Well, Christmas
is over – now what?
The tree is put away. The decorations packed. No more music in the stores. No more hustle and bustle. Christmas is supposed to bring peace on earth, and good will toward men. So, what's the problem?
Why is there so much emptiness or loneliness after the Christmas season is over?
Why can’t something that is supposed to fill us keep us full?
I. GOD GIVES LIFE – JOHN 10:7-10
7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
Sheep are defenseless, frightened easily, and tasty to predators. Why do sheep need a shepherd? In what ways are people – and more specifically, Christians – similar to sheep?
What characteristics make a leader shepherd-like?
What is the significance of the door to a pen? How does it help the sheep inside? How does that parallel with Jesus’ role in our lives?
In what ways do life in a pasture (10:9) for sheep represent abundant life (10:10) for people? Name three ways your life is abundant?
II. OUR GOD CARES – JOHN 10:11-13
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.
How can you tell that someone or something is good, in the way Jesus depicts good?
According to this passage, what makes a shepherd good? Does laying down one’s life necessarily mean dying an earthly death? Who are some good earthly shepherds you’ve been led by? How do you shepherd others?
Why doesn’t the hired man protect the sheep? Why does Jesus care about you? What does John 15:9-10 add? What does God, your Shepherd, show you about love and life? What generates shepherd-like love in you?
In what ways can Jesus provide for you like no one else can?
III. OUR SHEPHERD KNOWS US – JOHN 10:14-16
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.
What are some of the ways our actions, attitudes, work, and play show we know Jesus? How do you recognize His voice better now than a few years ago? Why?
What is the difference in hearing and listening? Based on that, why did Jesus use a word for listening instead of hearing in verse 16?
What does the Shepherd’s voice sound like?
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, You are my Shepherd. I want, neither do I need, none other. Thank you for walking daily with me. I will follow where You lead. Amen.
This has been a great series of lessons on the names of God. It would be good for everyone to go back and watch the intro video from time to time to remind you of the names and attributes of our YHWH - Jehovah!
Happy New Year to everyone and may the many blessings God has given to each of us this year carry us into the new year with a new devotion and dependence on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In His Love,
David & Susan
