THE GOOD SHEPHERD

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.  Then Jesus spoke to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 10:1-9

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Who might the shepherd be? The sheep? The strangers? The thieves and robbers?
2. What is the connection between this parable and the prophecies in Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23?
3. Why are there pretend shepherds? How do they work?
4. What protects the sheep? More than one thing?
5. How can Jesus be called the Good Shepherd?