April 30: Protecting Love (John 10:1-15)

To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:

Read John 10:1-6 and discuss the following questions with your group.

1. How does Jesus describe the difference between the way the shepherd enters the sheep pen and the way others enter it?
2. How does Jesus describe the difference between the way the sheep respond to the shepherd and the way the sheep respond to others?

Read John 10:7-10 and discuss the following questions with your group.

3. What new metaphor does Jesus introduce? What does each metaphor in this passage communicate about Jesus?
4. How does Jesus’ character and motives differ from the thief’s?

Read John 10:11-15 and discuss the following questions with your group.

5. How does Jesus’ character and motives differ from the hired hand’s?
6. From what you know about the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders in Jesus’ day, how do they fit Jesus’ characterization of a thief or hired hand?
7. With what selfless action does Jesus associate the good shepherd—twice?
8. What does it mean that Jesus knows his sheep and his sheep know him?
9. What relationship is that intimacy patterned after?

To encourage personal application:

Consider dividing into groups of three or four people for the following time of sharing and prayer.

1. What “voices” or messages, other than the good shepherd’s, call out to you? How do you discern between the two?
2. What difference does it make when you choose to listen to Christ?
3. How do you “tune your ear” to focus on Christ’s voice? What do you feel challenged to do differently?

Close with a time of prayer. Thank Christ for being the good shepherd and the gate for the sheep; and commit yourself to becoming more familiar with his voice, listening to him, and following him.