Jesus Our Shepherd

Jesus Our ShepherdJesus Our Shepherd

December 30December 30

Quiz Time …Quiz Time …

• What are some facts you know about sheep?• These facts suggest that sheep need a These facts suggest that sheep need a

shepherd.shepherd.– Jesus taught that believers are like sheep … have Jesus taught that believers are like sheep … have

similar qualities … need a shepherdsimilar qualities … need a shepherd

Today we study how Jesus is our shepherd Today we study how Jesus is our shepherd

Listen for one of the “I am” Listen for one of the “I am” statements.statements.John 10:7-10 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, "I John 10:7-10 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, "I

tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves [8] All who ever came before me were thieves

and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through

me will be saved. He will come in and go out, me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to

steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullmay have life, and have it to the full

Our Shepherd Gives Us LifeOur Shepherd Gives Us Life

• What is the significance or purpose of a door What is the significance or purpose of a door or a gate?or a gate?

• How does the gate or door help the sheep we How does the gate or door help the sheep we talked about earlier?talked about earlier?

• So how is Jesus like a “gate” or “door” for So how is Jesus like a “gate” or “door” for believers?believers?

• How would a thief prey on a “flock” of How would a thief prey on a “flock” of believers? What would such a thief try to believers? What would such a thief try to steal?steal?


• Note also the significance of Jesus statement, Note also the significance of Jesus statement, “I am the gate” and not a gate. Why is this “I am the gate” and not a gate. Why is this important?important?

• If Jesus is the way to God, what are the If Jesus is the way to God, what are the implications for the church today in a world of implications for the church today in a world of many people who have never even heard the many people who have never even heard the name of Jesus?name of Jesus?


• What do you think it means to “find pasture?” What do you think it means to “find pasture?” How has Jesus provided “pasture” for you? How has Jesus provided “pasture” for you?

• Why might unbelievers not see Christians as Why might unbelievers not see Christians as not having “life abundant” or “life to the full?”not having “life abundant” or “life to the full?”

Experiencing God’s abundance will require Experiencing God’s abundance will require our faith in and obedience of the Lordour faith in and obedience of the Lord

Listen for the contrast between the owner Listen for the contrast between the owner of the sheep and the hired worker.of the sheep and the hired worker.

John 10:11-13 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd. John 10:11-13 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the The good shepherd lays down his life for the

sheep. [12] The hired hand is not the shepherd sheep. [12] The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. [13] The man runs away because he is a hired [13] The man runs away because he is a hired

hand and cares nothing for the sheephand and cares nothing for the sheep

Our Shepherd Sacrificed Himself for UsOur Shepherd Sacrificed Himself for Us

• What differences do you see between the What differences do you see between the shepherd and the hired hand?shepherd and the hired hand?

• What are some ways in which Jesus as a good What are some ways in which Jesus as a good shepherd has shown His love and care for shepherd has shown His love and care for you?you?

• What kind of person does the hired hand What kind of person does the hired hand represent?represent?

Shepherd Hired Hand

Our Shepherd Sacrificed Himself for UsOur Shepherd Sacrificed Himself for Us

• How can you be sure you are following the How can you be sure you are following the Good Shepherd and not the hired hand?Good Shepherd and not the hired hand?

• Who are some good earthly “shepherds” Who are some good earthly “shepherds” you’ve been led by?you’ve been led by?

• How can you be a good earthly shepherd to How can you be a good earthly shepherd to those in your spiritual care?those in your spiritual care?

Our Shepherd Knows UsOur Shepherd Knows Us

• Consider the following names … Consider the following names … –George W. BushGeorge W. Bush– Franklin GrahamFranklin Graham– Tony RomoTony Romo–Glenn BeckGlenn Beck

• Show us some pictures from your wallets … Show us some pictures from your wallets … how well do you know these people?how well do you know these people?

Do you know these people?

We know them because of a personal relationship, they’re

important in our lives

Now listen for how well the shepherd Now listen for how well the shepherd knows his sheep.knows his sheep.John 10:14-16 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd; I John 10:14-16 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- [15] know my sheep and my sheep know me-- [15]

just as the Father knows me and I know the just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] I have other sheep that are not of this [16] I have other sheep that are not of this

sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock

and one shepherd. and one shepherd.


• We are Jesus “sheep” – how does He know us We are Jesus “sheep” – how does He know us well?well?

He knows everything about us … even more He knows everything about us … even more than we know about ourselves!than we know about ourselves!

• How does the relationship of knowing each How does the relationship of knowing each other develop between the sheep and the other develop between the sheep and the good shepherd?good shepherd?


• How does this relate to our relationship with How does this relate to our relationship with Jesus Christ?Jesus Christ?

• What is meant by the “other sheep” and the “one flock”?

ApplicationApplication

• Jesus is the only way to enter eternal lifeJesus is the only way to enter eternal life– Eternal life … the quantity is unending … the Eternal life … the quantity is unending … the

quality is the kind that comes from a loving quality is the kind that comes from a loving Heavenly FatherHeavenly Father

– Thank God for the promise of life abundant in the Thank God for the promise of life abundant in the coming year … even if you are facing big problemscoming year … even if you are facing big problems


• Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave Himself Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave Himself willingly and completely for uswillingly and completely for us– Beware of false teachers and leaders who focus Beware of false teachers and leaders who focus

only on themselves … have no genuine concern only on themselves … have no genuine concern for those under their carefor those under their care

– This week, ask the Lord that you be a godly This week, ask the Lord that you be a godly shepherd to those in your care.shepherd to those in your care.


• Jesus, the Good Shepherd knows us and Jesus, the Good Shepherd knows us and enables us to know Him personally and enables us to know Him personally and intimatelyintimately– Be sure to take the time to get to know your Good Be sure to take the time to get to know your Good

Shepherd more closely each day.Shepherd more closely each day.– Remember the “other sheep” Jesus has Remember the “other sheep” Jesus has

commissioned us to bring to Him. commissioned us to bring to Him. – Give and pray for those efforts, around the corner Give and pray for those efforts, around the corner

and around the world.and around the world.

Jesus Our ShepherdJesus Our Shepherd

December 30December 30

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Jesus Our Shepherd