Knowing and Living with the Shepherd:

John 10:1-5 “...Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers...”

What two types of people are described by Jesus?

• A thief and robber.
• A shepherd of the sheep.

How do these two types differ in the way they enter the sheepfold.

• The shepherd enters by the door, which is opened to him by the gatekeeper.
• The thief and robber climbs in another way.

What is the sheepfold?

• A place where sheep are presumed to be safe and protected.
• A place where God’s people are presumed to be safe and protected.

How do these verses relate to the verses found at the end of Chapter 9?

• The Pharisees professed to be the guides or shepherds of the people.
• Jesus stated that they would lose their sight, becoming blind.
• These professed leaders were truly, truly, being called thieves and robbers.

Why do the sheep follow the shepherd?

• They hear His voice.
• They know His voice.
• They won’t follow a stranger.

What does this imply about those who follow the thief and robber?

• They don’t hear the shepherd’s voice.
• They don’t know the shepherd’s voice.

John 10:7-9 “...So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture...”

Who is the door?

• Jesus claims to be the door of the sheep.

What is the result of using the door?

• Being saved from sin and its blindness.
• Finding the pasture that has been prepared for the sheep.

John 10:10-13 “...The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep...”

How does what Jesus offers differ from what others offer?

• Jesus lays down His life for the sheep.
• Jesus offers the unconditional love that has no self-serving agenda.
• Jesus offers the abundant life that man was created to enjoy.
• Others have selfish agendas.
• Others actually steal and destroy the life that man was created to enjoy.

Is your life a going in and going out in the abundance of the Lord.?

John 10:14-18 “...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. 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. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 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...”

What other sheep must Jesus bring also?

• The great love he showed wasn’t just for his disciples.
• The great love he showed wasn’t just for the nation of Israel.
• The great love he showed was for all who believed.

What does “...there will be one flock...” suggest?

• Though many folds (groups) exist, they make up one and only one flock.
• People must carefully avoid an elitist attitude that assumes they are the only sheep.

What was Jesus clearly stating about the Father’s will?

• The Father had given Jesus the charge to lay down His life.
• Jesus had the authority to lay down His life and take it up again.
• Jesus intended to lay down His life for His sheep.