The Good Shepherd
Notes
Transcript
To the Ends of the Earth:
The Good Shepherd
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.
Opening Discussion: How do you feel about needing someone to protect you? How do you feel about the idea that we need protection by Jesus?
Big Idea: Jesus truly cares about His people.
1. Jesus will not abandon His people.
(John 10: 11 - 13)
For further discussion: Put yourself in the disciples’ shoes. How do you think they felt about Jesus’ words here? What did this mean for them? (See also Psalm 23: How do the words of David compare to the words of Jesus? How might David’s words regarding how God shepherd’s His people add to our understanding of Jesus as a good shepherd?)
Illustration: Think about the love a mom has for her kids.
Application: No matter what we do, Jesus is always with us.
Notes:
2. Jesus _________ His __________ even before they know _______.
(John 10: 14 - 16)
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Illustration: We know our mom’s voice.
For further discussion: How does it feel when someone says that they know you? How would you respond if a famous person actually knew your name? How does it feel that Jesus knew you even then? (See also Jeremiah 1:4-5: While each of us have a different call, how does Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet relate to God’s call on our lives? Does it comfort you that God knows you and has a plan for you? Have you come to understand what God’s plan is for your life?)
Notes:
Response: Do you trust Jesus as your shepherd? Will you join His flock?
COVID-19 Challenge:
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.