6.1 Discussion. The Good Shepherd

Getting Started

Consider the following passage from John:10:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.

John 10:11–18

What is Jesus talking about when he claims to be “the good shepherd”? Why would he say this to the people of Jerusalem? Was this a foretelling of his death, resurrection, and life to come? Was this about those who could hear his voice in that very moment?

Jesus shares the reasons he truly is the Good Shepherd. He first talks about his relationship with his followers; we know his voice. He then talks about his relationship with his father—his father knows him and he knows the father. Then, he states that he will even lay down his own life for his flock and then take up his life again, for his flock and of his own accord. No one is above the Good Shepherd. He leads us through life, death, and back to life again.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Explore a time when you longed to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Resources

· Video: The Good Shepherd

· Bible

Background Information

If you think you have never had a parent, if think you have never had anyone to guide you, shelter you, keep you from harm’s way, then please, dear one, think again. There is one who is greater than our own thoughts, greater than any human being, and even greater than our own hearts. He is the Good Shepherd.

If you haven’t heard his voice, then sit in the silence and listen.

If you can’t hear him, that’s okay. Your heart knows him. For it is he, the Good Shepherd, who is behind the beating of your heart.

Instructions

1. Watch the video “

The Good Shepherd
.”  (Closed captioning is provided.)

2. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. Share a time when you longed to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.

b. Share a time when you know the Good Shepherd spoke to you, directed you, or helped you in some way. How did that experience change you?