1538) I have discovered in my classroom that my students often learn more successfully if I show them what is not the way to write and then, couple it with what is. Seeing an example of not using correct punctuation such as: Let’s eat grandma versus Let’s eat, Grandma can be enlightening. I think sometimes it’s helpful to do the same with Bible verses. Let’s look at Psalm 23:1.

In the first verse of this well-known Psalm, David writes the Lord is his shepherd. We can study about shepherds in Bible times and it would enrich our understanding of this verse, but we can also think about what a shepherd is not.

A shepherd is not a hunter, looking at the sheep as his prey. The shepherd is not self-centered; he cares for his flock. The shepherd does not abuse his sheep. The shepherd doesn’t blame the sheep for their inability to think and avoid danger. I think you get the idea.

David tells us a lot about this Shepherd and here’s my challenge. Go through this familiar Psalm and think of this “what it’s not” technique. It will bring a fresh perspective to the well-known.