John 10:1-21
Life Group Questions:
1. If you were not able to hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What are some main ideas that you gathered from the sermon? What, if any, questions did the sermon cause for you or do you desire to have additional clarification?
2. Describe some thoughts that come to mind when you think of shepherds. What are some common traits of shepherds? List some characteristics that distinguish a good shepherd from a mediocre or bad shepherd? Which kind would you prefer?
3. What does it mean that God is our Shepherd? Look at the following passages and describe some benefits of God as our Shepherd: Genesis 48:15; 49:24; Psalm 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Isaiah 40:11. Describe how God has shepherded you.
4. In this passage John provides us with a “figure of speech” spoken by Jesus. How does a figure of speech differ from a parable? List at least three important elements in this figure of speech about the shepherd(s), door, and doorkeeper.
5. What does it mean that Jesus is the door? What is Jesus stating about Himself; what claim does He make? What are the promises which Jesus gives to those who enter through Him? How does a person enter through the door of Jesus? Is the door (i.e. Jesus) ever closed to anyone (cf. Luke 13:22-30)? Explain.
6. Describe an interesting time when you heard a person’s voice and automatically knew who it was without seeing them. Describe a time when you heard the voice of God and knew that He was speaking to you. Does God still speak to us? How?
7. Jesus promised that He would give abundant life to those who are His sheep (vs. 10). What does it mean to have this abundant life? Do you consider yourself to be living the abundant life? Why or why not? How can we experience more life?
8. What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd? List at least three benefits of having Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Who are those “other sheep” described by Jesus (cf. vs. 16)? Describe the significance of Jesus’ designation of one flock and one shepherd? Does Macedonia church resemble and represent these ideas? Explain.
9. For whom did Jesus lay down His life (cf. vs. 15)? What are the implications of this statement? Does it seem wrong to think that Jesus laid down His life for an exclusive group of people? Did Jesus lay down His life for the for the whole world? Explain your answer.
10. Describe the authority and nature of Jesus’ actions as stated in verses 17-18.