Click to hide HTML preview
Tuesday, May 22, 2001
DePaul IV Large Group Meeting
We’re here to: get to know & love each other
study the Bible
worship & honor God
1. Q: What is your favorite animal at the zoo? why?
2. Bible study (35 min)
3. Prayer for each other (5-10 min)
4. Worship (25 min)
Background: Jesus just healed a man who had been born all of his life. The
Pharisees were all upset by this, and questioned the man, trying to figure
out where Jesus’ power is from. Then Jesus talks with the Pharisees about
spiritual blindness: “I came into this world for judgment so that those who
do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Then he tells
them this story.
John 10:1-21
What are some things you observe here? Are there any ideas that are
repeated or contrasted? Any surprises or questions?
What does Jesus say about sheep? What do you notice about them?
hear his voice will run from a stranger
follow the shepherd don’t know the voice of a stranger
know his voice won’t follow a stranger
What do you notice about the shepherd?
enters by gate
calls by name
knows his own
lays down life for sheep
Jesus says he is the gate, and he is the shepherd. Why does he say this?
what is he trying to communicate?
gate: no one enters except through him (John 14:6)
shepherd: he is good, he cares for and knows his sheep
NPR clip: what do you notice about this farmer? how is she like Jesus?
What do you notice about the thief/stranger/hired hand? Who is Jesus
talking about here?
they are always looking out for themselves
the Pharisees and teachers of the law
What do you notice about the relationship between the shepherd and the
sheep?
very close, full of trust
special
they hear his voice. Do I recognize Jesus voice and follow him?
In verse 10 Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly.” What does this mean for us?
he is talking about eternal life
also talking about fullness of life, like Psalm 23
lots of references about sheep in OT
Look at verse 16. What is Jesus talking about, that there are other sheep
not in the fold?
possibly Gentiles, non-Jews. talks more about this in John 17
What does all of this tell you about your relationship with Jesus? What are
some ways you can apply these truths to your life?
he wants to be close to me
I need to listen for his voice
Jesus has come to give us eternal life, and he uses the analogy of a
shepherd and his sheep to illustrate this. How can we follow Jesus better?
What do we learn about our relationship to Jesus?
Ann Boyd
May 2001
Click to see HTML preview
