14
Why do you think Scripture includes the detail that Jesus was moved with compassion?
Why are justice and compassion linked together for Jesus?
Where in your world are you being invited to adopt Jesus’ posture of justice?
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31min
July 06, 2025 Connection
How would you describe the pace of your life right now?
Read Mark 1:21-32
What is Mark showing us about the demands of Jesus’ ministry? Do you have a tendency to think Jesus’ life was less busy or complicated than ours today? What happens when that belief is challenged?
Are you in a practice of “getting away to pray.” If yes, what does that experience do for you? Do you find that time gives you clarity around your purpose? If not, what prevents you from doing so?
In what areas of your life do you need to “turn down the noise?”
Read 1 Kings 19:11-12.
What does this passage tell us about God’s voice? Do you find any tension in the story when considering how God might speak to you? Has this been true in your life?
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29min
June 29, 2025 Available
Icebreaker:
– What’s the most memorable interruption you’ve experienced lately—funny, frustrating, or meaningful?
– Were you ever surprised by something good coming out of an interruption?
S – Scripture
Read Mark 6:30–34 and Mark 5:21–34 aloud together.
O – Observation
– Where do you see evidence of compassion or attentiveness in these passages?
– Almost half of Jesus’ miracles were interruptions—why do you think that is?
-How is availability a part of Jesus’ posture and rhythm of life?
– How did Jesus see “the one” in the crowd? What does that teach us about focus and presence?
A – Application
– Who in your life might be an “interruption” that’s really an invitation?
-What gets in the way of your availability to others or to God?
– How could you practice starting your day with “Here I am, Lord”—and what might that look like in practice?
P – Prayer
– Invite each person to pray one sentence: “God, help me be available to…”
– Pray for the courage to see needs instead of just interruptions.
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31min
June 22, 2025 Jesus’ Power to Provide
Jesus starts this section by saying we cannot serve both God and money (v. 24).
– Why do you think He begins a conversation about worry and provision with that strong statement?
– What does it reveal about our hearts?
Jesus points to birds and flowers as examples of God’s provision.
– Why might He have used these natural images to teach about trust and value?
In verse 33, Jesus gives an alternative to worry: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”
– Based on the sermon and the text, what does it practically look like to seek the Kingdom first?
Jenn asked, “What do you need to trust God to provide for today?”
– How would you answer that personally? Be specific.
– What tends to make trusting God hard in that area?
Reflect on this line from the message: “Provision follows purpose.”
– Do you find that hopeful or challenging? Why?
– Where have you seen this to be true (or not) in your own life?
Pray together. Silent Reflection, then Group Prayer
Invite a minute of quiet for everyone to identify where they most need to trust God’s provision. Then pray aloud, with a few men volunteering to pray over those areas.
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29min
June 15, 2025 Jesus’ Heart to Heal
What’s one thing you usually say when someone asks how you’re doing?
Read John 5:5–9 together.
What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ character and authority?
Is there an area in your life where Jesus is inviting you to “get up” but you’re still sitting by the pool?
Which of these areas—Sick, Anxious, Lonely, Addicted, Distracted—resonates most with you right now?
Read Luke 5:17–26 together.
What’s one step you can take this week to trust God more deeply—or to help carry someone else toward healing?

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27min
June 08, 2025 Jesus’ Authority Over All
Share about a time when you insisted on doing something “your way.” What happened? What do you remember about the outcome?
Read Mark 4:35–41, John 14:12, and John 20:21–23
– In Mark 4, what does Jesus’ calming of the storm reveal about the scope of His authority?
In John 20:21-23, Jesus says he is sending us with the same authority He was given by His Heavenly Father.
– What strikes you about the fact that Jesus delegates His authority to you?
– How do these passages shift your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus?
The sermon highlighted a common mindset: “I want God’s blessing in my life, just not His authority over how I live it.”
– What area of your life are you tempted to keep under your own control?
The umbrella illustration showed that blessing comes when we choose to stand under God’s authority.
– What does standing under His authority look like practically in your life right now?
– Pray for a willingness to surrender the areas of your life where you’re “near the umbrella” but not under it.
– Ask God to help you trust that His authority brings freedom, not restriction.
– Invite God to empower you by His Spirit to carry His presence and peace into the places He’s sending you this week.
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32min
June 01, 2025 Jesus Tells the Truth
What did you want to be when you grew up? How might that have represented what you were looking for out of life?
How do you respond to the question: Is Jesus a good teacher? Where have you heard this phrase before and do you think it is a valid question?
Would you say that you are more likely to trust God in the extraordinary, than the ordinary? What everyday things do you struggle with trusting God in?
How might following Jesus’ teachings lead us to purpose?
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most famous teaching section, he finishes with a story from Matthew 7:24-27. How might this story clarify or add meaning to what Jesus has taught before? Does it reveal anything about our purpose through it?
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28min
May 25, 2025 Found in the Following
Icebreaker
Share about a time when you got lost (literally or figuratively). How did you respond? Did you try to find your way on your own, or did someone help?
2. Scripture Engagement
Read Luke 5:1–11 and Philippians 3:7–9
In Luke 5, what progression do you see in Simon Peter’s relationship with Jesus (Teacher → Master → Lord)?
Why do you think Peter responded so strongly in verse 8 (“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”)?
How does Paul’s statement in Philippians 3 reflect a similar transformation in purpose and identity?
3. Reflection & Application
The sermon started with a story about a woman searching for herself. In what ways do you find yourself “searching for yourself” in this season of life?
“Your purpose is NOT something lost, purposely hidden, a single event, or ever final.”
– Which of these false ideas have you believed about your purpose?
“My work matters to God. My whole life is used to serve God. God brings meaning to every moment.”
— which one resonates with you the most?
— which one are you most challenged by?
4. Prayer Focus
Pray for clarity of purpose in this current season.
Ask God to help you trust His character, adopt His posture, and embrace His design for your life.
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35min
May 18, 2025Early Church: On the Other Side of Scarcity
Opening:
If someone handed you $100 and said, ‘Use this to bless someone in a fun or unexpected way,’ what would you do?
S – Scripture
Read Acts 2:42–47, Acts 4:32–37, and 1 Peter 4:8-10 aloud as a group.
O – Observation
What stands out to you about how the early church lived and gave?
How would you describe the attitude of the early believers toward their possessions?
What words or phrases show us that the resurrection changed not just their beliefs, but their lifestyle?
A – Application
Freedom from Consumerism:
What’s one way the culture’s “consumerism” mindset pulls at your life? How could resurrection reshape that?
Whole-Life Stewardship:
Which area do you find easiest to give: time, talent, or treasure? Which one challenges you the most?
Planned Generosity:
Shepherd teaches “Plan, percentage, progress.” Do you have a giving plan? What would it look like to take a next step in one of those areas?
Witness through Community:
How might your small group or family reflect the Acts 2 community more deeply? (e.g., meeting needs, sharing meals, caring for each other)
P – Prayer
Close by praying together:
Thank God for His sacrificial generosity to us through Jesus.
Ask for the courage to live open-handed and others-focused.
Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your group toward creative ways to be generous in your homes, church, and community this week.
Optional: Ask if anyone in the group has a tangible need the others could help meet—this can be a powerful moment of Acts-style community care.
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24min
May 11, 2025Mary: On the Other Side of Disappointment
Where in your life have you experienced disappointment recently?
Describe a time when something that initially felt like a setback turned out to be a gift?
S – Scripture
Read aloud: John 20:11–18
Optional: Read Psalm 13; Psalm 34:18 and Isaiah 43:1 as well.

O – Observation
What do you notice about Mary’s posture and emotions in this story? What stands out to you in how Jesus approaches her?
Why do you think she didn’t recognize Jesus right away?
Jesus calls her by name. What significance does that hold — for Mary, and for you personally?

A – Application
In what ways do you identify with Mary’s disappointment or grief in this season of your life?
Where do you need to be reminded that Jesus is near, even if you can’t see Him clearly?
How have you seen God show up quietly — maybe in ways you didn’t first recognize?
How might God be “doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) in your life right now?
What does it look like for you to live as someone who has encountered the risen Jesus — even in seasons of discouragement?

P – Prayer
Invite group members to silently reflect on this question: “Jesus, where do I need resurrection in my life right now?”
Then: Pray for one another — especially for places of disappointment or grief.
...more
31min

FAQs about Shepherd of the Valley Messages:

How many episodes does Shepherd of the Valley Messages have?

The podcast currently has 444 episodes available.