It’s Tuesday! Yoo Hoo, Yay, Yay, Yay! Oh how I love Bible Study day.
Not that the others aren’t that, but this is the day that we look at a chapter. We’re in John 10 this week. The Good Shepherd is here. Let’s get to it, shall we?
First, we’ll pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, only You can lead us in this. Only You are the Good Shepherd. Only You have this lesson planned and ready to write. So Lord, I ask, come, lead, use my hands and my thoughts and reveal all You want us to see today. In Your Holy and Precious name, I pray. Amen.
Today we’re mostly in the NIV, but I think there might also be some Message in it, so here is John 10 in the NIV. And here is John 10 in the Message in case you have neither. We’ll start in the NIV so find John 10 and read verses 1-6.
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
He calls his own… by name, and they listen to his voice.
There’s only one proper way into the pen.
Do you think the ‘gatekeeper’ is a ‘person’ or something like a lock?
He brings them out and goes in front of them. He leads. Always. All He asks is ‘follow’.
John 10:6 MSG
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again.
Read John 10:7-10
Jesus says He is what?
“Whoever enters through me will be __________.”
Read John 10:11-13
Jesus is also, the ___________________________.
Read John 10:14-16
Jesus says it again in verse 14. He is ____________________. “I know my sheep and my sheep _________________.”
Write the second half of verse 16… “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” Now you…
Read John 10:17-18
Yes. He does that. He now has all the authority, all of it.
You can experience that in your life. Have you? Here is a story from this past week I have no explanation for other than it was His authority.
In the morning, I have this five song playlist I call my
Happy 😄 Morning playlist.
I had it playing while I got myself ready for the day and when those five songs were over, I was not finished yet, but it was just that kind of day, well, normally the music stops, but that day? Another song, and then another played, and I didn’t touch the phone. I know for certain I was in that playlist and it only has five songs. Seven played that day, well, six and a half before I was ready to turn them off, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was His doing. He is so very involved in every moment of my day. It happens when You ask for it. It happens when you give Him complete access. Well, that morning when that sixth song played, I knew He was right there and I said “Thank You, Lord.” Several times, Thank You, Lord, I know that has to be your doing. Thank You.” Always give Him the credit. Glory, it’s giving Him glory. Give Him access and watch. He loves to act on our behalf. It’s part of ‘the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.’ Ephesians 2:7
Read John 10:19-21
The opposite of division is ___________, what Jesus is looking for. And no, I’m not talking about math here. Faith. What is the faith opposite of division?
Read John 10:22-24
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
Check the footnotes, what is the Festival of Dedication?
What season is it?
Imagine this: John 22:23-24MSG
Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”
Read John 10:25-30
Jesus answered, “I did ____________,” He said they don’t believe because they are not _____________.
His sheep ________ He knows them, and they ________. He gives them __________________, and they shall never _______; no one will snatch them out of his _______.
The kind of unity Jesus wants is what He has with the Father, He calls it what?
Read John 10:31-33
The opponents called him a _____ ____. They don’t believe His ‘claim to be God.’ Oh that we would believe, that we would be among his sheep who know his voice.
It’s another way of thinking about words though. Be very careful how you speak. With love, speak life giving words.
I find every day I have to ask Him, please, Lord, make my voice gentle. I have trouble with my voice often, so it takes extra force to get it to work and therefore it sounds a lot harsher than I want it to, and tends to upset my girl. But He has taken it over several times this past week, made it gentle, and all I can do is praise Him. Gentle and clear is what I ask for because clarity is often difficult, and He’s done it several times. Oh that it would be the default way my voice worked, which it could be if I keep praying about it. Pray first. Pray always. Pray. Yes, He has authority even over how your voice comes out of your mouth. I want all I am and do to produce fruit. I want every thought of my mind to filter through Him first and every moment of every day to be even more aware of His nearness, His always with me Presence. The Peace and the Joy and all the other fruit that is produced in a life in His Presence.
Read John 10:34-39
“Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son.’? Do not believe me unless ________________. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the ________, that you may _______ and ______________ that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
Read John 10:40-42
What good news do you see at the end of this chapter?
My friends, faith is precious and important and all He is looking for. Faith has innumerable benefits because it’s so valuable. No one can take you out of His hand. True, but You can leave it. Please don’t. Please remain in Him. He will hold you every single day, every single minute. You’re completely safe in His hands. Faith. Do every thing you can do to grow your faith and hold onto your faith.