Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene - IL

MARCH 22, 2026

“Even Though I Walk…”

Dave Anderson, Lead Pastor

In this message, Pastor Dave walks us through Psalm 23 in the wake of devastating loss. Rather than offering easy answers, he invites us to anchor ourselves in the personal, present reality of the Good Shepherd, the One who does not abandon His flock in the valley but walks with us through it. From green pastures to the shadow of death, David's psalm becomes a roadmap not around grief but through it, held by a Shepherd whose faithfulness flows from His character, not our strength. The valley is real, the loss is real, but the Shepherd is also real, and His goodness and mercy are still pursuing us, still shaping our future, and still leading every one of His sheep all the way home.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

David opens Psalm 23 not with what he is facing but with who he belongs to: "The Lord is my shepherd." Why does that starting point matter, especially in seasons of grief or loss?
Pastor Dave described the Shepherd's restoration as something that "seeps into the broken places, sometimes imperceptibly, like sunrise creeping through our blinds." Where have you seen that kind of slow, quiet restoration in your own life?
David says "even though I walk" through the valley, not "if I walk." What does it mean to you that the valley is part of the journey rather than a detour from it?
The comfort of Psalm 23 is not that death does not happen, but that death does not get the final word. How does that distinction change the way you sit with grief?
Pastor Dave described this gathering itself as the table God prepares in the presence of our enemies, feeding us with His presence in the middle of the shadow. How has the community of the church carried you through a painful season?
Psalm 23 closes with the promise that goodness and mercy will "pursue" us all our days. What would it look like for you personally to trust that God's goodness and mercy are still pursuing K1, and still pursuing you, even now?

LIFETRACK STEP FOUR: LIVE IT OUT

ROOM 109 | 12:15PM | Lunch & Childcare provided

No matter where you are at on your journey, Lifetrack is the first step that we encourage you to participate in here at Kankakee First Church. This is where you will learn about WHO we are as a church, WHAT we believe, and HOW we are structured to help you along your spiritual journey. Lifetrack is a four-step process that helps you discover your redemptive purpose and live the life God created for you. You will learn more about who we are as a church and who God has created you to be.
Lifetrack is also our onboarding for our DreamTeam.