Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
John 10:10-18 ESV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Key Points
- Jesus is the I AM.
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Jesus is the good shepherd.
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We need a shepherd.
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Our sin does not repel our good shepherd, instead it triggers his love toward us.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” -John 10:14-15 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: Make a list of responsibilities you would assign to a shepherd and answer the following questions.
- How has Jesus fulfilled each of the shepherd’s responsibilities you listed in your own life lately?
- Of all the shepherd’s responsibilities, which do you find most difficult to believe about Jesus?
- What other things or people do you depend on to fulfill the responsibilities that belong to our good shepherd, Jesus?
2: Why do you think Jesus went from saying he is “the door” to he is “the good shepherd” in the same breath?
- What do the door and the good shepherd have in common?
- How do the door and the good shepherd differ from one another?
3: Review today’s primary Scripture and answer the questions that follow.
- Of all the I AM statements of Jesus we have studied so far in our sermon series, this is the first time Jesus includes the word “good” to further describe who he is. What makes a shepherd good?
- How have other shepherds in your life failed to measure up to being a good shepherd?
4: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?
- How will you respond?
- Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?
Pray
Lord, you are the good shepherd. You know us and you desire for us to know you in the same way the Father knows you and you know the Father. You never leave us. Even when we want to flee from the reality of our own sin, you always rush in. Open our ears to know your voice, help us believe you are good, and give us the courage to follow you wherever you lead.
