LISTEN -

Verses: John 10:1-21

Main Point: Trusting and tollowing Jesus is life and life to the full!

{Background to Jesus’ Comments: Ezekiel 34:1-6 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
Ezekiel 34:23-24 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.}

1. Jesus Gathers His People (John 10:1-6)

2. Jesus Protects His People: (John 10:7-10)

3. Jesus Gives His Life: (John 10:11-21)

REFLECT

What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you?
Is it hard to be compared to sheep in this passage? What does this comparison reveal about humans? What does it reveal about God’s character and heart for His people? What contrasts are set up between Jesus and the religious leaders?
Read John 10:1-6. List the different characters in this metaphor. Who did they represent? What did the sheep pen represent? Who were the people who did not enter through the gate when they entered the sheep pen?
In the metaphor, the shepherd knew His sheep and called them by name. What does this represent? Why did the sheep follow the shepherd? Why would they not follow another person?
Read John 10:7-10. What is the significance of Jesus calling Himself “the Gate”? What does this tell us about God’s protection? What does it tell us about the means of salvation?
In contrast to the thief, what did Jesus provide for His sheep? What does it mean to “have life, and have it to the full”? How does one gain access to this life?
Read John 10:11-21. What was the difference between a good shepherd and a hired hand? Who was Jesus referring to in the analogy? Who was the good shepherd and who was the hired hand?
Why did Jesus lay down His life? What did He accomplish for the sheep by laying down His life? Did Jesus lose His life on the cross or give His life on the cross? What is the distinction, and why is it important to our understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice?

ACT

What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
Who is someone you can share what you learned with?