Things to think about relating to our message last weekend...
Consider.
- As a child, what was your favorite pet? How did this pet respond when it heard your voice?
Read John 10:1-21.
Think.
- What do the sheep, shepherd, the sheep pen, and the stranger represent? How doest hte story in John 9 provide one example of what this parable is about?
- How do the sheep respond to the shepherd? How doest his relate to the Pharisees' difficulty in understanding Jesus?
- What does Jesus mean by likening himself to a gate for the sheepfold? Who are these "thieves and robbers"? How is Jesus unlike them?
- How dos Jesus identify himself with the "good shepherd" (vv. 11-15)? How does Jesus' death relate to His promise in verse 10?
- Who are the "other sheep" He must bring also? What characterizes His flock?
- What final claim does Jesus make (vv. 17-18)? Why do His listeners respond as they do? How would you have responded?
Reflect & Apply.
- What was the turning point for you in terms of hearing "God's voice" and responding?
- How do you discern His voice form all the voices that vie for your attention?
- How does it make you feel to think of God caring for you as the Good Shepherd?
- Who is someone you know who may be far from hearing and recognizing God's can you do to be a friend to this person? Actively love and serve this person? Win this person's confidence?
- When is a good time for you to, daily, pray for this person and for opportunities to lead this person to know God and His voice (call the person to follow Jesus)?
