Come, Follow Me Family Study

August 17–23: “The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46

Weekly Theme: Jesus Christ Is Our Strength, Shepherd, and King

Weekly Truth: Jesus Christ is our sure place to turn. We can trust Him to guide us, forgive us, strengthen us, and give us peace.

The Psalms were an important part of ancient Israelite worship, and the Savior Himself often quoted them. They express experiences such as fear, sorrow, gratitude, repentance, worship, and trust in God—feelings that still make them meaningful to us today. This week's Come, Follow Me manual especially invites us to notice the repeated invitations to trust the Lord and the blessings He gives to those who do.

Study Together

Read the scriptures together, discover what they mean, and learn how they point to Jesus Christ. Each day's study includes a short summary, discussion questions, and simple invitations to help your family grow closer to the Savior.

Monday — Choose the Lord's Way

Reading: Psalms 1-2; 8
Focus Scripture: Psalm 1:3

Short Summary

Psalm 1 contrasts two ways of living. Those who delight in God's word are compared to a strong tree planted near water, while the wicked are compared to chaff that blows away.

Psalm 2 teaches that people and rulers may oppose the Lord and His Anointed, but they cannot stop God's purposes. The New Testament connects this psalm with Jesus Christ (Acts 4:25-28; 13:33).

Psalm 8 then turns our attention to God's greatness. The God who created the heavens also remembers and cares for His children.

Questions

What makes the tree in Psalm 1 strong and fruitful? What might help us become spiritually strong?
What does Psalm 2 teach us about the power of the Lord compared with the power of people?
Why do you think David was amazed that the Creator of the heavens cares about mankind?
What do these psalms teach us about who Jesus Christ is?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ is the Lord's Anointed King and the Creator of the earth. Psalm 1 helps us see the strength that comes from choosing God's way, while Psalms 2 and 8 help us recognize the greatness and authority of Christ. We can build our lives around Him and His teachings.

Family Invitation

Choose one teaching of Jesus Christ that your family wants to follow more intentionally today.

Tuesday — Look to the Lord for Strength

Reading: Psalms 19-21
Focus Scripture: Psalm 20:7

Short Summary

Psalm 19 teaches that God's creations show His glory and that His word teaches, warns, and guides us. David values God's teachings more than gold and asks that both his words and the thoughts of his heart will be pleasing to the Lord.

Psalms 20-21 focus on trusting God's strength. Psalm 20 contrasts trusting in military power with trusting in the Lord. Psalm 21 praises God for the strength, salvation, and blessings He gives to the king.

Questions

What can we learn about God by looking at His creations?
Why might God's word be more valuable than something expensive like gold?
What are some things people rely on today instead of relying on God?
What would it look like for us to trust Jesus Christ more?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ is our Creator and Redeemer. He gives us truth to guide our lives, and His power is greater than anything the world can offer. We can look to Him rather than relying only on our own strength.

Family Invitation

When you face something difficult today, quietly pray: “Jesus Christ, help me trust Thee.”

Wednesday — The Savior Who Suffered and Shepherds Us

Reading: Psalms 22-24
Focus Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Short Summary

Psalm 22 describes intense suffering, rejection, and a plea for God's help. Many details have powerful connections to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 on the cross, the people who mocked Him used language similar to Psalm 22:7-8, and John connects the dividing of His clothing with Psalm 22:18. The Come, Follow Me materials specifically identify Psalms 2 and 22 as psalms that teach about Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23 presents a very different picture: the Lord as a shepherd who provides, guides, protects, and remains near. Psalm 24 asks who can enter the Lord's holy place and teaches the importance of clean hands and a pure heart before ending with the triumphant arrival of the King of glory.

Questions

What details in Psalm 22 remind you of Jesus Christ?
What does a good shepherd do for his sheep? How does Jesus do those things for us?
What do you think “clean hands, and a pure heart” means for us?
How does Jesus Christ help us become clean enough to return to God's presence?

Christ-Centered Focus

These three psalms give us several beautiful pictures of Jesus Christ. He is the Savior who suffered for us, the Good Shepherd who cares for us, and the King of glory. Because of His Atonement, we can be cleansed and eventually return to God's presence.

Family Invitation

Look for one way today that the Good Shepherd has cared for you. Share what you noticed with your family.

Thursday — Teach Me Thy Way

Reading: Psalms 25-27
Focus Scripture: Psalm 27:14

Short Summary

Psalm 25 shows David repeatedly turning to God for guidance, forgiveness, protection, and help. He trusts that the Lord will teach those who are humble and asks God to show him the right way to go.

Psalm 26 is a prayer asking God to examine David's life. David describes his desire to live with integrity, avoid wickedness, and worship the Lord. Psalm 27 continues the theme of trust. David describes the Lord as his light, salvation, and strength. He seeks God's presence, asks Him for guidance, and ends by encouraging those who wait for the Lord to have courage, with the promise that the Lord will strengthen their hearts.

Questions

Why do we need the Lord to teach us His way?
What does it mean to have integrity?
What might change if we remembered that Jesus Christ is our “light” when we don't know what to do?
According to Psalm 27:14, what does the Lord promise to give those who courageously wait for Him?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ doesn't only save us at the end of our lives—He can lead us now. He teaches us God's way, offers forgiveness when we sin, gives light when we need direction, and strengthens us as we wait upon the Lord.

Family Invitation

Before making choices today, practice asking: “What would Jesus Christ want me to do?”

Friday — Cry to the Lord

Reading: Psalms 28-30
Focus Scripture: Psalm 30:5

Short Summary

Psalm 28 begins with David crying to the Lord and asking Him to hear his prayer. Later, David praises God because He has heard him and describes the Lord as his strength and protection. Psalm 29 praises the Lord's great power. David uses powerful scenes from nature to help us understand the greatness of the Lord's voice, then teaches that the Lord gives His people strength and peace.

Psalm 30 praises God for deliverance, healing, and joy after sorrow. The Joseph Smith Translation of verse 5 adds an important truth: God's anger is kindled against the wicked, but when they repent, His anger is turned away and they receive His favor and life. The JST of verse 9 also clarifies that although the body returns to dust at death, the soul continues to praise God. The current Come, Follow Me lesson highlights Psalm 30:5 to teach that Jesus Christ can turn sadness into joy.

Questions

What do Psalms 28-30 teach us about where strength comes from?
What does the JST of Psalm 30:5 teach us about repentance?
What does “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” teach you about difficult times?
How has Jesus Christ brought joy or hope into your life?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ makes repentance and forgiveness possible. He gives strength and peace, and because of His Resurrection, death is not the end. The sorrow we experience now will not last forever because of Him.

Family Invitation

Think of something Jesus Christ has done that brings you joy. Tell Him about it in your prayer tonight.

Saturday — Trust, Repent, and Rejoice

Reading: Psalms 31-33
Focus Scripture: Psalm 32:1

Short Summary

Psalm 31 shows David continuing to trust God through grief, danger, and opposition. He asks for mercy and deliverance and ends by encouraging God's people to love the Lord and continue hoping in Him. Jesus later used the words of Psalm 31:5 on the cross: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Psalm 32 teaches about the blessing of forgiveness. The JST of verse 1 clarifies that when sins are forgiven, they are not merely covered or hidden. David describes acknowledging his sin to God and receiving forgiveness. Psalm 33 then turns to joyful praise, teaching that God's word is right, His works are good, His purposes stand, and His power is greater than human strength.

Questions

What does it teach you about Jesus that He used the words of Psalm 31 while on the cross?
Why is honestly acknowledging our sins an important part of repentance?
How is being forgiven different from simply hiding something we've done wrong?
What reasons for praising God can you find in Psalm 33?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ makes true forgiveness possible. We do not need to hide our sins from God. We can come honestly to the Savior, repent, and receive His mercy. Because He is trustworthy and powerful, we also have reason to rejoice and praise Him.

Family Invitation

Take a quiet moment to pray individually. Thank Heavenly Father for Jesus Christ and ask Him to help you recognize anything you need to change.

Sunday — Be Still and Trust the Lord

Reading: Psalms 40; 46
Focus Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Short Summary

Psalm 40 begins with David remembering how the Lord heard and delivered him. It teaches about trusting God and delighting in doing His will. Hebrews 10:5-10 applies Psalm 40:6-8 to Jesus Christ, who came to perfectly do the Father's will.

Psalm 46 teaches that God is a refuge and source of strength even when everything around us seems to be in turmoil. He is with His people and has power greater than the conflicts of the earth. The psalm ends with a simple invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” The current Come, Follow Me manual specifically encourages families to practice being still and consider how quiet moments can strengthen their relationship with God.

Questions

What does Psalm 40 teach us about Jesus Christ's willingness to do the Father's will?
What does it mean for God to be our refuge?
Why might being still help us remember and trust God?
When life feels noisy or confusing, what can help us turn our attention back to Jesus Christ?

Christ-Centered Focus

Jesus Christ perfectly submitted His will to the Father. He is also a sure refuge when life around us feels uncertain. We can stop, become still, remember who He is, and trust His power rather than allowing fear to control us.

Family Invitation

Spend one quiet minute together with no talking or distractions. Think about Jesus Christ and one reason you trust Him. Afterward, let anyone who wants to share what they thought about.

Teach Together

Continue your study with resources designed for families, teachers, and leaders. Use the memory scripture, object lesson, Christ-centered insights, and testimony to help teach with confidence and strengthen faith.

Memory Scripture

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”

This short verse captures an important message running throughout the week's Psalms. We don't have to rely entirely on ourselves. We can stop, turn toward God, remember who He is, and trust Him. It is also the memory scripture emphasized for children in this week's Come, Follow Me resources.

Watch for Christ

Look for all the different ways the Psalms describe what the Lord is to us.

Watch for descriptions such as King, Shepherd, light, salvation, strength, refuge, help, shield, and Deliverer.

Each description teaches us something different about Jesus Christ. By the end of the week, you could make a family list titled “Who Is Jesus Christ to Me?”

Object Lesson

A Place to Stand

You need: a sturdy chair or step stool and a pillow or couch cushion.

Put the cushion on the floor and have someone carefully stand on it. Ask them how steady they feel. Then have them stand on the solid floor or another safe, firm surface.

Read the image David uses in Psalm 40:2: the Lord brought him out of the miry clay and “set my feet upon a rock.”

Explain that throughout this week's Psalms, people experience enemies, sorrow, sin, fear, uncertainty, and trouble. The answer isn't that those difficulties never happen. Again and again, the psalmists choose to trust the Lord in the middle of them.

Jesus Christ is our firm place to stand. When other things feel unstable, we can turn to Him, follow His teachings, repent when we sin, pray for His help, and trust His promises.

Finish by asking:

“What could we do this week to put our feet more firmly on Jesus Christ?”

This Week We Learned About Jesus Christ

He is our King. His authority and purposes cannot ultimately be overcome (Psalm 2).
He is the Good Shepherd. He guides, cares for, and remains with His people (Psalm 23).
He suffered for us. Psalm 22 contains powerful connections to His suffering and Crucifixion.
He is our Redeemer. Through Him we can repent and truly be forgiven (Psalms 19; 25; 32).
He gives strength and peace. We can trust Him instead of relying only on ourselves (Psalms 27-29; 46).
He perfectly did the Father's will. Psalm 40 points toward Christ's willing obedience and saving mission.

Closing Testimony

I testify that Jesus Christ is everything these Psalms teach us He is—our Shepherd, King, Redeemer, strength, refuge, and source of peace. He knows when we are afraid, when we have sinned, when we are waiting, and when we need direction. We can turn to Him in every part of our lives. As we learn to trust Him, follow His way, and become still enough to recognize His presence, He will lead us closer to Heavenly Father.

Live the Gospel

Learning the gospel changes us as we live it. Accept this week's invitation to apply what you've learned, follow the Savior, and discover the joy that comes from becoming more like Him.

This Week's Invitation: Turn to Christ

Each day, notice one moment when you need something the Psalms teach that Jesus Christ can give—guidance, forgiveness, strength, protection, peace, hope, or help.

Instead of immediately trying to handle it alone, turn to Him first. Say a prayer, remember a scripture from this week's reading, or simply become still for a moment and remember:

Jesus Christ is my Shepherd. He is my strength. He is my refuge. I can trust Him.

Monday, August 17, 2026